‘Paranormal Activity’ Promises to Scare You

Scariest movie award

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Well, it seems at least a few people are finally getting over the “Saw” franchise. Then again, it was the second highest grossing film at the box office last weekend. However, more people chose to buy tickets to “Paranormal Activity.” In the ads for “Paranormal Activity” it promises to give you nightmares, so anyone who wants to get seriously spooked for Halloween might want to give this film a try.

“Paranormal Activity” reviews report that it’s a pretty good film, too. Critics agree this film is worth whipping out the credit cards to get tickets. Gary Wolcott from the Tri-City Herald calls it “a creepy, make the skin crawl, heebie-jeebie producing scare fest.”

More “Paranormal Activity” reviews

The top critics at Rotten Tomatoes agree that “Paranormal Activity” delivers on its promise of scariness. Colin Covert from the Minneapolis Star Tribune comments “Without financing, stars or more than a couple of special effects, first-time writer/director Olen Peli has made a diabolically effective essay in irrational horror.”

Sure enough, IMDB reports that the estimated budget for this film was only $11,000. In the film making universe that is chump change. Apparently director Oren Peli shot the movie in his own home over seven days. Is anyone else getting flashes of “The Blair Witch Project”?

Quality creepiness

Despite its teeny budget and timeline, Peter Travers from Rolling Stone says “the no-frills Paranormal Activity comes packed with thrills.” Rob Gonsalves from eFilmCritic.com says that it “actually makes its premise work.” The story is that a couple moves into a new home and is then terrorized by a demonic presence.

Dennis Harvey from Variety says “Horror fans who value credible creepiness over the usual splatdom will welcome this.” The two non-famous leads in the film go by there real names, Katie and Micah, and Kevin Lalley from Hollywood Reporter says “The banality of the couple’s day-to-day existence when they’re not hearing unwelcome guests enhances the sense of realism.”

A Halloween treat

No new movies are coming out this weekend, so anyone seeking a good Halloween movie should probably head for “Paranormal Activity.” It sounds like a true scare fest, and you have to give Peli props for pulling that off without any special effects or famous actors.

Last weekend “Paranormal Activity” pulled in more than $20 million, so obviously Peli’s little investment has already paid off. In closing, I’ll leave you with the words from Adam Graham from the Detroit News. His “Paranormal Activity” review: “Now that’s horror.”