Ko0K on 12/10/2009 at 06:27
Quote Posted by Tocky
Doesn't it pretty much have to be that way?
I did identify some elements of the movie as cliches, but I wouldn't go so far as to argue they didn't serve their intended purposes.
Thirith on 12/10/2009 at 09:50
Re: evoking sympathy for the villain: I think it's important to note that this is very different from making the villain the hero. Personally, I tend to prefer stories that humanise the villains rather than making them cartoon bad guys. However, I pretty much hate stories that suggest the sadistic fucker is heroic or morally superior in some way. (One of the many, many reasons why I thought Hannibal was a piece of garbage, though a very well filmed piece of garbage.)
gunsmoke on 12/10/2009 at 14:16
Going to see it in about 2 hours with Melissa. Will report back with impressions later today. Here's hoping it's good, we only hit the theaters twice a year or so for movies that seem to deserve the big screen. The last one we went to was Cloverfield, for example.
The Alchemist on 12/10/2009 at 17:12
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
Going to see it in about 2 hours with Melissa. Will report back with impressions later today. Here's hoping it's good, we only hit the theaters twice a year or so for movies that seem to deserve the big screen. The last one we went to was Cloverfield, for example.
With Melissa? I really think you should go with Stacey instead, bro: she puts out.
fett on 12/10/2009 at 17:35
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
The last one we went to was Cloverfield, for example.
Your track record doesn't look too good so far, sport.
Renzatic on 12/10/2009 at 17:49
Noooo, not Stacey. You go out with her, and you'll be coming back with a little more than just popcorn in your hair if you know what I'm saying.
the_grip on 12/10/2009 at 18:14
gunsmoke please do report back... after watching the trailer a couple more times I realized I was drawn in more by fancy advertising than by the content itself. Not as excited about it after watching that second trailer... all screams and "oh my gawd sumfin's hear!" and the chick rocking on the floor. Hope there is a little bit more originality.
gunsmoke on 12/10/2009 at 20:28
I am back. My girlfriend and I both agree...underwhelming. We give it 3/5. Worth seeing, but not worth freaking out about. The theater is probably the way to go with this one, it may lose some of its 'ooomph' at home. Well, some of you have some insanely awesome home-theaters, so YMMV.
The first 30-45 minutes are S-L-O-W. It is almost completely devoid of horror of any kind, and dedicates itself to character development. Once it decides to be a horror movie, it gives you some good scares, but they are spaced out a bit further than I expected, and there are a few that are like 'that was it?". Most of the scares are DooM 3 type *BOO* stuff, with a lot of build up. The last 1/4 of the movie are really the meat-and-potatoes/get down to business portion, and get really good.
Plenty of foreshadowing, and it is mostly done well. Like when the picture frame's glass gets smashed, and only on Micah's side, you know he is toast . I was hoping for a little bit more 'detective work' on Micah's part, and a bit more story behind why she is being singled out by this demon, and what it wants from her.. Blame that on the atypical narrative style, though. It would have been tough to do some of this stuff considering that it is presented solely through the perspective of the camera he buys to chronicle the goings-on.
So, all things considered, I liked it and am glad I saw it, and saw it in the theater. I just wouldn't break my neck to get there or anything.
Oh, DON"T WATCH THE TRAILERS. The ending is shown in them, and the girls behind us were really pissed about it. They were shaking their heads at why they would do such a thing. When We told them we purposely avoided them (someone advised us) they were envious.
Thief13x on 13/10/2009 at 03:12
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
The first 30-45 minutes are S-L-O-W. It is almost completely devoid of horror of any kind, and dedicates itself to character development.
Actually sounds alot like The Blair Witch Project in a way. Based on all the hype, I actually just watched Blair Witch Project for the first time tonight and I must say, I think there was a good 45 minutes where my blood stood still. That's a fucking terrifying movie and probably one of the first horror movies I've ever enjoyed the hell out of. I'm curious how you think Paranormal Activity stacks up to Blair Witch?
fett on 13/10/2009 at 04:09
I just didn't get the Blair Witch thing, and I hate being dragged through an hour of bullshit just to get a "BOO!" moment - waste of time, and I didn't find it all that scary. Maybe if I'd never been scared in real life or something, but it didn't even give me chills. Then again, I have nads of steel, so very little scares me (except the prospect of Creed staying together after this little thing they're doing. That scares the shit out of me).
