Second Movie Review: Paranormal Activity

Film Title – Paranormal Activity (2009)
Director – Oren Peli
Genre – Horror

Brief Plot Outline –
It’s about a couple in America who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their own home. They set up cameras in an attempt to capture what it is. But by doing this they realise what it really happening during the night while they are asleep.

Which two scenes impressed you the most? Why? –
The special effects are really good in this film and they have created the movements of the supernatural presence really well, I liked how they created the footprints in the flour walking and the moving of the sheets. I also was impressed with the ending as it was unexpected. The flying body made the audience really feel it was coming towards them.

How has watching this film helped you understand this genre of filmmaking? Which features on the genre checklist did you spot in the film? When? How? –
After watching this film I now understand how the cinematography can make a big impact on a film. The things I noticed the most was the fixed, personal camera, in the bedroom that led to a claustrophobic feel. Moving handheld cameras are a good way of making the audience feel even more creeped out whilst watching it. This is used very well when Micah is walking around the house after something has happened during the night to inspect what is happening downstairs. Restricted narration is vitally important in this film as a lot of the body horror happens off screen that you can’t see until after it’s happened but you can still hear it which makes the audience shudder. Low key lighting is another feature on the checklist that I spotted in Paranormal Activity (2009) it is used throughout the film and is one of the major features that is used a lot. Half of this film is shot on a personal camera at night time so the house lights are all switched off and the only use of light is coming from the camera which helps create a lot of the shadows of the supernatural presence.

Which aspects of the film would you like to INCLUDE in your own trailer? –
In my trailer I want to include the use of a handheld camera because I think it works really well by making the audience think they are really there and creates a tense atmosphere and feel to the film, as the camera can move about freely and you don’t know what to expect. Another aspect of this film that I really liked and thought was effective was the concept of an unseen enemy. By not being able to see the enemy I think it makes it appear scarier as you don’t know what to expect and you start to imagine what you think the enemy looks like in your mind which could be a lot worse than it actually is. Also by not knowing who the enemy is when they are revealed you are instantly afraid as they usually only appear in an attacking way which will automatically make you jump.

Which aspects of the film would you like to AVOID in your own trailer? Why? –
In my own trailer I want to try avoid restricting the majority of my trailer to just one room. By only shooting in one room I think it makes it tedious to watch as you know where everything in the room is and where the killers can come from. Therefore shooting in various locations makes it more interesting to watch.

What was the best aspect/more enjoyable moment in the film? Why?
Can you recreate this in your own film? How? –
The parts I liked the most was the night scenes when Katie and Micah are asleep because of the low key lighting and creepy location mixed with the clever use of montage, to speed up time. The speed up footage creates excitement and quick, sudden movements, creating it even more dramatic even though there’s no acting, which is hard to do but makes it more thrilling to watch.