The Real "Paranormal Activity" is this Film's Success

I recently saw "Paranormal Activity" with a group of friends Halloween night. If you happen to live under a rock, "Paranormal Activity" documents Michah Sloat and his girlfriend Katie Featherston's struggles with the demon/spirit terrorizing them in their suburban home. I will be the first to admit that I was neither excited, or particularly interested in seeing this movie. As a disillusioned 20 something, it takes a lot to get a rise out of me, but because it was Halloween, the film's subject matter seemed appropriate for the evening.

Firstly, [as many have mentioned,] this film is totally reminiscent of "The Blair Witch Project" In fact, it may have well been titled "The Blair Witch Project Three: Out of the Woods and into the Suburbs" While "The Blair Witch Project" did very well, grossing roughly 1.4 million, I was left feeling unfulfilled, slighly bored, and unimpressed. Apparently fear is not a factor for me.

Both "The Blair Witch Project" and "Paranormal Activity" can both be categorized as independent low budget films. Both were released in a limited amount of theaters, and both relied upon user generated buzz, and gimmicks to heighten interest, and gain a following.

For the life of me, I cannot comprehend the public's fascination with either of these movies. In fact, I do not think the public is nearly as fascinated as the media claims. The numbers simply reflect the sheer number of people who saw these movies, they do not tell us the amount of people who were NOT entertained. The reported $61,580,588 "Paranormal Activity" has made to date is amazing due to the lackluster quality, and content of this movie. In my opinion the success of "Paranormal Activity" [and it's sister The Blair Witch,] comes down to the power of media influence, and the term "limited release." Generally speaking, the media IS the largest predictor of trends and human behavior; we see the trailer, our interest is piqued and we might see the film. However, when something is relatively inaccessible, we typically want it all the more. Remember, the trailer itself suggests and "provides proof" the film is scary; then asks us [the viewers] to demand to see it, as it was not released widely. Well we want it now don't we? We will not be excluded from seeing the best and scariest movie of all time! [Sarcasm].

I guess a vast majority of us are highly suggestible because as the commercial states, "We demanded it."

The movie was dreadful in my honest opinion. The buildup was far too slow. I realize that films generally require a period of acquaintance with the characters, setting, etc. but this was NOT an enjoyable experience. It was flat out boring. In the film's initial stages Katie and Micah had the personality and depth of a grain of salt. Later, I will admit, Katie's tantrums and general hysteria were funny, and Micah's dorky, silly, "man of the house" demeanor was hilarious! Yet, overall, nothing really happens in the beginning stages of the film; there's no hook. The viewer is left waiting for paranormal activity, and once said paranormal activity occurs, many viewers will find the characters' nonsensical actions baffling and unbelievably idiotic.

While this did not occur at the theater I attended, I can potentially see people leaving the theater. I do not understand the hype generated by this movie. I received more entertainment from my friends and other moviegoers audible exclaims of disinterest, boredom, and dissatisfaction. I [and many others,] walked away disappointed. No I did not expect the jump out of my seat reaction depicted in the trailer, but for all the hype and money this film is receiving, I expected to leave with more than a sense of dissatisfaction.