... alright, if it only shows up while I'm editing then this low-light camera should
help me capture whatever's been freaking me out lately.
Let's give it a shot.
This is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, in-depth reviews in less than five minutes.
I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
A few weeks ago, at the Playlist Live YouTube convention in Orlando, I had the opportunity
to see a very early screening of the upcoming horror film, "Unfriended".
And not wanting to discuss it by itself, tonight we'll also be taking a look at its predecessors
in the low-budget, found-footage genre of horror films, beginning with the grandfather
of them all, "The Blair Witch Project".
Following one of the earliest and most effective viral-marketing campaigns in history, this
horror thriller was released nationwide in the summer of 1999 where it earned almost
a quarter-billion in ticket sales.
Even though the shoe-string budget of $22,000 ballooned to some $600,000 following studio-requested
changes and re-shoots, the film remains one of the five-most profitable in history.
Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez did things so cheaply, they actually returned
one of their digital cameras back to Radio Shack after shooting completed for a full
refund.
The quick 81-minute story follows a trio of film students who venture deep into the forest
outside of Burkittsville, Maryland to film a documentary on a local myth about the titular
creature.
Doing all the camerawork themselves, Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams and Joshua Leonard
star as themselves - a group of eager, hot-headed, and mostly unprepared individuals who find
themselves terrorized late at night by unseen entities.
Utilizing only a rough outline, and improvising the entire picture - these three quite literally
carry the film on their backs, especially impressive considering how little experience
they had as professional actors before setting out into the woods.
The R-rated film opens with an unassuming title card that explains everything that follows
is recovered footage from a failed expedition.
And just like that, an entirely new genre and method of filmmaking was born.
Criticism has been plentiful for "found footage" films, but when done right, it can be a powerful
and convincing narrative.
While some shots seem almost intentionally shaky and misaligned, the best moments actually
feel like you're watching a real adventure from real people.
When our three protagonists aren't arguing like idiots over getting lost, they're being
haunted by weird noises and screams late at night, that are undeniably creepy.
In the picture's most lasting image, a harshly-lit extreme close-up, Heather confesses, "I'm
scared to close my eyes, I'm scared to open them!"
The entirety of "The Blair Witch Project" hinges on her paralyzing fear - and when she's
frighten, so is the audience.
This is particularly important as the malevolence that looms over the proceedings is never fully
revealed, if it even exists at all.
Filmed on location in the non-descript woods of Maryland in only eight days, this movie
appropriately feels like we're viewing an abandoned project.
The faux documentary is shot on sixteen millimeter film and low-quality video, which capture
the action and interviews in the 4:3 frame.
Meanwhile, a rumbling score from Tony Cora helps elevate tension during the scarier sequences.
Despite the limitations of its predictable plot - which largely amounts to a few white
kids bumbling around in the woods for an hour - there's no denying that this film was a
pioneering effort in the horror genre that inspired countless imitators, and even a direct
sequel.
"The Blair Witch Project" is an unsettling experience presented with groundbreaking techniques.
And here's what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
A large spread of opinions here, but we both praised the believable acting and the novel
style, we both scored this an EIGHT.
For tonight's poll question, do you like "found footage" films?
Why or why not?
Leave your response as a comment below.
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Or next review tonight is for, "Paranormal Activity".
This supernatural horror film was initially screened at the Screamfest Film Festival in
2007 before seeing a nationwide release over two years later in October of 2009.
Written, produced, and directed by Oren Peli, the simple but intriguing concept was filmed
on an extremely modest budget of only $15,000.
The movie's $193 million dollar take at the box office make sit the single most profitable
movie ever made, based on return-on-investment.
To put that another way, "Paranormal Activity" made an astonishing thirteen grand for every
dollar spent on production.
The 86-minute plot follows a young attractive couple in San Diego who attempt to document
a demon they believe may be terrorizing their house.
Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat portray these characters with realistic dialogue,
which includes plenty of heated arguments about their situation.
While Katie wishes to ignore and retreat, Micah seems more interested in provoking the
force and capturing it on camera.
Both of them have a vulnerable innocence to them that makes it extremely easy to put yourself
in their frightening position.
Sharing info he learned while researching demons, Micah remarks, "They stalk people
for years, like decades, and sometimes they're really intelligent in the way they do things
to freak you out."
Although the slowly-paced film has huge sections where nothing happens, it's these quieter
moments that are actually the scariest; as you're just waiting with baited breath for
whatever unexplained anomaly will happen next.
Tensions heighten slowly throughout the R-rated flick, as we witness the nightly occurrences
becoming larger and more aggressive.
