Releasing a horror movie in July may seem like the first sing of a terrible movie. In fact, I’m probably in the majority that feel that most scary movies today aren’t even scary. This my friends, is where “The Conjuring” separates itself from the rest of the pack and establishes itself as one of the scariest movies in recent memory.

Based on real life events — yeah, it’s one of those — The Conjuring tells two stories. One is the story of the typical family, the Perron Family, who move into a new house to start a new life, etc. The other story is that of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real life paranormal investigators who witnessed a demonic possession in the Perron’s house.

It may sound like the typical and generic set-up and it may be…but the results are anything but typical.

Director James Wan, who helped ignite the “Saw” franchise and next will direct the new installment in the “Fast and the Furious” series, uses old school horror tricks to create a suspenseful and yes, seriously scary movie.

The cast, including Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the real life ghost hunting Warrens, help make this a believable horror experience. A scary movie only works if you believe the actors — err characters — are actually scared. Everyone, even the kids, help sell the scares.

Despite the oddly time mid-summer release, “The Conjuring” manages to be everything that horror movies themselves seem to be afraid of and that is genuinely and truly frightening.

Read my full movie review of The Conjuring at Examiner.com

Release date: July 19, 2013

Written by: James Wan

Directed by: Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, and Lili Taylor

Theatrical trailer for The Conjuring:

Photo and trailer property of Warner Bros. Pictures