FROM THE BALCONY

REVIEW: 

THE CONJURING: LAST RITES, September 5th, 2025, (R) Dir. by Michael Chaves. Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy.

   "The Case That Ended It All" should hold a lot of clout based on the previous ghost hunting adventures had by Ed and Loraine Warren respectively played with ease by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Even more promising when you add  Mia Tomlinson's Judy Warren, the Warren's only daughter, and Ben Hardy who plays her fiancé, Tony Spera to the mix and allow them to get in on the exorcism fun. Ever more promising is the cherry on top tease that something nefarious has plagued Judy in a brilliantly emotional opening sequence. However, at the dark, nefarious start is not enough to save the dark possession that befalls upon this final Conjuring offering. After the emotional setup, the story drudges along showcasing the Warren's in their failing retirement, a sharp contrast to Judy's burgeoning young adult life and career. Simultaneously, the Smurl family in west Pennsylvania receive a mysterious artifact (no spooky spoilers here), that possesses their home. After many attempts to get the Warren's to help with the case fail, a surprise death finally persuades them to take on the case, but not alone. You guessed it, in true 2020's Ghostbusters fashion  Judy and Tony join the quest to help rid the Spurl family household of the mysterious ghouls that haunt them. 

. Wilson and Farmiga seem to know this is their swan song to the characters that provided them with job security for the last decade as they nail every detail to the costumes, to mannerisms, to voices to fully flesh Ed and Loraine Warren out to characters we care about and root for. Tomlinson adds depth to the Warren family as Judy whose early infant death and revival up the stakes when she is put into danger later on in the film. Ben Hardy's Tony, poor guy doesn't quite know what kind of family he's marrying into, adds a surprising layer to the heroic quartet as a committed fiancé determined to free the love of his life from the forces that have always plagued her mental state. The pacing is the real demon here as it slows and speeds up to a falter. With a feel that can make one nostalgic for the Exorcist films, although with cheap effect, and suspense that mostly works especially when a shock twist causes a character to turn towards the end,  The Conjuring: Last Rites floats along with enough scares to make the most Atari horror fan find the edge of their seat. One cool note is the very end of the film which holds a pretty neat logical use of some great cameos. Overall, this Conjuring franchise goes out with a slight jump scare as Ed and Loraine's adventures finally make us rejoice in their well deserved retirement. 

CONSENSUS: This case doesn't really reach out and possess you.

GRADE: C+

REVIEW:

WEAPONS, August 8th, 2025 (R) Dir. Zach Creggers. Starring: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong.

    Where, oh where, have all the kids in Ms. Gandy's class gone? That is the question director Zach Cregger sets out to answer in this mind-bending, follow up to his phenomenal directorial debut, Barbarian. Headlining Cregger's sophomore effort is the stellar Julia Garner, who has had a stellar summer being the standout in both Wolf-man and Fantastic Four: First Steps. She equally shines here as alcoholic Justine Gandy, an elementary teacher who has had a troubled history in and out of work. It's her class that spearheads the story as all but one of the students in her class have fled their homes, arms wide open (no doubt to spark a TikTok trend) into the darkness never to be seen again. Gandy's lone student is Alex Lily, a child one step away from being a misanthrope after the tragic events left him in the media limelight. Lily is masterfully played by Cary Christopher in a most haunting performance. Joining Garner and Christopher is Josh Brolin who you can tell is having the time of his life with his well deserved scenery chewing role as one of the vengeful parents who lost a son in the mysterious incident and believes Gandy had some role to play in the matter. Rounding out the cast is Benedict Wong who plays to the strength of his versatility as Gandy's principal and mentor and Alden Erhenreich who gives a stellar offering as Gandy's ex and town investigator into the mysterious disappearance. None hold a candle though to Amy Madigan in a performance that would rival Nic Cage in last year's Longlegs. 

What further drives Weapons success is Cregger's masterful script which has a crafty way of unfurling the story. In addition, Larkin Seiple's cinematography is top par showing that horror movies can implement a creative, artistic feel without losing the fire that makes the genre such a powerhouse. In all Weapons is a late summer surprise that lives up to the hype. With thrilling imagery, superb acting, and concise directing, Weapons is a perfect treat  that unravels to an unnerving finish with a scene that is equally comedic, and horrifically satisfying.

CONSENSUS: Spread your arms and run to the local theater to see Weapons.

GRADE: A+