Iffy for 16+
Indie scare fest doesn't need blood and gore to terrify.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Paranormal Activity is a real chill-up-the-spine movie that's bound to induce nightmares in plenty of young moviegoers -- even though, as with The Blair Witch Project, the big buzz around the movie (and the prospect of testing their backbone) will likely prove irresistible to many teens. The movie takes its cues from many classic horror films in that it only suggests the scary stuff rather than actually showing explicit gore and violence -- but in leaving much to the viewer's imagination, the effect is much, much more psychologically terrifying than any regular blood-fest. Expect frequent strong language (including multiple uses of "f--k" and "s--t") and some sex talk.
- Families can talk about the concept of random violence, as in the demon's seemingly meaningless attacks on Katie. What would cause someone or something to strike out without a reason? How would this make a person feel?
- How scary was the movie? What scared you most, and why? How did you feel about being scared?
- What would be the effect of constantly filming your life?
The good stuff
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Messages: The main characters' plight is unexplained -- they don't seem to have done anything to "deserve" what they go through. Unfortunately, they also can't agree on the methods or approaches to deal with it, and so most of their work is for naught. But they demonstrate some definite bravery in standing up to the beast.
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Role models: Micah isn't much of a role model, despite his bravery in trying to face and fight the demon. He constantly disagrees and argues with Katie and often refuses to listen when she asks him for help. He tries to fight the demon in an aggressive, physical way, even though it's clear that it's not going to work. But on the plus side, Katie exhibits definite courage, strength, and good humor in the face of her harrowing problem.
What to watch for
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Violence: A simmering violence constantly threatens but rarely cuts loose onscreen -- there's actually very little physical violence, with only the tiniest hint of blood or gore. Micah and Katie argue often.
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Sex: A young adult couple that lives together talks and jokes about sex fairly often. They both walk around the house in sleeping clothes, consisting of boxer shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops. A female guest shows off her bare midriff. The camera sometimes emphasizes Katie's ample cleavage. The couple has sex one time, but it happens off camera.
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Language: Very liberal use of "f--k" in all its variations, including name-calling (directed toward the invading demon). Other words include "s--t," "ass," "hell," "damn," and "Oh my God." Micah raises his middle finger, twice, in a joking manner.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The couple opens a bottle of wine at dinnertime in an early scene, but we don't really see them drinking it.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Paranormal Activity - MAJOR HYPE - HYPE - HYPE. Grade: D - for DUMB. (Based on advance VIP press preview) by MOVIES REVIEWER
Thurs. Sept. 24.
This 1hr 39min FICTITIOUS tale dragged on way too long - wallowed in its vapidness to the point of tedious boredom/stupidity.
The two main characters are not likable because she whines too much and he makes absolutely nonsensical irrational decisions. You won't feel empathy for them - and you could care less whatever happens to them.
The premise sounded promising but the story never took flight because the movie/plot could not decide if it wanted to focus on the haunting or the couple's actions/(in)decisions.
This senseless movie suffered from a serious case of incoherence.
There are other 'haunted' movies that were better executed.
VERDICT:
No HERD-mentality for me - I WAS NOT brainwashed and DID NOT buy into the film-makers' propaganda/HYPE.
I'm glad I didn't waste my money on this wanna-be-real-horror amateur garbage FIASCO.
If your dwelling is haunted, get thee pronto to a priest! Don't stay for 3 weeks and experiment every which way! DUH!
1
Five Word Review by coke209
SUCKED DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE
5
Don't listen to the OH NO and NO reviews. by jcrouch702
I mean honestly, it's 3:20 pm Vegas time on 10/9...and there are currently 260 reveiws...only 20 of which are negative. I am assuming these people must live and breath horror in order to not get freaked out by this movie.
I am normalyy unimpressed by thrillers, but this one is by far the scariest I have ever seen. I like the fact that it is not gorey. Just the idea of something paranormal in your house...its CREEPY!
The humor in the beginning makes you feel comfortable with the characters. They are a couple that have only been together 3 years. They are in love and cute. It makes you relate with them, which makes it even freakier to think it could happen to you.
