"I Think We'll Be Okay Now"

Can you guess what the plot of Poltergeist, the creativeness behind The Blair Witch Project, and $15,000 equals? That’s right, Paranormal Activity. This low budget horror/thriller about a couple who videotape themselves day and night in hopes of finding evidence of “paranormal activity” isn’t the scariest movie out there, but I bet it’ll make many viewers shut their closet doors before going to sleep.

The story, set in 2006, cribs from prior ideas established in classic horror films. The only setting is in a house, much the same as Poltergeist, and only handheld shaky cameras are used to film, just like The Blair Witch Project. I remember hearing an audience member say they felt like throwing up within the first 5 minutes of the film. I didn’t think it was that bad.

The movie opens with the freakishly controlling, day-trading boyfriend, Miccah (Miccah Sloat), experimenting with new camera equipment he’s purchased in hopes of catching what goes bump in the night. He videotapes his English student girlfriend, Katie (Katie Featherston), as she pulls her white convertible into the driveway of their house in what looks to be a family-friendly San Diego neighborhood. After a few onscreen minutes of playful banter between the couple, the first night of videotaping is set.

There is something very uneasy about watching someone sleep in the dark. The audience watches the couple through the camera’s POV (fly on the wall) with the camera time elapsing on the bottom right of the screen. The combination of fearing that something might happen along with the aggravation of waiting for something to happen only heightens an audience's anxiety. I could see people squirming in their seats as we watched the couple sleep.

It’s not too long before the eerie occurrences do happen: doors moving, loud booms, and misplaced keys are just a few things that are caught on tape. After the disturbances worsen, Katie employs the help of a psychic. The psychic informs them that the presence within their home is a demon. Without giving too much away, the couple learns why they are being haunted; basic rules to follow, so that they don’t aggravate the demon; and what exorcist they should contact. This scene gave me the same frightening chill I had as a kid when watching the part in Gremlins when Billy’s dad explains the rules of caring for Gizmo. I know it’s Gremlins, but there are some scary parts in that movie for little kids. Anyway, much like Billy, the couple fails to follow the rules.

Miccah brushes off the psychic’s remarks, convinced that he (Miccah) can fix the problem with his camera equipment and his Googled research. Katie foolishly obeys Miccah or offers only nagging rants as if Miccah forgot to take out the trash. As their aggravation for their situation and each other heighten, so do the demon’s activities. Simple sounds and moving doors turn to more frightening occurrences as the demon's strength grows. Remember, it’s always important to follow rules if you want to survive a horror movie, much like Zombieland and this other horror/thriller:


Watching Paranormal Activity made me feel like I was waiting in a long line for a so-so rollercoaster ride. Most of the excitement came before the ride, or climax, because I was waiting for something better to happen. The movie inches closer to its climax and pulls the audience along by heightening the demon’s activities. For the audience, there’s anticipation and excitement in waiting for the big rush ahead. But, like a mediocre rollercoaster, the rush comes and goes so fast that the audience is left asking “Is that it?”

I’m not one of the many critics who's been caught up in the hype of Paranormal Activity. It did have some creepy moments, but flickering lights and eerie shadows get old after a while. Much like The Blair Witch Project, I probably won’t need to watch this movie a second time—and it won’t be because it’s too scary.

Rating: 6 out of 10

"The First Girl I Let Into My Life and She Tries to Eat Me"

Welcome back, Woody Harrelson. The actor has steadily worked since the show Cheers but was out of the spotlight for most of the new millennium, costarring in After the Sunset, which flopped at the box office, and the cult hit A Scanner Darkly. Since costarring in No Country For Old Men in 2007, Woody said he was ready to be back in Hollywood. Man, is he ever. Just remember to get top billing if Wesley Snipes asks you to do White Men STILL Can’t Jump, Woody—you’re the bigger star now.


Now on to Woody's latest starring role in Zombieland.

Is it possible to make a feel-good post apocalyptic zombie movie? Ruben Fleischer pulls it off with his third directorial (first theatrical) effort, Zombieland. This horror/comedy about a group of emotionally detached humans living amongst an outbreak of zombies infected with mad cow disease will leave audiences laughing as they cover their eyes in disgust.

The story, set in the not too distant future, refreshes the idea of a “code” of the zombie world that has been presented by horror films for the past 40 years. Some have already called it America’s version of Shaun of the Dead, which also pokes fun at survival techniques in a land of zombies. I thought the latter film was both original and overrated, so I’m not as quick to equate Zombieland with it—yet.

The film opens with an iconic picture of the American flag before the camera zooms out to show an upside down president’s limo in a zombie infested land. Our nerdy hero, Columbus, played by Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland), narrates the state of the world and how he has managed to stay alive. I won’t spoil it for you but he does enlist a set of rules to avoid becoming a “human happy meal.” It’s similar to Ferris Bueller’s list on fooling your parents into letting you stay home.

It’s not too long before Columbus meets up with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a Twinkie craving country bumpkin with zombie-killing on his agenda. The two embark on a road trip east. Columbus hopes to find his family while Tallahassee is looking for his next kill.

Shaking things up for the two new road buddies are Emma Stone (The Rocker, Superbad) and Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) playing sisters, Wichita and Little Rock, who are also trying to survive as they travel across the states. Good for Breslin: the girl’s only 13, and she’s already trying to break her sweetheart typecast.

The characters are each different, but they all either were societal outcasts before the zombies or have since become emotionless. Columbus describes his life before the apocalypse as consisting of World of Warcraft, Code Red Mountain Dew (do they still make that?), and agoraphobia. After all, you must be somewhat of a zombie yourself if you expect to live among them. No family, friends, purpose, or compassion—just survival.

However, through their journey together the four do begin to appreciate what they have either never experienced or have lost—love. They learn to appreciate “the little things” in life, which Columbus writes as another rule. Also (no spoilers), while each character tries to live an emotionless life, it takes a comedic legend’s all-too-brief cameo to make them feel human again.

My only problem with Zombieland is the drought between action (i.e. kills). For most of the second act, zombies are merely a backdrop as our main characters delve into their emotions and start to care for each other. The comedy works better when it's combined with the undead. Fortunately, the movie's only a little over 80 minutes, so there isn’t too much downtime.

I’ve got to admit that I was skeptical with what director Ruben Fleischer might produce. The only previous work of his I recognized was the Borat movie, in which he was part of the miscellaneous crew, and as director of three Jimmy Kimmel shows. I’m guessing he’ll get more calls to direct in the future.

Zombieland is gory fun for anyone who enjoys zombie flicks, and even those who may be inept to the genre. With more apocalyptic movies headed our way (Legion, The Road, The Book of Eli, 2012.), I imagine this will be the most lighthearted. Is it coincidental that so many apocalyptic movies are coming out after our recent presidential election? Note the destroyed president’s limo in the beginning of the film.

7 out of 10














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