Movie Review: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (Paramount)

Mike LoManaco

I realize this film had been "teased at" before in this forum, prior to its theatrical launch. And, additionally (and perhaps ironically) I am aware of the "mockery" Keiko has made of my name and my review style in his ridiculously hate-inspiring thread on Up; apparently the immaturity of a select group of ignore button-bolstered members continues to fruitfully multiply like a hard-hitting case of H1N1 -- those of you that defended me in that thread and can see clearly that I'm not writing these to harm anyone on the site or in society but merely to supply detail-rich reviews of titles arriving on DVD and Blu-ray for mere solid information, I thank you very much. That issue is being dealt with privately, as well. I find it disturbing that an individual would need to take time out of their life to mimic another person's writing style and actually welcome the onslaught of hurtful comments that followed just because this individual doesn't like someone else writing DVD or Blu-ray reviews. It's absolutely baffling to me.

But in getting back to the hoopla-driven Paranormal Activity, it seemed to be one of those films that was going to be more frightening as a teaser trailer than it was as a feature. Indeed, this was a complete and utter fusion of Cloverfield and Blair Witch Project -- as all rumors and discussions even in this forum predicted -- and if it weren't for the come-at-a-moment's-notice ending and wildly brisk pace, this could have been one of the better films of the year, and I'm not kidding.

Alas, I was looking forward to this one based on the teaser TV spots and all the internet hubbub; the opening frame thanks Paramount pictures for being part of releasing this story to the public, alerting the viewers that something terrifyingly real is about to unfold. The entire film takes place from the perspective of a video camera, owned by a young Californian that lives with his girlfriend in a rather nice house. While she's a student, he's a day trader, so perhaps there is some reality and justification when you ask "how did they afford that place?" Well, it's not that the place is a palace -- but the two main characters come off appearing way too young to make a house like this work, complete with a pool out back. At any rate, Paranormal Activity finds the two main characters in the midst of "phenomena" that have been "haunting" them as of late -- particularly the girl. The major issues and problems don't start picking up steam until after these opening sequences, where the events just seem bothersome at best.

Each sequence of the film is broken up into actual nights recorded on the camera, at the foot of the couple's bed each night. Almost every evening, near the "witching hour" of 3 am, noises and disturbances can be heard recorded by the camera, outside of the couple's bedroom and all over the house. The effect was startlingly authentic and was different from almost every other horror/terror film; there are moments when we see the moving time during the recording on the camera go forward as if fast-forwarded, until a certain disturbance is caught. The couple calls in a psychic, who doesn't get along with the boyfriend as he's not really open to the whole spiritual thing, yet he definitely senses a strange presence in the home. Talking to the girl for awhile, he learns about a disturbing childhood and some horrible events involving a fire. Offering to bring more help and go further, the psychic is ushered out of the couple's house, their thinking being that perhaps they will see what the next few days brings.

As the nights pass, the noises in the home grow increasingly ominous and threatening; soon, booming pounds and shadowy figures cross their walls and shake their foundations. Eventually, the couple are forced from their bed to investigate the strange footprints, sounds and other happenings occurring in the house each and every night -- well, actually, in the wee hours of the mornings. They call the psychic back, desperate for help now that the symptoms of the haunting have gotten worse, but upon just stepping into their home this time, the psychic is terrified by something that forces him to leave. Inbetween, the girl attempts to find solace in her idiotic, but rather sexy, friend who comes over their house for support but offers nothing but critical evaluation of the boyfriend.

The ending of this film is very controversial and I simply cannot reveal it; suffice to say, I don't know whether to believe everything that happened in this case, particularly that last night that was filmed. We are lead to believe, according to the camera footage, that the girl was eventually possessed by whatever demon was torturing the couple in this house, which leads her to some criminal activity as evidenced by the closing frame of the film. There's more to it, but as I said, I cannot go further for those of you who haven't seen this yet.

