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Over One Million
Fans Demand Paranormal Activity I Paranormal
Activity Demand Prompts Full Schedules Around The Country
Review: Paranormal Activity
By Kayley Viteo Seeing Paranormal Activity is like riding a roller coaster. You build up to it, and when you finally have the chance, you’re both absolutely exhilarated and terrified all at the same time. And at the end of the ride, you feel relaxed that it’s over and full of adrenaline, but something lingers, making you feel uncomfortable. Paranormal Activity is addicting, genuinely scary, and a surefire favorite – and I’m not typically a huge fan of movies centered around hauntings. The plot is simple. Katie (Katie Featherston) is a young student who has been haunted intermittently by a dark shadow since she was 8 years old. Now she is living with her boyfriend Micah (Micah Sloat), a well-meaning and affable guy who buys a camera to film what happens while they are sleeping. Of course, that just seems to make everything worse. I’ve heard comparisons to The Blair Witch Project, and I want to assure readers that Paranormal Activity is leaps and bounds a better film. It is far more effective and realistic (despite the former’s claims of real footage), and what results is a seriously scary film. Jumping between night and day, showing both the initial response to the fear, and the struggle to rationalize the night’s terrors during the day, the film’s structure and script allow you to fully immerse yourself in this world. During the day, we laugh along with Micah’s antics and Katie’s sarcasm, but at night you’re gripping your seat waiting for something to happen – and, if you’re me, wondering how the hell these people can sleep in the first place. The anticipation is absolutely perfectly built. My only negative with the film (and right now, all I can think of is the one) is the ending, which feels a bit abrupt and heavy-handed. Though, I’m not sure how they could have done it any differently especially considering the format of the film. With what is essentially home video footage (albeit expensively-shot footage), any ending is going to feel a bit abrupt unless it’s unrealistic. Still, I will say this: I was not a fan of the final few frames of the film. I wouldn’t call this movie one of the scariest films of all time personally, but I can understand why some would find this movie absolutely terrifying. It certainly left me unnerved, jumpy and generally tense, even if I was disappointed with the ending. I definitely wouldn’t see this one alone, particularly because the experience of watching this with a full house is like no other. I have a feeling that’s going to be the case for most – if not all – audiences that get a chance to see this. It is certainly one of those films that is made even better by the shrieks and gasps of people around you. I want to stress that Paranormal Activity is more than just a movie – it really is an experience to be shared with others. If you aren’t in one of the 13 lucky cities getting it for its initial limited release, please go to the official website to request it. You’re going to want to see this one, I guarantee it.
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