Paranormal Acitivity

A film which has terrified audiences and delighted Hollywood money-men with its "realistic", steady-cam approach and miniscule budget, initially had me as skeptical as Richard Dawkins flicking through the Book of Genesis. I wasn't a fan of the film's spiritual predecessor, The Blair Witch Project, with it's limp pace and lack of any true horror but it did introduce the new(ish) dimension of the home-movie-esque presentation which has been used to great effect in subsequent films such as Cloverfield, REC and to some extent Diary of the Dead.

It is this technique that is PA's greatest asset. Unlike the three students lost in the woods, PA puts the audience in a much more familiar environment for most of it's 92mins - that of a couple's bedroom. Such a setting toys with the very base of our hierarchy of needs and wants, that of sanctuary and evokes many an unsure moment from our childhood when things going bump in the night spun our imaginations out of control. This coupled with the now overly-familiar low-res shots witnessed in every reality tv show makes for an experience that is incredibly tangible, creating the suspension of disbelief that is required in all good horror films.

That is not to say it isn't without its flaws. The film lurches along for most of the first half. Proceedings do ramp-up significantly towards the end of the second act at which point the escalation of events either makes or breaks the suspense depending on your point of view. It certainly doesn't leave any questions unanswered! Which is all I'll say.

A rare example of a modern supernatural tale which doesn't ape a dozen others or resort to being a gore-filled nonsense, crafting the necessary tension and executing it's scares with a subtle touch.

Movie Round up

Let the Right One In (2008 /Sweden)

It’s rare a film captures the imagination and lives in the memory but this haunting and moving horror does just that and with aplomb. Such a well crafted piece, from the deft camerawork to the performances from the two young leads. A subtle and poignant masterpiece and easily my film of the year so far.

Snakes on a Plane (2006 / USA)

A one joke romp that is quite amusing at times (the perverse snake attacks are a blast) but once it gets into disaster movie territory its all downhill - a very steep hill that ends at the bottom of the barrel.

Valkyrie (2008 / USA)

Spins a good yarn (shame we already know the ending though!) but skips along far too lightly considering the subject matter seemingly more intent on keeping up the pace than focussing on some scenes that should have reeked with tension. An opportunity lost maybe but not a total disappointment.

X-Men 2 (2003 / USA)

A welcome break from the Superheroes Vs Supervillians formula with a clever(ish) plot that’s more successful than the well intended third film. Easily the best of the three X-Men and up there with the Spiderman movies on the superhero pantheon.

More Movies!

Crank 2: High Voltage (2009 / USA)

An even more inane film than its hi-octane predecessor with a similar mix of preposterous macho nonsense and dry humour. It’s all good fun though even if it does push the viewers’ tolerance on a few occasions.

Angels and Demons (2009 / USA)

An easy on the eye thriller with a good pace but a lack of believable characters. Enjoyable enough romp though.

Stranger than Fiction (2006 / USA)

Offbeat comedy that has its moments of bittersweet romance and surreal humour as well as some more interesting existential dilemmas. A relaxingly light watch despite the subject matter.

The Island (2005 / USA)

Overly long sci-fi conspiracy-thriller that never makes full use of some of its better ideas. Full of generic action scenes and uninspired dialogue - Logan’s Run it is not.

Hellraiser (1987 / UK)

Dark and sinister horror with an intriguing plot, utterly disturbing imagery and amazing special effects. Slightly dubious ending but an absolute classic none the less.

Movie Round Up

The Wrestler (2008 / USA)

Bleak and despairing drama with some of the most miserable backdrops in any film. The outstanding performances from the two leads make what otherwise may have become a sentimental slush-fest into some truly believable scenes. Worthy of its many plaudits.

Severance (2006 / UK)

Disastrous comic horror with utterly feeble jokes and no sense of originality. There are some slightly redeeming “anti-cliché” scenes towards the end but if you make it that far is another matter.

Cronos (1993 / Mexico)

Unconventional horror with strong characters and that dreamlike atmosphere Del Toro is so good at. The revelations are fairly predictable but the sound delivery and the quirky charm of it all makes for a little gem of a movie.

Bride of Re-Animator (1991 / USA)

Almost on a par with the original in terms of gore and humour. An even more tongue-in-cheek affair with some surprisingly good effects.

Movie Round Up

The Unborn (2009/USA)

Below average supernatural horror. Maintains a decent sense of momentum but rethreads too much old ground and rarely provides a much needed fright.