What was the real deal behind Paranormal Activity? Was this based on actual events? Was it more a hoax, as portrayed by projects like Amityville Horror or Blair Witch? I have to do more research on the material behind this film because it was very interesting, to say the least, yet the aforementioned brisk pace and very sudden, "abrupt" ending let it down a bit. Make your own minds up about the events portrayed here and the claims they were "based" on, but if you missed this theatrically, give it a rental when it comes out -- highly recommended just for the creep factor alone.

Although a good monster film in its own right, Cloverfield simply gets too nauseating after awhile to really be enjoyable with Matt Reeves' camera-perspective shooting style that continuously bobs and jerks all over the place -- in that way, Paranormal Activity makes the same mistakes, yet the camera jerking factor is smoother and takes breaks during the night sequences in the bedroom, where the camera is mounted on a tripod and faces the bed. These scenes were particularly creepy and unsettling, as each night, there's a dead silence in the bedroom and on the camera, and suddenly, we hear distant unearthly noises, rumbles whispering voices...what makes it more unsettling is the structure created here suggesting what you're watching actually happened to someone. As the evenings pass, the haunting events get more dramatic, until the bedroom door creepingly opens by itself and powdery footprints make their way through the room, evidence that the entity is growing bolder and less tolerant of the boyfriend, who continues to mock the presence. The introduction of a Ouija board by the boyfriend only seems to make the matter worse, as it always does (hasn't any of these assclowns seen The Exorcist?) and eventually, the girl is affected directly by the unseen force. The boyfriend finds her in the backyard one night, in a comatose state -- the next day, she cannot recall getting out of the bed and standing at the bedside for hours just staring at her boyfriend which was all caught on tape.

As the events get weirder and weirder, the film gets better and better -- but before you know it, you're at the end, and you're sitting there with your Orville Redenbacher and extra butter wondering what just happened, and if there's more to this intriguing, yet frightening, story.

As I said, definitely give Paranormal Activity a rental when it comes out, or go see if it's still active theatrically near you. It's a different kind of fright picture that's real effective in many key areas. The jury is still out on whether or not I can recommend this for a purchase when it hits Blu-ray, but I'll get back to you on that as the time gets closer for release date.

Jstas

Wow.

Sorry but I thought this sucked.

It seemed like nothing more than a feature length "paranormal investigator" show like "Ghost Hunters" or "Ghost Lab".

It's a waste of time, don't bother with it.

comfortablycurt

On the Comfortably LaCurtico scale...this movie got a solid 1.5

1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest.


To sum it up...In the whole movie, there are about 9-10 minutes worth of action where there's actually something happening, with a lot of nothing in between.

Very high "what the hell am I even watching" factor.

comfortablycurt

Damn you and your hate inspiring mockeries Le Keiko!!:p

kawizx9r

Mike, I do understand a bit about why you don't like what's being said on here in regards to your reviews but can't you see it's merely for entertainment purposes? Really, what does anyone gain with all the 'fighting' going on around here.

I say, just chill and enjoy the music

On another note, why does the name thing bother you anyway? You go by a completely different name on another forum.

Btw, I didn't even have to read the review. Fandango.com helped me out there, with everyone claiming that this movie totally sucked. That was enough for me to know not to watch this.

PS: Mike Le Keiko and Comfortably La Curtico, I think you both should think twice about what you've done!

-Le Kawi LePeu

F1nut

I realize this film had been "teased at" before in this forum, prior to its theatrical launch. And, additionally (and perhaps ironically) I am aware of the "mockery" Keiko has made of my name and my review style in his ridiculously hate-inspiring thread on Up; apparently the immaturity of a select group of ignore button-bolstered members continues to fruitfully multiply like a hard-hitting case of H1N1 -- those of you that defended me in that thread and can see clearly that I'm not writing these to harm anyone on the site or in society but merely to supply detail-rich reviews of titles arriving on DVD and Blu-ray for mere solid information, I thank you very much. That issue is being dealt with privately, as well. I find it disturbing that an individual would need to take time out of their life to mimic another person's writing style and actually welcome the onslaught of hurtful comments that followed just because this individual doesn't like someone else writing DVD or Blu-ray reviews. It's absolutely baffling to me.

