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Old 02-06-12, 09:53 AM
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Paranormal Activity Series

This film series got by me, haven't seen any of them

Is it a higher budget/better made series than your normal straight to video series ? Like Final Destination ?

Worth watching ?
Old 02-06-12, 10:17 AM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I doubt if there is much budget at all considering the type of movie it is, so you can't really compare it budget-wise to something like Final destination.
If the trailer interests you then it should be worth watching.
FWIW, I have seen the first two and like them (the first much more than the second, though).
Old 02-06-12, 10:36 AM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I know they aren't FX orientated horror, more psychological, what i mean more is they arent low budget rubbish
Old 02-06-12, 12:25 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Original Desmond
I know they aren't FX orientated horror, more psychological, what i mean more is they arent low budget rubbish
I found the first to be a better Blair Witch, which I also enjoyed.

Haven't seen the next two but I've heard they are similar in quality.
Old 02-06-12, 12:30 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

The first two are top notch in my book. They totally work.

The third is good, but not up to level of the first two in some ways.
Old 02-06-12, 12:32 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Original Desmond
Is it a higher budget/better made series than your normal straight to video series ?
The budget on the first one was $15,000. That's right, fifteen thousand dollars.
Old 02-06-12, 03:56 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Numanoid
The budget on the first one was $15,000. That's right, fifteen thousand dollars.
The first sequel only cost $3 million whereas the second sequel only cost $5 million.

The first film is considered by most to be a modern day horror classic.

The second film has a love/hate relationship with critics and fans. It's the weakest reviewed entry in the franchise for good reason as its a rehash of the first film with more money behind it.

The third film is far superior and possibly the most entertaining of the franchise as the filmmakers just said, "Fuck it!" and made an 80-minute cinematic equivalent to a carnival ride.
Old 02-06-12, 04:49 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I'm surprised how many people I know say that the third is their favorite one, especially the ones who don't care for others in the series. I find that all of these films are very divisive, though. There are people who really enjoy the series and others who HATE it. But the haters seem to hate the films less as they go along and save extra hate for the first one. I don't get that. Personally, I would rank them 1-3-2, but I think they're all solid for what they are.
Old 02-06-12, 05:55 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

2-1-3 for me. I thought the second smartly expanded on the threadbare plot of the first, and I liked the family a lot more than the asshole boyfriend in the first film. The third isn't quite as good as the first two, but it has maybe the best sequence of the whole series.
Old 02-06-12, 08:10 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

They're lame. A dumb fad hardly worth the trouble.
Old 02-20-12, 12:05 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Meh. Just rented the third one. They're all the same to me.

The question I keep asking is why do these guys all keep messing with spirits and why did they all hook up with pretty fuggly women?
Old 02-20-12, 01:01 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Pizza the Hutt
They're lame. A dumb fad hardly worth the trouble.
Thank you. I saw the first one and didn't know what all the fuss was about until I saw all the names tacked on to the credits. The fuss was everybody wanted their name on the end of a movie, not on how good the movie was.

I saw the first one and sat all the way through, not interested in the other two.
Old 02-20-12, 01:04 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I still haven't seen the 3rd one but I've enjoyed the first two for what they are: low budget, jump scare flicks.

If anyone goes in expecting detailed continuity or an epic ghost story they'll be disappointed.
Old 02-20-12, 01:06 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I enjoyed the first movie. Haven't seen the other two but I would try out the second movie
Old 02-20-12, 01:15 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Don't particularly care for these flicks one way or the other, but if I happen to flip to one while channel-surfing, I'll inevitably stop and watch for at least ten or fifteen minutes just for Katie's boobs.

Old 02-20-12, 01:17 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ
I still haven't seen the 3rd one but I've enjoyed the first two for what they are: low budget, jump scare flicks.

If anyone goes in expecting detailed continuity or an epic ghost story they'll be disappointed.
Trust me I'm not expecting much, but this is definitely a "seen it once, seen it a 100 times" deal. It relies on cheap scares and over-the-top endings.

I only paid a buck to see it, so no harm no foul.
Old 02-20-12, 01:17 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

1-2-3 for me.

I enjoy them all. I find the first to be far scarier because it doesn't give away a lot of the WHY behind the activity. The randomness of it spooked me. Now they have gone into more detail and it loses a bit because of it, but what the hell? They are still fun to watch to me.
Old 02-20-12, 01:44 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by madcougar
Trust me I'm not expecting much, but this is definitely a "seen it once, seen it a 100 times" deal. It relies on cheap scares and over-the-top endings.
One of the things I didn't care for in the first two (and I'm guessing the 3rd one based on the TV ads) is the over the top endings. I think what makes these movies so unnerving to some (obviously not everybody cares for them) is how they play on your fears from an everyday standpoint. The relationships in the films are normal, the houses are normal, and the characters lives are normal. It's not a leap at all to be able to put yourself in their situations and feel their fear. Having multiple murders, houses burning down, etc. at the end kind of ruins that feeling that it's our lives we're watching.
Old 02-20-12, 02:33 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Very good series but haven't seen the 3rd yet.
Old 02-20-12, 03:41 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ
One of the things I didn't care for in the first two (and I'm guessing the 3rd one based on the TV ads) is the over the top endings. I think what makes these movies so unnerving to some (obviously not everybody cares for them) is how they play on your fears from an everyday standpoint. The relationships in the films are normal, the houses are normal, and the characters lives are normal. It's not a leap at all to be able to put yourself in their situations and feel their fear. Having multiple murders, houses burning down, etc. at the end kind of ruins that feeling that it's our lives we're watching.
Then you REALLY REALLY won't like the ending of the thrid one.

That's all I'm gonna say.
Old 02-20-12, 03:57 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan Jabroni
Then you REALLY REALLY won't like the ending of the thrid one.

That's all I'm gonna say.
Agreed.

Although some people would bend over backwards for this type of silly ending.
Old 02-20-12, 07:36 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Supermallet
2-1-3 for me. I thought the second smartly expanded on the threadbare plot of the first, and I liked the family a lot more than the asshole boyfriend in the first film.
Completely agree.
Old 02-20-12, 09:08 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Only seen the first and did not like it.
Loved The Blair Witch Project.
Old 02-20-12, 09:35 PM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

I'm definitely the wrong person to talk to when it comes to these films.....they could be the worst films ever made and I would still recommend them highly.

I've never loved a horror franchise like this one ever since being a fan of horror flicks in general.

Not quite sure what it is but I guess I like the realism they try to go for.

The third is actually a little disturbing to me...yes the first two had some decent disturbing scenes but the third one just seems....damn mean.

I personally love this seies and hope it keeps going.
Old 02-21-12, 12:28 AM
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Re: Paranormal Activity Series

Originally Posted by Rival11
I'm definitely the wrong person to talk to when it comes to these films.....they could be the worst films ever made and I would still recommend them highly.

I've never loved a horror franchise like this one ever since being a fan of horror flicks in general.

Not quite sure what it is but I guess I like the realism they try to go for.

The third is actually a little disturbing to me...yes the first two had some decent disturbing scenes but the third one just seems....damn mean.

I personally love this seies and hope it keeps going.
Exactly how I feel about the series. I can watch any number of slasher films or any other horror film and not move a muscle. However, watching the PA series with volume turned all the way up, scares the heck out of me. Little things like pictures falling off walls, toys moving, etc scare me.


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