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EXCLUSIVE: So say my Paramount insiders about the $15,000 thriller that's been in national release for only 5 weekends and began its distribution being shown at midnight only in a handful of college towns. This pic is one of the biggest entertainment stories of 2009 for sure. “What is truly amazing about PARANORMAL ACTIVITY is the depth of commitment from fans who demanded to see it,” said Paramount Pictures Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brad Grey in a statement to be released later today. “Adam Goodman, our head of production, believed in the film and championed it from the very first screening. This box-office milestone is also a testament to Oren Peli’s considerable talents as a filmmaker. All of us at Paramount are proud to have been involved with his revolutionary project.” Directed, written and produced by Oren Peli, Paranormal Activity stars Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. The film was produced by Jason Blum. Steven Schneider served as executive producer. MORE
'Paranormal Activity' Crosses $100M Cume: Top Grossing "R" Thriller Of Past Decade
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I finally saw this movie – and I gave it an open mind.
IT IS AWFUL.
The actors are fairly poor, there is no payoff, no creativity in the camera work…WORSE than Blair Witch, which at least had better actors and a forest atmosphere.
This is a masterpiece of marketing, nothing more
I’ll be real, I don’t regret seeing it at all. Yeah, it isn’t the scariest movie I’ve ever seen or made, but it was very enjoyable.
Since when aren’t films a Masterpiece of marketing? People that say these kinds of things usually aren’t film makers, or artists. This is every indie filmmakers dream come true and a break from the formulaic arc plot that tends to be monotonous after a while. “Paranormal Activity” is a testament, that – it – is – possible – for an independent film maker to make something/good enough/to get a studios attention.
Ad by “produced” you mean put his name on it after it was already filmed and finished.
Met him briefly; seems like a decent guy.
Don’t hate.
Much credit for Paranormal’s phenomenal success should be attributed to Amy Powell, VP of interactive marketing, who is behind the movie’s Demand It campaign.
The little film that saved Brad Grey’s job?
You must be Amy Powell’s personal publicist. Yes, pretty sure she is the only interactive marketing person to hire their own PR person. I hear it helps get you mentioned in all the news stories
Look towards other people on the Paramount/DreamWorks team for this success, and don’t read…nor write…Powell’s press clippings
Scariest movie I’ve ever seen. Saw it two years ago at Slamdance. Knew nothing about it. I was practically begging them to stop it, I was so freaked out. I’m glad it’s doing so well.
I must say that its crazy and unbelievable thats this horrible and awful movie made millions the movie was one of the worst horror movies of all times it was the most disappointing movie i have seen this year so i think its also disappointing that it even crossed $100M what an outrage
Let’s get one thing straight – Jason Blum did NOT produce Paranormal Activity. he got involved after the film was already completed. Steve Schneider showed it to him, and to his credit, Jason believed in the film enough to pimp it to paramount who were cancelling his deal because he produced nothing for them in his multimillion dollar first look deal organized by his “friend” Bryan Lourd.
Jason championed a finished film, and demanded a producer dredit for his efforts – demeaning the credit entirely in common hollywood fashion.
TO his credit, the film worked, and his efforts in getting disribution were commendable – but the film itself had NOTHING to do with him.
It is easy to criticize the creative on the film, however it does have a certain brilliance about it.
It’s slow dull pacing in the end becomes the fourth character in a three character drama.
The camera locked down on the tripod in the bedroom for what feels like a fifth of the film in the end pays off Huge.
The two lead actors lack of acting. They seem to be hanging out. Ghosts of the late great John Cassavetes?
It is great that a film that costs 15k can be so successful.
Its NOT the top grossing horror film this decade!
The Ring is
It’s a gimmick, it has issues, but it works. It’s certainly no worse than the bloated, inane shit coming out of Hollywood that passes for movies these days. It is playful, has some genuine scares and shows moxie and ingenuity, which is more than you can say about the obscenely expensive Hollywood dreck. I saw it at the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center, as a part of their Halloween festival (like, highest-brow audience for this movie ever) and people had fun and they jumped and they screamed in bits. I’m glad it’s making tons of money.
Congratulations to the filmmakers! This is a major score for indie filmmakers everywhere. The movie is a great example of simplicity as Zen combined with an excellent marketing campaign.
So far on the Demand it link close to a hundred people have demand to have Paranormal Activiy open in Vicksburg Ms. It’s major problem with one cineman it holds over movies to long and that forces those here to go to Jackson to see it. As of today the old four screen cinema in the dead mall now has six films showing.One includes 2012 and Micheal Jackson’s This is It and Saw VI. They should be asking themselves how come hardly none of the locals don’t go to thier own cinema.
I’ll give credit where credit is due – like “Blair Witch” this film had crafty marketing and was scary in spots. But c’mon: “Oren Peli’s considerable talents as a filmmaker”? We’re talking a 15K home movie shot entirely in one location with nauseating shaky-cam (even worse than Blair Witch) and amateur acting. They said the same thing about the Blair Witch bunch and where are they? Let’s see what happens when this guy has a real budget and a film less reliant on gimmicks.
Good for them. It’s nice to see that sometimes filmmakers can go off on their own, make something and then actually find a way for Hollywood to take notice.
I’m well aware of the polarizing reviews of this film – as to be expected when a film is successful – but I’ve seen the film and I think it’s very well done. It’s not a masterpiece…but it’s fun and effective. The fact that viewers have responded to it all this time (the marketing machine can only drive it for so long) shows that there is a chance to make something different and find an audience.
Whether or not this director has anything else in him, or the ability to tell other stories – not really the point. The point is, the film is doing well and it should be celebrated.
And, if you hate it? Go out, pick up a camera and make a better movie! It’s clearly possible.
how about doing an expose on the real person who found it for paramount – executive ashley brucks…rather than giving credit to the big guys.
I agree. Ashley as the real person who brought this property to paramount. Besides, Oren and his cast of two, she deserves most of the credit!!!!
The moment that I became completely disengaged in the film: during the first consultation, Dr. Fredrichs (the psychic) declares “…and I make a living at this.”
Laughed out loud.
I hated this movie. It was boring, not scary and anticlimactic. Don’t believe the hype!
such a boring movie…
the trailer they show all the scary parts and when you see the movie, you expect to see more, but there is nothing, just a bunch of hype…
not even a bgrade movie.. i was very disappointed, the movie of the year is District 9 by far!!!!!!
I think, the guy being obsessed with the camera and filming absolutely everything that happened both makes the film good and bad. But sadly there are more bad and boring parts that there are good, scary and interesting parts. Although, I loved the ending.
It was a great movie, quite scary and well done.
The commenter’s above just want to sound super cool and really have nothing useful to say.
I loved this movie. It was exactly the movie I have been waited to see for years. I LOVE ghosts/aliens/demons movies, but I’m terrified of seeing them. The little girl from The Ring and the aliens from Signs make me crap my pants.
I’m so happy there’s FINALLY a film that shows all the scary stuff related to ghosts and demons without showing cheap in-your-face scares.
This movie scared the hell out of me, and I’m so glad I’m able to see it again and again!