October 23, 2009 Paranormal Activity
Studio: Blumhouse Productions Rating: R for language.
Billed as one of the scariest movies ever made, "Paranormal Activity" tells the story of a young couple with a very unwelcome guest.
Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat headline this movie. Katie has a sense of dread about their home when she notices things she can't explain happening.
So, Micah buys a camera and sets it up to try and catch some of the weird happenings on video.
As the story unfolds it becomes more and more apparent that the problems don't exist in Katie's overactive imagination. Something very real is going on. The couple tries desperately to figure out the source of the supernatural acts and how to get rid of it.
This movie has really divided audiences and critics. Some people rave about it as a realistic, genuinely terrifying experience. Others say it too slow, too drawn out and just plain boring.
I think both schools of thought have some merit.
On one hand, this is a very low budget film. It was made as an independent movie and then picked up steam through word of mouth before being released nationally.
If you're expecting a big-budget film with incredible cinematography and special effects you will be disappointed.
However, it also features a pretty original story about a primal fear many people have. When are we most vulnerable? Well, when we're asleep. And the thought of bad things happening in the dark after you close your eyes can be truly troubling.
I'll admit, it takes a little while to build up steam and if you're spoiled by special effects, gore and slasher films you probably will be looking at your watch.
But if you're interested in a psychological thriller, an experience where many of the chills happen off-camera, or just out of the corner of your eye, causing you to imagine what's going on, then you'll enjoy this movie.
I think "Paranormal Activity's" biggest enemy is the hype machine. So much has been said about it that your expectations might be unreasonably high. Just watch it for the scary little film it is. And it might lead you to leaving a night light on in your bedroom.
You know, just in case.
On my rating scale, "Paranormal Activity" earns a DOUBLE.
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October 23, 2009
