What's your take on this?

[The Curmudgeon]

I thought I'd get in early with this one seeing as it's the subject for the second "Conjuring" movie. Ahead of the curve, me.

Whether I knew it or not, I've had elements of the Enfield Poltergeist story in my life for a number of years. One of my favourite TV programs of all time, the once shown and banned forever mockumentary "Ghostwatch" was directly inspired by the Enfield Poltergeist, and the famous image of the little girl being flung across the room was the cover of a Does It Offend You, Yeah? CD single. I only found that out yesterday.

The story itself, then, and how much of the actual story will be in the Conjuring movie is anyone's guess. An English family in the 70's reports strange paranormal behaviour in their home; banging on the wall, chairs moving about, toys being thrown..and their little girl talking in the voice of an old man, right down to giving names and where he was buried.

Take a listen to this, an audio recording of the little girl (11 years old) talking as "Bill." It's 12 minutes of weird shit, so obviously don't listen to all of it, but it gives you an idea.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO5mGpx_7mU

So what do you think? Can an 11 year old girl MAKE a noise like that for a long period of time? Could she fool several independent "experts", not to mention the rest of her family? Would she still stick to her story after all this time? Or is it all bullshit?

Discuss.

[Ben]

Man, that shit was creepy. I'm generally of the belief that MOST of these things are fake because swindlers and charlatans looking for a quick buck or mere attention are legion these days, but I'm also convinced that possession is actually a real thing that happens to people. Albeit not usually with the horror movie flair.

This particular girl? I couldn't make out a lot of the babble, but she was using some pretty big words I certainly didn't know when I was 11. Not to mention most children that age would burst out laughing if they ever made a noise like she was making in that recording. Children aren't CAPABLE of keeping elaborate ruses going because they're too silly. Could you keep talking about nothing in a strange voice when you were 11 just so adults would pay extra attention to you? Fuck that, I had Legos to build and frogs to catch.

[trashcanman]

I'd pretty much have to witness something like that personally too believe it 100%. It seems like almost all of the evidence for paranormal phenomena over the years ends up being outed as a hoax, often by the very people who perpetrated them in the first place. Did anyone verify the recording process here? Anyone access to some vocal recording equipment or who could just make a really weird voice could record that shit and then make a story out of it.

Anyways, why make another Conjuring movie? The first was one of the most stunningly mediocre films I've ever seen. Not even interesting enough to be called bad. Oculus was way better.

[Ben]

I thought The Conjuring was pretty overhyped too even though I enjoyed it, but no way was Oculus way better. The premise was beautiful but it took FOREVER to get where we all knew it was going. I shouldn't complain though since I applaud people who dare to make horror films with meaning.

[trashcanman]

I don't know, I felt like I'd seen The Conjuring ten times before and it just hadn't been worth remembering. Oculus wasn't any masterpiece but, like you said, great premise and I honestly didn't know where it was going. I thought the ending was pretty crazy.

[Ben]

Yeah, The Conjuring didn't do anything original. James Wan is slipping.

Have you seen Triangle, Trashcanman? I'd put money down it'll be your new favorite horror film.

[trashcanman]

Haven't seen it, but that's a bold statement. I'll have to take you up on that recommendation.