The leading source for credible citizen reporting

Report Your News
Take the tour...

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

Chicago : IL : USA | 26 days ago  
Views: 175

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.

  • Print
  • Share:
  • Share
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Stumbleupon

Related Allvoices Contributions

News Stories
 
Blogs
 >
  • Blog Source: movie-critics.ew.com
    blair-witch-paranormal-activity_l-1 The smash-hit haunted- suburban-house thriller Paranormal Activity may not be a sequel to The Blair Witch Project (that movie already came out, and was best forgotten). But in spirit, at least ...
  • Blog Source: www.cinemablend.com
    Eduardo Sanchez Talks Blair Witch 3 Between the success of Paranormal Activity and the buzz about a potential sequel, it's no wonder that The Blair Witch Project writer/director Eduardo Sánchez is itching to get in on the action. ...
  • Blog Source: blog.zap2it.com
    'The Blair Witch Project''s writer/director is prepping a new level of scary for horror fans.
  • Blog Source: theplaylist.blogspot.com
    But there are two directors who watched the buzz building around "Paranormal Activity" with a distinct feeling of déjà vu. Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick set the shaky cam template ten years ago with "The Blair Witch Project. ...
  • Blog Source: www.heyuguys.co.uk
    blair witch 3 Given the buzz the micro budget Paranormal Activity has been generating it seems entirely logical that the decade old Blair Witch Project might manifest itself once again. The Toronto Star met up with one of the directors ...
  • Blog Source: moviesblog.mtv.com
    A decade after the release of "The Blair Witch Project," we have director Oren Peli's found-footage supernatural thriller "Paranormal Activity" setting Hollywood ablaze with an record setting box office performance in comparison to its ...
Images
 >
 
Videos
 >
 
Posted By cyaremordmin cyaremordmin | 26 days ago
Nice article, well done.
Posted By JackieMandeville JackieMandeville | 26 days ago
I like your article, I have no intrest in seeing the movie after reading this.
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
Thank you. I didn't do it to dissuade, it's more of an opinion piece/media commentary. I hate to say it, but sometimes bootlegs are your friend :)

Heh, the theater comment of the day was, "Man, I want my $11.00 back."
Posted By archerlady archerlady | 26 days ago
was it a good movie?
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
I don't think it can be called a good movie--especially due to the slow buildup! You're in the theater going, "Where's the paranormal activity?"

Also, I should mention that I love bad/weird movies! I live in Chicago, and find Svengoolie's old/low budget horror awesome, but this film isn't even on that level in my opinion. There's little to no character in this film; however, there are good moments.
Posted By Just_Playin_Dumb Just_Playin_Dumb | 26 days ago
The success of movies like these, only give hopes to future crappy movies such as this and the Blair Witch Project. The camera work in these movies makes me sick!
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
Ugh! Agreed, agreed, agreed!
Posted By r2hot2d8 r2hot2d8 | 26 days ago
Sucks! Dont like it.
Posted By Vinnymac11 Vinnymac11 | 26 days ago
I saw the movie and I coudln't figure out why it was getting such a big buzz from the media. I didn;t think it was that scary of a movie at all.
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
Yeah, you can't count on advertising to tell you the truth. Sometimes we forget! Especially when we're told to expect a big scary film and the result is just so bad.
Posted By aaront aaront | 26 days ago
I thought it was interesting... it's hard to like a movie like that when it ends so horribly. Sorry if I spoiled it for you butt maybe I saved you some disappointment...
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
You didn't give anything away. I kinda liked the ending..it was weird..but it was definitely a downer for a lot of people.
Posted By Barnacle_Jones Barnacle_Jones | 26 days ago
The movie was horrible and the only reason I saw it was because I thought I wouldn't get a chance to see it later because of the "Limited release" Though after seeing the sucess of the film I wonder if it beats blair with project in the highest ratio of spent to earned for any movie, that would be an interesting thing to look up.
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
See? The "Limited release" monster is a horror! It's like a cookie on the highest shelf, and we just have to get it!

It would definitely be interesting to compare the two. I believe Blair Witch was originally made for cheaper, but after reshooting and reediting things, the budget numbers increased substantially!

"Paranormal Activity" was definitely cheaper to make..but when you consider the fixed setting, and the fact you only see 3 people the entire film, I think that's understandable. Plus, we're familiar with this gimmick now; so it really shouldn't do as well! But we shall see.
Posted By ppoullard ppoullard | 26 days ago
the worst part was the camera movement. i almost threw up in the theatre!!
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
Seriously! It got bad. I felt like I was on a boat. This should not a method, it doesn't add realism, it's just shoddy camera work.
Posted By Shirley66 Shirley66 | 26 days ago
Apparently, you are not a easy to scare. Thank you for the post.
Reply By kittyfever kittyfever | 24 days ago
Thanks. No, I'm not too easy to scare. I heart blood and gore.
Reported by kittyfever
Report Your News Got a similar story?
Add it to the network!

Or add related content to this report

Cell phones Cell phones use report code: @4535617

Most Popular Reports

Related Tweets

  • laurenviera

    @laurenviera @RolfingPro his film isn't out till december, and it'll run the friday it's released...will post when published!

    23 days ago
  • mattgarrahan

    @mattgarrahan MattGarrahan: Sony has bought the film rights to Risk. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Wasn't Ludo available?

    24 days ago
  • jonesdel

    @jonesdel @sheesidd Paranormal was the most unscary movie I've ever seen. Yet, I keep reading about how it scares people.

    25 days ago
  • carr2n

    @carr2n Yet another week when top box office film is something I wouldn't see if they paid ME $10 bucks. http://bit.ly/4xJXZN This is (not) It.

    27 days ago

Related Allvoices Reports

Contributions

Help and Accounts


Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use Agreement and Privacy Policy.

© Allvoices, Inc 2008-2009. All rights reserved.