by Karen Frazier, Managing Editor
Paranormal Underground Magazine

It was a dark and stormy night. Seriously! And what better time to go see what is billed as a very frightening movie than the dark and stormy night before halloween? Which is exactly what Jim and I did this past Friday. We went to see Paranormal Activity.

Paranormal Activity is sort of “The Little Engine that Could” of independent films. Made for a mere $11,000, the film has grossed multi-millions since its theatrical release. So is it all hype?

While the movie starts out slowly, the almost innocuous things that go bump in the night add an aura of authenticity to what comes after. As paranormal events begin to escalate, so does the movie’s tension. The film’s two leads (Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) sell the tension well. Featherston, in particular, sells her role and may, in fact, sell the entire movie. She has a promising career ahead of her.

Also well done is the single camera home movie point of view. It forwards the story along well without distracting.

Although the movie is tense and the story line is interesting, I didn’t find it particularly frightening. In that way, I was disappointed, because I wanted to be scared. I wasn’t. I was, however, entertained, so in that way I got my money’s worth.

In some ways, Paranormal Activity was predictable. I found myself able to predict many of the movie’s “surprises” in advance – including the ending.

I’ve read reports about a number of people who believe the movie to be a documentary. If that is the case, one can’t help but wonder how many tips there have been to local law enforcement agencies about Featherson’s whereabouts.

In the end, Paranormal Activity is well worth a go see. There is enough about it that is unique to keep your interest, and the performances are great. Just don’t expect to have the wits scared out of you.

Enjoy reading Karen’s blog? Her new book, Avalanche of Spirits: The Ghosts of Wellington> is now available. Click here to buy.