6-07-2010
Well, we got a little more time at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, found Valentino's crypt, said hi, and walked the mausoleum he's interred in. We also found Peter Finch, which was a surprise. Still, we had just under an hour there, really not even close to enough time to do even the most basic set up, but one does what one can.
We also spent some time in the "gone too soon" section, the children's section, which just makes me sad. At least it's a little lifting to see the care people put into these plots, but not lifting enough to get over the sadness.
After HFC, we ambled over for a day trip to Suicide Bridge in Pasadena, and by the time we got done we discovered a few things. One is that there are homeless people living in the bushes there, though they don't seem to bother the park users. Another is that the area under the 110 freeway bridge is awesome, like a huge, gray, concrete cathedral. I don't mean it's ornate, but just awe inspiring. There's about 3 acres of dirt beneath this overpass, which is a good 250 feet above your head, and that which is above you is graceful curving concrete arches. It was worth the trip just to experience that. The last thing learned was a lesson I have already learned, but didn't follow, and that is to dress appropriately. By the time we got done climbing around the underside of the bridge, we were soaked through with sweat, and I, the idiot I am, am in semi-dress clothes, and didn't bring a change.
Suicide Bridge is the only place where we've ever been blanked. Ok, not entirely blanked, in that we did get the picture of the thing we call "Satchel" last time, but that picture is so open to interpretation. So going there was part investigation, part mission. I dislike it when we spend time and get nothing, so hopefully we caught something this time. We won't review the evidence from this day trip for a couple of days, but when we do we will be thorough.
After that we cruised up to Lucky Baldwin's Pub in old town Pasadena to meet up with the Yussi Paranormal group. Justin and Steve got there early and had a bite to eat (and coffee), and by the time they were done Yussi had shown up, and his group began to arrive. If you're in the SoCal area and want to go on a ghost hunt, or are just curious, we're always open to visitors, and I also recommend you check out Yussi's group. We enjoyed meeting everybody in Yussi's group, each being really great people, and are thankful for the opportunity to hang with them.
From the pub we went, of all places, back to Suicide Bridge with Yussi Paranormal, this time focusing on the upper deck, something we've never done. There are a couple of particular places on this bridge where I was literally overcome with emotion, from desperation to extreme sadness. This should come as no surprise, as there have to be scores of imprinted emotions on this aptly named bridge, there having been well over a hundred people ending their lives there.
We'll review our evidence over the next couple of days and see if we caught anything, and if so, it'll be posted on the appropriate pages. Hopefully the ladies and gents with Yussi's group caught stuff as well, especially this being their gig.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Did some, not enough
Did a quick (10 minute) run through of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, stopped by Linda Vista Hospital, and did a quick revisit of Oak Park Cemetery today. I'm tired!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
News and Stuff
We have some huge news coming, most of which we're not permitted to talk about yet, and some of which we can never talk about, but we'll give that which we can, but only if it does not violate contract terms as well as our own code of ethics.
I'll start with the benign stuff first.
We have submitted the story treatment and partial script I mentioned in an earlier post to a production company, but since they haven't gotten back in touch or sent a release to be signed, I'm assuming that either they didn't get it (unlikely), didn't like it (likely), or deleted it after having been driven stark raving mad by the story (yeah, that's the ticket).
To be fair, we didn't send it in the exact format they called for, so they likely just deleted it, which is fine. I'll continue working on it in my spare time. So look for it in about 120 years.
Justin recently did an investigation with his girlfriend Sam at his girlfriend's house, which apparently has a ton of activity. Toilets flushing on their own, strange noises, doors slamming and ice cold rooms. The data hasn't made it in yet, but I'm told there's at least one great EVP, and a really creepy picture. Can't wait to see / post these!
We just received a brand new K2 meter, as well as a new "Ghost Meter" EMF detector this week, and in initial testing we have found that on some objects and areas each mirrors the other's resulting readings, but at times either is more sensitive and responsive to Electo-Magnetic energy than the other. We're still working on a reason for this. We're also looking for a new Tri-Field meter at a good price, so if you know of one, please drop us a line!
