Paranormal Activity

Being called the "scariest movie ever made" is an over-statement, but "Paranormal Activity" is definitely frightening and will keep you wondering what happens when you sleep.

"Paranormal Activity" is a 99 minute film that was produced by former software programmer, Oren Peli, and stars newcomers Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat.  According to wired.com, the short film was shot with an $11,000 budget in the course of seven days.

While many ghost stories keep you guessing, this film is pretty straightforward: Katie and Micah, who use their names in the film to portray a pseudo-documentary, are a young couple who have recently moved in together.  Not too long after, the couple experiences strange things happening around their home; lights turning on and off, doors slamming, pictures breaking and keys missing.

After several reoccurrences, Katie informs Micah that this is not the first time she has experienced "paranormal activity."  When she was eight, Katie was haunted by dark shadows at the end of her bed and eventually her childhood home was burned to the ground.  Ever since, this activity has been following her around.

While Katie is scared out of her wits, Micah buys a top-notch camera and "wires" their home to catch this shadowy figure.  After a psychic tells Katie and Micah that it is not a ghost they are dealing with, but rather a demon, hell breaks loose in their home and there is no running from it.

This "R" rated film that was released in theaters on November 7, 2009 was inspired by great horror flicks of the past such as "The Exorcist" and "The Blair Witch Project."  Peli does a fantastic job of keeping you at the edge of your chair with your hands covering your eyes.

"Jaws made you scared to go in the ocean, Blair Witch made you scared to go in the woods.  If I can make you scared to go in your own house, I've done my job," said Peli to wired.com

According to newspostonline.com, "Steven Spielberg recently got so scared while watching the new film "Paranormal Activity" at his California house that he put the DVD of the film in a garbage bag vowing not to let it in his house again."

The shaky and "home video" effect gives the vibe that this bone-chilling film is really happening, and with its mostly improvised script, the shrieks and shouts are natural.  Not only does the effect of home video cause this film to be believable, but the genuine feel of the setting make it seem like the movie is shot in your home.  It is very easy to forget that it is actually a movie you're watching and not home footage shot by your friends.  The chemistry between Featherston and Sloat comes alive with shots of personal moments such as cuddling and arguing and make this film more believeable.

With movies like "Paranormal Activity" hitting the big screens, horror films are taking a turn in a new direction.  While many of us do not sleep with a camera recording our bedrooms during the night, how do we know something evil or demonic isn't watching us?

After watching "Paranormal Activity" it is not a bad idea to sleep with one eye open.