Following her work throughout the 'Psycho' horror prequel TV series 'Bates Motel', in which she starred as Norma Bates, and in both of 'The Conjuring films she's led to-date, Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Vera Farmiga has now signed up to appear on a new television series coming to Channel 4; the anthology show 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams'.

Vera Farmiga has impressed with her recent performances

Finding her place in an episode entitled 'Kill All Others', she'll work alongside Emmy-nominated American writer-director Dee Rees, playing a politician in the episode who shocks the world when they make a statement encouraging violence. Mel Rodriguez ('Last Man on Earth') will star opposite Farmiga's character as the one person who dares to question the call for violence, making himself an instant target.

Continue reading: Vera Farmiga Joins Cast Of 'Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams'

The Conjuring 2 Review

Very Good

Continuing on from the 2013 hit, this sequel blends fact and fiction to follow real-life ghostbusters Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) from the 1976 Amityville haunting to an encounter with the Enfield poltergeist in 1977 London. Filmmaker James Wan continues to deploy every cinematic gimmick he knows to freak out the audience, and the fact that it's based on a true story makes it even more unsettling. Although the cliches of the genre feel a bit tired.

The story opens in Amityville, where the Warrens are deeply disturbed by supernatural forces and decide to take some time off. But they're soon summoned to England to help a family being terrorised by a nasty spirit. Arriving in Enfield, North London, they meet Peggy Hodgson (Frances O'Connor), a plucky single mother of four, who is worried that the ghost of an angry old man is threatening her 11-year-old daughter Janet (Madison Wolfe). Now staying with neighbours (Simon Delaney and Maria Doyle Kennedy) across the street, Peggy has also called in two experts, a true believer (Simon McBurney) and a sceptic (Franka Potente), to work with the Warrens to clear this malevolent presence from the family home.

While the script inventively intermingles the facts of the case with a generous dose of movie fiction, Wan fills the screen with all kinds of creepy goings-on, including banging noises, levitating furniture and flickering TV screens. Additional standard scares include a nerve-jangling toy and a seriously scary nun (who's about to get her own spin-off film, like the creepy doll Annabelle from the first movie). Wan also uses manipulative movie trickery from moody music to grubby production design to prowling camerawork that constantly reveals something frightening in the deep shadows. What he never does is find a new way to scare the audience: we have seen all of these tricks before, but of course they still work.

Continue reading: The Conjuring 2 Review

'The Conjuring 2' Reviews: Good Enough That The Cheap Scares Are Forgiven By Most Critics

By Holly Williams in Movies / TV / Theatre on 09 June 2016

James Wan Patrick Wilson Vera Farmiga

Not as good as the first film, but critics are still wanting more.

'The Conjuring 2' always had a lot to live up to after the original film in 2013; how was James Wan going to scare his audience with his next Ed and Lorraine Warren case? As it turns out, the new movie has much less of that slow-burning dread about it and a lot more cheap 'BOO!' moments. But that doesn't mean the critics didn't love it.

'The Conjuring 2' isn't as much of a slow-burner as its predecessor

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return in this fictional re-telling of The Enfield Poltergiest; a true story of a family in London back in the 70s who were terrorized by a number of malevolent spirits, all centering around one of the daughters, Janet. It's a very meticulously recorded case, so there was a lot of source material to take from - but the 133 minutes of movie that came out of it was always going to be controversial.

Continue reading: 'The Conjuring 2' Reviews: Good Enough That The Cheap Scares Are Forgiven By Most Critics

The Conjuring 2 Trailer

Not fazed by their previous experiences, Lorraine and Ed Warren are still successful paranormal investigators and their reputations have made them known around the world. As they hunt for new cases to investigate they decide to travel to England, Enfield just outside London to help a single mother and her children who are being haunted by a nasty spirit.

Continue: The Conjuring 2 Trailer

'The Judge' Is Formulaic, Contrived And Very, Very Entertaining

By Michael West in Movies / TV / Theatre on 05 September 2014

Robert Downey Jr Robert Duvall Leighton Meester Vera Farmiga

'The Judge' opened the Toronto Film Festival to a lukewarm reception from critics.