Those of you who have been constantly watching us, you'll note that you rarely see us using EMF meters, because basically, we really don't need to depend on them. Most if not all of our members are weirdly gifted to sensing the paranormal, so these meters are redundant, but you will see us filming our use of them more and more. As a documenting tool they are unparalleled, leaving that which we find a little less subjective.
Speaking of subjective, we also have a brand new Paranormal PX coming (it was shipped today, as a matter of fact) which will probably arrive Wednesday. The PPX (Paranormal PX) is built by the same people who built the discontinued (and highly prized) Ovilus and the Paranormal Puck, and coincidently is like a melding of the two. Unlike the original Ovilus, it has a built in speaker, and like the puck it can be hooked up to a computer. It also doubles the original Ovilus's 1024 word vocabulary to 2048 words. This being a feature rich item, we can hardly wait to put it to good use.
Ok, on the thing I can't talk about, just be sure to check in here often so we can give you more information on the mysterious thing of which I write. That is once we're given the green light to do so. On this mystery item, we were told we could bring a couple people at most, which is ok because we only had a couple people available. I was one of them, and despite my discomfort when on the wrong end of cameras (that being the lens side...I've been working on overcoming this) there was no way I was going to miss this. I would have rather had Justin and / or Amber do this, either together or with Scott (who was spectacular, by the way), but that isn't the way the universe wanted it.
That's all for now.
Steve
I'll start with the benign stuff first.
We have submitted the story treatment and partial script I mentioned in an earlier post to a production company, but since they haven't gotten back in touch or sent a release to be signed, I'm assuming that either they didn't get it (unlikely), didn't like it (likely), or deleted it after having been driven stark raving mad by the story (yeah, that's the ticket).
To be fair, we didn't send it in the exact format they called for, so they likely just deleted it, which is fine. I'll continue working on it in my spare time. So look for it in about 120 years.
Justin recently did an investigation with his girlfriend Sam at his girlfriend's house, which apparently has a ton of activity. Toilets flushing on their own, strange noises, doors slamming and ice cold rooms. The data hasn't made it in yet, but I'm told there's at least one great EVP, and a really creepy picture. Can't wait to see / post these!
We just received a brand new K2 meter, as well as a new "Ghost Meter" EMF detector this week, and in initial testing we have found that on some objects and areas each mirrors the other's resulting readings, but at times either is more sensitive and responsive to Electo-Magnetic energy than the other. We're still working on a reason for this. We're also looking for a new Tri-Field meter at a good price, so if you know of one, please drop us a line!
Those of you who have been constantly watching us, you'll note that you rarely see us using EMF meters, because basically, we really don't need to depend on them. Most if not all of our members are weirdly gifted to sensing the paranormal, so these meters are redundant, but you will see us filming our use of them more and more. As a documenting tool they are unparalleled, leaving that which we find a little less subjective.
Speaking of subjective, we also have a brand new Paranormal PX coming (it was shipped today, as a matter of fact) which will probably arrive Wednesday. The PPX (Paranormal PX) is built by the same people who built the discontinued (and highly prized) Ovilus and the Paranormal Puck, and coincidently is like a melding of the two. Unlike the original Ovilus, it has a built in speaker, and like the puck it can be hooked up to a computer. It also doubles the original Ovilus's 1024 word vocabulary to 2048 words. This being a feature rich item, we can hardly wait to put it to good use.
Ok, on the thing I can't talk about, just be sure to check in here often so we can give you more information on the mysterious thing of which I write. That is once we're given the green light to do so. On this mystery item, we were told we could bring a couple people at most, which is ok because we only had a couple people available. I was one of them, and despite my discomfort when on the wrong end of cameras (that being the lens side...I've been working on overcoming this) there was no way I was going to miss this. I would have rather had Justin and / or Amber do this, either together or with Scott (who was spectacular, by the way), but that isn't the way the universe wanted it.
That's all for now.
Steve
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Robb Demerest a broken man?
Robb of GHI a broken man?
I heard a rumor today that Robb Demerest of GHI was living out his car, a broken man.
Um, I don't know where people come up with things sometimes, but as far as I can tell, it is not true.
First, let me qualify this: We at Claranormal don't trash talk other groups, nor their members. Period. It's just not allowed. However, if a piece of interesting news in our industry comes our way, we will investigate it. After all, we are investigators.