Spiderman 2 (2004/USA)

A well measured and expertly crafted superhero romp. The love story can get a bit twee and it’s fairly slow paced but it has bags of character and delivers the action at the right times. It mightn’t be as spectacular as some of its genre contemporaries but it has what most of them don’t - a coherent plot! A worthy sequel to the genre defining original.

Spiderman 3 (2007/USA)

A faster, more action-packed film than #2. Like the predecessors it develops the existing characters well and introduces some interesting new ones. There are a couple of disappointing sub-plots that let the film down somewhat but it re-dresses the balance with a grand-slam finale.

Black Book (2006/Nederlands)

A thrilling WWII drama/adventure that is refreshingly different despite covering a lot of well-explored territory. The plot has a great balance of pace mixing suspense and action with twists and turns aplenty. The fantastic performance of Carice van Houten in the lead role only added to what is a thoroughly enjoyable film.

The Interpreter (2005/USA)

Below-par political thriller that takes an age to get into gear and when it does it only delivers one truly suspenseful scene and a laughable conclusion. The attempt to contrive a chemistry between Penn and Kidman was cringeworthy.

When a Stranger Calls (2006/USA)

Terrible horror/thriller that is stupendously sluggish and can’t even get it’s clichés right!

Movie Round Up

My Little Eye (UK/USA 2002)

The reality TV scenario provides a great backdrop for skilfully crafted tension percolated with some great jumps and surprises. The audience is kept guessing right up to the twists in the finale in what is a superior horror.







Sex Drive (USA/2008)

Above average teen comedy whose characters help redress the balance of the generic plot. The obnoxious older-brother steels the show but is unfortunately not featured a lot. The comedy element begins to run out of steam towards the end, when the inevitable romance takes over, but its amusing whilst it lasts.






Dead or Alive (Japan/2000)

Wacky characters and an even stranger sense of humour are what you expect from Takashi Miike, and this Yakuza tale is no different. After an incomprehensible opening, the plot takes a while to come together but what it lacks in pace it makes up for with atmosphere.








Suspiria (Italy/1977)

All the effort in this dull horror appears to have gone on set design and mood lighting. The best moments are saved for the final 20mins or so but the viewer will be quite weary of the pathetic attempts to create suspense they’ve had to endure for the previous hour or so.







The International (USA/Germany /2009)

This pseudo-intelligent thriller disappoints on all fronts. It drags the audience by the nose through an irksome plot at an unbearably pedestrian pace. It is riddled with pointless and ill-conceived scenes that can’t cover the cracks of this clueless mish-mash of a film.





The Ruins (USA /2008)

A grizzly horror with some great gorey moments and a couple of well thought-out scenes. A good pace coupled with the lingering tension makes for a movie that will appease horror fans.

Movie Reviews

Slumber Party Massacre 2 (USA/1987)

Disastrous mish-mash of a music video and teen slasher. Having an extra from Grease as the killer is bad enough but when the 50’s rock n’roll pastiche kicks in before each slaying it becomes unbearable. Awful (and not in a good way!)

Death Race (USA/2008)

90% of this film consists of cars with guns, shooting each other and crashing. It manages to get away with it, although the action scenes are a bit of a mixed bag, as it’s just so unashamedly convoluted and silly. More could’ve been made of the media aspect of the reality tv show but I don’t think this was a project which was open to such things as satire and wit.

Taken (France/USA 2008)

Standard thriller that “does exactly what it says on the tin”. Not too many surprises in what is a solid movie (even if it does stretch your suspension of disbelief at times) with some good camerawork – particularly in the fight scenes.

Choke (USA/2008)

Laid back comedy-drama that casts a psychological insight into the life of the morally bankrupt protagonist. Some fine performances from the supporting cast (as equally disturbed individuals) adds much needed gravity to the fantastical plot. Thoroughly enjoyable.

They Live (USA/1988)

Satirical sci-fi that has a strong anti-consumerism message. The subliminal-message visuals, the impoverished 80’s setting and the doses of black comedy all aid the satire in what is a very entertaining film.

Movie Round-up

Gremlins (1988/USA) The splicing of proper horror and black comedy into what is, for all intents and purposes, a children’s film can sometimes feel out of place but it comes off with great success. Some of the later scenes are more akin to a macabre take on the Muppets but it still stands up today. A true 80’s classic.






The Incredible Hulk (2008/USA) This begins with the promise of a more considered, humanistic look at the superhero genre (and the casting of Norton as the protagonist certainly aided that). Unfortunately, as it progresses it only becomes more bound by convention with the final scenes resembling a WWE travesty.






Iron Man (2008/USA) With strong, bold characters and a plot revolving around reformation this should have the perfect recipe for a solid superhero jaunt but alas it falls short of the mark. The lack of a real nemesis (cardboard cut-out Middle-Eastern terrorists anyone?!) and the dull action scenes let it down making it just another average Marvel vehicle.






