PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (2009)

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"Paranormal Activity is extra-ordinary."

Having only reached limited theaters, I was hoping but not expecting to see this film anytime soon. Yesterday, I had no plans and nothing to do. So, I was said to myself "I should go to the movies". I have heard about Paranormal Activity before and after hearing that it is one of the scariest movies of all time, and that pretty much all the reviews were positive, I searched theaters for the film. And luckily, the film was playing in the theaters near me. While my friends were not around, I showed my dad the trailer for the film and my brother even though he was freaked out by the trailer wanted to join. So fortunately and unexpectedly I had the chance to see this masterful horror film which everyone should see for themselves.

While hearing about the film and seeing the trailer, I did not know if the movie was real or based on true events. After viewing the film, I did not know what to think, Is it real or is it fake? Well, when I got to my house and searched online I found out that it was not real. But man let me tell you, I was truly convinced because Oren Peli and Micah and Katie did such a fantastic job and couldn't of made this movie any better. Paranormal Activity is another one of those shaky camera movies, being compared to that of Blair Witch Project, and Cloverfield. The same format as those two films but even better. The story to the film is very simple and is probably something that you heard before. Micah and Kate are a couple who have been together for three years or so and Kate has been saying that weird stuff is happening in the house and to her. She feels that either she is being haunted or the house if haunted. We learn from the beginning of the film that Kate has been haunted her whole life since she was 8. And the haunting is apparently coming back. She reveals this to a psychic even though not telling Micah the time they've been together. The psychic informs the couple that they are being plagued by a demon. (Man speaking about this movie makes me freaked out) Anyways, Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom. The movie is presented through the camera set up by the couple to capture the paranormal activity. These moments during the night are where you will find the most suspense and intense scenes not knowing what will happen as the two are unresponsive.

Micah and Kate do such a tremendous job as the couple because the chemistry between the two feel so real. They couldn't of done a better job. The fantastic performances these two young actors put on are one of the reasons why this films feels so real. I don't know how they do it. But perhaps the most important element to the film's success is the performance put on by Kate. From the very start, she has this charm to her, and she is extremely nice and cute. Towards the end, Kate has been transformed to a nervous and utter mess. The ability for such an actress to create such a believable and emotional character is remarkable and without her the film would not be as successful and extraordinary as it is.

Now, I am not going to give away any examples of what happens during the film because that will be a waste of time for you. And me. See the movie for yourself and be horrifyingly shocked. This movie has some of the most frightening scenes and images you'll ever see on film. You will be rattled and shaken at the films end. Honestly, not many movies have me on the edge of my seat, or have me being as tense and uptight as Paranormal Activity has. The Exorcist is the only film in my mind that comes close to competing with this truly terrifying and horrific masterpiece. So in the end, Paranormal Activity succeeds in its originality to be the best horror film of the decade. Heck, I'll go with the best horror film ever made.

I almost forgot to mention, Being as terrifying as it is, Peli also throws in some humor in the mix and it works perfectly.