Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson confront the unknown of THE CONJURING (2013)
This weekend continued 2013’s trend of diversity in fantastic film debuts: You had your choice of an atmospheric, based-on-a-true-story ghost tale with THE CONJURING, or ride along with Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as afterlife cops in the effect-enhanced action-fantasy-comedy R.I.P.D, or indulge your sense of whimsy as Ryan Reynolds — again — voices a supercharged snail in the DreamWorks’ CG animated film, TURBO. Or you could stay home and read a good book, but c’mon, what sane person is going to do that?
Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons put the primary focus of this week’s show on THE CONJURING discussing, director James Wan’s (SAW, INSIDIOUS) handling of atmosphere and scares, and examining whether the real-life angle — allegedly based on the experiences of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren — helps or hinders the storytelling. Then Steve and Larry look into whether R.I.P.D. managed to live up to the potential of its premise, and Steve delivers some surprising observations on TURBO. Plus: What’s coming to theaters next week, and absolutely no book recommendations.
Wan’s ideal: The scary travels out of the theater with you… Mischa Barton finds life in APARTMENT 1303 just a little disturbing… Rene Clair twists the Faust legend in LA BEAUTE DU DIABLE…
From the luxurious Cinefantastique Online studios in NYC, Dan Persons brings you up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of fantastic film & TV.
New Line Cinema releases this year’s second horror film from director James Wan (INSIDIOUS 2). The script by Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes is based on an allegedly true story that predates THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as married paranormal investigators, who confront a demonic entity in a farm house. The supporting cast includes Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor.
Running time: 112 minutes.
Theatrical Release: July 19, 2013 (premieres at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 21).
Marty McFly only had to be sure his mom ‘n’ dad fell in love. Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) has to keep a bomb from killing a trainful of Chicago commuters, identify the bomber, foil his plan for detonating a dirty bomb in the heart of the city, connect with a pretty passenger (Michelle Monaghan), and do it all within the same eight minutes that a secret military time travel program called SOURCE CODE permits him. In his sophomore effort, director Duncan Jones explores the same theme of a man alone and at the mercy of shadowy machinations that was explored in his rightly-praised debut effort, MOON. Has the director expanded his palette, or is SOURCE CODE just an action film with a lot of flatscreens and flashing lights in the background? Come join Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they discuss the outcome.
Zoe Saldana is the Wonder Awards choice for Best Actress, in the Best Pic winner, AVATAR. It’s Sunday, March 7, and everyone is wondering what the winners will be. Well, wonder no more, because here are the official winners of this year’s Cinefantastique Wonder Awards. Oh sure, other people are tuning into the Oscar telecast to see whether Sandra Bullock takes home an Academy Award, but for aficionados of horror, fantasy, and science fiction cinema, the Wonders are the awards that really matter, because they offer a chance to recognize great films that are often denied Academy Award nominations because of their genre affiliation.
Of course, this year is a bit of an exception, because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has nominated two science fiction films for Best Picture, AVATAR and DISTRICT 9, along with one animated fantasy, UP. With several other Oscar nominations in technical categories, the genre has at least a fighting chance of winning some recognition from Academy voters.
Nevertheless, the Wonders are the true measure of achievement in the genre, voted on by experts with a life-long love of horror, fantasy, and science fiction – and more important, voted on by those imbued with that all-important Sense of Wonder. BEST HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
AVATAR
BEST DIRECTION IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
James Cameron for AVATAR
BEST SCREENPLAY FOR A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Neil Blomkamp & Terri Tatchll for DISTRICT 9
Pete Docter, Bob Peterson (story by Docter, Peterson & Thomas McCarthy) for UP
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Saoirse Ronan in THE LOVELY BONES
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Robert Downey Jr in SHERLOCK HOLMES
Sam Rockwell in MOON
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Vera Farmiga in ORPHAN
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Jackie Earle Haley in WATCHMEN
BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
AVATAR
BEST MAKEUP IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
MY BLOODY VALENTINE
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Henry Selick for CORALINE
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Mauro Fiore for AVATAR
BEST EDITING IN A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
James Cameron, John Refoua, Stephen E. Rivki for AVATAR
BEST MUSIC IN HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
Michael Giacchino for STAR TREK
EDGAR G. ULMER AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT BY A HORROR, FANTASY, OR SCIENCE FILM
