Handheld camera adds realism to ‘Paranormal Activity’

Opinion

Discussion

November 14, 2009

Anonymous The Jacksonville Daily Progress Sat Nov 14, 2009, 08:47 PM CST

Editor’s note: A Jacksonville resident has been reviewing movies for friends for several years and has offered to share his thoughts with Daily Progress readers. His reviews come in personal letters to his nicknamed friend, Spud Nut. Our reviewer is Tater Tot, so consequently, the movies get ratings based on potatoes.

Spud Nut,

Q: What do you get when you make a movie for $15,000 in just seven days?

A: The $100 million dollar blockbuster Paranormal Activity (rated R, 99 minutes), providing you let Oren Peli direct and produce the story in his own home. Like The Blair Witch Project, this movie is filmed with a handheld camera to add realism to a purported documentary about the 21-day demonic haunting of a couple’s house in San Diego during 2006. Katie and Micah record the more and more frequent nocturnal signs of something supernatural invading their lives. There is no sound track to heighten the suspense. The tension comes from the thoroughly believable reactions of Katie Featherston, who sinks deeper and deeper into hysteria. She makes you worry about whether this could happen to even you. Micah Sloat ought to have believed it was possible because his doubt puts him in grave danger. Enough said or the demon might get me too. Even though I am not a big fan of most horror films, I much prefer this approach to the story telling than the over-hyped, torture porn features full of computer generated special effects that intensify the gore. This is a nothing movie worth two and half potatoes for those who like to sit in the dark and be scared.

•••

On the other hand, The Stepfather (rated PG-13, 101 minutes) is a slick remake of a 1987 favorite about a serial killer who preys upon families after becoming part of them. Dylan Walsh is a smooth talking psychopath who meets Sela Ward and plans to marry her. The oldest son, Penn Bagley, becomes uncertain about the character of the new man in the house. In this story, suspicious people do not always live to regret their fears. Bagley’s girlfriend, Amber Heard, is so hot that she could tempt a saint to sell his halo for one more kiss. Even if the widows and divorcees of Portland, Ore., may now be safe, the rest of the country had better be wary about chance encounters with winsome strangers at some store, especially if the meeting may lead to something more intimate. The moral of the story — hire a private detective to check out your next date or you’ll be sorry. This thriller gets a three sliced and diced potato rating from one who hopes he never has to be single again and run the risks this movie exposes.

Tater Tot

Text Only

Opinion

Jacksonville will always be her home
The newsroom is always changing. You never know who is coming, who is going, as so many public officials told me when I first came to the Daily Progress over the summer.

January 15, 2012
Not just who we are, but who we aspire to be
Rarely in our country's history have non-elected officials had a profound effect on public policy. While rare, it does happen from time to time.

January 15, 2012
Just Ask Janet: Update on circulation situation at JDP
In keeping with my ongoing commitment to communicate with you about things at the paper, let me update you on our circulation situation.

December 20, 2011
County budget discussion needs to begin soon
When county commissioners were forming the current fiscal year's budget this past summer, there was a lot of talk.

December 20, 2011
Silence from LMC can be deafening
Each time there's news about a change at Lon Morris — whether it be the departure of an official or the delay of paychecks — the rumor mill in the area begins to fire up again.

December 10, 2011
Transparent government a must for JEDCO, city
The concept is simple — those who handle public funds should do so in as open and transparent a manner as possible.

December 4, 2011
Just Ask Janet: Kudos to the engines behind the hit parade
I went to the Christmas Parade Thursday night, and I am so tickled to tell you that it was wonderful! I say kudos to the Chamber of Commerce and all those who participated in the parade for making this year’s event so much fun.

December 3, 2011
Just ask Janet
This year, for the first time, the Marine Corps League is collecting toys in Cherokee County for needy children. All toys collected will remain in Cherokee County and go to Cherokee County children.

October 23, 2011
Don’t outsource tax collections
Received my letter from the appraisal district, very alarming. It seems someone (little/flowers) is discussing to combine the appraisal district and the county tax office.

October 23, 2011
Just ask Janet
This time last year I ran a survey in the paper asking you what you like and don’t like about the Jacksonville Daily Progress.

October 8, 2011
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Handheld camera adds realism to ‘Paranormal Activity’

Site Map

Contact Us