The Conjuring 2

Will there be a Conjuring 3? 4? If they’re as good as this one, I’ll definitely be lining up to see it. After the disaster that was 2014's 'Annabelle', I’m glad this series has found its’ footing again.

The Conjuring 2 brings us into the lives of paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) a second time, to tell the story of the infamous Enfield Hauntings (this one is also based on the true story from the case files of the real Ed and Lorraine Warren, known as ‘England’s Amityville’).  Tiring of sceptics denying their work and growing weary of constantly being in the public eye, as well as an unsettling premonition from Lorraine haunting her constantly, the pair decides to take a break from their work and focus on everyday life. Unfortunately, their time out is short lived as their services are called on by the Catholic Church to assess the case of the Hodgson Family. Across the pond, the family of five begin to experience a variety of frightening paranormal activities centred mostly on the youngest daughter Janet. As the family’s life begins to spin out of control at the hands of this spirit, Ed and Lorraine must find a way to balance what they know is right and their own safety, all while trying to determine whether or not this haunting is even true.

The positives: In terms of scares, this film’s got it. The most important part is that it doesn’t rely heavily on jump scares or too many overused tropes to help frighten its audience, and when tropes are used, they’re done so in an innovative and interesting way so that it stands apart from other horror movies. The cinematography, pacing and acting in this film all culminate together to help create a constant unsettling atmosphere throughout its entirety; there is never a moment where you can completely relax. As well as this, the film plays with your stance on the case: could it be that it’s all being faked? As said before the acting in this film is excellent, however there should be a special mention to Madison Wolfe who plays Janet, without whom this film would not have worked as much of it relies on her talent.

The negatives: This film is a haunting film, and as I said before it does use a few of the same tropes that can be seen in a variety of other horror films. Also, quick side note, horror films are really going to run out of nursery rhymes/poems to make into creepy mantras soon.

If you’re a fan of the franchise or just a fan of the horror/thriller genre, this may be one of the few occasions where the sequel is better than the original film. The intensity and attention to detail by James Wan really comes through, and upcoming horror films should take note from The Conjuring 2 on how to properly scare an audience in an innovative and entertaining way.

The Judge

Recently, it seems impossible for Robert Downey Jr. to play a character who isn't an arrogant know-it-all, and his role as Hank Palmer in David Dobkin's The Judge is no different. Yet Hank's strong family ties and an iron-will to defend his father at all costs, further proves that Downey Jr. is a fantastic actor.

Henry "Hank" Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) is a talented lawyer and the son of a long-serving and highly respected judge, Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall). The two lost connection with one-another many years ago, after a young Hank injured his older brother Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), in a car accident and his father sent him to a juvenile detention centre. After the death of his mother, Hank returns to Indiana to attend the funeral and once again has a run-in with his father.

After Joseph is suspected of murdering a criminal, whom he sent to prison and was recently released on parole, Hank serves as his attorney and perseveres to prove his father's innocence against the odds of overwhelming evidence, strenuous relations with his family, and the determination of the prosecuting lawyer (Billy Bob Thornton).

This is a film that sets out to prove that blood is thicker than water, from the rocky father-son relationship, to the compassion Hank finds in his siblings. This makes for some truly touching moments throughout, and certainly some very confronting scenes. However these are unfortunately subdued by an overwhelming sense of sentimentality that becomes rather tiring and makes up the bulk of the nearly two-and-a-half hour running time. Instead, it is the courtroom scenes where the movie really comes-alive. It is here, mainly in the second-half of the movie, that we witness Hank's supremacy as a lawyer and where the humanity of the story and the troubled relationships really start to emerge.

Seeing Downey go head-to-head with Duvall is quite astounding. Both prove through their performances that they are some of the most talented actors alive today. I felt that Vincent D'Onofrio wasn't capitalised as much as he could have been, but he certainly shines in his moments in the spotlight, and Thornton, continuing in the wake of Fargo, proves that he is more than capable of playing a total bad-ass.

The Judge has an interesting, if slightly overdone look to it. There's an apparent obsession with panning and tracking shots throughout the film, as if they were afraid to just leave the camera static and let the scene develop, coupled with a huge amount of chiaroscuro lighting that seems to always show Downey Jr. in an angelic light. However once they simplify things, the beautifully gritty look emerges.

Despite some of these faults, The Judge remains a fantastic movie. Supported by a gripping, if slightly too 'Hollywood' story and substantial performances all-round, it never fails to keep you interested, and maybe even just a bit touched.