Robert Downey Jr was the star name on the opening night of the Toronto Film Festival even if his latest film, The Judge, hadn't exactly drummed up a mountain of anticipation. David Dobkin's drama stars Downey Jr as a lawyer who returns home when his father, a judge, is implicated as a murder suspect.

Robert Downey Jr [L] and Robert Duvall [R] in 'THe Judge'

The Judge features a hugely accomplished supporting cast including Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Billy Bob Thornton and Leighton Meester and for the most part the ensemble keep things entertaining, at least.

Continue reading: 'The Judge' Is Formulaic, Contrived And Very, Very Entertaining

After Strong Ratings, 'Bates Motel' Is Renewed For Third Season By A&E

By Michael West in Movies / TV / Theatre on 08 April 2014

Vera Farmiga Freddie Highmore

'Bates Motel' is coming back for season three.

Thriller drama Bates Motel has been renewed for a 10-episode third season by A&E and is expected to air in 2015, the network announced on Monday. The series, based on the classic novel Psycho and the equally important 1960 movie by Alfred Hitchcock, stars Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates and Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates. Production is expected to begin in the fall.

Bates Motel

"The incredible writing team and talented Bates Motel cast has made this series one of the most compelling original dramas on television," David McKillop, A&E Network's executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "The brilliant twists and turns of the past two seasons keep its loyal fan base coming back for more. We are so proud of the show."

Continue reading: After Strong Ratings, 'Bates Motel' Is Renewed For Third Season By A&E

US Box Office: The Conjuring Haunts R.I.P.D. During Its Opening Weekend

By Elinor Cosgrave in Movies / TV / Theatre on 22 July 2013

Vera Farmiga Patrick Wilson Lili Taylor Ron Livingston Jeff Bridges Ryan Reynolds Steve Carell Steve Coogan Miranda Cosgrove Benjamin Bratt Kristen Wiig Russell Brand

The Conjuring, Warner Brother's summer horror offering, has defeated the likes of R.I.P.D in the US weekend box office.

The Conjuring, opening this weekend, gained $41.5 million. Another lower budget film beat off the likes of R.I.P.D. which, according to reports, cost more than $130 million to make.

Vera Farmiga at the premiere of Bates Motel, L.A.

Warner Brother's haunted house horror, which stars Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel); Lili Taylor (Hemlock Grove); Patrick Wilson (Prometheus) and Ron Livingston (The Time Traveller's Wife), follows two paranormal investigators as they attempt to help The Warrens overcome a malign presence which lurks in their seemingly idyllic country house.

Continue reading: US Box Office: The Conjuring Haunts R.I.P.D. During Its Opening Weekend

Primetime Emmy Award Nominations: Will Netflix Triumph With 'Arrested Development'?

By Elinor Cosgrave in Movies / TV / Theatre on 17 July 2013

Aaron Paul Lena Dunham Tina Fey Game Of Thrones Arrested Development Kate Mara Claire Danes Hugh Dancy Bobby Cannavale Noah Emmerich David Morrissey Matthew Rhys Vera Farmiga Adam Driver Neil Patrick Harris Jessica Walter Jon Cryer Charlie Sheen Jason Bateman Sofia Vergara

The Primetime Emmy Award Nominations will be announced on Thursday 18th July. Netflix's 'Arrested Development' is a likely contender. 'The Americans'; 'Breaking Bad' and 'Scandal' are also likely candidates.

The Primetime Emmy Award nominations will be announced on Thursday (18th July). Speculation surrounding the awards is high, with Netflix's Arrested Development predicted to triumph. The awards will be announced by Kate Mara and Aaron Paul.

Aaron Paul will announce the nominations on Thursday.

Game Of Thrones is also suspected as a strong contender in the category of Best Drama Series. Homeland who won a number of awards last year is predicted to flop owing to its disappointing second series.

Continue reading: Primetime Emmy Award Nominations: Will Netflix Triumph With 'Arrested Development'?

A Week In Movies: The Oscars Ends Award Season, Kidman Thrills In Stoker And Hansel & Gretel Is Action Fairy Tale Romp

By Staff Writer on 01 March 2013

Jennifer Lawrence Daniel Radcliffe Jeremy Renner Gemma Arterton Nicole Kidman Olesya Rulin Patrick Wilson Lili Taylor Vera Farmiga

The Oscars brought the curtain down on this year's awards season with top honours spread between Argo, Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, Lincoln, Django Unchained and Les Miserables.

