Paranormal Activity 5 Moved to 2014

Paramount pictures has recently moved Paranormal Activity 5 to October of next year. The film with now be released on October 24, 2014.  Before that, it's Latino counterpart, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones will be released on January 3, 2014. So we get two of the movies in one year - Yay! And none this October when the time is perfect for one - Boo!

Some GS Shit, Right There: Paranormal Activity 2

I saw Paranormal Activity 2 in Philadelphia last week on opening night. What a movie! What a crowd!  My sister, friend, and I lined up and were nearly knocked over by a pushy crowd, anxious to get a seat. We found three together without any problem. All that running for nothing. Well not for nothing - the movie rocked!

I had no idea what to expect since I didn't watch any trailers or read any reviews beforehand. Without giving too much away, the movie revolves around Katie's (remember her? *shudder*) sister's family, who enjoys toying around with their video camera. After their house is broken into and ransacked, they set up security cameras in all corners of the house, which lead to some interesting and very creepy footage.

Like Oren Peli's last film, the pacing is slow and builds to a hand-wringing, eye-hiding tension. I think I screamed at the end, but I'm still not sure. I do remember feeling like I had the wind knocked out of me.

The audience commentary during all of this was priceless. Phrases like:

"Oh no, she didn't!"
"Get the baby and get out!"
"That's some GS shit, right there."

and

"I WANT MY MONEY BACK!"

accompanied the nail-biting, spooky good time.

By the way, does anyone know what "GS shit" means?

FUNNY REVIEW OF PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

My friend sent me this very humorous review of Paranormal Activity. As far as the "that was it?" comment, I have disagree. I found the end of the film terrifying!!

WARNING: If you haven't seen the movie, there are a few slight spoilers here.


In the spirit of found-footage horror (see: The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, REC), an increasingly popular mode whose weaknesses and strengths are exemplified by Paranormal Activity, I am forgoing a more traditional review. Instead, I present to you the notes I made while screening the film. “White people.” “Boring white people.” “Will they ever shut up?” “Do they ever go to work?”

“Jesus Christ, where are the fucking ghosts?” “I was promised ghosts.” “They're sleeping. This isn't scary.” “More talking.” “Ghosts goddammit, I want ghosts!” “These actors are really good at pretending to be people I'd never want to be stuck in an elevator with.” “Finally, a fucking ghost.” “Oh shit, that was kinda scary.” “A demon, not a ghost.” “More inane blather.” “Idea: horror film about a demon who torments deaf-mutes.”

“Pretty scared now, actually.” “Making this note because I'm too scared to look at the screen.” “Sorta relieved that so much of this movie is just talking, as I did not bring an extra pair of underwear.” “This is too much.” “Mommy.” “Will anyone notice if I throw up?” “I don't like this.” “Chris, you'll get through this.” “Wait, that was it?” “Happy I did not piss my pants.” “Kinda bummed I did not piss my pants.” R. CHRIS STAMM

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TO OPEN NATIONWIDE

Buzz about Paranormal Activity has reached a height that's satisfied Paramount Pictures enough to release the film nationwide this weekend. Getting over one million hits on their DEMAND IT website and enough people talking on Twitter and Facebook, the scary-ass movie will open to the masses on Friday. Some viewers should anticipate a higher electric bill next month as they'll may be sleeping with their lights on after seeing it!

Go get your tickets now.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY REVIEW

I finally got to see the much-anticipated Paranormal Activity this weekend and in a word: WOW.

PA is a brilliant horror film for many reasons. Like The Blair Witch Project, as the viewer, you are immediately drawn into the film, seeing what the character Mika sees as the action takes place in he and his girlfriend Kate's house. As Mika swings his camera around, you are kept waiting for what might jump out at you.

By using little more than light, shadow, sound, and excellent acting, director Oren Peli captures a mood so dark and closterphobic that I found myself completely engrossed and gripping the armrest of the theater seat.


There is no gore, no fireworks, chase scenes, or even music. The film's subtlety is what makes it so hair-raising. What happens in our imaginations, after all, is always more frightening than what a director can show us.

There are plenty of screamer moments, however. Peli's pacing is impecible, turning tense moments into jaw-dropping gasps in the flick of an eye. The audience screamed, myself included, more than a couple times.

As my friend put it, the film is a "slow burn." The sinister presence lurking in the house starts out slowly, tip-toeing into the film, gradually getting more intrusive as the days in the story go by, finally stirring up terror that's breathtaking.

Definitely worth the hype.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TICKETS!

New theaters have been added for Paranormal Activity screenings. My friend found it playing in a Maryland theater not even listed on the main movie page. Thanks to her, we'll be seeing it next Saturday night in Silver Spring, MD!

AREA 51:OREN PELI'S NEXT PROJECT?

On MTV Movie Blogs it has been mentioned that Oren Peli, director of Paranormal Activity could have a new project in the works, this time "an original, found-video thriller called 'Area 51.'" MTV reports this was mentioned almost offhandedly in a Los Angeles Times profile.

SPIELBERG GETS SPOOKED BY "PARANORMAL ACTIVITY"

This week, it was reported in the LA Times that director and Dream Works studio head, Stephen Spielberg was convinced that his copy of the anxiously awaited "Paranormal Activity" was haunted.

In 2008 when Spielberg was still making a decision about whether or not to be a part of the small budget ghost thriller, he got spooked. According to reports, Spielberg had taken his copy of the film to his Pacific Palisades estate and after watching it, the door to his bedroom was mysteriously locked from the inside, forcing him to call a locksmith to get him out.

Not wanting the copy of PA anywhere near his home, Spielberg apparently brought the movie back to Dream Works in a garbage bag, but was so excited about the creepy film that he decided to back it. This is the producer of Poltergeist, after all.

The film is set to open tomorrow in the following towns:

Austin, TX
Baton Rouge, LA
Orlando, FL
State College, PA
Ann Arbor, MI
Boulder, CO
Madison, WI
Tucson, AZ (to my Tucson friends: Go to EL CON, then email me a review!)
Santa Cruz, CA
Durham, NC
Columbus, OH
Seattle, WA
Lincoln, NE

For the rest of us who want to see it, we need to DEMAND IT to get it into our towns.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

The much-anticipated film "Paranormal Activity" has a website with a new trailer I haven't seen yet. This makes me want to see it even more now, especially that thing that gets into the bed!
The movie is playing in a handful of cities. You can DEMAND IT in a city near you.