WARNING: The following contains slight spoilers for Paranormal Activity.
In lieu of the massive hype this film has established in its limited theatrical release - mostly due to word of mouth, though it is garnering praise from critics across the nation as well - I decided that I might provide my thoughts on it. Having seen the film twice, I do believe that modern American horror cinema has finally received a faint glimmer of hope in the form of Paranormal Activity.
Back in 1999, The Blair Witch Project was released utilizing documentary-style film-making in a fictional narrative setting. While this trait was not wholly new or unique, as films have possessed this quality in the past, the phenomenon surrounding the film's release marked it as a horror film that stood out in the genre. The story, while fictional, is presented in such a way that the uninformed viewer assumed what was happening was real - and that is what made the film stand out: what happened was very realistic and could very well happen. Combine a group of young adults making a documentary about a local horror story with getting lost in the woods and you have the makings of a very chilling film. Now, present the story through the eyes of the protagonist's camera as opposed to various shots that leave the camera observing from an omniscient standpoint, and the experience becomes even more personal.
This, in essence, is what filmmakers have sought to replicate and/or expand upon over the years. Cloverfield was a highly popular effort that presented a Godzilla-esque attack on New York City, as documented by one individual as he and his friends struggle to both discover what is happening and make it out alive. In Spain, [REC] follows a reporter and her cameraman who, while documenting a local fire station, wind up in the midst of a zombie outbreak. This film was later remade in the United States as Quarantine. And now we have Paranormal Activity. However, there is certainly something about this latest effort that sets it apart from the rest.
In Paranormal Activity, Micah and Katie (which happen to be the real names of the actors) have just moved in together after dating for three years. After Katie confides in Micah that she has been experiencing strange phenomena since her childhood (believing that she is being haunted by a ghost of some kind), he goes and purchases a rather nice video camera in hopes of documenting any strange occurrences. The couple consults a ghost expert, who believes that what Katie describes sounds more like a demon than a ghost, and thus with that knowledge in our minds, we are prepared for what follows. Suspense is built incredibly slowly. Micah sets up the camera in front of the bed to record the couple while they sleep at night, and at first nothing much happens. A faint noise can be heard in the audio track of the recorded footage and Katie's keys are on the kitchen floor when she wakes up - but these can be easily attributed to explanations that are far from supernatural. Then, on one night, the bedroom door moves slightly - no big deal, also easily explainable. However, moments later, it moves back to where it was. From here on out, it becomes very clear that something peculiar is going on.
The ghost expert mentioned that demons feed off of negative energy, of which there is plenty as Micah and Katie find themselves arguing frequently, and Micah openly provokes the invisible demon in hopes of something happening. This turns out to tragically only make matters much, much worse. What occurs at night becomes more and more bizarre and unsettling, until it carries over into the daytime hours as well. It is in this area that the film excels. The tension that is built with each passing night in front of the camera is pitch-perfect, culminating in what may well be some of the most disturbing final moments in recent cinema. The entire film is building up to a grand finale that, while somewhat expected, still manages to shock, unnerve, and leave the viewer in disbelief.
Part of the reason that the documentary-style technique works so well in Paranormal Activity is that, unlike most other films shot this way, fear is not created specifically out of what you do not see - the tension is built by what is in plain sight to the viewer. This is perhaps what makes the final moments of the film all the more terrifying, as this intimacy is suddenly stripped away and the viewer is not allowed to see all that transpires. I suppose, in some ways, that this fact would make Paranormal Activity sound very similar to films like Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project, but I assure you it is not. Certainly aiding the effect is the fact that, if one indulges in belief of supernatural phenomena, such events could actually happen - and especially given that most of the eerie occurrences happen while the couple is sleeping, a new layer of fear is mixed in.
In short, Paranormal Activity is a film that builds tension at an extraordinarily effective pace, utilizing documentary-style film-making reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project, though in contrast it creates tension explicitly through what the viewer sees, as opposed to what is not seen. This results in an incredibly effective finale that strips the viewer from the know-all-see-all perspective that they have become so accustomed to and, through leaving a few major details up the imagination, breathes much-needed life into the stagnant genre that is American horror cinema. Do yourself a favor: grab a friend or two and seek this film out; see it in a theatrical setting, and brace yourself for an unsettling yet insanely gratifying experience.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Vengeance Trilogy Boxed Set - November 24th
Most people who know me are aware of my obsession with Park Chan-wook's Oldboy - one of my absolute favorites. However, I also enjoy (though admittedly to a lesser extent) the other two films (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance) from the director that comprise what has come to be known as "The Vengeance Trilogy." So, needless to say, I was ecstatic when I stumbled across the news that the trilogy was finally getting a comprehensive R1 (U.S./Canada) release. Sure, the films have been released individually (and Oldboy has had an outstanding re-release) here in the States, but what is coming in just over a month is a boxed set that boasts more features that any other release of these films anywhere in the world - even the Korean versions.