If you check Robb's Twitter, you'll see he was just twitting about finishing another investigation on April 12th, and I have yet to find any bad news about him on any of the message boards.
Rumor: Debunked.
One thing I did find was an amazing amount of people blasting Robb, and I fail to understand why. I like him on GHI, and I hear that he's a great guy, so for the life of me I don't know why he has so many detractors. He also has supporters, but they seem to be outnumbered and outgunned. For you detractors, I'll say it out loud: If not for Robb and Barry, I would never have watched that show, and if (and when) Jason and Grant retire from Taps to run their B&B full time (my feeling on this is that it won't be very long from now...) Robb and Barry would be great guys to hand the ball to.
Now, on the GHI cast members who are no longer on the show, Donna, Brian and Andy, I have to say that of the three, I will miss Donna, I'll sort of miss Brian, and I won't miss Andy.
Donna was the case manager for the original TAPS, and as such, you know she has good organizational skills, and is good with people. Those two things are a prerequisite. And she's been there since early on.
On Brian, I think a good part of the time he got the short end of the stick. I know as a lead investigator for our group and as the chief editor for our groups videos, it's really easy to make somebody look like a goofball if you edit video or film a certain way. If anybody knew how much video we throw out versus what we use because somebody says something stupid (and granted, it's usually me...) it'd boggle their mind. I think a little judicious editing could have made Brian look, well, not heroic, but certainly better.
Andy. Hmmm. Won't miss Andy. Andy makes me itch. He makes me want to reach into the TV and pull him through just so I can slap him around some. Probably a nice guy, a good human being, kind to small animal and good to him mother. Still, a slap-fest is called for. No amount of editing could fix this. Maybe it's because he reminds me a little of myself. Every time I see myself on tape, I want to do the same thing, reach through and slap myself into tomorrow. "Oh no no no, don't say it stupid. Don't you dare say the stupid thing I know you're going to say..." goes through my head a lot when I'm editing segments with me in it, and it always ends the same. "Ah, you went and said that stupid thing! You idiot!"
I heard a rumor today that Robb Demerest of GHI was living out his car, a broken man.
Um, I don't know where people come up with things sometimes, but as far as I can tell, it is not true.
First, let me qualify this: We at Claranormal don't trash talk other groups, nor their members. Period. It's just not allowed. However, if a piece of interesting news in our industry comes our way, we will investigate it. After all, we are investigators.
If you check Robb's Twitter, you'll see he was just twitting about finishing another investigation on April 12th, and I have yet to find any bad news about him on any of the message boards.
Rumor: Debunked.
One thing I did find was an amazing amount of people blasting Robb, and I fail to understand why. I like him on GHI, and I hear that he's a great guy, so for the life of me I don't know why he has so many detractors. He also has supporters, but they seem to be outnumbered and outgunned. For you detractors, I'll say it out loud: If not for Robb and Barry, I would never have watched that show, and if (and when) Jason and Grant retire from Taps to run their B&B full time (my feeling on this is that it won't be very long from now...) Robb and Barry would be great guys to hand the ball to.
Now, on the GHI cast members who are no longer on the show, Donna, Brian and Andy, I have to say that of the three, I will miss Donna, I'll sort of miss Brian, and I won't miss Andy.
Donna was the case manager for the original TAPS, and as such, you know she has good organizational skills, and is good with people. Those two things are a prerequisite. And she's been there since early on.
On Brian, I think a good part of the time he got the short end of the stick. I know as a lead investigator for our group and as the chief editor for our groups videos, it's really easy to make somebody look like a goofball if you edit video or film a certain way. If anybody knew how much video we throw out versus what we use because somebody says something stupid (and granted, it's usually me...) it'd boggle their mind. I think a little judicious editing could have made Brian look, well, not heroic, but certainly better.
