Paranormal Entity (2009) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2009
Director: Shane Van Dyke
Cast: Shane Van Dyke, Erin Marie Hogan, Fia Perera, Norman Saleet
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: 22 December 2009
Running Time: 1 hour 29 minutes

The Movie Review

Paranormal Entity film still 1


PARANORMAL ENTITY
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I don't know how many people have been fooled by this movie :) This movie can fool you in two ways... if you are a really casual viewer who rarely sees any movies, there's a big chance you'll get fooled twice for sure. But if you have seen many horror movies, there is still possibility you'll also get fooled even if only once ;) Before I continue, be aware spoilers are inevitable. So if you like a supernatural horror movie, you will want to watch the movie and the impact is greater if you sleep alone at your home at night.

Thomas Finley (Shane Van Dyke) and his mother, Ellen (Fia Perera) and younger sister, Samantha (Erin Marie Hogan), are currently living under mysterious terror. You see, it all started when they lost the father to a car accident. Unable to handle the truth, Ellen Finley starts to write a note to the so-called soul of the father hoping that in some ways he would come back. Apparently, something far more evil is the one which replies to Ellen's letters. And this paranormal entity seems to take a horrible liking to Samantha and it shows some increasing signs of presence which is gradually becoming more unbearable and disturbing for this poor family. Thomas tries to tape everything to proof the existence of this entity, but will this help? And what would they have on tape?

The video footage of the family is later found after the ultimate tragedy that befell unto them... And through this raw footage covering everything about their life, right from the beginning where we learn to know the family better, their motivation of the recordings, the small fight between brother and sister, to the harrowing nights where the unspeakable and inexplicable form of horror are taking place right in their house. Paranormal Entity is a found-footage horror movie subgenre.

Paranormal Entity is a product of The Asylum. The Asylum often churns out films that take advantage of the current blockbuster movies. For example, Snakes on a Train (2006) is to Snakes on a Plane (2006), Mega Piranha (2010) to Piranha 3D (2010) or 18 Year Old Virgin (2009) to The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005). So guess what Paranormal Entity is to? If you don't know that, then you just got fooled once! Because the real blockbuster movie is called Paranormal Activity (2007), that's why movies from The Asylum are often dubbed as Mockbuster.

Second thing that might fool you is the appearance of the movie which has been specifically tailored as if it's based on a real life incident. Well, in this case, it's a total fake! So if you have nightmare about it, then matey you just got fooled twice! It's customary for some filmmakers to shoot their movies this way (found-footage style) to add some sense of realism. While, it might have worked for newbies in horror, but it certainly needs something more to impress the seasoned horror aficionados.

Now, let's talk about the term Mockbuster... Yes, most movies from The Asylum were having lower quality than the real ones and undoubtedly much lower budget. But since Paranormal Activity was already a low-budget Indie Horror after all in the first place, then Paranormal Entity has easier competitions. And to say honestly, the only big thing that Paranormal Entity steals from Paranormal Activity is the main idea of a family terrorized by an evil entity.

It's interesting that at most points, Paranormal Entity is much better than the original one. I even find it not as boring as Paranormal Activity. Have to admit, it's nice to see the "brave/all out" performance of the lead actress, Erin Marie Hogan, in her bathing scene and the disturbing finale. Good thing is, the acting of Erin Marie Hogan and the entire cast is better than Paranormal Activity, and thankfully so is the characterization. The male lead in Paranormal Activity is highly annoying while the one in Paranormal Entity has been toned down that it becomes reasonable. The ending in Paranormal Activity maybe not explains all the things, but for some people that might be better than forced explanation. Both are worth the rent and might be a heart-pounding movie for lonely midnight.

> Found Footage of Unspeakable Terror: The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Quarantine (2008).

> Do you believe in Raped by Demon?: The Entity (1982) and Nightmare Man (2007).

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com
Twitter: @movielogy
posted: Thursday, 6 October 2011 08:02 pm