Comments on: Oren Peli, “Paranormal Activity” (2007).

By: Benito Vergara

Benito Vergara — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:35:32 +0000

See, I would have thought that watching it at home would have provided an optimal experience though, considering you’re also peeking into another person’s bedroom. But yes — especially after seeing the trailer, I wanted to be really scared out of my wits, and I wasn’t. (The scene where the woman stands, though — that gave me a good scare.)

By: craig tromley

craig tromley — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:33:39 +0000

i’m definitely far from a renowned movie critic, but i must say i just watched this film tonight and it left me kind of yawning. it definitely had it’s good moments from time to time, but i guess after all of the hype i heard from friends, colleagues, etc., it just didn’t do it for me. i watched the DVD, so i do feel it would have had much more of an impact on me if i watched it on the big screen with surround sound. but at the end of the film, i was left with wanting sweatier palms =) i give it a “meh, not bad”.

By: “Paranormal Activity”, Oren Peli (2007) « Film Revisited

“Paranormal Activity”, Oren Peli (2007) « Film Revisited — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:03:50 +0000

[...] Activity tries so hard to avoid cliche’s that it inadvertently does them anyway. On The Wily Filipino’s review of this film, I mentioned that horror films have to work against some form of rational thought to work, [...]

By: wcsminorcircuit

wcsminorcircuit — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:16:40 +0000

The whole stationary camera/creepy shit going on concept does seem interesting, but I do agree that a slow, creepy build up is definitely the touch of a good horror film/filmmaker (though, in my opinion, the jolts–if well placed and not abused–can be a nice touch). Films of this sort do have to follow a certain formula to be effective. I should have said that to begin with, but I do agree with you. Odd behavior in horror films, though, is kind of a given considering the genre. However, sure, if my Ouija board did burst into flames I probably would faint, wake up, and then get the hell out of the place and take my chances elsewhere, regardless of what a demonologist (of all people) says.

By: Benito Vergara

Benito Vergara — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:14:24 +0000

I suppose Paranormal Activity works in that respect, but I’ve never been the biggest fan of jump-out-of-your-seat horror; I like the ones that get under your skin or have a long slow “I can’t look” sequence, like the doorknob opening scene in Robert Wise’s The Haunting. Regardless of what sort of movie it is, though, the characters’ inexplicable behavior just broke the spell for me. There are some nice jolts, but by then I was pretty much too bored to care. And no, there aren’t very many “don’t open the door!” moments; almost all the straight-up “paranormal” sequences happen with a stationary camera.

By: wcsminorcircuit

wcsminorcircuit — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:59:31 +0000

Films of this genre almost have to work directly against any form of rational thought (the “don’t open the door!” moments) to bring about what makes them good: the scares. I have seen many a horror film that were poor excuses for cinema, but I left them feeling satisfied because they fulfilled what was promised: making my palms sweat, heightening my senses, and causing me to jump out of my seat when something popped out at me. So, in that respect, did “Paranormal Activity” deliver?