Paranormal Activity Review

The horror genre of movies has seen a bit of a downslide recently. It has been abundantly clear as of late that horror movies are just not made without gratuitous amounts of gore and cheap scares. It is rare that a truly terrifying horror movie comes out to keep you awake without making horrifying creatures jump at the screen continuously.

Paranormal Activity is likely one the lowest budget films to hit theaters this year. It began and is still on a limited release, but this has not stopped it from transcending movies and making truly fear what you can’t see. The film follows a young couple who have recently moved in together as they encounter horrid and evil happenings in their new house. The girlfriend, Katie, has been plagued with this since childhood and her beau, Micah, finds this fascinating. He takes to document all of the paranormal activity with his camera equipment which serves as the viewpoint of the movie. This however, serves as my one picky complaint about the movie: it is presented as if they are home videos which were collected and compiled into this movie, but it still feels like a movie. One or two plot-points seem a bit too unrealistic to swallow; such as the inability to find another demonologist when the first one is out of town. However this small gripe should not detract from your enjoyment of the movie and some did not become apparent until the second time I watched it.

The characters are well rounded and believable, making their tale that much more frightening. They act and interact in realistic ways that will make you chuckle at points and sigh at others. The mocking attitude of Micah as he taunts the spirit is worth a few good laughs to break up the tension and the little squabbles that the couple has is easily relatable to real life. Most people can relate in some way to one of the characters’ behaviors, creating an unheard of level of immersion.

The scares in Paranormal Activity are more of a long-term commitment. There are only a handful of moments that will make you jump or scream, although it will make your jaw drop and spine shiver throughout. Violence is minimal and gore is practically nonexistent, but the terrorizing that the malevolent spirit does to the couple is affecting. Even the small occurrences will cause a loss of sleep as the story is told so convincingly, every viewer must ponder what they would do were they placed in this situation. You’ll leave questioning the lack of outright scares but still sleep with your lights on and double check your doors.

In closing, Paranormal Activity is an expertly crafted horror movie as well as simply an outstanding film. This rare gem should not be missed by any, horror fan or not. This is the horror film of the decade and should be celebrated for years to come.

Score: 9.5/10

By LostAddict1993

Author’s Note: Paranormal Activity is currently on a limited release so be sure to check with your local theater before rushing out to see it.

…Hi

Contrary to popular belief, I have not died. I have had chronic laziness combined with some tough classes. This post is merely saying that I have not died and I would like to offer my opinions on the current state of the video games industry (with side notes of course). Price drops are more “in” than Michael Jackson T-shirts. Every major home console has dropped their price recently. The most stunning and well timed was Sony’s. In addition to a new model, they made the PS3 affordable to a lot more people, including myself. I see myself in the near future purchasing a PS3 now. The 360 and Wii price drops seems like “me too” marketing, but necessary nonetheless. The Wii has a much higher crap to awesome rating than its two competitors combined, so it needed some sort of edge on Sony and Microsoft. Speaking of Microsoft, they seem to be inevitably tied to second place and they’ll continue to stay there unless Natal takes off, which I don’t think it will. Most people with a 360 viewed it as an FPS delivery system, not a way to play using your whole bodies. Well, that’s all I have to say, expect more posts in the future.

By JustMattPwn3r

Introduction

Hey, I’m Nate. I’ve been officially added as a new FrayedWire writer. Just a little introduction: I have the entire holy trinity (PS3/360/Wii) plus a PSP, DS, and gaming computer. I plan to roll out some of my past reviews for other sites this weekend but I take requests. So send me an email at lostaddict1993@gmail.com if you need anything. It’s great to join up and thanks, guys, for having me.

By LostAddict1993

What Does This Remind You Of?

I don’t mean to offend any of the victims or friends/family of victims of the 9/11 attacks, so please don’t take this the wrong way.

When I saw this trailer of the soon to be released children’s movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, I thought instantly of 9/11. Perhaps my picture comparison can show you why. Now, I don’t actually think any 9/11 imagery was put into the movie on purpose, but I have to wonder if the filmmakers sat down and thought about the fact that they planned on releasing a movie showing scenes of buildings getting annihilated by large flying objects exactly one week after the eight-year anniversary of the horrible 9/11 tragedy. Just a thought to leave you with, and hopefully a reminder to keep those affected by the attacks in your thoughts and prayers.

By Josh60502

My Top 5 Favorite Parts of Nintendo’s E3 09 Press Conference

Nintendo’s press conference was the one I was looking forward to the most, but not the one I expected the most out of. I’d say that this E3 was an improvement over last year’s for Nintendo, but they still put on a disappointing presentation. Cammy whatsername took the stage once again and repeatedly used the line “Everyone’s Game”, a phrase that emphasizes the casual market of gamers. There were a few cool surprises towards the end, but I am going to have a hard time picking out 5 good things from the conference nonetheless. Well, here I go:

#5. Golden Sun DS

I remember wanting to buy Golden Sun on the GBA a long time ago because I thought it looked so cool. I never actually did buy the game, but an interest in the series has stayed with me ever since. Golden Sun DS looks to be an epic DS RPG with great graphics… and it’s not even a Final Fantasy remake!

#4. WarioWare: DIY

This game looks like it’s essentially a WarioWare level creator and sharing device. If it is true that you can even create the means that your microgame is accomplished, then this DSiWare game is very cool indeed.

#3. Super Mario Galaxy 2

The announcement and trailer of Super Mario Galaxy 2 was probably the standout moment in this press conference for most people, but I was not completely drooling at the mouth when news of this game surfaced. Yeah, it will probably be another “masterpiece” like the first one, but I haven’t actually played the first one real deeply, so I don’t have much to be excited about. Still… it’s good to have masterpieces on the Wii.

