Paranormal Activity - New Horror Movie is the Next Blair Witch

Just caught this last night. To me, it works the way a supernatural thriller should work. To me, terror is not about gore, but about the things that go bump in the night. And boy, in this movie, do they ever go bump! I didn't get quite as creeped out as I have by a couple of other movies, but this did have me looking over my shoulder a bit while walking through the dark afterward, and assuring myself that the thing walking into my bedroom and jumping on the bed was really just my cat.

Once in a while I got pulled out of the movie, wondering why the camera would have been capturing this or that moment, but I just let it go and let myself get back into it. I think the director made only one serious mis-step, in my opinion, just a few seconds near the very end; it was a moment that seemed sort of cliche, and definitely reminded me I was watching a movie. Just snipping out a few seconds would lessen the chance of snickers or laughter from the audience and greatly improve the leading into the finale. (And I'm not going to say what it was, because it could be a minor spoiler.)
 
Oh, another thing: Is all that talk about DreamWorks originally having wanted to do a remake really true? Especially if they were wanting to use established stars? That would seem to work entirely against the whole premise of the movie. The story itself isn't what makes the movie work (it's a very old, very thin story), but rather it's the way the story is told, with total unknowns, as if it were being documented by the characters themselves with consumer video equipment. Maybe the remake idea is more of the hype in the marketing for this movie...
 
Shot an interview of the director last week, he emphasized the value of casting. Really down to earth guy. Looks like he's directing "Area 51" next.

Did anyone pin down which camera was used, looked like a Z1U maybe
 
Went out to see it tonight with a buddy.

It was a mixed bag for me. While some of the scenes were pretty intense I think they really could have explored things more. They seemed to run out of ideas and go in an area that I really don't think they needed to.

Also, who keeps sleeping with the door wide open night after night? Especially when the **** really starts to hit the fan. I mean... seriously!? There were a few WTF moments like that for me.

There were also a couple of... 'ooohhhh that was good' moments as well.

They butchered the ending though. Totally ran out of steam and the payoff was not worth it. There were much better scenes earlier on during the movie in comparison.

Still glad I went out and saw it though. Nice to see such a low budget indie flick do so well. There was a large showing at the late show tonight.


MAH
 
i thought this movie was amazing, but I say that because I can relate to whole scenario. I grew up in a 110 year old house and there was some freaky stuff that happened, and this movie, I felt, captured that freaky-ness quite well.

I'm going again tonight and I can't wait to watch it again.

Tons of people in my theater ran out, and a couple people even threw up. I didn't think it was that freaky, but I guess 'viewers beware'.

It also gave me an idea for a script =)
 
Brickhouse said:
Tons of people in my theater ran out, and a couple people even threw up. I didn't think it was that freaky, but I guess 'viewers beware'.
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Why? There was nothing gross about it? Maybe they were drunk. :)

Nobody left the theatre when I saw it. And there was the odd laugh here and there when there shouldn't have been one.

Not a bad movie, but I've seen far better. Nothing to cause anyone to feel sick over for sure.
 
I just watched the ABC news and they were talking about it. $15,000 to make and has grossed $64 million so far compared to Amelia that cost $100 million to make and has grossed $4 million so far.

Great news for indie films.
 
Saw that, Zim.

Personally, I thought it was hilarious when they showed the two stars of PA, the biggest hit of the fall movie season (I'd say), buying tickets to their own film, and not a single person recognized them. Classic.
 
boulder said:
Actually I thought it was kind of scary. I knew nothing about it and started watching it alone in my living room and got a bit creeped out after the slow start.
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You watched Paranormal Activity in your living room?

...
 
Just caught an interview with the leads on the Today Show. Amazing for them. 1 week shoot, no script....and now, some serious cash. Nice way to boost the career. I guess this is one of those 1 in a million films.

Good for them!
 
ZazaCast said:
Just caught an interview with the leads on the Today Show. Amazing for them. 1 week shoot, no script....and now, some serious cash. Nice way to boost the career. I guess this is one of those 1 in a million films.

Good for them!
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I really doubt that they (leads) got paid much for this. Any word on that?
 
ZazaCast said:
Just caught an interview with the leads on the Today Show. Amazing for them. 1 week shoot, no script....and now, some serious cash. Nice way to boost the career. I guess this is one of those 1 in a million films.

Good for them!
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Nobody but Paramount is making serious cash from PA, I'd be surprised if the actors were paid more than $200 a day.
 
ChipG said:
Nobody but Paramount is making serious cash from PA, I'd be surprised if the actors were paid more than $200 a day.
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Agreed.

I believe the two creators made some cash from selling Blair Witch but I think it was minuscule in comparison. I believe the two of them split 1 million.

At least that's what I recall reading ages ago. Good money for sure but nothing compared to what it made.

As for the actors in PA, I bet they barely made anything in this scenario. The director may have done well, but again, Paramount is the one raking in all the dough.

MAH
 
ZazaCast said:
All they said was, " we're being taken good care of." So who knows. I can't see how being in a top box office movie could hurt them?

I'm sure there was an appearence fee for the Today Show...yes? :huh:
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Not saying it could hurt them at all. But they're just not getting "serious cash" as you suggested.

You think those actors from Blair Witch are rolling in the dough? :)
The creators/directors barely got a slice.
 
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