To give myself - and others - an idea of what is coming in this set, I took to comparing the listed features with the releases I currently have. Here is what I found:
SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"The Process of Mr. Vengeance," which would appear to be a documentary on the production of the film.
-"My Boksu Story." Not quite sure what this is, but it is new to the release.
-"Jonathan Ross on Park Chan-wook," which should provide a great deal of insight on the director.
-Storyboards
-Soundtrack
OLDBOY
-All features from the 3-disc re-release are included.
LADY VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"Fade to White" version of the film. This is an alternate cut that has not been released in the States.
-Introduction to "Fade to White" version from director Park Chan-wook.
-3 separate commentary tracks for the "Fade to White" version. Though the 3 commentary tracks feature the same individuals as the 3 commentary tracks from the original version, I assume that they will be different in their content.
-"Style of Lady Vengeance," which is essentially a behind-the-scenes feature.
-Deleted scenes with commentary.
-"Director's Choice," which is a short recommended by director Park Chan-wook.
-Character interviews.
-"Lady Vengeance in Venice" featurette.
-Park Chan-wook, "Mr. Vengeance" featurette.
Also, a 32-page full-color booklet is included that contains photos and essays on each of the three films. One of the essays is written by Eli Roth (director of Cabin Fever and the Hostel films).
8-disc set for the MSRP of $49.99 (it will likely be $5-$10 cheaper, though). Though Oldboy is not receiving anything in the way of new features, I am still sold for the extensive features added to Lady Vengeance (my second favorite of the trilogy) and the 32-page booklet. The only thing missing is the first volume of the Oldboy manga and film cell insert that was included in the 3-disc release of Oldboy, which I would gladly surrender in exchange for this set (besides, who said I would not be keeping the versions I already have?).
Still, it gets even better. On November 17th, just one week prior to this release, Park Chan-wook's new film, Thirst, will be released on DVD.
To give myself - and others - an idea of what is coming in this set, I took to comparing the listed features with the releases I currently have. Here is what I found:
SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"The Process of Mr. Vengeance," which would appear to be a documentary on the production of the film.
-"My Boksu Story." Not quite sure what this is, but it is new to the release.
-"Jonathan Ross on Park Chan-wook," which should provide a great deal of insight on the director.
-Storyboards
-Soundtrack
OLDBOY
-All features from the 3-disc re-release are included.
LADY VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"Fade to White" version of the film. This is an alternate cut that has not been released in the States.
-Introduction to "Fade to White" version from director Park Chan-wook.
-3 separate commentary tracks for the "Fade to White" version. Though the 3 commentary tracks feature the same individuals as the 3 commentary tracks from the original version, I assume that they will be different in their content.
-"Style of Lady Vengeance," which is essentially a behind-the-scenes feature.
-Deleted scenes with commentary.
-"Director's Choice," which is a short recommended by director Park Chan-wook.
-Character interviews.
-"Lady Vengeance in Venice" featurette.
-Park Chan-wook, "Mr. Vengeance" featurette.
Also, a 32-page full-color booklet is included that contains photos and essays on each of the three films. One of the essays is written by Eli Roth (director of Cabin Fever and the Hostel films).
8-disc set for the MSRP of $49.99 (it will likely be $5-$10 cheaper, though). Though Oldboy is not receiving anything in the way of new features, I am still sold for the extensive features added to Lady Vengeance (my second favorite of the trilogy) and the 32-page booklet. The only thing missing is the first volume of the Oldboy manga and film cell insert that was included in the 3-disc release of Oldboy, which I would gladly surrender in exchange for this set (besides, who said I would not be keeping the versions I already have?).
Still, it gets even better. On November 17th, just one week prior to this release, Park Chan-wook's new film, Thirst, will be released on DVD.
A Venture to MovieStop and Initial Impressions of Martyrs
So, let us begin with a short story concerning how I stumbled across this particular film. Here in Wilmington, it would seem that decent DVD selections are available at only two places, one being Barnes & Noble and the other being MovieStop. Generally speaking, I frequent the former to purchase films from the Criterion Collection, browse sections containing DVDs that are $14.99 and under, and to use the occasional coupon that nets me an extra 15% off of an item (which is in addition to a 10% discount thanks to a $25 annual membership). I visit the latter to kill lots of time, pick up new releases that a more mainstream store such as Best Buy does not carry, and to scrutinize the "Foreign Film" section in hopes of finding something new, interesting, or both.