Ultraviolet (2006/USA) Although visually interesting, theres little to recommend about this style-over-substance sci-fi. The fight scenes are a particular disappointment with overly-choreographed prancing the order of the day.








X-Men: The Last Stand (2006/USA) With an established franchise behind it, this 3rd X-Men film had the license to attempt a different approach. The moral dilemma (of a “cure” for the mutants) that pervades the film is certainly interesting but rarely explored in much depth but it does help to keep proceedings ticking over nicely….until we get to the travesty of a final battle(why cant they get these things right?). Overall another “almost”.

Movie Round Up

The Bourne Identity (2002/USA)

A superior action-thriller that manages to stay grounded at all times despite the conspiracy-theory nature of the plot. The stunts, particularly the car-chases and the fisticuffs, are executed with aplomb and add to the gritty nature of the film. A must watch.

The Bourne Supremacy (2005/USA)

A rarity – a sequel that manages to equal the heights of the original. Marginally less gritty as some Bond-esque gadgets and shenanigans are introduced but they certainly don’t detract anything. The sentimental elements, also, only serve to bolster what is already a strong plot.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007/USA)

A faster-paced affair than the two prequels. A couple of the characters aren’t quite as strong as in the previous films and the flashbacks/memory-recovery scenes can be a bit much but that is really just nit-picking. Continues the lineage with great success containing all of the elements that make the previous films great.

Transporter 3 (2008/France)

Another slickly put-together action film that does justice to the Transporter canon. Forgoing the OTT nature of the second film in a return to the basics it could easily underwhelm. However, the action scenes are as high-octane as ever (bar the disappointing finale) and Statham fans (myself included) will lap it up.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994/USA)

Self-referential and contrived sequel to the horror classic that revives some of the unnerving nature of the original. It struggles to remain coherent at times and ends poorly but it entertains for the most part.

Vacancy 2 (2009/USA)

The original Vacancy was filled with tension and frights but this prequel idea really doesn’t work as the focus is shifted to the perpetrators rather than the victims. This removes any horror as the audience witnesses the bumbling incompetence of those that are meant to be terrifying!

Movie Views

REC (2007 / Spain) Another horror that uses the handycam/point-of-view style to great effect and manages to be gripping and claustrophobic due to it. Although not entirely original it still contains a few fresh ideas for a genre that has begun to stagnate







Logan’s Run (1976 / USA) Classic Sci-fi adventure that still stands up today. As thought provoking as it is obscure, its filled with abstract moments and existential dilemmas, presented with a beautifully pseudo-futuristic/psychedelic sheen. Epic stuff.







Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007 / USA) The structure of this film can be summarised thus: Act1 – Nothing happens, Act 2 – Something is going to happen (but not quite yet), Act 3 – Something happens. Even when the action gets going it is hardly noteworthy and certainly does little to redress the balance of the opening hour of dross.





Sweet House of Horrors (1989 / Italy) To say this is Lucio Fulci’s worst film is really saying something! It begins with the usual key elements of gore, unusual camerawork, poor dubbing and some 70’s synth soundtack. The majority from there on in is more akin to a dull children’s fairytale. Unequivocally awful.







The Deaths of Ian Stone (2007 / UK/USA) The confusion and pace for the first half of this sci-fi/horror serves to generate a decent amount of intrigue (akin to a typical J-Horror). Unfortunately the confusion turns to bewilderment and things get a bit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. Still, a novel premise and it has its moments.

Movie Round Up

Evil Dead 2 (1987/USA)
Disappointing re-hash of the classic original leaning more towards comedy rather than horror. Still contains some hilarious moments and entertainingly gorey scenes

Doomsday (2008/UK)
Silly but largely fun sci-fi adventure that borrows heavily from the likes of Mad Max, Escape from New York, Aliens – to name but a few. Quite slick considering the low-budget but far too derivative to stand out.

Burn After Reading (2008/USA)
As entertaining as you would expect from the Coens in their take on mid-life crises and infidelity. A reliance on the base humour elements, however, overshadows the wittier moments which are few and far between. Some great characters and good performances make it worth a watch.

Dead Man’s Shoes (2004/UK)
Tense, dark and brutal at times, this solid drama delivers on a lot of fronts. The superbly crafted balance between the genuinely disturbing and the darkly comic makes for a poignant piece of filmmaking.

Toolbox Murders (2003/USA)
Dull remake that fails to make use of a decent premise. A chore to watch - Hang your head Tobe Hooper