Conjurer

84 min., 2008

Director – Clint Hutchison

Sherman Oaks, CA

Review by Daniel Hargrove

              I happened into Conjurer not knowing much about it, but because the synopsis sounded quite interesting.  A young couple, Shawn and Helen, move to a somewhat isolated country farmhouse (financed by the wife’s brother, Frank) in order to overcome a personal tragedy.  As they’re settling in, Shawn begins to find strange objects and see mysterious things around the farm.  Most of the bizarre occurrences center around the little abandoned cabin that’s located on the property.  Every time they discuss tearing the cabin down, bad things begin to happen.  Is Shawn imagining these things or does some tragedy from his past hold the answers?  In his investigations, Shawn stumbles across neighbors and local legend that lead him to believe that the former inhabitant of the run down shack was a witch – or conjurer.

The actors were great and the story quite good.  Imagine my surprise when Helen’s brother, Frank, shows up and he’s portrayed by none other than John Schneider of Dukes of Hazzard fame.  This wasn’t even mentioned in the synopsis.  I’m a huge John Schneider fan!  I have all his records (yes those flat, round, black things) and was fortunate enough to meet him a few years ago.  Mr. Schneider definitely gave the standout acting performance and stole every scene he was in.  Conjurer held my attention, for the most part, and would easily please anyone looking for a suspenseful, bewitching supernatural film

For more go to www.conjurer-movie.com/