"Paranormal Activity" update

So back in October I made a post about this cool movie called "Paranormal Activity." I talked about how after an online 'election' the movie was going to have a nationwide release.

Well I'm sure that a month later, you have heard of the movie or even watched it for yourself. After all it has made over $60,000,000 at the box office, so someone has watched it!

Four weeks after it's wide release the movie sits at number five at the box office in front of newly released "The Box" with Cameron Diaz. This just blows my mind considering the movie's low, almost nonexistent budget.

I'm curious about why the movie is doing so well. It does not have a big budget, nor does it have big actors, or director. So if I want to make a movie as big as this one, what do I need?

Can the success of the movie be based on good word of mouth, or maybe the fact that you could vote to see it in your city? Some outside factor has to be involved here because lets face it, this movie doesn't exactly look like a $60,000,000 movie.

Please let me know what you think. Why is "Paranormal Activity" raking in the cash?

Religion in 2012 movie

In an interview with 2012 director Roland Emmerich, he discussed how he decided not to destroy an Islamic landmark out of fear of a negative backlash.

Emmerich is known for finding chilling ways to destroy the civilized world. He has shown us many possibilities ranging from alien invasions, to huge lizards, to global climate change.

Now in 2012, doomsday is caused by earth crust displacement, which sounds less menacing but judging from the trailers, it is serious business. Emmerich described some of the major landmarks he destroyed in the film, which included the White House, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.

However, Emmerich did not get to destroy all the landmarks he had originally hoped for. People on his writing team advised him against destroying the Kaaba, which is one of Islam's holiest landmarks, out of fear of a fatwa.

According to askoxford.com, a fatwa is "an authoritative ruling on a point of Islamic law." In the Western world however the word has become a synonym for a death sentence.

To avoid this possibility, he just left it out completely and didn't worry about it. I guess Emmerich didn't want to have to explain to some angry Islamic extremist that it's just a movie and no death sentences are required.

Interestingly, Emmerich didn't hesitate to demolish St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Not only is he tipping it over, he is tipping it over thousands of people who went to pray for salvation on the eve of the apocalypse.

So Emmerich, the man who likes to destroy the world, is scared of Islamic extremist, who isn't right? Did he do the right thing by leaving the Kaaba alone or should he have gone with his gut and taken the risk?

Clooney stares at goats and goes up in the air

I am really excited to see George Clooney in "Men Who Stare at Goats." To be perfectly honest, he is the reason I want to watch this movie.

In case you have not seen the trailer, I can tell you the movie looks pretty funny. Psychic powers are always a big hit with people, especially in a comedy like this one.

Clooney was one of the producers of the film and I look forward to seeing how he did. However, it is disappointing that he will not be directing like I had hoped.

I am a fan of "Good Night, and Good Luck," which Clooney directed and starred in. I have been looking forward to him dishing out another movie like this one.

If for whatever reason "Men Who Stare at Goats" does not measure up, Clooney has a back-up on the way. "Up in the Air" staring Clooney is set to come out in December 2009.

This is one of those movie trailers about life that make you want to laugh and cry even before you even watch the actual movie. I'm sold, so consider me already there watching this movie.

Clooney has always been one of my favorite actors and love it when he tries new things such as directing or producing. It shows his love for film and his commitment to his projects.

So let me know which movie you are likely to see.

Precious endorsments

If I were the author of a newly released book, I would kill for one key endorsement: Oprah Winfery. However, it seems Oprah has decided to endorse movies too.


According to an article in Time magazine, Oprah, along with other important names, are working on the release of "Precious." The movie is based on Sapphire's book “Push” and is set to come out with a limited release Nov. 6.

Here is a summary I got from Yahoo:
"Clareece "Precious" Jones is an overweight, illiterate African-American teen in Harlem. Just as she's about to give birth to her second child, Jones is accepted into an alternative school where a teacher helps her find a new path in her life."

I recommend you watch the trailers before you write this movie off, they are a lot more moving and powerful than this description.

Oprah and Tyler Perry are two of the producers and Mariah Carey plays the part of a social worker. These are all big names that carry with them a lot of great publicity.

However, the article mentioned that Oprah plans to use her fame and authority to further promote the film. She said she planned to use her show, magazine and satellite radio channel to "bring in different audiences.”

Sounds great to me, but I don't really see the effort being made on behalf of Oprah or anyone else. I don't recall seeing any promotional work on this movie besides the trailers I found on Yahoo.


I have seen more promotional work on "A Christmas Carol." This tells me that Oprah should step it up and start working that magic of hers.


So have any of you heard of this movie, and if so, how do you think Oprah is doing with the promotional aspect.

Paranormal Activity gets nationwide release thanks to voters

After a million online votes, Paramount Pictures is releasing Paranormal Activity nationwide. Just goes to show that Americans love their scary, freaky movies.

This is the first time the public got a chance to vote on the films released by movie studios. I think this was a really smart promotional move on behalf of Paramount Pictures.

Voting has always been used to engage and interact with the public, so why not try it with movies? Genius.

Most of the hype over this movie has come from the option to vote on a nationwide release. That is definitely what attracted my interest in the film.

Of course the good reviews and scary trailers had something to do with it too. E! Online said the movie was "one of the decade's scariest films."

This movie has made some serious money considering its budget and limited release. Right now it is at number four at the box office with $8,280,000.

So for those who voted to see the film, congratulations, democracy has served you well. Celebrate your victory by attending the nationwide opening of the film this Friday, Oct. 16.

To get more info on the movie and see trailers visit http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/. I also recommend Facebook.com/ParanormalActivity to read reactions/reviews from fans.