Spring Break
Paranormal Activity doesn't measure up to horror classics
Issue date: 10/29/09
Hailed as the new Exorcist and one of the greatest horror films of all time by some, Paranormal Activity has certainly garnered a lot of press. Released alongside a slew of other horror films just in time for the Halloween season, including Saw VI (yes, there are that many), The Stepfather and Zombieland, Paranormal Activity was actually made in 2007.
Filmed in only a week and with a surprisingly low budget, it took two years for this film to move past the limited distribution phase and onto nation-wide screenings.
Comparisons have been drawn to 1999's The Blair Witch Project, as both movies attempt to make the viewer believe the film is not merely based on actual events, but instead depicting these events as they occur.
Filmed with a handheld camera, Paranormal Activity views much like a home movie. Absent are the infamous horror movie scores designed to elevate tension. Instead, the film capitalizes on the simple effects of silence and noise, day and night.
Much like Blair Witch intended for the viewer to believe the events actually occurred in the Maryland woods, Paranormal Activity begins with a thank you to the police of San Diego for releasing the footage.
Set in 2006, Micah and Katie (each played by actors actually named Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston, respectively) have just moved into a suburban house. Micah has a stable job and Katie is a student with the dream of becoming a teacher. Their lives are perfect - they have the perfect relationship, perfect new home and perfect future to look forward to.
However, Katie elected not to mention to Micah that since the age of 8, she has been haunted by a spirit at night - something that becomes obvious once they begin living together. In her defense, there really is no protocol for when to tell your significant other that you are being haunted.
Skeptical of this so-called "paranormal activity," Micah buys a camera to film the activity at night. However, he seems more interested in filming their nookie sessions than at the prospect of catching the paranormal events on tape.
Filmed in only a week and with a surprisingly low budget, it took two years for this film to move past the limited distribution phase and onto nation-wide screenings.
Comparisons have been drawn to 1999's The Blair Witch Project, as both movies attempt to make the viewer believe the film is not merely based on actual events, but instead depicting these events as they occur.
Filmed with a handheld camera, Paranormal Activity views much like a home movie. Absent are the infamous horror movie scores designed to elevate tension. Instead, the film capitalizes on the simple effects of silence and noise, day and night.
Much like Blair Witch intended for the viewer to believe the events actually occurred in the Maryland woods, Paranormal Activity begins with a thank you to the police of San Diego for releasing the footage.
Set in 2006, Micah and Katie (each played by actors actually named Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston, respectively) have just moved into a suburban house. Micah has a stable job and Katie is a student with the dream of becoming a teacher. Their lives are perfect - they have the perfect relationship, perfect new home and perfect future to look forward to.
However, Katie elected not to mention to Micah that since the age of 8, she has been haunted by a spirit at night - something that becomes obvious once they begin living together. In her defense, there really is no protocol for when to tell your significant other that you are being haunted.
Skeptical of this so-called "paranormal activity," Micah buys a camera to film the activity at night. However, he seems more interested in filming their nookie sessions than at the prospect of catching the paranormal events on tape.
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