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Paranormal Activity - 10/17/2009 10:35:15 PM
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henny
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Anyone seen this yet?
It was made for 15,000 dollars and has already grossed 20 million. It's getting very good reviews and is suppossed to be this decade's Blair Witch.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_UxLEqd074
I know some people hate Blair Witch, but I thought it was one of the most brilliant films ever made in terms of the way it maximized its raw materials for the greatest effect. I think that when it comes to horror less is ALWAYS more. What isn't shown is always more horrifying than what is -and Blair Witch used this to its advantage.
So I'm hoping Paranormal Activity will be a welcome respite from the usual cookie cutter trash that makes up the horror genre (Saw 12, Halloween 6, Final Destination 3D, etc).
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Both read the Bible day and night, But thou read'st black where I read white.
-William Blake
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/18/2009 2:06:40 AM
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ironsharpensiron
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It's funny you bring up 'Blair Witch,' my older daughter and I just got done watching it. We watched a portion of the 'documentary' to give her a background of the 'filmers,' then watched the movie. I had her watch it specifically because we were discussing the 'Paranormal Activity' movie.
I don't see these type of movies in the theater, but I might have to with this one.
Matthew
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/18/2009 2:42:47 AM
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ManimalX
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Meh. Just another secular movie that gets the supernatural realm completely wrong.
Actually, I should write "is LIKELY to get the supernatural wrong", since I haven't seen the film.
Watching audience members freaking out makes me roll my eyes, I guess because there really is nothing in the universe that would ever make me react that way. Fear is rather alien emotion for me. A lot of those audience members are unsaved folks who have had a lifetime of filling their heads with secular representations of "ghosts" and "demons" and other supposedly scary stuff.
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"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 1:27:52 AM
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everythingat
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I saw this tonight in a sold out theater. Living in the south, if a movie sells a theater out Sunday night at 10:15...then people are definitely psyched about it.
It was a very enjoyable experience. Manimal, I've seen nearly every horror movie ever made...American and "foreign." Nothing scares me either. This didn't scare me in any way. I did like it a lot though, and am glad it's doing extremely well. It needs to be a sign to Hollywood to cut the remakes and sequels out already. People will actually see a well-done horror film that hasn't already been made two decades ago. The audience screamed during every nighttime scene in the movie. I laughed. As far as getting ghost/demon mythology right, I think it did alright. It's not exactly trying to go too in depth...it is still a horror movie going for scares, not for accuracy.
I've been reading about people having strange things happen when they go home after seeing this. I don't know about that, but the transmission in my car blew out after seeing it. Nice.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 3:18:44 PM
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Badison
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It keeps you interested and anticipating what will happen next, so in that sense it was a successful film. Big demerits for being so obviously a blair witch take-off. A few plot points didn't work, and there were holes, but overall it was pretty good.
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A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. -Proverbs 29:11
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 3:27:23 PM
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Badison
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It's the kind of movie that will suffer from hype and big expectations, so see it soon if you are going to at all.
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A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. -Proverbs 29:11
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 6:53:31 PM
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ManimalX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: everythingat
It was a very enjoyable experience. Manimal, I've seen nearly every horror movie ever made...American and "foreign." Nothing scares me either. This didn't scare me in any way. I did like it a lot though, and am glad it's doing extremely well. It needs to be a sign to Hollywood to cut the remakes and sequels out already. People will actually see a well-done horror film that hasn't already been made two decades ago. The audience screamed during every nighttime scene in the movie. I laughed. As far as getting ghost/demon mythology right, I think it did alright. It's not exactly trying to go too in depth...it is still a horror movie going for scares, not for accuracy.
I've been reading about people having strange things happen when they go home after seeing this. I don't know about that, but the transmission in my car blew out after seeing it. Nice.
Thanks for the review. Can you tell me how it stacked up spiritually? As in, did it accurately portray real supernatural activity, or was it just more made-up Hollywood-esque drivel?
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 8:24:17 PM
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McFatty
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I thought it was silly. It was very Blair Witch-esque. It turned into a long episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 for my sister and I.
But then again, I expect movies to be at least the quality of those my friends and I made in our backyard as high schoolers.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/19/2009 11:06:16 PM
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Memaw.
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I saw it and to be honest..it really scared me.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/20/2009 4:22:17 AM
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everythingat
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Ignoring Mcfatty's review, Manimal...it was as accurate as a movie can get.
