I read The Shining right before the movie came out and it taught me to avoid all adaptations of his books.
The only film adaptation of his book that was any good was "Salem's Lot" back in the 70's. It was made for TV, but Danny Glick hovering outside the window fucked me up forever.
@TheUptightMidwesterner: You really didn't like the movie adaptation? Not the horrible, terrible one with Steven Weber, but the Kubrick?
And the TV miniseries of The Stand could have been worse. Better, of course, but it could have been a lot worse (see: Rose Red, The Langoliers, every other script King has ever gotten his hands on).
@Go Like Hell Machine: No- I hated it because I thought Jack Nicholson was very hammy. I think the Jack Torrence in the book was a bit more subdued and sinister.
@scroll_lock: I haven't read her work, but "sloppy hack" is one of the many descriptive pejoratives I've heard bandied about regarding Steffoneigh Meyer, and she's only at the very beginning of her career.
What do you think this says about the future of reading?
@belltolls: heh. That book scared me to death- especially when the photo in the album winked at the kid. The movie, of course, was terrible. Any vehicle with John Boy in it just doesn't deliver. Ask Mary Ellen.
@scroll_lock: My favorite "classic" which describes the mad world we live in well is Inside, Outside, Upside Down. Sometimes I wonder wtf is really going on.
@scroll_lock: The worst is when he has anything to do with the film or tv production process. His cinematic instincts are astonishingly pedestrian for a guy that once wrote pretty scary tales. Despite once writing in an essay that a story or movie are more frightening if you never show the monster, he can't help doing exactly that. But what do you expect from the guy who cast his preferred version of the shinging with Rebecca DeMornay and the guy from Wings?
Back when Blair Witch came out I was a student at the U. of Md. and I remember seeing my friends packing up their car one friday with beer. I asked them what they were doing and their answer was "driving up to Westminster to hang out in the Blair Woods and scare the shit out of Blair Witch Fans."
Stupidly, I didn't go. Maybe Paranormal Activity will give me another chance... #blairwitchproject
I click through to AICN and all I could think is, 'why does Harry have a gif of himself taking a poop while being watched by a goat up on the top left corner of the page?' #blairwitchproject
His imdb.com page says he was executive producer of Blair Witch 2, so he probably deserves some of the blame for that one. Unless it was one of those deals where he just sold the rights and his hands were tied. No idea how that works.
Paranormal Activity is so bad, it got laughed at by the 34th street crowd. It does resurrect The Blair Witch Project, since it made me remember how good it was compared to this piece of crap. #blairwitchproject
@whoneedslight: Characters were so flat, they were practically just cardboard cutouts of human beings that had no souls to begin with. I really didn't give a shit what happens to them.
There is big a difference between a movie made without money, and a movie made without money and without talent. Just because your camera is cheap doesn't mean you don't have to know how to hold the damn thing.
Just think about it: in Blair Witch, the characters who were holding the camera were actually filmmakers (even if just aspiring), so that's why we got a "documentary" shot well. Here, the guy holding the camera was a day trader, so that's why we get a "documentary" shot badly. But why would anyone want to watch a "documentary" made by a fucking day trader? It would only be scary if it was real. This way there is absolutely no worth in it - it's neither a documentary, nor a work of art.
It could be compared to Cloverfield, but with Cloverfiled you at least have the benefit of the big production, here - there are no benefits.
@whoneedslight: I'm with you. I'm part of the backlash to the backlash. This was a $15,000 movie. And it scared the shit out of me. It's certainly not perfect, but the rough edges are part of the charm. Supposedly the studio wanted to remake it with stars, and Spielberg intervened. It's probably the best move he's made in a while. #blairwitchproject
@Steverino Begins: That's the thing. If you hated it, then great. But it was still so much scarier than most. I just don't get the hate.
I had a friend that saw it and she was so mediocre. Didn't like it. But she woke up in the middle of the night so scared that she cried. Come on. That is legit. #blairwitchproject
@whoneedslight: she woke up in the middle of the night so scared that she cried. Come on. That is legit.
I don't doubt that your "mediocre friend" can do better direction and camera work in her sleep than these talentless dorks did with this movie. #blairwitchproject
@Niko Bellic: I completely agree with everything you're saying. Paranormal Activity wasn't much scarier than any other horror film with things popping out at you.
The end scene was probably the only part that gave me a slight jump, but that's my reaction to things flying at the screen. Everything else became quite formulaic. The sound cues always signaled something was about to happen.
I'll give credit to however they pulled off the effect of her being pulled out of bed, that was done well - but then being dragged down the hall - almost made it comical.
