Paranormal Activity

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'm sure some of you guys have seen the commercial for "Paranormal Activity". If not, it's essentially set up in the vein of "The Blair Witch Project", "Cloverfield", and "Quarantine" (only with less shaky camera work). A family is experiencing, well, paranormal activity, and the viewer sees the movie as seen by the cameras set up by the family to document the activity.

However, the movie is in limited release. So if you want to see it, you could be in the situation as I am, where you'd have to drive three hours to see a movie. And well, I'm not going to do that. Even through it's limited release, it has been pretty well received by critics and viewers alike.

There is a solution to the whole limited release of the movie, though. Apparently, the new Eventful fad has spread, and if 1,000,000 demands are made, the movie will be released nationwide. Now, as of this post, there are about 616,200 demands. So I've decided to do my part and spread the word.

Check it out, and if you like what you hear, read, and see demand it.

[url="http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/"]Demand "Paranormal Activity"[/url]

[Moiles]

im one of those people that drove three hours lol and it was totally worth it . Probably the best horror movie ive seen

[AwakenTheDemon]

I just can't bring myself to spend more time driving then I would watching the movie. Especially considering the majority of the playtimes are midnight showings. I'm dying to see this though.

[Michael]

It's not to far away from us, it's being played 40 minutes away in DC.

[beetus]

Man this movie looks soooo good, I mean the trailer scared the crap outta me. I might have to make the drive to DC to see it if they can't get the support to make it open nationwide. It's funny because the movie was made for like 10 grand over 7 days.

[Purple Nurple]

Done.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm too chicken to watch the movie. The trailer scared the crap outta me, then I went ahead and read the spoilers 'cause I was so curious. Intense, disturbing stuff.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'm always down for a scary movie, it just always makes me iffy on it when it's called "Scariest Movie of the [Insert Measurement of Time Here]". Last time I was hyped over a movie like that, it was The Blair Witch Project, and as much as I like the BWP, it was not scary at all. Everything I hear about this one, though, has my hopes up.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 October 2009 - 02:42 PM' timestamp='1255027339' post='251870']
I'm always down for a scary movie, it just always makes me iffy on it when it's called "Scariest Movie of the [Insert Measurement of Time Here]". Last time I was hyped over a movie like that, it was The Blair Witch Project, and as much as I like the BWP, it was not scary at all. Everything I hear about this one, though, has my hopes up.
[/quote]
You're right about BWP, it wasn't scary, and I usually get scared pretty easily. It was just...eerie, but I got over it pretty quickly. Keep in mind, I was terrified of the trailer and concept as a kid, but growing up and watching it as an adult, it did nothing for me, even as I tried to suspend my disbelief.

This movie, though, has a pretty original take since it seems to play on the fears already within us of things that go bump in the night. I don't think it's what's shown (though I've read not much is shown) as much as what you don't see. Sound plays a [i]huge[/i] role in this film, which is why a lot of critics are recommending that you watch it at home if you're willing to wait.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I remember the trailers for Blair Witch too. I think the attraction and fear (initially) was due to the belief that this was actual footage, not a filmed movie. I won't lie, I bought into it, then didn't want to believe it when the truth came out. Brilliant marketing. I agree, not scary, but definitely eerie and creepy at times.

And everything I heard about Paranormal Activity says to see it in the theater. *shrugs* But I've always been more into the Heard-Not-Seen, Implied, and Psychological horror (must be why I prefer Silent Hill to Resident Evil, heh). So that definitely bodes well for the movie. I'll probably end up seeing it at home for sure, if it doesn't end up being released nationwide. I don't see how it cannot, though. The numbers it's put up just in limited release are great, the film makers would have to be crazy to not want to bring in additional income nationwide.

[Guest Moderator 5]

This is showing at the Egyptian 24 in Arundel Mills - once a day at 12:01am

[AwakenTheDemon]

See? That's what I mean. It's making very good money only being open in like...40-60 cities (I cannot remember which of the two, I know that's a big gap), and only playing once a day at some of those cities. Just doesn't make sense to me how the film makers would want to potentially pass up the income from releasing it nationwide.

The closest place it's playing near me is Columbus, Ohio and State College Pennsylvania. Both are late night showings haha.

[Guest Moderator 5]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 October 2009 - 03:59 PM' timestamp='1255031986' post='251913']
See? That's what I mean. It's making very good money only being open in like...40-60 cities (I cannot remember which of the two, I know that's a big gap), and only playing once a day at some of those cities. Just doesn't make sense to me how the film makers would want to potentially pass up the income from releasing it nationwide.

The closest place it's playing near me is Columbus, Ohio and State College Pennsylvania. Both are late night showings haha.
[/quote]

It's how they make more money in the long run. It's the same model as Blair Witch. It it opened everywhere across the country for multiple showings, it would have less of an aura of mystery and foreboding. By limiting the theatrical release following a carefully planned viral internet campaign, it gets the buzz going. Believe me, the whole strategy has been carefully planned by Paramount.

My guess is this will be playing nationwide, several times a day, within a few weeks. In the meantime the hype will continue to grow from the 'lucky few' who saw one of the midnight showings.

