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Created Nov 01, 2009 10:49AM PST • Edited Nov 01, 2009 10:50AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   If you are like me and have ever laid awake in bed thinking, “What was that sound?”, then you will get a kick out of this movie. Movies do not get any simpler in terms of creating suspense and a good scare. Using the “real footage” approach made so popular by the Blair Witch Project, this film is a self documented encounter with (as the title suggests) Paranormal Activity.

   Even though its not an original approach (nor is the content 100% of the time), it is done so very effectively as to make it feel original and fresh. The way it is shot and the storyline make this a believable piece that pulls you in and grabs you by the throat. The things you see and the way they are done make this feel more real than most hollywood movies. The only things holding this movie back? The acting – which still wasn’t bad at all – and the ending frame. Just the last half second of the film detached me from the world it had created and left me a bit let down.

   This was a lot of fun and had some good, well deserved scares. I would caution anyone who already has an overactive imagination and has problems sleeping with noises in the house, though. After going to a 6pm show, my wife wasn’t able to fall asleep until about 4am. Otherwise, check it out. Great film that was lots of fun and creepy as hell.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   The stars of the movie, Katie and Micah, are convincing as a real couple. They seem to have a history and comfort with each other that really only comes with spending time together. They felt natural and it created a great environment for the audience to participate in. Micah is the tough guy in the relationship, too stubborn and protective of his girlfriend to get someone else in to help. Katie is just scared enough that she really doesn’t want to piss off whatever is in the house with them.

   The one drawback was Katie. As believable as she was for most of the movie, I just didn’t buy that she was that scared. There were parts where I felt that she should just be bursting into tears or shaking uncontrollably, but it didn’t happen. Being someone with an overactive imagination, I remember what it was like when I was a kid and thought I heard things in the house. I was scared out of my mind and you could tell. I know that part of the story is that she may be used to this happening, but I still would have like to see a bit more fear from her.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Perfect 5.0

    The film was perfect for the story. The way it was shot, the dialogue, the scenery, everything contributed to the story, which is really the best situation that you can possibly hope for. My favorite part of the whole movie was the camera setup in their bedroom. The suspense that was created had you constantly searching the screen for what was going to happen next. Was it going to be out in the hall/stairway? Was it going to happen in the bed with them? You just never knew and it kept you on the edge of your seat. Very well done.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

12. Play Perfect 5.0

13. Music Perfect 5.0

14. Visuals Perfect 5.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

    Lots of cursing and really suspenseful situations, but thats about it. No real violence, blood, sex or gore. Genuine tension built by real situations.

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Surreal 3.0

    Depending on what you believe, this is a film that held a lot of reality. Things like doors opening and closing, covers being pulled down, etc. If you watch shows like Ghost Hunters then you know that this kind of thing has been documented before. Shadows moving, things being tossed around, glass broken, etc. It does push it a bit farther in a few scenes, but lots of what we see I have seen documented elsewhere as well.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 3.0

23. Biological Surreal 3.0

24. Physical Surreal 3.0