Amber BransonParanormal Activity (Theatrical)
Halloween may be over, but I worked so hard to get myself into the mood of it that I'm not quite ready to let go. (I'm still indulging in A&E's "Paranormal State".)
So "On Reel"'s first review will be of the sniper hit that is Paranormal Activity.
//Katie has been tormented by some strange force since her childhood. After incidences of nocturnal footsteps in the house they now share, her boyfriend Micah purchases a high-quality home video camera to document what happens while they sleep.
The results are unnerving.//
I encountered an advertisement for this movie on Facebook. Intrigued, I followed the link, watched the trailer, and joined the then-750,000 horror fans who were using "Demand It!" to push the movie towards a wide release. It was a few weeks later before I could see it myself, the film not opening in my town until the weekend before Halloween.
It was a decent crowd for a Sunday matinee. Curious about how many people would be coming, I counted. I was one of 64 people in the audience. Distributed fairly evenly through the theater, we were still close enough to help the group psychology which makes watching horror movies in theaters so much more effective than viewing them at home.
There were a few laughs, but also screams. I found myself hunching in my chair with hands over my mouth, eyes wide with shock and anticipation.
Despite comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, the production quality of this film is much better. The camera is on a steady surface during approximately 2/3rds of the movie, and has both nightvision for the sleep scenes and an attached light for the waking scenes. The instances of action are not enough to induce motion sickness.
The reviews I have read have alternated between liking the ending and feeling it was unsatisfying. My personal opinion is that the ending was perfect. There was some closure, yet enough left loose to let the fear follow you home.
If you enjoy psychological thrills, I highly recommend you see Paranormal Activity. If you have a chance to catch it in the theater, do. If you have to wait until the DVD release, try to see it on a big screen in a dark room with a small group of friends.
And don't expect to sleep too much.
//Paranormal Activity, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Rated R for language. Starring Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat.//
So "On Reel"'s first review will be of the sniper hit that is Paranormal Activity.
Paranormal Activity - What Happens When You Sleep?
//Katie has been tormented by some strange force since her childhood. After incidences of nocturnal footsteps in the house they now share, her boyfriend Micah purchases a high-quality home video camera to document what happens while they sleep.
The results are unnerving.//
I encountered an advertisement for this movie on Facebook. Intrigued, I followed the link, watched the trailer, and joined the then-750,000 horror fans who were using "Demand It!" to push the movie towards a wide release. It was a few weeks later before I could see it myself, the film not opening in my town until the weekend before Halloween.
It was a decent crowd for a Sunday matinee. Curious about how many people would be coming, I counted. I was one of 64 people in the audience. Distributed fairly evenly through the theater, we were still close enough to help the group psychology which makes watching horror movies in theaters so much more effective than viewing them at home.
There were a few laughs, but also screams. I found myself hunching in my chair with hands over my mouth, eyes wide with shock and anticipation.
Despite comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, the production quality of this film is much better. The camera is on a steady surface during approximately 2/3rds of the movie, and has both nightvision for the sleep scenes and an attached light for the waking scenes. The instances of action are not enough to induce motion sickness.
The reviews I have read have alternated between liking the ending and feeling it was unsatisfying. My personal opinion is that the ending was perfect. There was some closure, yet enough left loose to let the fear follow you home.
If you enjoy psychological thrills, I highly recommend you see Paranormal Activity. If you have a chance to catch it in the theater, do. If you have to wait until the DVD release, try to see it on a big screen in a dark room with a small group of friends.
And don't expect to sleep too much.
//Paranormal Activity, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Rated R for language. Starring Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat.//
