I am not one for horrors or whatever category you want to put ‘Paranormal Activity’ into but it’s been a long time since I attended the cinema to find such a packed screen. The screen was safely 80% full and out of that 80% most of us felt disappointed.

The story revolves around Katie and Micah living in their new house where strange goings on begin. However for Katie it wasn’t the first time she experienced this. Since the age of 8 strange goings on have followed her but this time around Micah, (the events all being new to him) decides to record the events.

By doing this he only creates more intense activity. The activity in this mocumentary mainly happens at night, for me the constant switching between night and day was frustrating to say the least. It was clearly felt by the rest of the audience, as sighs were openly audible.

The best parts of the film were definitely at night and happened in the latter half of the film making the first half somewhat drag. When the paranormal goings on actually happen they genuinely play on your childhood fears, tucking the duvet under your feet so you’re not grabbed in your sleep, which for me made my heart pound. Besides these clever physiologic tricks I found the film extremely predictable, riddled with lulls and a disappointing viewing.

In my opinion the film was hyped up too much in the advertising. At points the badly thought-out scenes actually made the entire audience laugh when it was meant to be serious. For scariness I would rate the film 4/10 and over all 1/10.

Disappointing, laughable but you might sleep with the lights on tonight.

‘Paranormal Activity’ is a horror movie to say the least. Directed by Oren Peli with a minute budget it is dubbed the next ‘Blair Witch Project’.

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Set in Nome, modern day Alaska, where inexplicably since the 1960s a large number of the population have been reported missing every year. Psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler began videotaping sessions with traumatised patients and inadvertently discovers some of the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented.

YEAH RIGHT!

This film pretends to document real behaviour, literally or as a re-enactment of non-human activity. The film is introduction by Milla Jovovich, who plays Dr. Taylor, to reinforce the ‘authenticity’ of this film. The film claims to use ‘actual footage’ of the interviews conducted by Dr. Taylor and for me the footage conveniently jumbles at critical parts. Audiences are now too intelligent to be fooled by staged material, however much this film tries to enforce its genuineness. For me this film was a poor version of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and that was done ten years ago!

For me it struggles to reach a higher than a 3 out of 10.

This heart warming story was one of the best films i have seen in quite a while. The work that went into each character really paid off making me laugh so hard and get thoroughly attached to each of them. The story sometimes touched on subjects that would be hard for children to understand and also digest but was quickly glossed over. A film that all adults can relate to without a doubt but still light enough to make kids love it. The 3D element was good but not as impressive as it could be at an imax viewing. Either way 3D or 2D go see it. See if the baddy looks like a certain strictly come dancing presenter to you too!

‘Up’ is the latest film brought to us by Disney Pixar. Although the animation was stunningly sensational as always, the story seemed slightly lacking.

It is the tale of Carl Frederickson, a 78 year old balloon seller and his quest to fulfil the lifelong dreams of his late wife, Ellie. Together they shared the dream of adventure in South America and moving their house to Paradise Falls.

Accidentally accompanied by 8 year old Russell, Carl flies to Paradise Falls… in his house, only to discover it isn’t paradise at all.

The story is a little feeble to be honest, and though a tad funny in places, I couldn’t help but notice the sombre pang that seemed to be the heart-wrenching backbone of the plot throughout. We are constantly reminded amongst the magical balloon rides, talking dogs and funky coloured feathers that the reason for the whole scenario is that Ellie died without her adventure and of Carl’s guilt for not making it happen in her life time.

Although the film ends on a happier note as the audience is taught in a Peter Pan type fashion that life itself is one awfully great adventure, the sad undertone is ever present.

Heart warming? Slightly, but I would say it is one of the most depressing children’s animations since Bambi’s mum met her maker in the meadow.

Overall it is a mundanely good movie, which impresses more with its animation than anything else. For a film called ‘Up’ it seemed to be mainly downs, though I doubt that was Disney’s attempt at an ironic title.