One of the Most Effective Horror Movies Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2009)

I first heard about Paranormal Activity on YouTube when I saw the trailer for it and I was quickly drawn to the idea of another "Blair Witch Project" film. There has been many mixed reviews for The Blair Witch Project and so does this movie. But I am a true fan of both. I did think Paranormal cannot live up to the hype and it certainly will not be better than Blair Witch. But I did want this movie to do well and I could not wait to see it. Since I wanted to be scared as much as possible with out hearing immature teenagers laughing and disrupting the theater, I decided to take the challenge and watch it at my house. I downloaded the movie and connected it to my TV and watched it alone on the couch with popcorn and lots of pillows. There has been a lot of complaining about how boring and slow this movie is. But in my opinion the movie moved very quickly in a fast pace. On Night #1 from the beginning, something happens. We hear footsteps and the door creaking. I don't understand why and how that is not scary. Hearing footsteps in your house when everyone is sleeping? Wouldn't you wonder who or what that can be? From the beginning, it caught my eye. I looked around my living room feeling slightly uneasy. Someone also said we are forced to watch the couple sleep, making the audience bored. What kind of a stupid argument is that? The director clearly does not want you to focus on the couple, but focus on the thing that attacks the couple. Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston were a great couple and they made the acting very very believable. From the beginning they grab you by the arms and never let go until the end of the movie. But it doesn't stop there. Near the end of the movie when Katie is tired of Micah's behavior as her boyfriend she feels detached by him and goes to sleep. But soon she is woken by the demon pulling her and dragging her across the floor. She quickly gives full trust to Micah and screams for her life. I have to admit, I screamed with her like a little girl. I just could not believe what I was seeing. This film makes you think what just happened,but it doesn't give away what will happen next. The absence of music was very effective as a horror movie. The silence and quietness adds to the suspense. Watch this film with your friends and family at your house. You all will not be able to go to sleep for few days. I dare you.