Instead of the ridiculous Haunting in Connecticut/wherever else movies, it dealt with the simple haunting that you would likely see on Ghost Hunters or something. Doors opening in an unexplainable way, banging noises, etc. The "demon" in it was considered a black mass, which I've heard many reports of people seeing black shadows standing over their beds. My brother is a pastor now, but he used to preach revivals. He actually preached at a church in Utah that would have sounds of chains dragging and banging noises in the middle of the services. He awoke one night with a black mass hovering over him, unable to move. I'm agnostic, so I don't really believe in any of this...but I know my brother wouldn't make up something like that. I can't explain something like that, which is why I'm agnostic. 
Just about everyone has inexplicably seen a shadow, or a mass of shadow at some point in their lives. That's more along the lines of this movie. The theater I was in was horrified at what was happening, most likely cause they have all experienced something similar to some degree. The person I saw it with went home and had her door open during her sleep and the television come on. Lucky me, my car just broke down. I would have preferred doors opening, lights flickering, or whatever.
There is of course what will soon be a legendary story of Steven Spielberg being the first real famous person to watch this movie, and after it was over...he was locked in his bedroom and had to call a locksmith to come to his rescue. Supposedly, the next day he took the movie in a black trash bag to Dreamworks.
As far as it being the scariest movie ever...I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. A little spooky, yes. Scary, no...unless you're easily frightened by films. Since Blair Witch was the first shaky cam horror film, it's a quick judgment to say it borrowed from it. However, I would say that the execution was far superior to Blair Witch. Also, it was nice not to become nauseated by the shaky cam...the majority of the movie, it was sitting in one place. Unlike Cloverfield, which nearly made me vomit.
< Message edited by everythingat -- 10/20/2009 4:31:38 AM >
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/24/2009 10:24:56 PM
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henny
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I finally saw it and thought it was quite good. I've always hated the whole "young couple moves into a haunted house genre" (e.g. amittyville horror), but I really liked this one. I don't think it's as good as Blair Witch, and there are a few minor tweeks I think would might have made it better (Spoiler:the Ouji Board sequence was a bit too much, too soon, I thought. They either should have toned it down, or saved it for later. It was a bit too over the top, and I think maintaining more of the mystery would have worked better at that point in the film End Spoiler), but what is there I thought was really effective -much more so than what passes as "horror" films on 100 times the budget these days.
All in all, it's definitely the best best main stream horror film I've seen in theaters since "The Descent." It's very well constructed, relies more on mood/suspense/tone than gore, and it doesn't insult your intelligence.
Despite its flaws, I'm hoping it will crush "Saw VI" this weekend at the box office, so please everyone go out and see it just so we can put an end to the 1 Saw movie a year phenomenon  .
quote:
Manimal X
can you tell me how it stacked up spiritually? As in, did it accurately portray real supernatural activity, or was it just more made-up Hollywood-esque drivel?
I don't know what you define as "accurate" -but I didn't see it as sensationalized or anything. In other words, it's definitely not "The Ring" or "Ammityville Horror."
The idea of Ouiji boards as being something not to mess with is very prominent in the film (I know many Christians see Ouji boards as demonic, so I think many might like the film's message there). And the supernatural aspects are very "natural" -if that makes any sense. There's no demonic Japanese school girls appearing on TV screens or CGI effects, it's basically the sort of stuff that you hear about when people claim to be haunted -but it's all used very skillfully to create a maximum effect.
< Message edited by henny -- 10/24/2009 10:46:36 PM >
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Both read the Bible day and night, But thou read'st black where I read white.
-William Blake
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/25/2009 2:00:38 AM
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tacitus
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My parents have friends whose son and wife rented a cottage in the country (in England) but moved out several days later because they were convinced it was haunted (cold spots, noises, etc). But I remain to be convinced of such paranormal activity. The problem is that even the most rational and reliable person can be fooled by what they experienced.
I have personal experience of being severely delusional about something in my life. Not ghosties and things, but all the same, I know how easy it is to get it into your head that something is happening, when it really isn't. (And this is from someone who prides himself on how rational he is!).
