The Last Broadcast (1998)
I actually really enjoyed this. A lot of people compare it to
Blair Witch but it takes the approach of the documentary instead of flat-out "found footage" - It plays like an extended episode of
Unexplained Mysteries or the like... Now, depending on your preference, you may find this approach (and this movie) to be incredibly boring... My boyfriend did. I, however, enjoyed it a lot - It's not a perfect movie by any means (the ending, while the statement was interesting, was a little silly), but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Not a lot of people on this board liked the movie
Lake Mungo (like I did)... If you did, I recommend this.
3/5.
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Trick 'R Treat (2008)
My second time watching this movie, and it certainly doesn't lose its charm over repeat viewings. I really love how it plays with the myths and legends surrounding Halloween and also plays with the viewer's expectations. It's a great homage to classics like
Tales from the Crypt or
Creepshow. That being said, if you're not a fan of anthology horror films, stay away (my boyfriend isn't and didn't really like this movie).
I find it clever, well-made, and there are parts that still eek me out or make me squirm. I think it's a total blast and the perfect film for the die-hard horror fan.
Watch it if you haven't already.
4.5/5.
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Grave Encounters (2011)
I really liked this. I am also finding out about myself that I really enjoy the "found footage" style of film, so as long as the movie is relatively well-done I'll get
some enjoyment out of it.
The acting is solid. The atmosphere is definitely creepy (made me jump a few times). The special effects, while silly at times, are forgivable because I think that this movie really does succeed to separate and alienate our (anti?)-heroes, so their fear is our own.
It's a pretty simple film-crew-goes-into-a-haunted-asylum-and-horror-ensues-found-footage-film and I'm sure that a lot of people would call it "derivative" or "a rip-off of Blair Witch" or something to that extent... But I don't care - I thought it was well done and it creeped me out, so I recommend it if you're looking for a good solid little scare.
3.75/5.
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Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - I thought that the acting was spectacular (I typically HATE HATE HATE child actors, but these little girls were fantastic), the scares were solid, and the ending/reveal was fantastic.
I could care less about the complaints of "HOW DOES THIS FILM EVEN CONNECT TO THE FIRST TWO" because, quite frankly, I actually think that it could stand on its own as a solid haunting/demon film. I really liked the ending; I thought that it was well-done and truly horrifying (nothing necessarily
new to the horror genre as a whole, per se, but I thought it was well done) and there were honestly scenes where I had to grip my boyfriend's hand out of fear.
I thought that the movie had perfect pacing - While I think that the second film might have burned a bit too slowly, I think that the pacing in PA3 really brought the threat in soon and escalated it well.
Plus, I thought the special effects were great - Clearly you have someone at the helm who loves horror and who loves to play tricks on the audience members - Bravo to them.
All-in-all, an enjoyable, believably creepy, and well-done movie. Definitely recommended.
4/5.