#2. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: The Minis March Again

People have been waiting for a worthwile DSiWare game; a reason to buy a DSi and a leg up over the iPhone. I believe that the announcement of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: The Minis March Again shows that Nintendo is taking a step in the right direction. The level sharing possibilities are huge, and it doesn’t hurt the game is coming out next Monday.

#1. Metroid: Other M

This may be my number one favorite moment of the press conference, but it didn’t get me anywhere near as amazed as I was at Microsoft’s Project Natal. Still, for the hardcore Nintendo fans, this was the kind of trailer they were waiting for. The fact that Team Ninja is involved in the development is perhaps most surprising of all… I wonder if Nintendo will make them hold back the maturity, or if Metroid: Other M will feature excessive open body gore and beach volleyball scenes.

By Josh60502

Prestige Mode: Oh Yeah!!

This post is for all of you players of Call of Duty: World At War on the Nintendo Wii: I have reached Prestige mode. For those of you not familar, let me give you a quick run down. In this game, there is an XP system which gives you points for doing various things. There is a level cap of 65. When you reach level 65, you have the option of going back to level one and re-unlocking everything that you unlocked on your first climb, but giving you the chance to unlock more custom class slots.  As you can see in this picture, you can go back and do this over and over, up to ten times.I have done this, but only once. Yeah… that’s really all this post is saying. I just felt like saying this to the internet. If you’re a player, just leave your FC (Friend Code) as a comment and we can hook up some time.

By JustMattPwn3r

Internet Gaming Spotlight: Staggy the Boy Scout Slayer II

Boy Scouts. They are Staggy’s worst nightmare, and when they decide to take a walk through his forest, you’d better believe Staggy won’t be happy.

But you will be. Sick and twisted as this game may be, it is actually a lot of fun. Each round takes place in a different side-scrolling environment, where hoards of Boy Scouts rush towards Staggy (a black armor-wearing Brit) in an attempt to bring him down. Eventually the Boy Scouts get some aid from ninjas and armored warriors, but no one stops Staggy’s unquenchable thirst for blood.

Each kill gives you money, and after a round is finished, there are options to buy more health and weapons. There is a good amount of variety in the weapons selection, including a giant axe, a chainsaw, and a lawnmower. Needless to say, there’s no shortage of gruesome deaths to be seen. I wouldn’t recommend this game to anyone easily offended. I myself was a Boy Scout once, so if anyone should hate the game it would be me. Yet I know what is serious and what isn’t, and this game is definitely over-the-top just to be entertaining. With a good challenge progression and addictive gameplay, Staggy the Boy Scout Slayer II is quite entertaining, and for that I give it the spotlight.

Rating: (Mature) – Content Warnings: Strong Violence, Strong Gore, Twisted Humor, Intense Action, Blood, Strong Language

Play this game here! WARNING: Mature Content

By Josh60502

Reader Poll: What Do You Think of Lego Rock Band?

So a few days ago I posted the news that Lego Rock Band is indeed a real game and gave the impression that I don’t care much for it. But that’s me. What do YOU think of Lego Rock Band?

By Josh60502

USING BIG GIANT WORDS

There is nothing like a fusillade of acataleptic verbiage to make even the most puerile asseverations seem the acme of sagacious perspicacity. Be not vexed by accusations of dilettantism. Allow your fustian argot to coruscate in all its fulgurous resplendence! This stratagem is especially efficacious when hurling invective at intractable and contumacious adversaries. Pellucid prose serves only to express, but with the proper use of prolix and loquacious pleonasms, one can win approbation through intimidation. Indulge your sesquipedalian predilections! p.s. Josh, if you do not recognize a word, it’s dubious anyone else will. So don’t be afraid of

Floccinaucinihilipilification.

Source: http://andyrantsandraves.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-use-really-big-words-to-sound.html

By GameShowKid222

A First Look: Stuntman: Ignition (PS2)

This’ll just be a quick look after the 5 hours I’ve put in so far. From the title you could assume that you’re a stuntman, stunt driver to be exact, and you go through different movie sets performing different strings of stunts for odd ball directors. These stunts include powerslides, passing close to another car or explosion, squeezing your vehicle into a small gap, making a sweet jump, going under something, crashing into a vehicle, or a semi context sensitive action button stunt (which is usually nitro or a weapon). You’re not always driving cars either, I’ve driven a motorcycle, a monster truck, a fire truck, a dune buggy, and a hovercraft. Based on how well you do the stunts, you’re given points that go into a combo system. The more stunts within 2 seconds of each other, the combo, giving you a higher point total. You’re ranked on a star system, with five being the highest. You can only get five stars if you have a continuous string throughout the entire level.

One of the better runs, you’re a vulcanologist, in the SUV, racing down the mountain to warn the town of the volcano

One of the game’s major problems so far is the difficulty. For most strings, you’re given five strikes meaning that you can miss five director-given stunts. This sounds like a lot of strikes, but if you miss one you might as well start over because you have a small time to do each thing and usually when you miss a stunt you usually get all turned around or come to a complete stop. This can make the game pretty frustrating, but when you’re blasting through the desert at high speed and you launch off a ramp into corkscrew into a mercenary guard tower, almost all is forgiven. The game is mainly trial and error, finding out you shouldn’t use your E-brake around that corner, making sure to gun it a little harder during this straight away. You’ll do the opening few stunts of a scene at least 15 times before you can get to the end of the level. Another problem is the length. With the few hours I’ve put in, I’ve almost unlocked all of the scenes and odd jobs (stunt shows and commercials mainly) you can do. However, there’s a big emphasis on creating your own stunt runs. I haven’t been able to mess around with this feature, but I’ve got to save something for the full review (A full review is most likely going to happen but don’t bet your life on it).

By JustMattPwn3r