Grade: A+
There’s been a sequel, a prequel and a slew of imitators, but the original “Paranormal Activity” has them all beat. It’s amazing that something so simply shot can be so scary, but “Paranormal Activity” really pulls it off. Starring two unknowns as a young couple experiencing a real-life haunted house, the film comes off as a home movie your own friends could have made. The scares are subtle and lack special effects, which makes them all the more real. Footprints appear on the floor, bed linens move by themselves and ouija boards spontaneously burst into flames. This film doesn’t need big-budget explosions to get the scare across. Even if reality isn’t your thing, “Paranormal Activity” will have you jumping out of your chair.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]