I highly recommend going to see this. Try to catch it when there are quite a few people in the theatre. You can really feed off other audience member's emotions, and it helps with the excitement!
5
The Dark, noises and even your bed will no longer be the same after watching this film... think about it twice. by Inked_In_SF
When I saw the ad on TV advertising it as the SCARIEST film ever, and this statement being supported by Fan reviews on Fandango, I said to myself "This, I gotta check out".
The following day I went in to see the film. I will tell you this: During the film, there were times when i did jump and I was on the edge of my seat; however, when I left I felt like I had not seen anything new. I was a bit disappointed.
Until later.
This is the sort of film that will get you thinking. It will touch a part of your mind and will trigger a fear you've never experience before. That night, I barely slept. The horror of this film did not touch me until the lights were off and I was under the sheets. Once you watch the film, you will understand about the "sheets". Every five minute, I woke up to browse the dark corners of my room, wondering if he was there, watching me. Noise, was no longer JUST noise, it was him.
5
Even scarier if you've had personal paranormal experiences by archangelariel
I've had experiences with ghosts and watching this movie definitely scared me senseless. I had trouble sleeping for 3 nights straight because I kept having flashbacks to some of my own paranormal encounters as a kid.
VERY well done for the budget it took to make. The actors did a phenomenal job making the whole thing believable. A word of caution if you've ever had a paranormal encounter of your own this movie will scare you even more. It was so convincing on so many levels that I'm afraid to watch it again and that's a very rare thing to be able to say about a horror movie these days. Granted a couple things were a little over the top but they were still convincing nonetheless. This is the first movie in over 20 years that has scared me the way The Exorcist scared me back in the day. I highly recommend it if you want a real scare!
5
Scariest movie since The Exorcist! by TheStoweShow
I can see where people can find this movie boring......that's probably because they either have no imagination or they have never experienced any thing like this in real life. Movies now days are about gore, shock value, and jump out and scare you and really have no real story that can at least be plausible. Movies have gone off the deep end when it comes to scaring people to the point that the general public is not easily scared anymore unless someone's head is ripped off. Men with knives for fingers don't hang out in our nightmares but demons do and the devil has been scaring humans since the beginning with the fear of the unknown. I can tell you from first hand experience, that the paranormal world in regards to demonic entities is very real and after seeing this movie, I know, that the people involved with making this movie have had or known someone who has experienced some paranormal activity at least once in their lives. Trust me, you won't sleep well after watching this movie.
1
Paranormal Actitvy by sw3603
It was ridiculous and I laughed through most of it.
5
Booying OH NO! Reviews by BeautiEvil
For those who haven't seen Paranormal Activity, please read only the good reviews!!
People who gave it a OH-NO rates are either:
A. SAW VI fans
B. are Laughing or Mad because they've lost several bucks...what a bunch of cheap whiners!
C. they don't believe nor encountered real Ghosts/Demons in their lives.
D. disappointed because too much Camera movement? It's a HAND-HELD camera, folks! There's NO cast and crew while making this film! It was shot independantly. You all knew this is a low-budget film, right? How simple-minded. I'm sure most of you couldn't keep your cameras still, either!
I've seen hundreds of horror movies in my time and I'd say this is thee scariest movie since The Exorcist. The other flicks like Poltergeist, Amityville Horror (original), and The Shining doesn't even top this suspenseful one.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY is freaking horrofying, it raised my hair in some scenes. I would highly recommend to be accompanied by a friend or a group if you plan to see it.
5
Sleepless in Texas by rileysgigi
I haven't been this frightened at a movie since the Exorcist in the 7th grade. I had a hard time sleeping for two nights. I am a died hard fan of scary movies and I was not disappointed. When the movie ended the theater was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I think we were all in shock.
4
Paranormal Activity by flyinhigh2409
I liked this movie a lot because it was very suspenseful and very scary. In fact this was the scariest movie I have ever seen. The acting was tremendous and the cinematography made it feel real. Very good movie but not for the faint of heart. Anyone seeking a thrilling movie that captivates the audience here is your movie. Do not let your kids go see this movie. It is rated R for a reason.