But the creepiest moments are when Katie awakens in the middle of the night, seemingly in a
possessed trance, just to stare at Micah while he sleeps for hours on end.
The entire film is shot via an in-universe digital camera, which is frequently mounted
on tripods around their house: which besides allowing for the occasional two-shot also
prevents this self-shot cinematography from ever becoming too shaky and disorienting.
All of the visual trickery was accomplished with practical, in-camera effects, which keep
the picture believable.
In an effort to maintain the found-footage ruse the movie doesn't have any credits, before
or after the film; an extremely rare occurrence I don't think I've ever seen before.
Forgoing a traditional score in favor of a low rumbling during the more dramatic scenes,
this movie is often more unsettling than outright scary.
A surprisingly effective low-budget horror film that kicked off a slew of copycats, and
a six-picture franchise, this is one movie all horror-fans should see at least once...
but they might want to wait until the daytime.
"Paranormal Activity" delivers disturbing domestic events despite its low-budget feel.
And here's what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
One of the most polarizing films we've reviewed yet - some thought it was a horrible excuse
for cinema, while others praised its ingenuity, your scores averaged to an ALRIGHT.
Even though the plot doesn't really go anywhere, the concept and execution definitely creeped
me out, I thought it was COOL.
Finally tonight, a look at another low-budget horror film, the upcoming "Unfriended".
This April 2015 release first premiered at the Fantasia Festival in 2014 under its original
title, "Cybernatural" - but regardless of its name I predict the extremely low-budget
affair will score over $100 million at the box office rather easily.
The fast-paced 82-minute story follows a group of online chat room friends who are haunted
by a mysterious supernatural force controlling the accounts of their dead friend.
The cast of relative unknowns is led by former soap opera star Shelley Hennig - whose anxious
breathing and blood-curdling screams are convincing enough to have you panicking right alongside
her.
The entire narrative is showcased via screencapture - we only ever see our protagonists as they
see themselves; through the eyes of their cheap webcams during a Skype conference call.
All communication is done through this real-time hangout, as well as parallel private conversations
on Facebook.
The extremely unique concept is a fresh twist on the found-footage style, and keeps the
picture decidedly realistic.
Director Levan Gabriadze's decision to deliver huge chunks of expositional dialogue through
instant messages is a risky move, but it actually pays off.
From the familiar sound of a Macbook's keystrokes, to hesitation about sending that accusatory
Facebook text: this first-person perspective of Henning's laptop gives us insight into
her thought process, and makes the viewer connect with the protagonist in a very intimate
way.
Maintaining this presentation for the duration of the entire R-rated picture is an ambitious
approach, one that is commendably accurate on a technical level: all of the sound effects,
programs, and user-interfaces are rendered with real legitimacy.
The only thing I took issue with was the clock in the status bar, which ran slower than real-time
for some reason.
There are plenty of traditional jumpscares here - hell even a misclick to a Wikipedia
article on possession got me on one occasion - but it's the disturbing digital obstacles
that generate the most fear.
When Hennig discovers the titular "Unfriend" button is greyed out... the resulting gasp
of terror she lets out is a surprisingly effective moment.
Her boyfriend tries to reassure her that all of these weird anomalies are probably just
a glitch, to which she quickly replies, "Well, the glitch just typed."
Later, the unlikable group of teens play a tense game of "Never Have I Ever", which culminates
with some revealing confessions that threaten their very lives.
Although some of the lower-quality webcam footage and poor framing can grow tiresome,
this is a very different horror movie, one that provokes a 'lean-forward' type of response...
as you never know where things will go next.
Indeed, beneath all of the frightening mind-games and unseen violence, this movie also touches
upon the theme of bullying and its tragic consequences.
Perfectly encapsulating the behavior and mentality of millennials, this movie delivers great
psychological horror most teenagers will absolutely love.
For everyone else, "Unfriended" is a captivating melodrama presented in unique fashion.
Honestly, I thought it was a pretty GREAT film - and I'd recommend checking it out when
it's released.
Finally tonight, some Tweet Critiques to see what you're saying about films currently playing
in theaters.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
Next week we'll once again be reviewing time travel films, with an emphasis on newer releases:
"Primer", "Hot Tub Time Machine", "Predestination", "Time Lapse", and" Project Almanac".
If you've seen these films, share your opinions by voting in the polls below, or by leaving
a comment review - I read them all, and will include my favorites in the next episode.
If you'd like to watch more Movie Night videos, check out the "related reviews" on the right,
or click SUBSCRIBE to be notified of future uploads.
Also be sure to follow me on social media for updates and exclusive content between
episodes.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thank you for watching and listening.
Until next time, have a good Movie Night!