Paranormal Activity 3

Release Date: Oct 21, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 24 min.

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden.

If you've seen them once, you've seem them all, and the third installment of Orlin Peli's break-out hit, "Paranormal Activity," proves just that. Continuing on its course of reverse storytelling, the second prequel returns to its origins where the terror all began. By way of childhood videos, we learn the past of cursed sisters, Katie and Kristi, as they grow up living in fear. But whereas the previous two films instilled an unsettling impression, part three leaves little to the imagination, and suffers from the unavoidable case of déjà vu. Joost and Schulman stick close to the set formula, drawing out heavy silences followed by jumpy scenes and shadowy figures. And for the most part, it works, since children scare far easier than adults. However, the sense of surprise is no longer applicable when it's obvious as to what's going to occur next. As time goes on, the scares get more expected and conspicuous than before, making this outing a rather tiresome one. The ending twist, sequentially, feels out of place when coinciding with its prior narrative. While Peli may have inadvertently conjured up this found-footage franchise, one can hope that this 'activity' is now over.

Rating: 2½ stars

  

Paranormal Activity 2

Release Date: Oct 22, 2010

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min. 

Director: Tod "Kip" Williams 

Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Sprague Grayden.

Marketed as the most anticipated horror flick of the year, “Paranormal Activity 2” justifies the thrills but falters like many unwarranted sequels. As the film opens up on familiar home video footage, the Hollywood influence is visibly apparent through enhanced recordings and frequent jump cuts. The low-budget, personal feel that made the first film so successful is downgraded to hi-tech security cameras and seemingly rehearsed narrations. But in spite of this, the dreary uncertainty continues to linger in the hushed silences that come with every nighttime scene. While the subtleties still remain, the film opts for more scare tactics the second time around. From creaky doors to gravity-defying levitations, there’s enough of the fright factor that’ll keep fans satisfied, if not for the extended storyline. Serving as a prequel, “Paranormal Activity 2” further expands on Katie’s childhood and how she becomes the unfortunate victim of these supernatural occurrences. Though clever as it may sound, another sequel seems inevitable for what may become the next “Saw” franchise, and that’s not a good thing. So enjoy it while you can. And avoid any basements.

Rating: 3½ stars

Shutter Island

Release Date: Feb 19, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 18 min. 

Director: Martin Scorsese 

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow.

After several months of delay, Scorsese returns with a throwback to film noir thrillers in style. From start to finish, the intensity is palpable, sending you on a mind-numbing chase that twists and turns. Setting up each scene is the ominous drone of classical music that further adds to the enigmatic ambiance. As the film delves deeper, we see the protagonist, played by the ever-talented Leo DiCaprio, gradually begin to deteriorate amid manipulation and remorse. Along with a superb cast of Sir Kingsley, Ruffalo, Michelle Williams and Jackie Earle Haley, this film is nothing short of acting at its finest. While fairly predictable in nature and deliberate in unveiling the plot, the end result is well-honed and brought to fruition. There is an uneasiness that lingers like any Dennis Lehane adaptation, but the open-endedness is what makes it so worthwhile. Overall, a terrific thriller that provides an abundance of suspense, as well as some frights. 

Rating: 4 stars

Daybreakers

Release Date: Jan 08, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min. 

Director: Peter Spierig, Michael Spierig 

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman, Vince Colosimo.

If there is one way of capitalizing on the vampire genre for the grown-up audience, it's making a film that's the very antithesis of "Twilight" and turning everyone into bloodsuckers. This is the case, in the year 2019, when everyone has tiny, yellow irises and are jonesing for hemo-spiked coffee. The human population is dwindling and only Ethan Hawke, a researcher, can save our race from extinction. And you thought you had it bad at work. Though the premise is intriguing and traveling beyond typical vampire stories, the substantial plot-holes outweigh any good. There is no in-depth explanation as to how everyone came to be night-dwellers or why this supposed 'cure' works the way it does. There's also a fine difference between being tasteful and being kitschy when it comes to hardcore gore, the film falling into the latter part. After all the cheap scare tactics and bloody appendages, the story abruptly ends with what could be discerned as a setup for a sequel. Or just the end product of the filmmakers being too lazy to finish the script. Either way, I need a long-needed break from fangs or anyone named Edward. 

Rating: 1½ stars

Paranormal Activity

Release Date: Oct 02, 2009 

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.

Director: Oren Peli 

Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Amber Armstrong, Ashley Palmer.

Word of caution, this film is not for the faint of heart or health. From shaky camera angles to eerie silences, there's no need for gore or masked killers to make this film psychologically terrifying. Even the most subtle movements can leave a person paranoid to be alone. Newbie director, Oren Peli, makes great use of what he has: low budget, no namers, and a creaky house. The couple's emotions, while tense and erratic, come off as genuinely unscripted. The only drawback to the film may be all the built-up suspense for the finale, in which it ends abruptly. Nevertheless, the looming black screen with no end credits leaves enough room for guess work and the inevitable wave of uncertainty. Makes you think twice about any bumps in the night. 

Rating: 4 stars