5. Paranormal Activity
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:39PM | Will LeBlanc 
I'd like to address a few things very quickly. First, I know that when films as recent as this wind up on lists of people's favorites, outsiders tend to think, "Well he only likes it because he just saw it." I'm fully aware of that stigma, and I'll accept any sort of ridicule you'll throw my way until you actually see this movie. Second I said a few reviews ago that they might get a little long, but not this one. Mostly because my FULL REVIEW for Paranormal Activity is still over in the right hand side bar. No point in writing the same review twice, eh?
By now, with all the viral marketing and demanding hooplah I'm sure you all know the story. Guy and girl are living happily ever after, demon decides he likes the girl enough to terror rape her and her boyfriend. Pretty straight forward aside from the fact that the director, Oren Peli, added a line or two about the demon being connected to girl, and not to the location so running away would do nothing. This takes away the Haunting in Connecticut syndrome, that when diagnosed has you constantly yelling, "JUST LEAVE THE FUCKING HOUSE!" I like to think I'm a rational being, so if my teenage kid ever came to me the way the kid in that movie was, I would believe him. Game over, see you later haunted house.
The movie rests squarely on the shoulders of the two actors dealing with the situation and both perform pretty damn well considering they were/are nobodies. Never did I think that they were acting, even though I knew the footage was not ACTUALLY real. They sold me. End of story.
Finally before I wrap up, I want to give credit to the director for making a really, truly chilling film with $11,000. There's no fancy effects, no soggy 10-year-olds, just a slow burning psychologically terrifying film. I can't wait to see what he does next.
Check out the full review if you haven't already and go a little deeper into just why Paranormal Activity is awesome.
Reader Comments (2)
Unfortunately this movie is now getting an incredible negative feedback due to hype and low imagination capacity of many viewers. It's a sad tale really.
this was a nice slow builder, good for a film diet change