You heard it, folks - this is not a scripted film. (Even if it was, the script would be nearly empty - not much is said.) It is not your average horror movie - no special effects, no demons popping up or monsters falling out of the sky that leave blood stains everywhere, it's all real... I think. (The budget was $15,000. That should tell you something.) The only real "scary" stuff is doors opening for some reason and other things like that. I said it was "high on the Paranormal and low on the Activity" because the film is basically 90 minutes of build-up leading to one final scene at the end which I won't spoil, because if I do tell you, it will pretty much ruin any reason to see the film. I was actually scared by the end, because for 90 minutes I was waiting for something scary to happen... but I'll be quiet before I ruin it for anyone.
The film received an R rating... the MPAA description was "Language" and nothing else, and yeah, that's just what it is. There's about 40 f-words, and many religious exclaims ("God", "Jesus", etc.) The only violent scene can't be described without spoiling, though some may find the door opening on its own a bit scary, as well as an Ouija board somehow being set on fire. There is a drinking scene, and Micah telling Katie to "pop a pill" because he thinks she's just crazy. Throughout the film, Katie is seen wearing cleavage-bearing tops, and in one scene where Micah is holding the camera, he asks her for a striptease. She says no. He then asks her to just strip down to her bra and panties, and again she says no. Much of the film takes place while the couple are in bed, and there is implied sex, but no nudity.
The film received an R rating... the MPAA description was "Language" and nothing else, and yeah, that's just what it is. There's about 40 f-words, and many religious exclaims ("God", "Jesus", etc.) The only violent scene can't be described without spoiling, though some may find the door opening on its own a bit scary, as well as an Ouija board somehow being set on fire. There is a drinking scene, and Micah telling Katie to "pop a pill" because he thinks she's just crazy. Throughout the film, Katie is seen wearing cleavage-bearing tops, and in one scene where Micah is holding the camera, he asks her for a striptease. She says no. He then asks her to just strip down to her bra and panties, and again she says no. Much of the film takes place while the couple are in bed, and there is implied sex, but no nudity.
If you want a film were stuff keeps happening throughout, or a horror film where the characters are constantly bombarded by demons and monsters, this isn't for you. If you can sit through 90 minutes of no-show leading up to something big, then this is your film. Of course, you could always rent it and fast-forward to the end, but that might just ruin the suspense. (I saw the midnight showing, and there was a lot of the audience talking during silent scenes.)
The footage is not real. This is a scripted film just like "The Blair Witch project". If it were real footage I don't think it would have had any budget unless maybe the editor took that money.
ReplyDeleteIf the film does not have any dialogue that does not mean that the script would be empty. It would describe, in detail, the action. Like: Video Camera's POV: Jack and Jill are sitting on the couch ignoring each other. Jill gets up to go to the other room and drops the remote on her lap. they both ignore it. They are seething in anger etc.
If you look at any real paranormal activity tape you won't find any physical embodiments of the monsters and witches. They have tried to keep it as real as they can. I think the slow build-up of suspense and dread is effective, though the acting leaves something to be desired.
Not bad for an amateur review, though.