Paranormal Activity (Blu-ray)

i've got to say from the out-set that i am not a fan of 'home' video style movies having previously seen the terrible camera-work on films such as 'cloverfield' and 'the blair witch project'.....however because of the 'hype' i felt like many of you i'm sure...it has to be watched, so you can judge for yourself.
this film was made a couple of years ago, but has only recently gone out on general release.
it is available on line, but it is 'region' 'a'
is this the scariest flick this year ?.........not really.
what's the acting like ? ...................umm....not the best in truth
camera-work ? .....well, other than cutting peoples heads off now and then, it's a whole lot better than the other movies mentioned.
the first two-thirds of the film is pretty slow, yes it has the odd happening now and then, but, really....the film only picks up toward and including the closing scenes, even then i'd struggle to call it genuinly 'scary'
however...the film was… more »

i've got to say from the out-set that i am not a fan of 'home' video style movies having previously seen the terrible camera-work on films such as 'cloverfield' and 'the blair witch project'.....however because of the 'hype' i felt like many of you i'm sure...it has to be watched, so you can judge for yourself.
this film was made a couple of years ago, but has only recently gone out on general release.
it is available on line, but it is 'region' 'a'
is this the scariest flick this year ?.........not really.
what's the acting like ? ...................umm....not the best in truth
camera-work ? .....well, other than cutting peoples heads off now and then, it's a whole lot better than the other movies mentioned.
the first two-thirds of the film is pretty slow, yes it has the odd happening now and then, but, really....the film only picks up toward and including the closing scenes, even then i'd struggle to call it genuinly 'scary'
however...the film was made for 'peanuts' and 'fair play' it's earned tens of millions in revenue.
it's not available to buy until late 'march' and many of you that haven't allready seen it will probably want to.......i would advise watching it before you commit to buy.

So, is it worth all the hype? Is it in the same league as The Exorcist, or little more than a pale shadow of Halloween 4?

The premise of the story is simple. A young couple, seemingly terrorised by an unknown entity, decide to set up a camera to record the action whilst they sleep and effectively document a haunting from the inside. But is it scary?

Paranormal Activity is one of those films, much like Blair Witch, that will divide movie fans across the globe in to two distinct camps.

One camp will be convinced it is a truly terrifying and disturbing experience, the other will be completely un-impressed by the scares promised through the intriguing viral campaign and Internet hype. Whichever camp you fell in to for the The Blair Witch Project, will probably designate where you will sit for this movie too.

Essentially, this will be based on whether or not you buy in to the world that is being portrayed by the central characters. There are next to no special… more »

So, is it worth all the hype? Is it in the same league as The Exorcist, or little more than a pale shadow of Halloween 4?

The premise of the story is simple. A young couple, seemingly terrorised by an unknown entity, decide to set up a camera to record the action whilst they sleep and effectively document a haunting from the inside. But is it scary?

Paranormal Activity is one of those films, much like Blair Witch, that will divide movie fans across the globe in to two distinct camps.

One camp will be convinced it is a truly terrifying and disturbing experience, the other will be completely un-impressed by the scares promised through the intriguing viral campaign and Internet hype. Whichever camp you fell in to for the The Blair Witch Project, will probably designate where you will sit for this movie too.

Essentially, this will be based on whether or not you buy in to the world that is being portrayed by the central characters. There are next to no special effects, no haunting soundtracks, and no signs of people wearing their innards on the outside. In order to get something out of the film, you really have to put something in - to empathise with the characters and experience their trials alongside them. A serious investment in how it would really feel to be in the couple's shoes, rather than sit there and wait to be scared, is how this film will impress.

I did just that, and to me it was one of the most truly original, chilling and nerve-jangling movies I have ever seen. From the moment the characters are introduced and you are slowly brought in to their world, so the empathy for their increasingly disturbing experiences rises. Even now, when I think of scenes from the film, I can still feel the goose-bumps rise.

If I had one criticism, it would be that there was little evidence of the terrorised couple searching for help from outside themselves; but, considering the budget of $11,000, I can understand why the director had to make that choice.

If you fall in to the lust-for-gore camp as

highlighted above, I can't say it's really going to be your cup of tea. If you are in the 'Blair Witch' camp then see it, 'enjoy' it, and carry it around with you for long after the credits roll.

This film is an absolute work of genius in my opinion. From the way it builds up the 'scares' to the phenomenal climax could not have been bettered. I just love the way the two characters work off each other. They are just everyday decent people that something horrible is happening to and they cannot get away from. They continue to live through this situation and you are on that journey with them. I do not get scared by horrors I think that i have seen too many to allow that now !! But if you really let yourself be taken in by this film and immerse yourself as the director intended you are in for a real treat, you really do feel for these people and it is that pity that makes this film a true horror. Granted there are a few moments that will have you jumping but that is due to the brilliant sound track. Don't believe the review stating that this is all hype. Shut the curtains, turn off the lights and turn up the sound. This is a stunning movie that I feel goes down as an absolute… more »

This film is an absolute work of genius in my opinion. From the way it builds up the 'scares' to the phenomenal climax could not have been bettered. I just love the way the two characters work off each other. They are just everyday decent people that something horrible is happening to and they cannot get away from. They continue to live through this situation and you are on that journey with them. I do not get scared by horrors I think that i have seen too many to allow that now !! But if you really let yourself be taken in by this film and immerse yourself as the director intended you are in for a real treat, you really do feel for these people and it is that pity that makes this film a true horror. Granted there are a few moments that will have you jumping but that is due to the brilliant sound track. Don't believe the review stating that this is all hype. Shut the curtains, turn off the lights and turn up the sound. This is a stunning movie that I feel goes down as an absolute horror classic of all time.