yup, definitely not a documentary.

It seems like there has been quite a bit of hype surrounding the new film Paranormal Activity (Peli, 2007).  All over the Internet people have been asking whether or not it is a documentary and if it is true or not.  I hate to admit it, but I was kind of thinking it was a documentary when I walked up to purchase my ticket.  Now I wasn't convinced it was "true" but I thought some people probably grabbed a camera and tried to make a Ghost Hunters type film.  Boy, was I wrong.  This is indeed a movie with actors and a script.  It's similar to The Blair Witch Project in that they use hand held cameras and purposely tried to make it look like a home video/documentary.  Maybe you already knew this and I am just super gullible.  Nevertheless, fiction or nonfiction, this film was great.  It's about a couple who becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence after moving into their new home.  It only took seven days to film and cost a mere $11,000 but has already grossed nearly $12.5 million!! And it is still on limited release.  So far it has also been getting great reviews and has been one of the most buzzed-about films this year.  Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "the no-frills Paranormal Activity comes packed with thrills," and Claudia Puig of USA Today commented that it "will effectively terrorize event here toughest among us."  It even has an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now I don't want to give too much away because the best part of the movie is that it is surprising (especially the ending!) and you don't really know what to expect.  I will say, however, that what they seem to catch on film at night will certainly creep you out if not totally terrify you.  I definitely jumped a few times and I heard some screams in the theater.  I think there has been a bit too much hype surrounding this movie... and it is certainly not worthy of being hailed the "scariest movie ever," but it is scary, it is fun, and it was something new and interesting.  It is not gory or an example of torture porn, but just some good pine-chilling fun.

The tagline of the movie is "Don't see it alone," and I could not agree more.  So grab some friends and check out Paranormal Activity!