Despite the internet pannings on facebook horror groups I'm in, I have to say this isn't a bad movie, I'm not sure whether I'd really call it horror, maybe more of a mystery/ thriller or something that does have some dark subject matter, and I think there-in lies the problem. People must be hoping for something gorier or faster paced and that's where I think it looses fans.
I found this one quite interesting as it followed the plight of three young filmmakers, Heather, Mike and Josh investigating mysterious 'occult' happenings / killings connected with witches in a rural American town in Maryland. The filmmakers eventually get lost on their investigative trackings and the tension between the three begins to mount as tempers and tension flares up. Eventually they all crack in their own ways. The footage is recovered a year later and basically that's what we see as the film. The film takes the concept of found footage (as seen in films like "Cannibal Holocaust") a step further as the found footage basically becomes the film. For what its worth you can feel the tension grow and the acting seems to hold up quite well given the plot of the film. I found it to be enjoyable (though not a classic)
With no known actors or any real special effects this film would have been produced on a miniscule budget (later found out to be around $60k) and grossing an unexpected $240+ million world wide this is an undoubted and somewhat unlikely success for the film makers and a cash cow for the investors. I can't think of any film produced on such a small budget that went on to achieve anything like the success this film has achieved.
As said before this isn't the fastest paced film and neither is it packed full of gore. But if you're in the mood for something more in a mystery vein this is a pretty cool film!
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This one centres in on couple Katie and Micha who have been experiencing 'something not quite right' with the house they are in... is it haunted? Posessed? The couple aren't overly worried at this point, as Katie has has experienced some level of supernatural activity much of her life from childhood onwards... and really, it's just the odd 'clunky' noise and things moving in the night... The couple decide to investigate what is going in in their house, Micha decides to start recording the goings on in the house via and old video camera and bit by bit stuff starts getting weirder.
Micha who is new to the whole paranormal thing thinks its all fun and games, but Katie starts to think maybe they are pushing whatever is in their house too far especially when Micha starts messing with an ouija board.
This is a rather well layed out movie shot in the 'found footage' style of film that had become a bit of a thing at the time. While there's no level of gore or horror in this film, it is a well made and captivating and riveting watch the whole time. If you've ever experienced things going bump in the night at your place this will hit you a psychological level. Nothing in this film comes across to me as contrived or cheesy. Katie is super-cute too which makes the viewing rather easy on the eyes as well....
EDIT: This movie really impressed me! As a side note, I decided to do some research on the film and it turns out (well, according to wikipedia) that this was the most profitable film ever made when based on a costs v return ratio as the film would have cost virtually nothing to make yet made a huge impact at the box office. It proves to me that one person can do a lot with a shoe-string budget and only 7 days to work with, my hat comes off to you Mr. Peli... you have created a masterpeice!
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