The Conjuring Happened

Me: "It'll be good seeing 'The Conjuring' together when we meet up in Chicago for the conference."

Michele: "I guess it will be better to be scared together."

Me: "Of course I'll be in your lap after the first five minutes."

Michele: "Pretty sure my lap won't be the safest place."

“Don't be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a sign of common sense. 
Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.”
 ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

A few weeks back, Michele and I were asked to set up a giveaway on our blogs for tickets to the haunting movie, 'The Conjuring.' Thanks to Grace Hill Media! The two of us were also sent a pair of tickets so we could see it ourselves and write up a review. I know. The two biggest scaredy-pants in the world. I broke into a sweat every time I thought about it.

First of all, when I see a scary movie, I'm usually on my couch...with Chris. He's there to protect me, let me dig my head into his shoulder and tell me when the coast is clear. (Just like when we saw 'Evil Dead.') After the movie is through, he is always very sweet about letting me light up the house like high noon with both bathroom lights and the hall light. It's much better to not have any chance of letting my mind get the best of me while trying to fall asleep in the dark. To be fair, he knows what he's getting into when he rents them and convinces me to watch them with him AT NIGHT right before bed. 

So, when I met my partner-in-crime, Michele, in Chicago this weekend, it hadn't dawned on me that I wasn't going to have Chris to lean on through the movie. That is, until we were leaving to go see it and the panic set it.  As it turns out, watching this movie with a friend who harbors similar fears works out perfectly!  

This movie wasted no time getting right down to the nitty-gritty of scary. Think creepy dolls, creaky floor boards and unexplained footsteps all rolled into one. We both took turns looking at the screen during different points. As soon as either of us would hear the music start to increase in speed or sound, we'd lean into each other, peeking through our fingers. 

The story itself, about the widely known, ghost-hunting couple, Lorraine and Ed Warren, was very interesting. This case, in which they have never revealed details of before, was one of their most disturbing. It's no secret from the trailer that there are many twists, turns and points at which you will jump out of your seat. The audience collectively screamed three or four times and the woman on the OTHER side of me whimpered like a little puppy A LOT.  Pretty good job, Mr. Director. 

Michele and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when the credits rolled. As we exited the theater, we both opted to walk the three miles back to the hotel. It was a crisp night, neither of which either of us have in NOLA or NOVA at this point in the summer. We walked, talked, dissected, pieced together and basically retold what we each got out of the movie. When we returned back to the hotel, we further researched the story. Michele read some articles she found, along with pictures of the family, then and now.  

Overall, I give this movie two thumbs up for unsettling, two thumbs up for audible audience screams and four thumbs up for seeing it with a fellow chicken-pants. (Each of us has two thumbs...I'm almost positive.)

Thanks, Michele, for letting me bury myself in your shoulder and grab onto your hand. But most importantly, thank YOU for sharing the bacon popcorn with me. Now, that is a true friend. 

That's right, people. I said BACON popcorn.