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I was on my couch with my wife, feeling sick and not wanting to move. We watched an episode of one of our guilty pleasures, GHOST HUNTERS, and decided we wanted to see the similarly themed film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. We jumped in the car and rushed over, making it just in time for the late showing. We knew very little going in, and this article will be as spoiler free as possible, because that is the best way to see it.

This is a film about a young couple trying to document some strange things happening in their home.

I watched PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (2009) in the theater on 10.16.09. It was my first viewing of the film.

NOTE: THIS RANKING UTILIZES THIS SITE’S ORIGINAL SYSTEMIC ARTICLE WRITING METHOD. THE METHOD BY WHICH THE RANKINGS WERE ARRIVED AT, HOWEVER, REMAIN THE SAME.

FILM

Here is a movie made for 15,000 dollars which has more substance and value than a movie like TRANSFORMERS which is made for over 200 million. There is little in the way of cinematography, since this is ‘found footage’. But the themes here of trust, betrayal, and the negative impact of aloofness, ring true and tell a solid story. SCORE: 8

MOVIE

There is nothing quite like the experience of seeing this for the first time. It is scary in the way it builds, more than in its impacting moments. The suspense it builds is tangible, and you really owe it to yourself to see it without ruining it with trailers or other people’s thoughts. Just see it. It is frickin’ intense. Not sure if it would be as good on the second viewing, but I can only go on what I saw! SCORE: 9

ACTING

Starring two unknowns, Katie Featherson and Micha Sloat, this film is a showcase for their talents. If I had to say one was slightly better, I would go with the female lead, though Micha does a nice job as the douche bag boyfriend. Overall, their contrasting fear and incredulity work throughout this film, driving it forward. SCORE: 9

WRITING

The scenarios allow these two to improv believably. There is a good job of setting up the hope of a savior who never quite shows up. I will say that the formula of bedtime scene, then seeing what happened, and then talking about it repeated over and over became somewhat formulaic. The best bits of this movie where when they broke that formula. SCORE: 7

BONUS

The level of believability (this movie pretends to be a true story), is held throughout by the excellent acting, as well as the effect of the effects. This false reality is never broken, and adds to the intensity of the film. SCORE: 1

FINAL TALLY

FILM: 8; MOVIE: 9; ACTING: 9; WRITING: 7; BONUS: 1

8+9+9+7+1=34

FINAL SCORE: 8.5

~ by johnlink00 on October 17, 2009.

Posted in ~ P ~, ~~~ 2009 ~~~
Tags: horror