This very thread shows how well the marketing campaign has worked.

[Sub-Zero]

sounds interesting i'll be sure to check it out. Theres a showing far far away, I have to travel a dreadful 30 minutes to get there

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Moderator 5' date='08 October 2009 - 04:04 PM' timestamp='1255032286' post='251915']
Believe me, the whole strategy has been carefully planned by Paramount.
[/quote]
Paramount?? Whaddaya know...Cloverfield was released by Paramount, too. Looks like they learned well from that film: look at the buzz surrounding it with all the viral marketing and how it opened at #1 its first weekend. Granted, the movie didn't have quite the lasting impact they expected, but it still brought in plenty of cash.

[Perfekt]

i acutally live down the road from that whole blair witch crap. its funny because they way they make it seem in the movie is nothing like the place is at all. i will say this much though its not a place that you would want to be stuck at night because its so close to the mountains you find all types of animals around. movies like this one dont interest me but i do have alot of friends that want to see it. for what its worth i will see it once i can watch it at home.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='08 October 2009 - 03:32 PM' timestamp='1255030370' post='251896']
You're right about BWP, it wasn't scary,
[/quote]

The last few minutes scared the **** outta me. I convinced my wife, years later, (she's South African and had never heard of it) that it was real. She was so upset at the end that the families of the victims actually allowed the footage to be released.



Silly foreigners.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' date='08 October 2009 - 10:59 PM' timestamp='1255060744' post='252094']
The last few minutes scared the **** outta me. I convinced my wife, years later, (she's South African and had never heard of it) that it was real. She was so upset at the end that the families of the victims actually allowed the footage to be released.



Silly foreigners.
[/quote]

lmao Did you ever tell her it was actually all staged? If not, that makes it all the more hilarious.

And very valid point, Mod5. Definitely gotta give Paramount props.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='09 October 2009 - 03:41 AM' timestamp='1255074064' post='252107']
lmao Did you ever tell her it was actually all staged? If not, that makes it all the more hilarious.

[/quote]

We were working on a cruise ship at the time and went down to the staff bar after the movie. She then started telling a group of our friends the travesty she had just seen and how much it appalled her..........

........We couldnt keep a straight face. She was slightly pissed at me, to say the least.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Well, seems the hype worked. Hit 1,000,000 demands today. Wonder how long until it opens nationwide now

[Bosanac]

Was showin at my movie theatre today, ALL 8 times were sold out. INSANE.

[theFRANCHISE]

Haven't even seen the movie and I'm still having trouble walking around my house at night...

Her creepy smile in the trailer still gets to me, as well as the rocking back-and-forth next to the bed. Among other things from the trailer and images I've seen online...

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='10 October 2009 - 02:42 AM' timestamp='1255156971' post='252473']
Well, seems the hype worked. Hit 1,000,000 demands today. Wonder how long until it opens nationwide now
[/quote]

I got an email yesterday thats its coming to my area. Me thinks a "pay for one ticket double-header" is going down. Paranormal Activity followed by Zombieland.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I already saw Zombieland, and I'd still go to that doubleheader. That was such a great movie. Franny, you're making me even more anxious for PA, haha. I can't blame you, though, some parts of that trailer are pretty freaky.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='10 October 2009 - 02:23 PM' timestamp='1255199006' post='252599']
Franny, you're making me even more anxious for PA, haha. I can't blame you, though, some parts of that trailer are pretty freaky.
[/quote]
From what people have told me and what I've read, it's not so much that it's scary than it is just creepy. Like, the fact that this stuff (as ludicrous as it is) seems like it could really happen is what's creepy. It's one of those things where it's a real slow build and then when everything finally gets into "OMG" territory, you're stuck with these images in your head and you're reminded of them every time you hear something at night in the dark.

Damn...now I almost wanna see it for myself, now that I think about it.

[JoeFlax]

lol this is one of my friend's facebook status last night.

[quote]I just saw Paranormal Activity last night and I can't stress it enough of how scary and distrurbing it was. It was so disturbing that i started crying in the theater. I was even sitting in the front row looking up. If you see this movie, you can NOT see it alone.[/quote]

[RavensClaw52]

I hope its not one of those movies where they put all the good parts in the trailer and the rest of the movie sucks. Looks good though, I wouldnt mind paying 9 bucks to see it.

[JonM229]

I think the whole "Demand It" thing was just a load of crap to get people even more hyped for the movie. They were definately going to release it nationwide just by ticket sales alone.

[J-man]

[quote name='JonM229' date='12 October 2009 - 07:10 PM' timestamp='1255389017' post='255635']
I think the whole "Demand It" thing was just a load of crap to get people even more hyped for the movie. They were definately going to release it nationwide just by ticket sales alone.
[/quote]

Yea, it would go up like 40 demands a second.

[thewarden86]

I may have to go see this....especially if the ole' lady see's the trailor. She loves scarey movies.....(OT - and I constantly wake up from having a stinkin nightmare because she falls asleep with the TV on "Chiller" channel or some other station broadcasting horror films 24-7....meanhwhile she sleeps like a baby).

Anyway, I am intrigued about this one from what I've seen and read.