REVIEW
movie review // 'PARANORMAL ACTIVITY' Hollywood hits, indie flicks and everything in between.
Don't believe the hype.
Paranormal Activity is a shifty little thriller that would have you believe suspense without pay-off is the only trick the horror genre has left. But the film ends up being a casualty of its own inspired marketing, which promised audiences the scariest movie since The Exorcist and further enticed them with a genuinely terrifying trailer that seemed to back up this wild claim.
But as it turns out, that grainy, handheld footage of the trailer was nothing more than a glorified highlight reel. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie. Even the admittedly intense ending, which provides the only real scares in the entire film, is completely spoiled in the preview's final seconds.
The movie explores the increasingly strained marriage of yuppie newlyweds Micah (Micah Sloat) and Katie (Katie Featherston). After enduring several nights of grotesque nightmares and disembodied moaning coming from the attic, Katie becomes convinced that a demonic presence has invaded their home.
Hoping to ease his wife's hysteria, Micah sets up recording equipment in the couple's
bedroom to document any supernatural phenomena. Katie protests, saying the interference will only enrage the spirit. She's right of course, and each night's haunting seems more unsettling and aggressive than the last.
Unfortunately, these unsettling and aggressive occurrences mostly consist of doors suddenly slamming, chandeliers swaying slightly and lots of creepy shadows. Not exactly my definition of heart-stopping entertainment.
Yes, it's great that Paranormal Activity, which was made two years ago for the micro-budget of $11,000, manages to do so much with so little. But, even though the claustrophobic atmosphere, mounting tension and effortlessly naturalistic performances seem masterful at first, the effect wears off fast when the viewer finally realizes that nothing frightening is actually going to happen. Monotony is the kiss of death for a movie such as this. If you want minimalist horror done right, I'd point you to The Blair Witch Project, Cannibal Holocaust and the original, 1963 version of The Haunting.
✩✩// LANDON MCDONALD
music review // BASSNECTAR — 'COZZA FRENZY' KJHK's weekly guide to sonic consumption. (CHILD'S PLAY)
Churning out his first release in two years, Bassnectar steps back onto the scene and musically asserts that he's one of the best in the game.
For those who are unfamiliar, Bassnectar is roughly categorized as hip-hop-tinged electronica. More than anything, his music is loud and crammed with as much energy as possible.
For example, he kicks off the title track with electro arpeggios before laying down a headknocking hip hop drum pattern. Following that we launch into the "Mega-Bass Remix," which is a slightly darker, drum-and-bass-infused reprise.
Just when you've got this album pinned down as a double shot of espresso in your day, Bassnectar throws in some chilled-out, ambient vocals into the mix as he does on the remix of Mr. Projectile's "Love Here."
This album, and all of Bassnectar's music, is about surprises. The flaw of this record, as with his past projects, is the caliber of the featured rappers. Which is to say, fairly low. Just imagine if artists such as Dizzee Rascal, The Cool Kids, or Roots Manuva linked up with this guy.
Bottom line, this album isn't for everyone.
but fans of electronic music, jumping around or the way bass makes the pennies in your change cup rattle will be in heaven.
//DANNY J. SPENCE,
KJHK ROTATION DJ
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