Author Topic: Yay! Paranormal Activity gets a million demands, goes nationwide next Friday! (Read 6808 times)

The Fake Shemp · « **on:** October 10, 2009, 07:53:29 PM »

HOLLYWOOD, CA (October 10 , 2009) -- Following 2-weeks of nationwide midnight only sellouts and fan frenzy over the limited release hit thriller PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, moviegoers everywhere have been heard!

Over 1,000,000 people from around the country demanded the film play in their city by logging on to ParanormalMovie.com. In response, Paramount Pictures will release the film nationwide beginning Friday, October 16th.

Tickets for the movie will be on sale via ParanormalMovie.com by 5pm PST on Tuesday, October 13th. Those who have 'demanded it' will get the first alert when tickets go on sale.

"From the very beginning, we put this film in the hands of the fans and we trusted them to tell us where and when it should be seen. We couldn't be more thrilled by their overwhelming support and we are happy to release the film in every town - big and small," said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

The movie Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times called "an ingenious horror film. It's so well made it's truly scary" is currently garnering 90% on RottenTomatoes.com.

To find show times and to buy tickets in your area, visit ParanormalMovie.com

... go see it, jerks!

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2009, 07:57:16 PM »

I rather go see The Road.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2009, 07:58:41 PM »

The Road isn't even in release until late next month, and was a dismal production from all accounts - I hope the finished product turns out okay.

Go see Paranormal Activity. That is, unless, you're too scared, you big sourpuss.

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:02:08 PM »

Black people don't get scared.

And i'm reading The Road now I hope the movie is good

G The Resurrected · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:02:43 PM »

movie wasn't at all scary, don't waste your money. That is unless you are taking a girl out for a date. In that case it might be worth it if she's a pussy.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:03:24 PM »

Bullshit, when I saw it in Georgetown, I heard a big, burly black man scream like a girl after yelling racial slurs!

And he screamed like a white girl.

Movie rocks, don't listen to Garrett. Ecrofirt and I are the horror aficionados, and we give it our loving seal of approval.

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:05:15 PM »

A BIG BLACK?!

WHAT IF I CALLED YOU A JEW? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:08:02 PM »

I left out "man", but the point still stands!

... People call me a Jew all the time!

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:09:41 PM »

Time Magazine's review sums up my feelings:

Quote from: Time

If you're a horror-movie fraidy cat, know that most of the spooky stuff occurs in the bedroom, so — as with The Exorcist back in 1973 — you can steel yourself when the couple goes to sleep. Then too, you may not be scared at all by Paranormal Activity; but as you sit in a movie house you should feel some fraternal pleasure in noticing that the folks around you are preparing or pretending to be scared. And you should be heartened to realize that — in an age of YouTube, iPod and DVR, where people get their visual media one by one — watching a fictional narrative can still be a communal activity. A thousand people sit as one in the dark, as fretful and enthralled as a child hearing a bedtime story, and wondering, What happens next? No, I can't bear it! No, I have to see!

I really agree. It's been awhile since I've been to a horror film with an audience this involved.

MyNameIsMethodis · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:10:43 PM »

Wilco whats your opinion on The Scare in Exorcist 3

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:11:22 PM »

It is pretty awesome.

Paranormal Activity is the movie I wanted The Blair Witch Project to be.

G The Resurrected · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:14:10 PM »

I'm just saying its not as great as people make it out to be. In the sea of horrible shitty horror movies of late it does stand out. And thats the only reason its getting such attention.

The audience I saw the movie with was a bunch of bitches. A scene early on in the film where Katie follows her bf but you dont see her till he turns the camera around. COME ON! Its not a horrible movie! It just didn't scare me or my girlfriend and that's exactly why we went to the film in the first place. To be scared off our asses, and it was a let down.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:16:44 PM »

Even in a sea of decent horror films, this would still get attention. Regardless of whether or not it scared you, it has struck a chord with audiences and the film is very well made.

I give it my loving seal of approval, it's awesome and go see it!

demi · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:19:21 PM »

spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://themoviespoiler.com/Spoilers/paranormalactivity.html

[close]

Himu · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2009, 08:43:57 PM »

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:34:38 PM »

Quote from: Willco on October 10, 2009, 07:58:41 PM

The Road isn't even in release until late next month, and was a dismal production from all accounts - I hope the finished product turns out okay.