I have also experienced auditory hallucinations, and they are remarkably real. And before you worry too much about my sanity (may be it's too late?) the cause of the hallucinations was the sleeping pill Lunesta -- fantastic night's sleep, but I did hear things I couldn't have done a couple of times while taking it. It was very strange.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/25/2009 3:03:47 AM
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kisstheson
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quote:
As far as getting ghost/demon mythology right, I
demons are real.
I am not entertained but representations of them.
I wouldn't go near a film like that with a ten foot pole.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/26/2009 1:02:29 AM
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ManimalX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tacitus
My parents have friends whose son and wife rented a cottage in the country (in England) but moved out several days later because they were convinced it was haunted (cold spots, noises, etc). But I remain to be convinced of such paranormal activity. The problem is that even the most rational and reliable person can be fooled by what they experienced.
I have personal experience of being severely delusional about something in my life. Not ghosties and things, but all the same, I know how easy it is to get it into your head that something is happening, when it really isn't. (And this is from someone who prides himself on how rational he is!).
I have also experienced auditory hallucinations, and they are remarkably real. And before you worry too much about my sanity (may be it's too late?) the cause of the hallucinations was the sleeping pill Lunesta -- fantastic night's sleep, but I did hear things I couldn't have done a couple of times while taking it. It was very strange.
Good post.
_____________________________
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2nd Timothy 2:24,25
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/26/2009 10:28:45 AM
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tafkam
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quote:
demons are real.
I am not entertained but representations of them.
I wouldn't go near a film like that with a ten foot pole.
Um, you do know this is a movie, right? As in "not real"?
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Tafkam
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/29/2009 9:32:14 AM
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small_creation
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kisstheson
quote:
As far as getting ghost/demon mythology right, I
demons are real.
I am not entertained but representations of them.
I wouldn't go near a film like that with a ten foot pole.
I have a church friend who said this once, and to be honest, I inwardly rolled my eyes and attributed this thinking to her nervous personality. Now, a few years later, I can see the wisdom of shielding your eyes against things which make you ponder evil.
Hypocritical me, I had already stopped watching torture porn movies for the same reason.
j
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/29/2009 10:46:30 AM
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tafkam
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I wish someone would explain to me what "torture porn" is. I've seen most of the films that fall under this label and there is nothing remotely resembling porn in any of them....
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"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' - Ronald Reagan
Tafkam
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 10/31/2009 7:15:11 PM
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Oberdan
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I haven't seen the film and I will probably wait for it to come out on TV or a DVD. Nothing in this movie is new to me, and I have hands on experience I wish were otherwise. Ignorance is bliss, to a degree. I also wish I still had a choice to disbelief because I never had anything happen in my life.
To open yourself up and to drop your guard is inviting disaster. If folks must watch these movies, do so with faith in Christ in your heart and nothing can move in on you. May try and frighten you to shake your faith, but remain resolute, and you'll be alright.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 11/6/2009 12:05:16 PM
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Narcil
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quote:
ORIGINAL: henny
So I'm hoping Paranormal Activity will be a welcome respite from the usual cookie cutter trash that makes up the horror genre (Saw 12, Halloween 6, Final Destination 3D, etc).
I don't know, Final Destination 1 & 2 were both great (I haven't seen the others).
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 11/13/2009 7:25:04 PM
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small_creation
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tafkam, you're just going to have to accept that this term [torture porn] is somewhat mainstream. Your self-professed fact that you don't understand the term caused much discussion in another thread. Re-read it, please, and stop haranguing people over the useage of it.
j
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Pay no mind to me. I'm just a small town hick in fly-over country.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 11/14/2009 2:26:26 PM
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m4maggie
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I saw it in the theatre and I'll have to rent it when it comes out on DVD
nothing ruins a movie more than listening to teeny boppers scream every time something moved.. it ruined it for me. By the end, I was more annoyed at the audience than I was scared of the movie.
However.. I will say it has a good creepy factor to it. Nothing has freaked me out more than the Exorcist in terms of religious horror though.
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RE: Paranormal Activity - 11/16/2009 10:25:32 AM
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Tinkerbell_
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Saw it this weekend and was truly terrified. I have to say I almost walked out when I realised what the true horror was. *shudders*
I may have to see it again with different people though. The entire theatre was very jumpy and every time the couple went to bed my friend and I clutched each others hands for dear life.
My boyfriend wants to see it so we may watch it this coming week when we're together. 
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She said she and her friend laughed nearly uncontrollably through most of the movie at just how bad it was.