Oscars Winners 2013

On Sunday night, the Oscars brought the curtain down on awards season with a ceremony that combined the usual starry glamour with rather a lot of music. And it was nice that one movie didn't sweep the boards this year, with top honours spread between Argo, Life of Pi, Silver Linings Playbook, Lincoln, Django Unchained and Les Miserables.

The night before the Oscars, Hollywood's A-listers gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate non-studio movies at the Independent Spirit Awards. Jennifer Lawrence won best actress at both ceremonies, and was caught by the paparazzi signing autographs for fans on her way into the Spirits.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: The Oscars Ends Award Season, Kidman Thrills In Stoker And Hansel & Gretel Is Action Fairy Tale Romp

Video - Hugh Dancy's Martha Marcy May Marlene Overlooked At Awards Ceremony - Gotham Independent Film Awards Part 3

British actor Hugh Dancy (Martha Marcy May Marlene) was seen on the red carpet for the 2011 Gotham Independent Film Awards. Martha Marcy May Marlene was surprisingly overlooked at the awards ceremony, despite being nominated for three awards: Best Feature; Breathrough Actor and Best Ensemble. George Clooney's The Descendants were also nominated in those three categories but lost out as well.

Gossip Girl actress Blake Livey; Star Trek star Zachary Quinto and Up In The Air's Vera Farmiga all made appearances on the red carpet.

Source Code Trailer

Captain Colter Stevens is a respected soldier and is involved in a government project set up as a counter terrorist strategy. The science is new and it's very experimental but scientists have found they can enter lives of others 7 minutes before the die by entering into a source code computer programme.

Continue: Source Code Trailer

Henry's Crime Review

By Rich Cline

Good

This sleepy comedy is surprisingly entertaining as its plot twists and turns along the way, combining a bank heist with a romance. And rather a lot of Chekhov too. But it's the likeable cast that makes it worth seeing.

Henry (Reeves) is just drifting through life with his wife Debbie (Greer) when his old school friend Eddie (Stevens) leaves him to take the fall for a bank robbery Henry knew nothing about. His life in prison isn't much worse than outside, and his new friend Max (Caan) makes up for the fact that Debbie runs off with one of the robbers (Hoch). And when he gets out a year or so later, Henry decides that since he's done the time, he might as well do the crime.

Continue reading: Henry's Crime Review

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Review

By Paul Brenner

Very Good

In Mark Herman's adaptation of John Boyne's controversial children's bestseller offering a kid's-eye view of Holocaust, the young eight-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) has the wide, blue-eyed innocence of the unprotected. Sheltered and half in a fantasy world, he runs through city streets with his friends, his arms outstretched like wings, gliding untouched through the busy and congested world of adults. Herman bathes these opening scenes in a fantastic fairy-tale burnish, like a golden world ready to be lost.

Bruno shares a family dinner with his loving parents (Vera Farmiga and David Thewlis) and his older sister Gretel (Amber Beattie). With their sparkling British Masterpiece Theatre accents, the family appears as well-scrubbed paragons of British banality. (Even Richard Johnson, that great bastion of British nobility from the epics of the 1960s, is exhumed to appear as the family's Grandpa.) So it comes as a shock when Thewlis dons a German commandant's uniform for a going-away party and Herman quietly reveals that the Dad has been reassigned, taking the family with him. As Dad remarks, "Home is where the family is." In this case, however, home is Auschwitz and Dad is the new camp commandant, who will be supervising the mass exterminations.

Continue reading: The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Review

The Departed Review

By David Thomas

Excellent

Just as Spike Lee took a basic caper and added his own pet issues to elevate Inside Man to the upper echelons of its genre, Martin Scorsese has taken The Departed, based on an intriguingly simple premise, to its own heights by infusing issues that have concerned him ever since Mean Streets. Along the way, he makes room for some memorable performances, not the least of which comes from the most likely of sources.