It's got a few early reviews already, they were all really positive.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009460-the_road/

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:53:46 PM »

That's good to know, at least.

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:43:15 AM »

Definitely want to watch this. I'll see it next week.

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:46:17 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on October 10, 2009, 10:34:38 PM

Quote from: Willco on October 10, 2009, 07:58:41 PM
The Road isn't even in release until late next month, and was a dismal production from all accounts - I hope the finished product turns out okay.

It's got a few early reviews already, they were all really positive.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009460-the_road/

wow, I'm genuinely surprised. fucking loved the book, hopefully the movie will be great.

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:46:58 AM »

Viggo Mortensen

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:48:25 AM »

Quote from: BlueTsunami on October 11, 2009, 12:46:58 AM

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo

jiji · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2009, 02:52:53 AM »

Ooh, it's already playing here. Gonna try to go this weekend.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:05:19 AM »

Go in with tempered expectations, because regardless of the hype, it is not the greatest horror film since The Exorcist. It is pretty awesome, though. Take some friends, go late at night and enjoy.

HyperZoneWasAwesome · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2009, 04:32:43 AM »

Paranormal Activity is making an assload of money this weekend, with further expansion yet to happen, so prepare yourselves for the backlash gentlemen.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #24 on:** October 11, 2009, 09:52:57 AM »

They kept the lights on? Wtf?

I would have demanded my money back.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2009, 02:07:58 PM »

$7 million this weekend on 159 screens. That's really incredible.

Also, Zombieland is well on its way to being the highest-grossing zombie movie of all time.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #26 on:** October 11, 2009, 02:10:24 PM »

Awesome news, both films deserve it.

Those Paranormal Activity numbers are insane - Paramount has a huge hit on their hands.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2009, 02:19:23 PM »

Considering that the film only had a budget of $15,000, it probably already has one of the biggest returns in movie history.

Also, to give a bit of perspective, Jennifer's Body made LESS in it's opening weekend on 17 times as many screens!

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:20:25 PM »

the budget was only 15k? g'damn.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2009, 05:08:16 PM »

I don't think that effect is nearly as impressive as...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Pulling her leg off the bed, and yanking her body down the hallway.

[close]

That part also gets my vote for most unsettling scene in a horror flick within the past decade.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #30 on:** October 11, 2009, 05:40:58 PM »

I warned you, dude. I fucking warned you.

Let that be a lesson to everyone else.

Yeti · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2009, 06:04:41 PM »

This movie sounds a lot like Blair Witch project to me. $:-\$

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #32 on:** October 11, 2009, 06:12:50 PM »

It is a lot like The Blair Witch Project.

Except it doesn't suck.

Paranormal Activity is not reinventing the wheel, Oren Peli is merely refining a decade's worth of handheld filmmaking into one well made, entertaining horror film. Pound for pound, this is easily the best example of the "found footage" genre of cinema.

I'm not really a fan of The Blair Witch Project, and that's despite that it being a local sense of a pride. A good portion of the film was shot in the forests behind my house, in a state park just a stone's throw away and edited on the community college campus I used to attend.

Locally, it's something of a sacred cow.

... but I never really liked it. It dragged and it didn't scare, and the only thing memorable about it is the end. And in comparison, most critics cite the ending of Paranormal Activity as its weakest aspect. It's good at keeping your attention throughout and never feels cheap and silly like The Blair Witch Project.

It is the movie I wish The Blair Witch Project was.

Yeti · « **Reply #33 on:** October 11, 2009, 06:20:02 PM »

Well, I liked a lot of Cloverfield, maybe I'll give this one a shot then.

jiji · « **Reply #34 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:39:21 PM »

I caught this last night. It reeeally creeped me out. It plays on everybody's basic fear of the dark and strange noises at home. My hairs were standing on end throughout the whole thing. It was INTENSE. The acting felt authentic to the point that I had myself doubting whether it was 'found' footage or just actors. And the sound design was seriously great.

I'm seeing the same kinds of "I didn't get it, it wasn't scary" responses that I saw to Blair Witch, though I don't really understand why.

