Is 'Paranormal Activity' the best movie you won't see?

Posted Oct 10th 2009 4:10PM by Mark Fightmaster
Filed under: Rants and Raves

I am in a bit of a quandary. You see, I love those paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Most Haunted, and Ghost Adventures. This genre has taken over programming in a majority of the bigger cable channels and it is now trying to take the movie world by storm.

Don't get me wrong, movies about ghosties and ghoulies are nothing new, but a little independent movie company has decided to hop on the ghost bandwagon by making a film called Paranormal Activity. It was made for just $11,000 over a week -- yes, a week. Well, if you have heard any of the buzz about this film, you know that it is set to take movie viewers by storm.

This movie is being called "the scariest movie of the decade" as it follows a young couple that feels their house may be haunted. They set up a video camera in their bedroom and record the happenings over the next 20 days. What follows (or so I have read) is a descent into horror not seen since 1999's The Blair Witch Project. Reportedly, people have been leaving screenings midway through because of the movie's creepy factor.

Here is my problem. While I love watching the paranormal-themed television shows, I will not watch a horror movie. Why do I need to pay to be scared to death when I can stay at home and deal with the daily horrors of helping care for three kids under the age of four? I just never enjoyed horror movies, so I won't watch them. That said, there are quite a number of people who will go see these movies and pay $10 apiece (perhaps more) to be scared senseless. With that in mind, watch for Paranormal Activity to do far better than The Blair Witch Project as it cost far less to make this year's creep show and it could make much more cash.

What is interesting is the fact that this indie film was never going to happen as Paramount had shelved it to wait for bigger stars. The company has done an excellent job of advertising this movie, with a touch of viral marketing and a healthy dose of Internet buzz. It certainly appears that Paranormal Activity is ready to scare up some profits.

Tags: Blair Witch Project, independent films, independent movies, movies, Paranormal Activity

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-11-2009 @ 12:25AM

alisha said...

i watched this movie in madison and it is a terrible movie, the last ten minutes is all that was good the movie drug on and on. all it is, is a guy and his girlfriend walking around their house with a camcorder with not much happening. two thumbs down

10-14-2009 @ 8:48PM

charlottefrash said...

Thanks for the info on that movie figured it would be a bust like the blair witch

10-21-2009 @ 8:01PM

Georgia said...

I don't see many movies, but if this is the "scariest one I'll ever see", I'll save the money, and stay home. I've seen scarier things in my refrigerator. I'm glad I went to an early-bird matinee, and only lost out on six bucks. The reason they say, "don't see it alone", is that, hopefully you can elbow each other, if one of you starts to fall asleep.

10-25-2009 @ 6:15PM

Mimi said...

After all the hype, I JUST HAD TO SEE THIS MOVIE. I love scary movies -- but my husband hates them, so I went to see Paranormal Activity with a girlfriend yesterday. I do not hink that this movie is on a par with The Exorcist -- or The Sixth Sense. It was OK, and pretty scary. I screamed and grabbed my friend a couple times and even closed my eyes at the last scene. I think that PA is better than Blair Witch (which I didn't really like all that much). I'm glad I saw it. I woud say that you might be disappointed after all the hype, but go see it. Oh, and I had no trouble getting to sleep last night -- of course, I wasn't sleeping alone -- and I'm glad I wasn't sleeping alone...! Mimi

10-27-2009 @ 2:36AM

B. said...

This movie was a product of marketing and hype. There was very little content, suspense, and thrill. You can tell no budget went into production. The constant shaking camera effect is whack and elementary. It is definitely a "redbox" movie ($1). I was looking for the "scariest", "best", "...cant sleep the next night", movie that the critics and other people have said this was. They lied, decieved, and tricked me outta some money. I'm telling everyone one I know and love.....save your money. Its a recession for God's sake!