- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,411
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Much like Blair Witch, another super low budget indie, which preyed upon human fears, Paranormal Activity, another found footage film, works it terror-filled magic.
Unless one allows their suspension of disbelief to slip.
Once you begin asking questions about the simplistic plot, the four person drama falls to pieces.
Among them...
Where did the second cameraman come from, as there are non-first person shots in the film?
When will the good taxpayers of San Diego break down and hire a police department, which might have given at least
some modicum of support to poor Katie and Micah?
How dare the demonologist leave the country just when he's needed?
Other than that, the film is a sweet ultra-low budget ride for 86 minutes.
As to the Blu-ray disc, I'm not certain that it's necessary for those who wish to own. The film would seem to have little replay value, and it one did wish to own, standard definition DVD is probably the more economical way to go. I doubt that there is much of an upgrade between the two, short of a bit better black level.
And then there's the price point, which I don't understand.
Listing at $49 at Amazon, 46 at Borders, with a street price of 25. Compare this with either of two high quality Paramount Blu-rays, Braveheart or Star Trek. These both "list" at $10 less and street at $5 lower mark. Something is out of place here, especially for a BD-25. And unless price has been determined via some "gotta have it" principle, something is wrong. If one were to attempt to price BDs by film quality and long term play value, there are hundreds that should be selling at well over $500 street price, as their value is far beyond ten times that of Paranormal Activity.
Recommended as a rental for those who enjoy a good ghost yarn (which it is), or purchase on standard definition if you must own it.
Paranormal Activity is the film school senior thesis project may wish they had made. Smart, sleek and with minimal budget.
RAH
Unless one allows their suspension of disbelief to slip.
Once you begin asking questions about the simplistic plot, the four person drama falls to pieces.
Among them...
Where did the second cameraman come from, as there are non-first person shots in the film?
When will the good taxpayers of San Diego break down and hire a police department, which might have given at least
some modicum of support to poor Katie and Micah?
How dare the demonologist leave the country just when he's needed?
Other than that, the film is a sweet ultra-low budget ride for 86 minutes.
As to the Blu-ray disc, I'm not certain that it's necessary for those who wish to own. The film would seem to have little replay value, and it one did wish to own, standard definition DVD is probably the more economical way to go. I doubt that there is much of an upgrade between the two, short of a bit better black level.
And then there's the price point, which I don't understand.
Listing at $49 at Amazon, 46 at Borders, with a street price of 25. Compare this with either of two high quality Paramount Blu-rays, Braveheart or Star Trek. These both "list" at $10 less and street at $5 lower mark. Something is out of place here, especially for a BD-25. And unless price has been determined via some "gotta have it" principle, something is wrong. If one were to attempt to price BDs by film quality and long term play value, there are hundreds that should be selling at well over $500 street price, as their value is far beyond ten times that of Paranormal Activity.
Recommended as a rental for those who enjoy a good ghost yarn (which it is), or purchase on standard definition if you must own it.
Paranormal Activity is the film school senior thesis project may wish they had made. Smart, sleek and with minimal budget.
RAH