Ecrofirt · « **Reply #35 on:** October 12, 2009, 05:55:21 PM »

I just left my sister a voice mail telling her that I am taking her to see this on Friday night so that she will poop her pants in the theater.
Nikki, unfortunately, refuses to go. Something about scary things not being good for the baby or some other malarkey.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #36 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:14:09 PM »

It's too bad my sister chose last weekend to return from Cornell for a brief visit with family instead of the coming weekend, or I would take her.

... Disposable White Guy, I'll take you!

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #37 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:02:26 PM »

Why the fuck would you watch this at home?

demi · « **Reply #38 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:05:51 PM »

Because they made plenty of money already. They can afford to lose out on a $12 ticket

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #39 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:18:40 PM »

It's not about the money, but watching this on a computer screen or on your television is pointless.

demi · « **Reply #40 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:44:22 PM »

uh huh. shill more willco.

drew · « **Reply #41 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:00:57 PM »

Quote from: Willco on October 12, 2009, 09:18:40 PM

It's not about the money, but watching this on a computer screen or on your television is pointless.

bullshit

jiji · « **Reply #42 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:21:23 PM »

If you do, just make sure your bass is up to snuff.

drew · « **Reply #43 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:27:40 PM »

* drew pats subwoofer at his feet

anything else?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #44 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:42:45 PM »

Quote from: drew on October 12, 2009, 10:00:57 PM

Quote from: Willco on October 12, 2009, 09:18:40 PM
It's not about the money, but watching this on a computer screen or on your television is pointless.

bullshit

No bullshit, watching it on your computer or television is pointless.

You might as well not even watch it.

drew · « **Reply #45 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:44:39 PM »

explain your reasons, except for crowd reaction, hearing mc fucking fatass next to me having a heart attack isnt exactly on my list of desirables

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #46 on:** October 12, 2009, 11:51:24 PM »

3) young children and no babysitter

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #47 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:16:43 AM »

anybody who brings children to this movie is fucking stupid. You won't have kids at this movie. Go to a theatre in a cool area in your city to see the movie, problem solved.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #48 on:** October 13, 2009, 01:32:07 AM »

Quote from: BrandNew on October 13, 2009, 12:16:43 AM

anybody who brings children to this movie is fucking stupid. You won't have kids at this movie. Go to a theatre in a cool area in your city to see the movie, problem solved.

Yeah, there were no children at the screening I attended.

... This is an audience movie, drewsy - one that benefits from a theater presentation. And unless you're a movie star, you don't have your own personal theater that can seat a bunch of people.

Also, Eric P saw it tonight and gives it his seal of approval.

Ecrofirt + Eric P + Willco = Horror Trifecta

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #49 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:32:28 AM »

you're speaking to brick walls here federjew :'(

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #50 on:** October 13, 2009, 11:49:17 AM »

Maybe this movie will make Paramount enough money to go ahead and release Shutter Island when they were supposed to.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #51 on:** October 14, 2009, 12:34:24 AM »

I think you'll have fun, man.

Bebpo · « **Reply #52 on:** October 15, 2009, 10:23:10 PM »

Is this worth going by yourself and seeing it in the theater if you are a horror fan? Everyone I know irl are pussies and wouldn't go.

border · « **Reply #53 on:** October 16, 2009, 04:12:24 AM »

Saw it at midnight this evening, the first night of wide release.

Disappointed. Story is completely threadbare - there is literally no exposition or story development beyond the first 20 minutes or so, even when there are opportunities to do so. The characters not really likable and make poor decisions even when they are not under duress. In the light of day once they are safe the boyfriend in particular continues to have bad judgment to the point that it is unrealistic.

I liked the rhythm of the film and I liked that there was tension in every evening scene. I feel like there was a lot of buildup with almost no payoff whatsoever. Once legitimately threatening things start happening the movie is pretty much over. It's literally like 80 minutes of people being scared of banging noises and creaky doors followed by 15 minutes of genuinely creepy poltergeist-human interaction. Once things go full tilt the movie pretty much ends, leaving you wondering what happened to the third act.

