Review: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

Movie: Paranormal Activity
MPAA Rating: R for language
Running Time: 90 minutes (a guesstimate, because IMDb has the running time listed at 99 minutes and the film itself is much shorter than that)
Stars: Micah Sloat, Katie Featherston
Writer/Director: Oren Peli

My review for this much-buzzed about movie is gonna be quite short, because, if you're at all interested in seeing the movie chances are you've either seen it or know all there is to know about it. Plus, I have zero intentions on giving a plot synopsis based on the fact that I think anyone who sees this movie should know very little about the film to get the full effect (that's not gonna happen now though with the aforementioned hype). I will say though that the film is definitely one of the better horror films I've seen in the last 5-10 years (those who know me, know that I'm not that big on horror to begin with) and the low budget aesthetic that the small cast and crew work with is extremely effective in conveying sheer terror not only on the characters but in the poor saps in the audience. I very rarely get scared or shaken up after watching a movie, but I will admit that I got creeped out watching "Paranormal Activity". There are parts that seem a little hokey, and will cause unintentional laughs but those are pushed aside midway into the movie. The things I loved most about the movie aside from the low budget thrills, would have to be the lack of gore and bad acting. It goes to show that gore when used well is fine but is not always needed (and sure isn't scary). All I will say is that if you've been looking for a good creepy movie to see with your significant other or on a date, THIS is the movie you take them too. Go see this as soon as humanly possible, you will not regret it.

3.5/5 stars.

Mini Review: ZOMBIELAND

Movie: Zombieland
MPAA Rating: R for horror violence/gore and language
Running time: 80 minutes
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin
Writers: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Director: Ruben Fleischer

The zombie comedy has been done before. For the most part, it's been done very well. This movie continues in that tradition but does it match up to the bar set by cult classics like "Shaun of the Dead"?

The movie suffers a little bit from "everything funny in the trailer" syndrome. There are a few more laughs in there but they are very few and far between sadly. So as a comedy it works, but at the same time it doesn't. As a fun, balls out zombie movie, it succeeds fairly well. Harrelson owns the screen every time he's on it, Eisenberg does his typical Michael Cera-lite impression annoyingly well and both Stone and Breslin work with what they're given. The directing by feature film first-timer Fleischer (who only has a couple Jimmy Kimmel Live episodes under his belt) is flashy and highly stylized and works well with the sweet slo-mo editing. If you're looking for a fun, but sorta flawed horror comedy, then nut up, shut up and get your butt to the theater and check this flick out.

3 out of 5 stars.