Since I did not have a nifty extra-15%-off coupon for Barnes & Noble, the next Criterion I plan to purchase is not due out until November 3rd (which is Wim Wenders' masterpiece: Wings of Desire), and MovieStop is less than half a mile from my apartment, I decided to browse there. Right away, I snatched up a copy of iMurders and the new 2-disc edition of Taskahi Miike's Audition (mostly for the insert containing a brief article by Tom Mes). Then, while browsing the "Foreign Film" section in hopes of finding Election, Triad Election, and/or Exiled (all films by Johnnie To), I came across a film called Martyrs that caught my eye. After my hopes of an evening filled with Johnnie To were shot to hell (thanks to only Triad Election being in stock, which is the sequel to Election), I decided to go with this bizarre-yet-intriguing French film.
The following will contain spoilers for the film, but most of the details spoiled have very little to do with the overall plot, and the few details that do are not necessarily significant.
The film begins simple enough, with the viewer being filled in on the story of a young girl named Lucie who it is revealed has been subjected to rather sadistic torture, but ultimately escaped her captors. There are a few scenes that follow this revelation in which Lucie is shown befriending another little girl, Anna. Finally, a rather unsettling scene in which Lucie is attacked by some deranged-looking girl results in a fade-to-black and a transition to "15 years later."
Here is where things start getting even more bizarre. My initial assumption was that the little girl, Lucie, was killed. Thus, I was pondering where the hell this film might be going now. A family is introduced consisting of a mother, father, and two children (a boy and a girl) who appear to be roughly the same age. While quarreling over breakfast, someone arrives at the door. Little does one expect that this individual is wielding a shotgun, which is put to violent use as the entire family is slaughtered. It is revealed that the bringer of death is none other than Lucie, who is seeking vengeance on the people she believes held her captive (the mother and the father). After dispatching of the family, the deranged-looking girl from her childhood pops up again and tries to kill her. Have I stopped making sense yet?
After eluding the deranged-looking girl (who, though it is not explicitly revealed until much later, is obviously a hallucination), Lucie makes a call to Anna, who has been patiently waiting in a vehicle by a pay phone. Anna, who thinks Lucie might have killed the wrong people, rushes to the scene. The film progresses with Lucie freaking out about the creepy girl who is trying to kill her and Anna trying to dispose of the bodies. While carrying out this task, Anna discovers that the mother of the family is actually still alive. Anna tries to save her, still convinced that Lucie has killed the wrong people, but Lucie intervenes and brutally finishes the job. Lucie then goes on a tirade, smashing things throughout the house, leaving Anna cowering in a corner. Then, Lucie slits her own wrists and bangs her head against a wall (which is being done, in her mind, by the deranged-looking girl; the reason Lucie is experiencing this hallucination is revealed here).
Okay, now Lucie is dead. Anna covers Lucie's body and then gets some much-needed rest. Shortly after waking, she discovers that there is a secret basement in the house and ventures down into it. As it turns out, Lucie certainly killed the right people. While in the basement, Anna discovers someone is actually alive down there - the deranged-looking girl! Except, this time, she is not a hallucination. Anna frees her and tries to help her for a while. The girl eventually winds up freaking out and trying to slice the skin off her arm and scratch her face on a wall (because she believed she has cockroaches crawling all over her body - a tidbit that is revealed a little later). Her scratching is interrupted, however, by a bullet through the head. A group dressed in black storms the scene and takes hold of Anna, dragging her down the basement and chaining her up just as Lucie had been in the beginning of the film. I know what you are thinking: "What. The. Hell." So was I.
Now we finally discover what exactly is going on. As it turns out, Lucie was being tortured in order to become a "Martyr" or "Witness." The cult behind this operation is trying to discover whether or not there is an afterlife, which they are convinced can be revealed by basically whittling the mind of an individual down to practically nothing. Thus, Anna is now subjected to this torture in hopes that she will become a "Martyr" and be able to tell the leader of the cult (known only as Mademoiselle) what the afterlife - if there is one - is like . I will disclose no more and end my summary of the plot here, so as not to completely ruin the film (besides, I seriously doubt this is making much sense).
I have to be honest: this film baffled me. It is ridiculously violent (most certainly not for the faint of heart), and the narrative can be hard to makes sense of and/or follow. However, it was exceptionally well-conceived. The acting is superb, it is shot beautifully, and the underlying theme concerning the existence/details of an afterlife is something truly intriguing. More than just mindless "torture porn," this is a film that is aimed to make you think (and believe me, you will). If you are able to make it through the grotesque violence to the provocation of thought that comes at the end, then I believe there is something truly worthwhile to see.
