Member OldPangYau Posted October 11, 2009 Member Share Posted October 11, 2009 It's been a decade since a horror film left me shaken. That film was Cannibal Holocaust, and in retrospect, I believe it was the first-person perspective (in the second half) that had the strong effect on me. Across 10 more years, and hundreds more horror films, none had that same effect... until tonight... Paranormal Activity finally showed up in my area after "demanding" it, and my gf and I checked it out after all of the hype. I tried to keep my expectations low thinking "well, I'm sure it'll be good... the trailer alone was better than Blair Witch." My expectations were met, and finally surpassed: 1. Never been in a theater where EVERYONE screamed in fear... men, women, young and old... they all freaked out. 2. Never has a reoccuring "low rumble" made my heart race (see it, you'll know what I mean...) 3. Never have I left a movie theater shaken AND with a goofy grin on my face... because it was then that I felt a small sliver of hope for horror films. Overall, this was intense. I hate to sound like a movie review cliche, but it really was "raw, intense and heart-pounding". EVERY show was sold out too, including the one we went to. Apparently, despite only being on about 125 screens this weekend, it's already around 4th place on the top ten box office list for this weekend. In short, in its first-person guerilla style shooting, it amazingly succeeds where Blair Witch miserably failed. With a one week shooting schedule and a $15,000 budget, I'm actually impressed. And they actually get the "it's what you don't see that scares you" theory done right... but in this case, it's more like "it's what you don't see that scares you... it's what you HEAR that does..." Sound plays a big-ass factor in this movie, and the sound design crew deserves major thumbs up for their work on this. Overall, I'm rambling, and it's four in the morning... between how excited I am about this movie... and how shaken it left me feeling... I can't exactly get to sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member froffeecoffee Posted October 12, 2009 Member Share Posted October 12, 2009 I got to see it 2 weeks ago after my city was able to demand it too. It didn't scare me, but the movie experience was great. The crowd was at the edge of their seat when the "rumble" occurred. I was tensed up each time with that sense of dread before things actually happenend. These are the scares that are more effective than 3-D, gore, and loudness. Take that Hollywood remakes!!! A fraction of the cost, but was more memorable. Go see it on the big screen while you can. It will never have the same effect like at home on DVD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member LeRolls Posted October 12, 2009 Member Share Posted October 12, 2009 It's not playing anywhere near me so I guess I'll just wait to check it out on DVD or Blu-Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member OldPangYau Posted October 12, 2009 Author Member Share Posted October 12, 2009 It's not playing anywhere near me so I guess I'll just wait to check it out on DVD or Blu-Ray. Give it next weekend... 1,000,000 "demands" were generated, so Paramount will be giving it a wide release October 16th. It ended up placing fifth on the US top ten box office this weekend... from only 160 sites. An amazing accomplishment. The movie's made over $8,000,000 from a budget of $15,000 (I originally mis-quoted as $11,000)... already a success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member BlackLamaFaction Posted October 13, 2009 Member Share Posted October 13, 2009 I saw the trailer and didn't think much, but if your comparing the film to something as genuinely as disturbing as the one and only Cannibal Holocaust mabye I'll take a second look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member OldPangYau Posted October 13, 2009 Author Member Share Posted October 13, 2009 I saw the trailer and didn't think much, but if your comparing the film to something as genuinely as disturbing as the one and only Cannibal Holocaust mabye I'll take a second look. The trailer "glosses it up" a bit, which kinda takes away from it... but it REALLY does the movie no justice, as it's definitely far more unsettling than the trailers make it out to be. Now, if only I could find those alternate endings somewhere... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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