I love a good psychological thriller, and Blair Witch was that, only with a new twist. This has no twist. To try and play off that "is it real!" line of thought, since it's been done, made it come across as even more contrived then had it just started like a regular movie. They also decided to try and do the minute of black silence at the end, just like Blair Witch. Again - not effective. Half the people didn't know whether to clap or laugh in the theater I was in. Cut to a decade ago, seeing Blair Witch in it's pre-release before people knew it wasn't real and there was genuine speculation - the theater was dead silent, I myself just felt stunned.
Paranormal Activity had a great concept (demons/possession), and had they found a way to be original, it could have been truly frightening. For now tho, The Exorcist is still a far, FAR superior film on that subject matter. #blairwitchproject
@Madge Gristle: The big part of why Blair Witch felt so real was excellent acting. I don't care how much you shake your crappy camera, it's not going to feel "documentary" if the person in front of it can't talk and behave like a real person would.
If something left big bite marks on my girlfriend, and I am not in the woods of Massachusetts but in the suburbs of San Diego, I'd call the police and take her to a doctor. I wouldn't just put her back to bed and turn the camera on. That type of scripting is just laughably artificial, and completely ruins any illusion of "reality".
I saw this movie over the weekend expecting it to be somewhat scary since nothing ever lives up to the hype. The large theatre only had 12 people in it, two of them left midway and everyone else behind us kept talking about how boring it was. I get that it was an anticipation build but it never built up to anything spectacular or original. I think I even took a nap during it. Don't believe the hype, both Blair Witch and Paranormal suck for the exact same reasons: cheap movies distributed by big companies left with huge marketing budgets that build up the movie to be something that it's not. Word of mouth should have kept both of these movies from making money not helping it. I'm so confused. I love horror movies, this was neither horror, scary or original. I've seen episodes of A Haunting on Discovery Channel that did much a better job of scaring the hell out of me. #blairwitchproject
@hotpinklovesofa: It's definitely all about the marketing. Also, a lot of the early blog/word of mouth buzz came from the Paranormal Activity screenings at festivals so I guess festival goers are just easily frightened? I found PA (as well as Blair Witch) anticlimactic and not all that original, much like you. Yeah, great, they made a movie on the cheap--good for them. Just don't shove it at us like it's the Next Big Thing in Horror!
p.s. have you seen The House of the Devil yet? THAT is how you build tension/suspense/anticipation toward a big climax. #blairwitchproject
@pureblarney: I'm really not. True horror fans aren't impressed by either film, PA or BWP, on the simple basis that neither was actually scary. This isn't even a criticism of the filmmaking but simply the lack of achieving the goal which was to scare the crap out of you or at least give you a few good startles throughout to keep you talking after and feeling positive about the film. If you're bored in the theatre and looking for the exits, the film failed. Besides, if you go in wanting to get scared you'll scream at the screen even when things aren't happening. I've had those moments more than once when everyone in the theatre turns to the one or two girls who freaked out over literally nothing happening on screen.
I love horror movies and watch them all the time but that doesn't mean any old thing is going to freak me out, especially if it's played and replayed in the trailer before even reaching the theatre. I need more than just gore and I need more than simple camera tricks. In the case of Paranormal, had they had better writing and actors the tension and build to the finale might've done the trick. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and you can't use the excuse that it was a small budget. Talent exists at any price level, even free, if you bother making time to find it. These actors didn't deliver so the ending was just a relief in the sense that you knew you could finally go home.
Obviously my opinion is just that and it's not a criticism of those who actually were scared. Perhaps, if your exposure to horror is less and you were really looking for a startle then you can pretty much get yourself into such a state that simple things scare the crap out of you. I know my friends and what their tastes are as well as their exposure to the genre and know that they wouldn't be impressed so my word of mouth was, Netflix it. #blairwitchproject
@hotpinklovesofa: I think it won't actually be on DVD til December, but definitely check it out when you can. It manages to be creepy/scary (like I was saying, building the tension REALLY effectively) without excessive gore. #blairwitchproject
Boy oh boy, am I excited for the next wave of people that think the fact that their credit card covers a Handycam and Final Cut Pro equals a hundred million dollar hit.
It was wonderful, amazing, perfect marketing, at the right time (and mostly a lie, but hey).
If you've seen it, you know the film isn't good for a second viewing. And when was the last time you popped in that Blair Witch DVD? #blairwitchproject
11/25/09
11/25/09
The only film adaptation of his book that was any good was "Salem's Lot" back in the 70's. It was made for TV, but Danny Glick hovering outside the window fucked me up forever.
11/25/09
And the TV miniseries of The Stand could have been worse. Better, of course, but it could have been a lot worse (see: Rose Red, The Langoliers, every other script King has ever gotten his hands on).
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
I really need to lay off the vodka tonics for a while.
