Paranormal activity!

So scariest movie of all time or just a bunch of hype!!

Well paranormal activity wont win any prizes for originality. The concept that a couple of lovers are plagued by some paranormal is hardly new, but This is definitely a new slant on it

Going for the Blair witch approach, the film is made up of "found" footage that the couple have recorded themselves in an attempt to document the disturbances and get to the bottom of it

Micah and Katie (the actors real names) have decided to set up a camera in their bedroom and see if they capture anything, what starts off as the occasional door movement and noise from downstairs soon escalates to something more sinister. Micah being the over-cocky protective boyfriend believes he can solve the problem himself, although Katie believes he is doing more harm than good.

So the real strength of the film lies in its ability to allow the audiences imagination run wild. The still camera in the bedroom leads to your eyes doing all the work, scanning the room for any sign of movement. The fact that you never see anything just adds to the tension. Something is clearly toying with this couple and the action builds up a massive sense of unease.

All the paranormal activity happens at night, and the days acts as respite for the two, However as the happenings get worse, the frights start to bleed into the daytime hours as the couple, and especially Katie run out of ideas and sanity.

The film is an astonishing achievement, to make such a fantastic film for such a low budget is credit to the director, and to make the film so watchable, and so scary, is a credit to the actors who have you believing that they are really in danger.

The film isn't all scares and has some lighter moments at the beginning. Micah's acquisition of the camera sees him dial up the charm in an attempt to get Katy to star in a home movie, but the laughs soon dry up as the fear sets in.

Is is the scariest film ever? It depends what you believe. Someone who doesn't believe in ghosts of paranormal activity will have no problem dismissing the whole thing, however if you do have even the smallest doubt then this film will unearth it. Personally I had trouble sleeping after this film, and I think that is the best review i can give a horror films

I would urge everyone to check this out for themselves

5/5

The Twilight Saga - New Moon

Its finally here...

At the radio warrington movie show we know all about how crazy passionate the fans of the Twilight books and the first film are, the dvd hasnt been out of the top 5 since we started the show. So we know all about the crazy expectation for this film

However, just like the first film. I went in to the screening without having read the books, and just like the first film I was pleasently surprised by the film. I think New Moon is a far superior film to Twilight

So for those that dont know the story. Edward is a vampire, Bella is his girlfriend. After an incident at a family party Edward decides its not safe for them to be together, so he leaves, leaving Bella heartbroken. She takes comfort in the arms of her best friend Jacob, who has grown buff over the summer and just so happens to be a werewolf, but when Edward mistakenly thinks Bella is dead he decides to end his own life. Leaving her in a race against time and with a massive choice to make

So the central theme of the film revolves around this supernatural menage a trois involving Bella, Jacob and Edward and all actors step up in this film. Just the hard work alone that Taylor Lautner must of put in to get that toned for the role and Kristen Swanson does heartbroken very well. Even Robert Pattinson makes the most of what little screentime he gets. There is also a great cast to back them up with Michael Sheen and Ashley Greene being the pick of the rest

There is just so much more to get your teeth into (whether your a vampire OR werewolf) but I think if you go in expecting a massive supernatural movie then you may be a little dissapointed

The film is ultimately a romance. Its about star-crossed lovers, it even references romeo and juliet with Edward quoting Shakespeare in class. The film definitely works as a love story first and a supernatural film second. The film will also split people. Personally I think males are more declined to be sympathetic towards Jacob who helps Bella get over Edward, and the females will swoon over Edward as he can do no wrong coz oooh hes a vampire

That aside, I think the story stands up, Ive been told its quite true to the book, and the special effects look a lot neater that first suggested in some trailers. The inclusions of the Voltari at the end seems a bit brief, but Michael Sheen does his best to steal every secen hes in, and he definitely does weird and creepy very well in this

Overall I dont really think you can go wrong with this film, whatever I say, if youre a fan you will go see it anyway, and if your not you will probably be put off by all the hype that surrouds it, but its well worth a watch


4/5

2012

Do you get the feeling that when the world finally ends, Roland Emmerich will be stood there gleefully rubbing his hands saying "I told you so"? After all he pretty much has all bases covered, whether it be Alien attack, Global warming or ancient Mayan prophecies, he has to be right with one of them!!!