LOL.....yeah, I have no doubt that you are baffled. It's got to be hard to see the forest when all you do is stare at the mirror.

Jesse LePrez

cnh

Now now boys....play 'nice'! But do 'play'!

cnh

dorokusai

The movie was just ok.

dkg999

Sheeesh! Get over yourself.

Demiurge

Keiko wrote: »

You can't be serious?

....and we'll be the ones getting scolded for responding to all of his backhanded commentary. :rolleyes:

Jesse LePrez

hahahaha!

shack

Keiko wrote: »

Reported LaCurtico! For inspiring hate and mocking me.

Mike Le Keiko

Is that your REAL name?

Jstas

Demiurge wrote: »

....and we'll be the ones getting scolded for responding to all of his backhanded commentary. :rolleyes:

Because he sends report emails for every post that doesn't agree with him to Patrick who gets inundated with them.

kuntasensei

shack wrote: »

Is that your REAL name?

No, his real name is Peter Michael Le Keiko Alouicious Marlowe LoManaco the Third. But you may call him by his stripper name, Bubbles Le'Strange.

To keep on topic, I just saw Paranormal Activity... IN MY PANTS! Thank you, hot lady passing outside my office window!

kuntasensei

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

I realize this film had been "teased at" before in this forum, prior to its theatrical launch.

So you admit that you knew there was already an existing thread you should have put this in then? Good. Now report yourself for breaking forum etiquette. Or report me for continuing to point it out when you do it. Either way, hit report.

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

I find it disturbing that an individual would need to take time out of their life to mimic another person's writing style and actually welcome the onslaught of hurtful comments that followed just because this individual doesn't like someone else writing DVD or Blu-ray reviews. It's absolutely baffling to me.

In fairness, his review was way too short for you to say he was mimicking your writing style. Plus, he didn't cut-and-paste it from another forum.

Ricardo

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

And, additionally (and perhaps ironically) I am aware of the "mockery" Keiko has made of my name and my review style in his ridiculously hate-inspiring thread

You are definitely a bit slow. Six months here and you still don't get it.

Ric LeCardo.

kuntasensei

I have an idea that might help make you more welcome here, Mike/Peter. From now on, why don't you just go into the existing thread and post links to the reviews on the forum that you actually write these for? Here, I'll help:

http://www.highdefforum.com/movies/104097-marlowe-cinema-paranormal-activity-paramount.html

See? It makes for a much shorter post, and it doesn't clutter our forum with multiple threads on the same movie. That way, your select few fans here can still read your reviews, you aren't creating new threads for existing topics, and you don't provoke anyone's ire because of the length and attitude of your posts. Just a suggestion. Not that you ever take our suggestions to heart... but I offer it nonetheless.

hearingimpared

Geez Mike . . . God help us. Your ego is only surpassed by your lack of skin.

Also, why do you find it okay to attack memebers here but report to Patrick every little thing you perceive as an attack on you or your reviews?

Joe Leprick

ryanjoachim

I definitely fast forwarded to the part just after the "salt trick" (to avoid spoilers), which is where it finally started to get a little interesting.

shepx2

kuntasensei wrote: »

in fairness, his review was way too short for you to say he was mimicking your writing style.

lol!!!!!!!!!

MrNightly

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88976&highlight=paranormal

Yawn... This one trick pony show is old.

NEXT!

KrazyMofo24

I don't know think there is too much info given away in this review. If I had already watched it, a lot of the suspense wouldn't be there if I had read this first.

I enjoyed the movie, the fact that there wasn't non-stop action/drama is good, because it help build up the scary scenes, and helped made it more realistic.

comfortablycurt

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

I don't know think there is too much info given away in this review. If I had already watched it, a lot of the suspense wouldn't be there if I had read this first.