Andy. Hmmm. Won't miss Andy. Andy makes me itch. He makes me want to reach into the TV and pull him through just so I can slap him around some. Probably a nice guy, a good human being, kind to small animal and good to him mother. Still, a slap-fest is called for. No amount of editing could fix this. Maybe it's because he reminds me a little of myself. Every time I see myself on tape, I want to do the same thing, reach through and slap myself into tomorrow. "Oh no no no, don't say it stupid. Don't you dare say the stupid thing I know you're going to say..." goes through my head a lot when I'm editing segments with me in it, and it always ends the same. "Ah, you went and said that stupid thing! You idiot!"
Saturday, March 13, 2010
What's up?
Since the below entry, we've been getting ready for some hunts, and have completed the first phase of one. See SJV Cemetery at http://claranormal.com/investigations/san_jacinto_cemetery/index.html
Another thing we have in the works is our own film, which is currently in the story treatment / scripting stage. Now don't misunderstand: all of our videos are unscripted, nothing is pre planned, and it's all real. The project I'm referencing will be a fictional account based on real footage from our real investigations. As Gump would say, that's all I have to say about that...
Well, we kept it under wraps for a long time, but since it didn't pan out there's no need. We had been lined up for a documentary film appearance, taking their characters on a ghost hunt, but when we questioned the people as to what the slant on their film was, in other words, we asked if they were bashing the paranormal (didn't want anything to do with that), were pro-paranormal, or fair and balanced (either of which we were fine with), they were slow to respond. Then it turned into an interview with them instead, which we agreed to, then we got stood up! They never bothered to contact us either way.
Man up Tim. We had people put their time and lives on hold, and you wasted our time. Shame on you.
Another thing we have in the works is our own film, which is currently in the story treatment / scripting stage. Now don't misunderstand: all of our videos are unscripted, nothing is pre planned, and it's all real. The project I'm referencing will be a fictional account based on real footage from our real investigations. As Gump would say, that's all I have to say about that...
Well, we kept it under wraps for a long time, but since it didn't pan out there's no need. We had been lined up for a documentary film appearance, taking their characters on a ghost hunt, but when we questioned the people as to what the slant on their film was, in other words, we asked if they were bashing the paranormal (didn't want anything to do with that), were pro-paranormal, or fair and balanced (either of which we were fine with), they were slow to respond. Then it turned into an interview with them instead, which we agreed to, then we got stood up! They never bothered to contact us either way.
Man up Tim. We had people put their time and lives on hold, and you wasted our time. Shame on you.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Top 10 Places I'd Like for Claranormal to Hunt Ghosts
Call it a wish list, because that's what it is, in essence. Most of these places we'll not likely get to do, but never say never...
1. The White House.
Honest Abe is said to still walk the halls of this place, where every President except for George Washington has lived. Abraham Lincoln was seen during World War 2, during a visit by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Mr. Churchill had just finished a bath while enjoying a cigar and some liquor and was returning to the adjoining Lincoln bedroom, naked - save for his still burning cigar. When he entered the Lincoln bedroom, standing there was none other than the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. "Good evening Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage" said Churchill, as Abe smiled and faded away. This is one ending to the story of this historic meeting. Another says they stared at each other, obviously embarrassed as Abe faded away. I prefer the former story.
Bottom line, who wouldn't love to meet Abraham Lincoln? Or Dolly Madison, who is said to occasionally totter through as well.
2. Gettysburg.
This horrific battle at this imfamous site, during this horrendous war, harbors more ghosts than one can shake a stick at. It's big too, so I think a week or two would do the job.
3. Paramount Studios
Free reign, especially in the area which housed Desilu. I'll add to this entry all the other movie studios as well. With all the larger than life personalities who have worked in all these studios, many of whom were nothing like their screen personas, and the ordinary people who toiled there, I know there has to be a gaggle of roaming spirits.
4. Goldfield, NV
This applies to the Goldfield Hotel, as well as the town itself. I think the town gets largely overlooked by paranormal investigators because of the fame of the hotel, and if we ever go there, I'd like to focus on the town as well, or even exclusively.
5. Grauman's Chinese Theater
Are you kidding, you might ask. Nope. I suspect that just as the hand and foot prints of Hollywood's greatest are imprinted in concrete, there are an order of magnitude greater number of people's imprints holed up there. Probably some actives too.
6. USS Hornet
I'll add to this entry warships in different regions as well, such as the USS Missouri, and the USS New Jersey.