11/25/09
11/25/09
Monday: Called mom. She's sloppy drunk again. They still haven't been able to take away that knife.
Tuesday: Practiced walking backwards into my own footprints. You never know.
Wednesday: Didn't get the job. I think "No elevator travel" on the resume might be off-putting.
Thursday: Put another 1,000 miles on the Volkswagon as of this week. Those suckers really do last forever...and ever...and ever OH GOD DAMN IT.
Friday: woke up to find DECNUOB KCEHC YNOMILA ROUY written on my door with lipstick. Eerie.
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
Steve, if you are dying for a little publicity from recycling some of your finest work, toss yourself in front of a van again.
11/25/09
However, yes, I agree, this will almost certainly be terrible.
11/25/09
11/25/09
What do you think this says about the future of reading?
11/25/09
*ps great to see you back!
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
Also: thanks - glad you're still here!
#tips
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/03/09
Stupidly, I didn't go. Maybe Paranormal Activity will give me another chance... #blairwitchproject
11/03/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
[www.imdb.com] #blairwitchproject
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
There is big a difference between a movie made without money, and a movie made without money and without talent. Just because your camera is cheap doesn't mean you don't have to know how to hold the damn thing.
Just think about it: in Blair Witch, the characters who were holding the camera were actually filmmakers (even if just aspiring), so that's why we got a "documentary" shot well. Here, the guy holding the camera was a day trader, so that's why we get a "documentary" shot badly. But why would anyone want to watch a "documentary" made by a fucking day trader? It would only be scary if it was real. This way there is absolutely no worth in it - it's neither a documentary, nor a work of art.
It could be compared to Cloverfield, but with Cloverfiled you at least have the benefit of the big production, here - there are no benefits.
11/02/09
11/02/09
I had a friend that saw it and she was so mediocre. Didn't like it. But she woke up in the middle of the night so scared that she cried. Come on. That is legit. #blairwitchproject
11/02/09
I don't doubt that your "mediocre friend" can do better direction and camera work in her sleep than these talentless dorks did with this movie. #blairwitchproject
11/03/09
The end scene was probably the only part that gave me a slight jump, but that's my reaction to things flying at the screen. Everything else became quite formulaic. The sound cues always signaled something was about to happen.
I'll give credit to however they pulled off the effect of her being pulled out of bed, that was done well - but then being dragged down the hall - almost made it comical.
I love a good psychological thriller, and Blair Witch was that, only with a new twist. This has no twist. To try and play off that "is it real!" line of thought, since it's been done, made it come across as even more contrived then had it just started like a regular movie. They also decided to try and do the minute of black silence at the end, just like Blair Witch. Again - not effective. Half the people didn't know whether to clap or laugh in the theater I was in. Cut to a decade ago, seeing Blair Witch in it's pre-release before people knew it wasn't real and there was genuine speculation - the theater was dead silent, I myself just felt stunned.
Paranormal Activity had a great concept (demons/possession), and had they found a way to be original, it could have been truly frightening. For now tho, The Exorcist is still a far, FAR superior film on that subject matter. #blairwitchproject
11/03/09
If something left big bite marks on my girlfriend, and I am not in the woods of Massachusetts but in the suburbs of San Diego, I'd call the police and take her to a doctor. I wouldn't just put her back to bed and turn the camera on. That type of scripting is just laughably artificial, and completely ruins any illusion of "reality".
11/02/09
11/02/09
11/02/09
p.s. have you seen The House of the Devil yet? THAT is how you build tension/suspense/anticipation toward a big climax. #blairwitchproject
11/03/09
11/03/09
I love horror movies and watch them all the time but that doesn't mean any old thing is going to freak me out, especially if it's played and replayed in the trailer before even reaching the theatre. I need more than just gore and I need more than simple camera tricks. In the case of Paranormal, had they had better writing and actors the tension and build to the finale might've done the trick. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and you can't use the excuse that it was a small budget. Talent exists at any price level, even free, if you bother making time to find it. These actors didn't deliver so the ending was just a relief in the sense that you knew you could finally go home.
Obviously my opinion is just that and it's not a criticism of those who actually were scared. Perhaps, if your exposure to horror is less and you were really looking for a startle then you can pretty much get yourself into such a state that simple things scare the crap out of you. I know my friends and what their tastes are as well as their exposure to the genre and know that they wouldn't be impressed so my word of mouth was, Netflix it. #blairwitchproject
11/03/09
11/02/09
It was wonderful, amazing, perfect marketing, at the right time (and mostly a lie, but hey).
If you've seen it, you know the film isn't good for a second viewing. And when was the last time you popped in that Blair Witch DVD? #blairwitchproject