I wasn't scared, but generally I'm not scared by horror films anyway. I like style, story, characters, etc. I would probably rank this film well below its closest contemporaries (Blair Witch, Cloverfield, Diary of the Dead). Even looking at horror films released this year I'd say Drag Me To Hell was better (and Zombieland if it counts as horror).

In fact this movie is almost definitely what would have happened if you had given Sam Raimi $100 and told him that was his budget for Drag Me To Hell

It's a totally unfair comparison, but I'd be interested to hear Willco's decision on a Drag Me To Hell vs Paranormal Activity faceoff.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #54 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:31:13 AM »

I think comparing Paranormal Activity to Drag Me to Hell is pretty silly, my fanboy sensibilities aside. That'd be like asking me to compare Rosemary's Baby to An American Werewolf in London.

I mean, really?

I felt it blew away its contemporaries (ranking it under Diary of the Dead is just being a contrarian), and I disagree with a lot of your points. I felt the film easily ranks amongst the best the genre has offered in recent years, and was pretty awesome.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #55 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:39:48 AM »

The time lapsed clock was a great inclusion, and the film conditioned the audience to be afraid as soon as it the couple went to bed. That's just great filmmaking. I thought it was very well done, and I don't hold the minimalist plot against the film - because if anything, the lean story works to its advantage.

I would also argue that the neither individual was entirely safe during the day:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

That belief is broken when the picture is shattered, which ended up being a good, manufactured shock scare.

[close]

Oren Peli basically ran a clinic on how to make the film version of a haunted house ride, and for the most part, I think it works pretty well.

border · « **Reply #56 on:** October 18, 2009, 04:00:52 AM »

Well my point is not that the characters are 100% safe in the daylight -- it's that even when not under immediate duress, they continue to be distinguished mentally-challenged fellows. Most people try to second guess slasher flicks by asking dumb shit like "Why did she go in the basement?" or "Why didn't he lock that door?" Characters make stupid choices, but ultimately you can write it off as an effect of panic or threat. In Paranormal Activity though, people still act like distinguished mentally-challenged fellows even why they aren't being chased down by some threat.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Even though the ghost hunter has said not to open a line of communication with the demon.....and even though Katie has explicitly said not to go get a Ouija board....Micah still openly taunts the spirt, still grabs that Ouija board, still picks fights with Katie. The guy is not sympathetic, not realistic -- he is just a tool for plot escolation.

[close]

I like the night vision camera and the time stamps as much as anyone, but at the same time the film-maker is literally telegraphing everything to the audience. "Okay - time for you to be scared of some loud noises." It's interesting, but not exactly the hallmark of a master director. And if every film did something similar I don't think it would be as enjoyable.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #57 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:56:42 AM »

That goes without saying - if every director starting using dutch angles, Raimi's schtick would also stop being enjoyable.

I disagree vehemently that he is telegraphing everything to the audience; you've missed a lot at what is at work. Not only does Peli condition the audience that nighttime is scary and daytime is safe - which he ultimately uses to his advantage - the timestamps create an element of tension. It's very well done and there is a great deal of thought put into it.

I said in my first review that you can nitpick character motivations to death, and you certainly can, but the film is so immensely enjoyable that those thoughts should hang in the back of your mind. I say "should", because I think it's obvious you just weren't digging the experience.

As for your specific example, I think I can say with a degree of confidence that most folks know people that stupid (or stubborn, rather). I actually do know of someone that has attempted to do the same thing under similar circumstances. Mika may not be sympathetic, but I disagree that he is necessarily unrealistic.

Do a lot of decisions made fly in the face of common sense for most people? Sure - but most people would've left the house or the girlfriend on the third or fourth incident. You wouldn't have a movie.

Like I said from the get go, the movie is pretty much a cinematic haunted house ride and its flaws are apparent as such. None of these "found footage" films are supposed to stand up to repeat viewings or in depth analysis - they're just rides.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #58 on:** October 18, 2009, 01:40:06 PM »

Paranormal Activity absolutely EXPLODED this weekend.

$20 million, bringing it's total gross to $33 million.

WOW.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #59 on:** October 18, 2009, 01:40:48 PM »

It's still a limited release too.

News:

Author Topic: Yay! Paranormal Activity gets a million demands, goes nationwide next Friday! (Read 6808 times)