7. USS United States
The swiftest cruiseship ever sits moldering in Philadelphia. There has even been rumors that it's to be scrapped. This is a shameful fate for a record holder of her stature, and I hope some group comes forward and saves her. Whether she stays in disrepair at the dock, or gets scrapped, I'd love to do a ghost investigation there. I'm nearly certain that there are echos of the past embedded in her hull, and one or two active spirits keeping vigil.
8. The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, Ca
The Roosevelt has at least two inprinted ghosts living there, for lack of a better word, and maybe some actives, though I doubt it. From http://ghosts-hauntings.suite101.com/article.cfm/haunted_hollywood_roosevelt_hotel:
Famous psychic Peter James investigated the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1992. He detected the ghost of Montgomery Clift in room 928 and sensed the strong presence of Marilyn Monroe in the Tropicana Bar. He also felt the presence of Humphrey Bogart near the elevator and Carmen Miranda in a 3rd floor hallway. In the Blossom Room, he discovered Betty Grable and Edward Arnold.
9. The Whaley House in San Diego.
Unfettered access is what I mean. There are tours there often, but I'd like for us to have a full day (or three) access to document activity in this facility. I'm skeptical about the Whaley House, as I feel nothing when I envision it, but I've been wrong before.
10. Queen Mary
Yes, we've done this to death, as have countless others, but again, I'm talking about free reign, unfettered access. I think we could prove or disprove, inside a week, ABSOLUTELY ALL of the purported ghost activity there. And probably get answers as to the why, how and who's of it all.
11. Winchester House
Yes, it's a top 10 list, and this is number 11. If you don't like it, too bad. Deal with it.
I'm super skeptical about this place. I think many times people hype themselves up to the point where seeing and hearing things becomes a self fulfilling prophesy. I believe that is the case at the Winchester House. Now, if they's invite us to spend a few days to prove my theory wrong, we'd be there in a heartbeat.
Honerable mentions
These didn't make the list, and easily could have had my thinking been different when I sat down to write this.
Hearst Castle.
I've never been there, but I've seen a lot of pictures. Oh, what a marvelous place! What I'd give to do a ghost hunt there. If I had lived there, I would definitely continue on after death.
Scotty's Castle, Death Valley
I've been there once, and though no ghost stories were told, I did feel a presence or two, without a doubt. Mainly I think I picked up on imprints, as I could envision things there slightly differently, as if at differnt points in time, the most poignant was a scene looking at the big wooden doors to the courtyard just after a rare rain squall. It was a sunny, cloudless day when we went, but I could see the moisture on the ground, and overcast skies, as if I were looking though someone elses eyes.
Site of the Cooper Murders.
I'm not going to mention the actual name of this place, though I do know it, know the real address, know who the current owners are, as I researched this place throuroghly a few months ago when we thought (in error) that we would be able to gain access to this property for an investigation. I've never been there though.
Ever since I read in the newspaper over 25 years ago about the horrific crime which occurred at this location, I have felt very deep, shocked sorrow for those who lost their lives, and I know without a doubt that at least one of them stayed behind. I have reason to believe now that there are two. I have also been told by someone supposedly in the know that there is a LOT of anger and hostility at this location, and that it is better left alone. Well, that sounds an aweful lot like a challenge to me, and we're up for it. A cleansing needs to be preformed there. And those left behind need to be convinced to leave. If that means them telling their story, let's hear it, I say.
There's probably more which aren't coming to mind at the moment, but if I think of them later, I'll post them. In the meantime I invite you to post yours as well.
1. The White House.
Honest Abe is said to still walk the halls of this place, where every President except for George Washington has lived. Abraham Lincoln was seen during World War 2, during a visit by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Mr. Churchill had just finished a bath while enjoying a cigar and some liquor and was returning to the adjoining Lincoln bedroom, naked - save for his still burning cigar. When he entered the Lincoln bedroom, standing there was none other than the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. "Good evening Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage" said Churchill, as Abe smiled and faded away. This is one ending to the story of this historic meeting. Another says they stared at each other, obviously embarrassed as Abe faded away. I prefer the former story.
Bottom line, who wouldn't love to meet Abraham Lincoln? Or Dolly Madison, who is said to occasionally totter through as well.
