Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Trick or Trailers: Paranormal Activity (2009)

Are we really in October already? Like halfway through it, at that? 

Well, according to the calendar we definitely are. But it seems like time doesn't really have the same meaning as it used to, right? The weather changes with the seasons and we come up on holidays and other milestones but yet it feels like we went into limbo way back in March and still haven't come out of it. 

But no matter how different things might feel, officially being in October means that another round of Trick or Trailers is due! I haven't checked on how many years I've been doing this but I know it's been more than a few. Early on, I was conscious of trying not to repeat any trailers from years past but at this point, I'm not going to bother to go back and double check. I'm just going with my gut and hoping that I'm not just rehashing things. We'll see how it goes!     

First up, 2009's effective trailer for the original Paranormal Activity: 

   

This is one of my absolute favorite styles of horror trailers - selling people on the reactions of an audience. But man, everything about this trailer makes me want to cry now. An audience lined up to see a movie! In a packed theater, no less! Everybody screaming and hiding their eyes and clutching their companions and just sharing the rush of that communal fright! God, how I want to get back to that. 

With theater going pretty much on pause, as studios continue to hold back most of their product until the pandemic situation improves, I'm desperately missing the joys of getting hyped for new movies and anticipating trekking to the theater on opening night to have that experience with an audience. I know there's no shortage of new genre product on streaming services but, I'm sorry, pulling something up on Netflix or Hulu is no substitute for seeing a new horror movie on the big screen. Especially ones that caution you to "Don't See It Alone!" 

That experience is so key to appreciating movies and to horror movies, especially, that it is so dispiriting (no ghost pun intended!) to have it on hold and with such uncertainty as to when it might return. 

Watching the first PA trailer these days makes for a bittersweet reminder of better times, of the kind of simple, silly pleasures that we took for granted, never expecting that they might one day end. 

2 comments:

Jose Andrade said...

Happy Halloween season good sir, your presence is very welcome during these uncertain times. Your post is very spot on and I thank you for it. The 'limbo' analogy is one I agree with Almost feel like that scene in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, where B & T are in a (seemingly) neverending free fall to Hell. Where we land, who knows. In any case your writing and your blog remind me of that time you speak of, where things were a bit more innocent and fun. There are societal issues that must be addressed and fixed, but I still can appreciate the little things.

Jeff Allard said...

Thanks, Jose! Sorry for the delay in approving your comment. Been so busy I haven't gotten back to the blog since posting. Anyhow, glad to provide a little relief in these trying times. There's so much going on in the world that I think it's healthy and necessary to shut it out sometimes and focus on things that are just enjoyable. Will try and get a few more Trick or Trailers posted before the end of the month but, man, October is flying by!!