Since I started this thread I have seen the film twice. I think it is one of the best horror movies to date. Until now the only "haunted house" film to sufficiently creep me out was Poltergiest. Paranormal Activity really provided a sense of dread and growing fear that seems to be terribly lacking in what passes for horror these days.

It was suspenseful, the characters were believeable which made the events all the more horrific and the pacing of the film was amazing. The audience comes to dread the night time hours when the couple sleeps and you find yourself with eyes glued to the screen trying to see something happen.

And things do happen. I have heard that the studio wants a sequel, but I have no idea how they will top this near perfect film.

It was made for around 15K, and has grossed like 62 million. Not bad at all.

Since I started this thread I have seen the film twice. I think it is one of the best horror movies to date. Until now the only "haunted house" film to sufficiently creep me out was Poltergiest. Paranormal Activity really provided a sense of dread and growing fear that seems to be terribly lacking in what passes for horror these days.

It was suspenseful, the characters were believeable which made the events all the more horrific and the pacing of the film was amazing. The audience comes to dread the night time hours when the couple sleeps and you find yourself with eyes glued to the screen trying to see something happen.

And things do happen. I have heard that the studio wants a sequel, but I have no idea how they will top this near perfect film.

Yay, you finally saw it.

The two actors make this film work. Many of the people leaving the theater where I saw the preview actually believed the film was real. Others said it was based on a true story. I'm glad DreamWorks decided not to remake it and instead release it as is. I agree with you, man: How can you make a sequel to this and keep the integrity of the original intact. No can do. Take a lesson from the Blair Witch sequel: It didn't work. Although I liked it as a standalone flick.

AC

P.S. I was kinna hoping for one of your reviews, however-- but that's ok. You're busy. I understand. Don't mind me and the dozens of others on the board who couldn't wait for your review. Life...goes...on....

Since I started this thread I have seen the film twice. I think it is one of the best horror movies to date. Until now the only "haunted house" film to sufficiently creep me out was Poltergiest. Paranormal Activity really provided a sense of dread and growing fear that seems to be terribly lacking in what passes for horror these days.

Have you seen the movie "The Entity"? For me it was another suspenseful haunted house movie that left me with an OMG impression. If you haven't seen it, it would make a perfect double feature with Paranormal Activity.

It was suspenseful, the characters were believeable which made the events all the more horrific and the pacing of the film was amazing. The audience comes to dread the night time hours when the couple sleeps and you find yourself with eyes glued to the screen trying to see something happen.

And things do happen. I have heard that the studio wants a sequel, but I have no idea how they will top this near perfect film.

It was everything you said Tony and I most certainly wasn't let down. I did see the ending coming about two minutes before it went down but I thought it was a fitting ending.

My one complaint, and this is minor, was that it always took them forever to turn on the lights. Light is the first thing we want when we're creeped out in the dark. Like I said, minor. It didn't detract from the movie a bit.

Have you seen the movie "The Entity"? For me it was another suspenseful haunted house movie that left me with an OMG impression. If you haven't seen it, it would make a perfect double feature with Paranormal Activity.



It was everything you said Tony and I most certainly wasn't let down. I did see the ending coming about two minutes before it went down but I thought it was a fitting ending.

My one complaint, and this is minor, was that it always took them forever to turn on the lights. Light is the first thing we want when we're creeped out in the dark. Like I said, minor. It didn't detract from the movie a bit.

I saw THE ENTITY years ago. I tried blocking it from my memory, that was one terrifying movie. That messed me up for quite some time as a young teenager. I am going to have to hunt this down on DVD. Thanks for the reminder.

Yes, I'm reviving this thread because I finally got around to watching this movie over the weekend.

The only reason I rented it was because I remembered Toni saying it was very well done. Toni, I want my money back. I'm sorry, but this movie was beyond lame. It wasn't scary, at all, unless you think loud noises and shadows are scary. The ending was lame (both endings if you see if on DVD) and the fact that nothing is explained at all is totally cheap and lazy on the film makers part. The characters were totally unbelivable, Micah being a complete d-bag and the girl (can't even remember her name and I watched it Sat. night) going from sweet and innocent to mega bitch was laughable (I also can't stand women that swear like sailors, its very unattractive).

Sorry, Toni, but this is one movie we disagree on. I want that 90+ minutes of my life back.

I just saw it too. I agree about the lights, I think most people would have turned them on quicker. Katie's change seems reasonable given the lack of sleep and stress she was experiencing.

I did enjoy the movie though. I think it has a much better psychological effect than movies that rely on unrealistic exaggerations, special effects, and gratuitous gore for a scare.

I haven't found a movie that really scares me in a while. But I am really good at suspending reality long enough to enjoy a good movie or book and feel the suspense and terror in the moment.

Yes, I'm reviving this thread because I finally got around to watching this movie over the weekend.

The only reason I rented it was because I remembered Toni saying it was very well done. Toni, I want my money back. I'm sorry, but this movie was beyond lame. It wasn't scary, at all, unless you think loud noises and shadows are scary. The ending was lame (both endings if you see if on DVD) and the fact that nothing is explained at all is totally cheap and lazy on the film makers part. The characters were totally unbelivable, Micah being a complete d-bag and the girl (can't even remember her name and I watched it Sat. night) going from sweet and innocent to mega bitch was laughable (I also can't stand women that swear like sailors, its very unattractive).

Sorry, Toni, but this is one movie we disagree on. I want that 90+ minutes of my life back.

I will say this...I think it was better to see in the theater. It was sort of a communal experience where everyone was riveted. Watching it on the small screen sort of loses something.

Of course, I don't find it scary now nor its lackluster sequels that they churn out now with the same tired formula.

Now...Insidious is pretty awesome if you haven't seen it. I am pretty desensitized to horror so not much scares me as far as movies go. But INSIDIOUS, up until the final 20 minutes or so, is ace. Great sense of dread built in the first three quarters of the film.

I will say this...I think it was better to see in the theater. It was sort of a communal experience where everyone was riveted. Watching it on the small screen sort of loses something.

Of course, I don't find it scary now nor its lackluster sequels that they churn out now with the same tired formula.

Now...Insidious is pretty awesome if you haven't seen it. I am pretty desensitized to horror so not much scares me as far as movies go. But INSIDIOUS, up until the final 20 minutes or so, is ace. Great sense of dread built in the first three quarters of the film.

Paranormal was alright, I definitely agree on the communal experience thing, when my friends and I saw it in the theater, everyone was jumping, kind of contributed to the whole experience. I think why a lot of people like this movie, was the slower build, the tension and suspense that most new horror movies don't have anymore. To me, it was old hat, I grew up watching movies like this, where the horror is understated almost to the degree of boring(and in some cases it reaches that point), but to younger people, something like this seems new and exciting and to people our age(Tony, I believe you said you were 30ish before), its a welcome break from the Rob Zombie type crap.

As for stuff not being explained, I think they new a sequel would be forthcoming, and they were right, as there has been two sequels that explain a bit more as I understand it.

Also, I'd second Insidious, that was surprisingly good. The ending was a bit flat, but a lot of horror movies have that problem of the "monster" being much less scary than the mystery behind it.

Hey Board:

i am trying to get the horror film Paranormal Activity to play in Little Rock. It only lets me vote once per area so I need your help.

How did this work out for you Toni?