2. Gettysburg.
This horrific battle at this imfamous site, during this horrendous war, harbors more ghosts than one can shake a stick at. It's big too, so I think a week or two would do the job.
3. Paramount Studios
Free reign, especially in the area which housed Desilu. I'll add to this entry all the other movie studios as well. With all the larger than life personalities who have worked in all these studios, many of whom were nothing like their screen personas, and the ordinary people who toiled there, I know there has to be a gaggle of roaming spirits.
4. Goldfield, NV
This applies to the Goldfield Hotel, as well as the town itself. I think the town gets largely overlooked by paranormal investigators because of the fame of the hotel, and if we ever go there, I'd like to focus on the town as well, or even exclusively.
5. Grauman's Chinese Theater
Are you kidding, you might ask. Nope. I suspect that just as the hand and foot prints of Hollywood's greatest are imprinted in concrete, there are an order of magnitude greater number of people's imprints holed up there. Probably some actives too.
6. USS Hornet
I'll add to this entry warships in different regions as well, such as the USS Missouri, and the USS New Jersey.
7. USS United States
The swiftest cruiseship ever sits moldering in Philadelphia. There has even been rumors that it's to be scrapped. This is a shameful fate for a record holder of her stature, and I hope some group comes forward and saves her. Whether she stays in disrepair at the dock, or gets scrapped, I'd love to do a ghost investigation there. I'm nearly certain that there are echos of the past embedded in her hull, and one or two active spirits keeping vigil.
8. The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, Ca
The Roosevelt has at least two inprinted ghosts living there, for lack of a better word, and maybe some actives, though I doubt it. From http://ghosts-hauntings.suite101.com/article.cfm/haunted_hollywood_roosevelt_hotel:
Famous psychic Peter James investigated the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1992. He detected the ghost of Montgomery Clift in room 928 and sensed the strong presence of Marilyn Monroe in the Tropicana Bar. He also felt the presence of Humphrey Bogart near the elevator and Carmen Miranda in a 3rd floor hallway. In the Blossom Room, he discovered Betty Grable and Edward Arnold.
9. The Whaley House in San Diego.
Unfettered access is what I mean. There are tours there often, but I'd like for us to have a full day (or three) access to document activity in this facility. I'm skeptical about the Whaley House, as I feel nothing when I envision it, but I've been wrong before.
10. Queen Mary
Yes, we've done this to death, as have countless others, but again, I'm talking about free reign, unfettered access. I think we could prove or disprove, inside a week, ABSOLUTELY ALL of the purported ghost activity there. And probably get answers as to the why, how and who's of it all.
11. Winchester House
Yes, it's a top 10 list, and this is number 11. If you don't like it, too bad. Deal with it.
I'm super skeptical about this place. I think many times people hype themselves up to the point where seeing and hearing things becomes a self fulfilling prophesy. I believe that is the case at the Winchester House. Now, if they's invite us to spend a few days to prove my theory wrong, we'd be there in a heartbeat.
Honerable mentions
These didn't make the list, and easily could have had my thinking been different when I sat down to write this.
Hearst Castle.
I've never been there, but I've seen a lot of pictures. Oh, what a marvelous place! What I'd give to do a ghost hunt there. If I had lived there, I would definitely continue on after death.
Scotty's Castle, Death Valley
I've been there once, and though no ghost stories were told, I did feel a presence or two, without a doubt. Mainly I think I picked up on imprints, as I could envision things there slightly differently, as if at differnt points in time, the most poignant was a scene looking at the big wooden doors to the courtyard just after a rare rain squall. It was a sunny, cloudless day when we went, but I could see the moisture on the ground, and overcast skies, as if I were looking though someone elses eyes.
Site of the Cooper Murders.
I'm not going to mention the actual name of this place, though I do know it, know the real address, know who the current owners are, as I researched this place throuroghly a few months ago when we thought (in error) that we would be able to gain access to this property for an investigation. I've never been there though.