Since I did not have a nifty extra-15%-off coupon for Barnes & Noble, the next Criterion I plan to purchase is not due out until November 3rd (which is Wim Wenders' masterpiece: Wings of Desire), and MovieStop is less than half a mile from my apartment, I decided to browse there. Right away, I snatched up a copy of iMurders and the new 2-disc edition of Taskahi Miike's Audition (mostly for the insert containing a brief article by Tom Mes). Then, while browsing the "Foreign Film" section in hopes of finding Election, Triad Election, and/or Exiled (all films by Johnnie To), I came across a film called Martyrs that caught my eye. After my hopes of an evening filled with Johnnie To were shot to hell (thanks to only Triad Election being in stock, which is the sequel to Election), I decided to go with this bizarre-yet-intriguing French film.
The following will contain spoilers for the film, but most of the details spoiled have very little to do with the overall plot, and the few details that do are not necessarily significant.
The film begins simple enough, with the viewer being filled in on the story of a young girl named Lucie who it is revealed has been subjected to rather sadistic torture, but ultimately escaped her captors. There are a few scenes that follow this revelation in which Lucie is shown befriending another little girl, Anna. Finally, a rather unsettling scene in which Lucie is attacked by some deranged-looking girl results in a fade-to-black and a transition to "15 years later."
Here is where things start getting even more bizarre. My initial assumption was that the little girl, Lucie, was killed. Thus, I was pondering where the hell this film might be going now. A family is introduced consisting of a mother, father, and two children (a boy and a girl) who appear to be roughly the same age. While quarreling over breakfast, someone arrives at the door. Little does one expect that this individual is wielding a shotgun, which is put to violent use as the entire family is slaughtered. It is revealed that the bringer of death is none other than Lucie, who is seeking vengeance on the people she believes held her captive (the mother and the father). After dispatching of the family, the deranged-looking girl from her childhood pops up again and tries to kill her. Have I stopped making sense yet?
After eluding the deranged-looking girl (who, though it is not explicitly revealed until much later, is obviously a hallucination), Lucie makes a call to Anna, who has been patiently waiting in a vehicle by a pay phone. Anna, who thinks Lucie might have killed the wrong people, rushes to the scene. The film progresses with Lucie freaking out about the creepy girl who is trying to kill her and Anna trying to dispose of the bodies. While carrying out this task, Anna discovers that the mother of the family is actually still alive. Anna tries to save her, still convinced that Lucie has killed the wrong people, but Lucie intervenes and brutally finishes the job. Lucie then goes on a tirade, smashing things throughout the house, leaving Anna cowering in a corner. Then, Lucie slits her own wrists and bangs her head against a wall (which is being done, in her mind, by the deranged-looking girl; the reason Lucie is experiencing this hallucination is revealed here).
Okay, now Lucie is dead. Anna covers Lucie's body and then gets some much-needed rest. Shortly after waking, she discovers that there is a secret basement in the house and ventures down into it. As it turns out, Lucie certainly killed the right people. While in the basement, Anna discovers someone is actually alive down there - the deranged-looking girl! Except, this time, she is not a hallucination. Anna frees her and tries to help her for a while. The girl eventually winds up freaking out and trying to slice the skin off her arm and scratch her face on a wall (because she believed she has cockroaches crawling all over her body - a tidbit that is revealed a little later). Her scratching is interrupted, however, by a bullet through the head. A group dressed in black storms the scene and takes hold of Anna, dragging her down the basement and chaining her up just as Lucie had been in the beginning of the film. I know what you are thinking: "What. The. Hell." So was I.
Now we finally discover what exactly is going on. As it turns out, Lucie was being tortured in order to become a "Martyr" or "Witness." The cult behind this operation is trying to discover whether or not there is an afterlife, which they are convinced can be revealed by basically whittling the mind of an individual down to practically nothing. Thus, Anna is now subjected to this torture in hopes that she will become a "Martyr" and be able to tell the leader of the cult (known only as Mademoiselle) what the afterlife - if there is one - is like . I will disclose no more and end my summary of the plot here, so as not to completely ruin the film (besides, I seriously doubt this is making much sense).
I have to be honest: this film baffled me. It is ridiculously violent (most certainly not for the faint of heart), and the narrative can be hard to makes sense of and/or follow. However, it was exceptionally well-conceived. The acting is superb, it is shot beautifully, and the underlying theme concerning the existence/details of an afterlife is something truly intriguing. More than just mindless "torture porn," this is a film that is aimed to make you think (and believe me, you will). If you are able to make it through the grotesque violence to the provocation of thought that comes at the end, then I believe there is something truly worthwhile to see.
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