{"id":1962,"date":"2011-10-20T12:47:06","date_gmt":"2011-10-20T19:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/?p=1962"},"modified":"2011-10-20T13:23:04","modified_gmt":"2011-10-20T20:23:04","slug":"streaming-wars-paranormal-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/?p=1962","title":{"rendered":"Streaming Wars: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY"},"content":{"rendered":"

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EDITOR NOTE: Streaming Wars is DFF\u2019s on-going column about the various streaming platforms. Part of the column (that may become a weekly feature) will be an attempt to suggest what to watch and where to find it. Please offer up your suggestions of streaming platforms not referenced here as well as what to watch by contacting us at DailyFilmFixATgmail.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cParanormal Activity\u201d was the little 2009 release that could and then some. The emerging \u201cPA\u201d series of films that developed thereafter returns this weekend with its third installment.<\/p>\n

The original \u201cPA,\u201d written and directed by Oren Peli, was made in 2007 for a reported budget of just $15,000.00. Even before the film was released and following it\u2019s festival appearance at 2008\u2019s Slamdance, rumors swirled of a remake under the control of none-other-than Stephen Spielberg. Finally released theatrically in 2009 after an unusual \u201cdemand it\u201d Internet campaign, \u201cPA\u201d grossed over $107 million in domestic box office alone and added another $85 million from foreign markets.<\/p>\n

The amazing success of \u201cParanormal Activity\u201d made a sequel inevitable and last year around this time \u201cPA 2\u201d crept into theaters with a huge opening weekend in excess of $40 million. That sequel was directed by Todd Williams, whose previous work included the drama \u201cThe Door in the Floor.\u201d And although the movie had an impressive first weekend out, the total domestic gross was far less than the first installment. Surprisingly, the foreign box office was better than the original and larger than what it made at home netting \u201cPA 2\u201d a worldwide total of more than $177 million, still less than its predecessor. Once again, the production budget was minuscule, just a reported $3 million, compared to other typical Hollywood wide releases. Naturally, the \u201cPA\u201d series had the makings of a franchise.<\/p>\n

\u201cParanormal Activity 3\u201d is actually a prequel, which is all the rage and was tried on last weekend with \u201cThe Thing.\u201d This time, the \u201cParanormal\u201d producers smartly enlisted two directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Shulman, that understand the right visual scope and filmmaking techniques that made the original \u201cParanormal Activity\u201d so effective. Joost and Shulman were responsible for last year\u2019s quasi-documentary \u201cCatfish.\u201d From a look at the trailer for \u201cPA 3,\u201d it appears that the filmmakers have brought lessons learned in crafting what many referred to as last year\u2019s \u201cother Facebook movie\u201d into the \u201cParanormal\u201d universe.<\/p>\n

In order to get prepped for the weekend and understand what \u201cPA\u201d is all about, you might want to watch the first two movies at home (or on your cellphone, tablet, computer, and so forth). But where can you find them? And how much will it cost you?<\/p>\n

As an aside, in writing this, I noticed that the Nic Cage\/Nic Kidman thriller \u201cTrespass\u201d is available at YouTube Movies for just $6.99. And it is still in theaters! Well, technically if you can find it. Given the low buzz for the movie, I seriously doubt that theater owners are losing much sleep over \u201cTrespass\u2019\u201d streaming and VOD release competing with its theatrical run.<\/p>\n

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY:<\/strong><\/p>\n