The Departed is based on the Hong Kong blockbuster Infernal Affairs, in which a cop goes undercover in the mob while the mob places one of their own as a mole in the police force. In Scorsese's version, the scene shifts to Boston, where mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) puts loyal-from-boyhood employee Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) through police training. As Sullivan rises through the ranks, Special Investigations Unit chiefs Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) recruit rookie Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) to get "kicked off" the force and do time to gain Costello's confidence.

Continue reading: The Departed Review

Running Scared Review

By David Thomas

Good

Like Paul Walker's character in it, Running Scared is a lot smarter than it looks. Unfortunately, it spends as much time being dumb as acting dumb, making for an experience that can be as frustrating as it is entertaining. The film is basically three different movies: One, a straightforward crime drama, probably its strongest suit. Two, a satire of the genre, working on many levels from Peckinpah-esque examination of the male psyche to urban Grimm fairy tale. And, sadly, three, a genuinely clunky thriller. Unfortunately, you never know which you'll get from scene to scene, or even moment to moment.Paul Walker plays Joey Gazelle (Get it? He runs. This would be the less clever part.), a family man in suburban Jersey who also happens to work for the local mob. After a deal gone wrong ends up with a lot of dead people, some of them dirty cops, Joey is charged with his usual task of disposing of the gun that killed said cops. Joey, however, has been stashing the guns he's supposed to have ditched as an "insurance policy." When his son Nicky (Alex Neuberger) and his neighbor's kid Oleg (Cameron Bright) witness him adding the weapon to his collection, Oleg sees an opportunity to settle the score with his abusive father, Anzor (Karel Roden).Soon, Anzor is wounded, Oleg is on the run, and Joey has one night to get the gun back or end up dead at the hands of his own people. Since Nicky might know where to find Oleg, what ensues is the worst Take Your Kid To Work Day ever.Writer/director Wayne Kramer (The Cooler) displays an appetite for flashy camera tricks, but we're not in Domino territory here, thank God. Unlike Tony Scott, Kramer shows some restraint and variety, but the frequent double exposures still wear thin. Just as often, though, he creates intimate spaces where his characters can interact, isolated from the surrounding chaos.The writing varies from sly satire to witless implausibility. Chazz Palminteri's character, a dirty cop, steps into more than one commercial parody in the film, making a passing reference to the actor's own Vanilla Coke ad in the process. At the same time the film relies far too much on coincidence to further the plot.The performances here are all adequate. Walker shows that he can do a convincing Jersey accent. Vera Farmiga's performance as Joey's wife is uneven, but effective when it really counts. Bright pulls off the eerie thousand-yard stare of a kid who's seen too much at home, and so is unfazed by the monsters he encounters in the real world.The deliberate nature of some of Kramer's choices suggest something bubbling under the surface. He sets a key action scene in a hockey rink, a place of socially acceptable violence. Anzor has a tattoo of John Wayne on his back, and carries an obsession with the actor that might serve as a commentary on film violence. References to ultra-violent films like Scarface surface from time to time. It's clear that Kramer's trying to say something, but what?Unlike Revolver, which pretentiously aspires to levels it never achieves, Running Scared aspires to levels it occasionally achieves without ever taking itself too seriously, and while being massively entertaining even when it's not making a whole lot of sense. Kramer's sophomore effort shows flashes of brilliance but smacks of an artist still working out what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. It may not be Peckinpah, but if you're a fan of the genre, it's probably worth a look.The DVD includes a commentary track, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes featurette.Sitting unscared.

Dummy Review

By Norm Schrager

Excellent

Just before Adrien Brody delivered his Oscar-winning performance as an isolated and frightened Holocaust survivor in The Pianist, he played a whole different kind of isolated and frightened. As Steven, a lonely underachiever in Greg Pritikin's fantastic indie comedy Dummy, Brody finds solace not in piano music, but in the twisted art of ventriloquism.

It's an offbeat concept that might fit in a chop-'em-up horror movie or a sad, pathetic character study -- yet writer/director Pritikin finds his own niche with the idea, producing a creatively eclectic tale. Dummy is full of exciting surprising laughs, true heart, and enough dysfunctional characters to fill a Wes Anderson film.

Continue reading: Dummy Review

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Vera Farmiga