I enjoyed the movie, the fact that there wasn't non-stop action/drama is good, because it help build up the scary scenes, and helped made it more realistic.

+1

This review basically gives away the entire story line.

"The ending of this film is very controversial and I simply cannot reveal it; suffice to say, I don't know whether to believe everything that happened in this case, particularly that last night that was filmed. We are lead to believe, according to the camera footage, that the girl was eventually possessed by whatever demon was torturing the couple in this house, which leads her to some criminal activity as evidenced by the closing frame of the film. There's more to it, but as I said, I cannot go further for those of you who haven't seen this yet. "

You're telling me that that doesn't give away the end of the movie? You might as well just say what happens...lol

kuntasensei

I have a friend who does that all the time. "Man, I ain't trying to give nothing away... but Kevin Spacey is Keyser Soze." Heh...

comfortablycurt

kuntasensei wrote: »

I have a friend who does that all the time. "Man, I ain't trying to give nothing away... but Kevin Spacey is Keyser Soze." Heh...

lmao...Yeah, that doesn't really give anything away.:rolleyes:

That's a damn good movie though.


I had a friend do that to me a while back...I was reading the Eragon books. He's over at my house...and saw that I was on the third one. He then proceeded to ask me what I thought of a certain part of the book...of course, I hadn't gotten to that part yet. It was also THE BIGGEST plot twist of the whole book.

Thanks dude...lol

kuntasensei

True story... When the last Harry Potter book came out, my friend Angel had to work the midnight launch at Books-A-Million. A guy calmly walked up to the front of the line, turned around, and screamed out "RON WEASLEY GETS KILLED BY VOLDEMORT!" Sure, it's not true... but none of them knew that. She said the guy had to be protected by security because people were throwing things at hom. Heh...

hearingimpared

Okay, my wife and I just got this in from Netflix. We are debating as to whether we should let our newly turned 13 year old watch it. He loves this scary stuff.

However I have a few of questions for those who have seen it;

Is there any nudity in this flick?

Is the hype about it causing "nightmares" true?

How's the shock-you-out-of-your-chair moments?

If you had a 13 year old boy, would you let him watch it?

Our philosophy is to never let our boy watch 'R' flicks until he is at the proper age. But seeing that he loves this crap, we are willing to make an exception if I can get some answers to the above questions.

Thanks for your input folks.

One suggestion for the movie reviewers here. When something is rated 'R' it might help to describe why the 'R' rating in detail like they do on the outer box that comes with the flick.

concealer404

No nudity that i remember. No nightmares here, and i'm a little girl when it comes to scary movies. If i had a 13 year old boy, i'd let him watch it.

Not a ton of shock-you-out-of-your-chair moments.

The R-rating is probably mainly for language. But it also didn't stand out to me as a particularly vulgar film. Part of that is because of the way it was scripted. There wasn't really any cussing for the sake of cussing, if you know what i mean.

I vote to let him see it.

That said, i'm not a father, and i prefer currently to take care of two cats.

hearingimpared

Thank you sir, you creep!:D:p I wanted to adhere to our no 'R' flick rule but my wife being the softy that she is has been campaigning for him to watch it. She just read your reply and once again, I loose!:eek::D;)

Any one else want to chime in . . . concealer scares me! LOL!!!

concealer404

Oh... bummer dude. Next time send me a PM telling me what you want me to say.

hearingimpared

concealer404 wrote: »

Oh... bummer dude. Next time send me a PM telling me what you want me to say.

Hehehe

mdaudioguy

I watched it this weekend with my 15 yr old daughter. She loves to be scared. My soon-to-be 12 yr old son wanted nothing to do with it - the thought of it was too scary for him, yet he plays Call of Duty non-stop... As far as language goes, both of them always tell me, "It's nothing we don't hear on the bus every day..."

P.S. You don't have one listed, but please say you have a decent sub! That's what provides all the tension!