Rated R for language.
86 Minutes
Written and Directed By: Oren Peli
Staring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloats, Mark Fredrichs, Ashley Palmer, and Amber Armstrong
No – I promised I wouldn’t go *buy* Ouija board. I borrowed one. -Micah
Review:
After all the hype, and then the inevitable backlash, I didn’t really have any hopes or dreams for Paranormal Activity, though nightmares was something that I desperately desired. The verdict is all positive from this movie fan, though I do understand why some didn’t like, and here’s what it boils down to: If you are a believer in paranormal or have had your own personal experiences this movie will more than likely scare the poo out of you. If you don’t believe or have experienced no such events yourself, the likely possibility is you just aren’t going to get it. This year I spent my Halloween watching Paranormal Activity and the Ghost Hunters marathon, so already you may have an inkling where I have my allegiance. Nonetheless, even non-believers should have a distinct respect for what this film actually did achieve, scary or no.
The acting was superb. The chemistry between Micah and Katie was undeniable, and each of their deliveries felt authentic and genuine. If you had stumbled upon this video unknowing it was made for entertainment, anyone would have assumed it was real events and real people. They pulled it off that convincingly. It felt like they were having real emotions, real fear, real curiosity, and their reactions seemed natural as opposed to forced.
Paranormal Activity truly relied on imagination. For people that have issues utilizing that part of your medulla oblongata, a lot of the scenes probably didn’t work for you. This was all insinuated creep outs. Even with the camera rolling, there was only so much you could see. For those that need jump out and “Boo” scary this movie will not satisfy you. Everything is suggestive, and what do you expect for $11,000? Frankly, I’d prefer it if movies started to travel down this path rather than the big overproduced blockbuster slashers.
What she doesn't know is that there is probably a mischievious Gremlin under that bed.
The plot had it’s weak moments, as the explanation for “why” these events were happening was definitely not in depth or really well thought out, but even so, the ambiguity of the situation, and maybe it not even having a “real” reason for terrorizing these people could have made it even more frightening from an individual perspective. I could have dealt without the explanation myself, and just had the entire situation be a mystery, it would have fell more into the flicks theme anyway.
I was pleasantly horrified by this film. It was truly bone chilling. This is one of those movies that will probably scare you more hours after watching it. Every creak and sound in your house will make you jump. The backlash is not surprising, but for me movies like this is what film is all about. This being a practically no budget film, using inspired creativity and originality and becoming this large of a success is inspiring to all kinds of filmmakers with their own ingenuity and conceptions. I found the execution to be exceptional, and clearly this movie scared me and not by what it showed, but by what it didn’t. For Ghost Hunter fans and people who have experienced their own paranormal phenomena, this movie was made for you. Hopefully others can connect with what I felt Paranormal Activity achieved.
Popularity: 7% [?]
I really liked the movie, but I wanted more scares. And I wanted more of the story because the actors were do good together. More back story on Katie would have awesome.
Three stars is a good rating. Very good movie, but not great.
Marie thought the movie was more funny then scary!
I’m writing a review for tomorrow but I have liked your explanation best of the other few I’ve read online. I will say there was one thing that irked me about it, that made it slightly “joke” worthy. The scene with the baby powder or whatever and the prints left, I thought they went a little far with that. I would have not had the print have any shape or distinction to them. Great review!
Am I crazy? Mostly everybody liked this movie. I thought it was awful. I kinda liked Katie until the hauntings began kicking up. I checked out.
Nothing happens in the movie.
Nice review. Heard a lot on Dave and Chuck The Freak show on 89x about this, they had the same thought that I did about all the hype was turn this into another Blair Witch. Blair Witch was good, but the hype was too much. I can’t wait to see this movie, paranormal stuff fascinates me and I could use a good ‘MIND FUCK’ movie experience.
i thought this was stupid too. just a bunch of knocks and footsteps. sorry thats not scary. the blair witch was stupid too.
Robin- Thanks for the compliment, and I have to say I definitely agree with your thoughts about the hoofprints. I think the idea in theory was probably a lot better than it was executed. But that scene with Katie in the bed where she gives that sadistic smile? Yeah, creepy business.
Karl-I think this is right up your ally. It plays entirely on the concept of messing with your head rather than your eyes.
Branden-You might be crazy, but I think we still love ya anyway!
Jeff- I knew you would dig this one!
Brad-They went with more of a less is more quality here, and that truly isn’t for everyone’s taste, and this flick has a lot to do with taste, but I don’t agree that The Blair Witch Project was stupid. It was an overall way better movie, and far more terrifying and still holds up a decade later.
Everyone I know ahted it but you make the best point…its all about your imagination! It feeds off your thought process. For me, when she stood out of bed and just STOOD by his side of the bed for like 2 hours, thats some freaky shit. Picturing myself in his shoes tossing and turning in bed not knowing someone is next to him just hovering over him is creepy! I think you gave this a fitting score!
I don’t get why everyone is starting to hate this movie. Granted, I didn’t find it scary at all either but it’s still a good movie. The comparisons to Blair Witch will be endless and much like that movie everything relies on your imagination. Bumps, knocks and creaks are the monsters in those movies and it’s a change of pace from the typical stuff we get in the horror department.
I didn’t really think the acting was that great in this movie though and found the guy to be annoying. It certainly didn’t live up to my expectations but I still enjoyed it in the end, it just took a few days to accept that it was good when I wanted it to be great and really scare the crap out of me.
Another movie that is coming out that offers a clean alternative is ‘’Paranormal.’’ Below is some additional information about this new thriller!!
Paranormal, the latest supernatural thriller from Cross Shadow Productions, (the
creators of the Dove.org approved, best-selling BMG releases: Pray and Pray 2:
The Woods) will be available in stores nationwide January 26th 2010. The 2009 Mrs. America is starring in it.
See more information and trailers at:
http://www.ParanormalTheMovie.com
Following the success of family-friendly suspense/thriller The Exorcism of Emily
Rose (Sony Pictures), comes a riveting supernatural thriller in the vein of the hit
SyFy television series, Ghost Hunters and Frank Peretti’s House (Roadside
Attractions / Lionsgate).
Paranormal follows best-selling, self-made novelist Greg Evans struggling through the worst case of writer’s block in his award-winning career. In a desperate search for
inspiration, Greg quickly finds himself immersed in a world he is not prepared to face.
Turning to a group of paranormal investigators, Greg and the ghost hunting team search for proof and answers, yet are unaware they are about to have an experience of a
lifetime! None will leave the way they came. Paranormal will peel back the supernatural curtain to reveal how The TRUTH will EXPOSE the darkness!