2012 is the latest disaster movie from the king of disaster movies and it follows very similar themes as his other films, although I think its unfair to say this is a re-hashing. What is fair to say though, is that if you loved independence day then there is no way you can't love this film.

2012 follows the Mayan prophecy that in December 2012, the world will end. This starts by the warming of the sun heating the earths core, which causes giant earthquakes, volcanoes and tidal waves

As with all of Emmerich's films though, this follows the human story behind the event. Mostly focussing on little known writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) who is trying to spend time with his ex wife and kids and feeling increasingly frustrated as the new man in the picture seems like more of a father figure to his kids than he is.

We also follow scientist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as he tries to predict the path of the devastation only to find the governemnt already knew more about this that previous thought

The cast is great with Ejiofor and Cusack leading the way, but they also get great support from Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet and The brilliant Woody Harrelsons crazy radio broadcaster

Followers of Emmerich's films wont be dissapointed by its content, you know its going to explore a few father/son relationships (and father/daughter), you know there is going to be more than one rousing speech about humanity, and you know there will be a dog in peril that just about escapes with his life

These have become Emmerichs trademarks, but they all work. The story may be slightly long, and the ending seemes to go on forever, but as a race, do we really want to go out with a bang or a whimper

As far as summer popcorn movies (bit late for summer i know, but humour me) this is one of the finest of the year, its big, bold, brash and cheesey, but perfect way to pass a few hours. This will do massive at the box office due to the special effect, I mean, who doesn't want to see the world get destroyed, safe in the knowledge you will still be sleeping safe that night

As for Emmerich, this may be his final hurrah, I mean how many times can you destroy earth. At least he has made sure that this time, he did it properly


4/5

Clash of the titans trailer online

Exactly what it says on the tin

check out the new classh of the titans trailer

Jennifer's Body

Jnnifer's Body is the latest film from Oscar winning writer of Indie hit 'Juno', Diablo Cody

Directed By Karyn Kusama and starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfriend the film is a Horror comedy with a twist

Jennifer (Fox) is the most popular girl is school, but when she becomes an unwitting sacrafice for a rock band that thinks the only way to chart success is by doing deals with the devil, all hell is unleashed on the quiet little twon of Devils Kettle.

To describe the film as a Horror comedy is about right. Its definitely Horror first and comedy second and the film is quite gruesome and bloody for what is essentially a teen flick.

Megan Fox seems pretty at ease playing the pretty girl who uses her sexually to get what she wants (funny that) but the real star and main character is Amanda Seyfried. As Jennifer's best friend Needy, she has the majority of the plot and makes the most of it

What i really like about the film is how despite what you have seen in the trailer, you are still kept wondering whats going on. The film starts at the end and then plots out how we got to that point, and its seems its poor Needy that has got the worse deal out of this whole bloody mess

Anyway, this film is never going to win an oscar, and I suspect Diablo Cody knew that when writing it, but if you are after a good old fashioned Horror film with plenty of teen wit thrown in for good measure this is it. It would be horror comedy of the year except for the brilliant Zombieland. But just like Needys character, its going to have to learn to play second fiddle...for now at least


4/5

The imaginarium of Doctor Panassus

A film by Heath Ledger and friends...

and thats how the film will probably be remembered.

The latest film by visionary director Terry Gilliam could easily of been left on the scrap heap. Not many films endure the death of a lead actor during filming and still go on to complete it. and according to Gilliam this was (almost) no exception. Heath Ledgers untimely death rocked all the cast and left Gilliam mourning the death of his friend and his film.

After a rethink (and a re-write) it was decided that with the help of some friends(not bad when your friends are Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farell) they would complete it as an epitaph to ledger

So the burning question is does it work? well funnily enough yes. I guess fantasy is the only medium where they could easily get away with it without it feeling contrived.

As for the film itself, it is visually stunning, often abstract and very Gilliam. There are great performances from Christopher Plummer, Andrew Garfield and Lily Cole. And Verne Troyer adds some good comic relief.

The film isnt perfect, but what film is. I think the movie stands as a remarkable achievement considering the tragic circumstances around it, and although not Ledger greatest performance. The films as a whole, finished by his friends who gave their fees to a fund for his daughter, is a worthy tribute to one of the finest young actors who died too young!!!


well worth a watch


4/5