Ever since I read in the newspaper over 25 years ago about the horrific crime which occurred at this location, I have felt very deep, shocked sorrow for those who lost their lives, and I know without a doubt that at least one of them stayed behind. I have reason to believe now that there are two. I have also been told by someone supposedly in the know that there is a LOT of anger and hostility at this location, and that it is better left alone. Well, that sounds an aweful lot like a challenge to me, and we're up for it. A cleansing needs to be preformed there. And those left behind need to be convinced to leave. If that means them telling their story, let's hear it, I say.
There's probably more which aren't coming to mind at the moment, but if I think of them later, I'll post them. In the meantime I invite you to post yours as well.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Paranormal Activity, the movie.
Tonight I went down to the local RedBox and rented Paranormal Activity, the Movie. This was my first time watching it, and in choosing a single word to describe this movie in my own opinion, I found that I just couldn't do it. So a string of single words will have to suffice.
Sucked, terrible, stupid, lame, waste, of, money, dumb, goofy, overhyped, bad, etc.
RedBox is only a one dollar rental fee, and I feel I'm owed a dollar. Had I paid a small fortune to watch this in a theater, with the cost of tickets, popcorn, milk duds, and soda, all of the above would have been in danger of flying at the screen. This provided that I hadn't already ingested same out of boredom. Another word: Anti-climactic.
One thing could have saved this film and it's reputation. Had they ended it after the girl walked down stairs in her trance and started yelling, the guy running down to assist her and all the noise ceaseing at that point, movie over, it would have pissed me off, but I would have gotten it. I would have finished the movie thinking "You clever bastard film maker. You built the suspense to a high level and left me with it when I go to bed tonight." Instead they show the guy's body hurled into the room (made me think of chimps tossing poop, btw) the entranced girl coming in, smiling at the camera then morphing as she obstensively enters the camera. STUPID ending to a STUPID movie!
On the acting, I think everybody did a really good job. Special effects were ok, but the black velcro strap on the girl's ankle as she was pulled out of the bed should have been taken out post production. As a paranormal investigator, I'd say they got the facts pretty much right. Burning the cross was unneccesary, except maybe it's demise made the ending possible. The slamming doors seemed to serve little purpose in advancing the movie, but it did add shock value.
Script discontinuity alert: they always went to be about midnight, but on the only shot that shows outdoors, they're locking up, arming the alarm, he pulls the shades to check a window, and it's clearly about 7 PM outside, or 6 AM, twilight to be sure.
Buy it? don't waste your money. Rent it? I wouldn't. Borrow it from a chump friend who bought it. Give them a dollar. Help them recoup some of their loss.
Sucked, terrible, stupid, lame, waste, of, money, dumb, goofy, overhyped, bad, etc.
RedBox is only a one dollar rental fee, and I feel I'm owed a dollar. Had I paid a small fortune to watch this in a theater, with the cost of tickets, popcorn, milk duds, and soda, all of the above would have been in danger of flying at the screen. This provided that I hadn't already ingested same out of boredom. Another word: Anti-climactic.
One thing could have saved this film and it's reputation. Had they ended it after the girl walked down stairs in her trance and started yelling, the guy running down to assist her and all the noise ceaseing at that point, movie over, it would have pissed me off, but I would have gotten it. I would have finished the movie thinking "You clever bastard film maker. You built the suspense to a high level and left me with it when I go to bed tonight." Instead they show the guy's body hurled into the room (made me think of chimps tossing poop, btw) the entranced girl coming in, smiling at the camera then morphing as she obstensively enters the camera. STUPID ending to a STUPID movie!
On the acting, I think everybody did a really good job. Special effects were ok, but the black velcro strap on the girl's ankle as she was pulled out of the bed should have been taken out post production. As a paranormal investigator, I'd say they got the facts pretty much right. Burning the cross was unneccesary, except maybe it's demise made the ending possible. The slamming doors seemed to serve little purpose in advancing the movie, but it did add shock value.
Script discontinuity alert: they always went to be about midnight, but on the only shot that shows outdoors, they're locking up, arming the alarm, he pulls the shades to check a window, and it's clearly about 7 PM outside, or 6 AM, twilight to be sure.
Buy it? don't waste your money. Rent it? I wouldn't. Borrow it from a chump friend who bought it. Give them a dollar. Help them recoup some of their loss.
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