Paranormal Activity 2 **1/2

We all remember the phenomenon that Paranormal Activity became when it was released in 2009. The word-of-mouth buzz spread like wildfire and before you knew it Paranormal Activity was an instant box office mega success bringing in over 190 million dollars under a 15 thousand dollar budget. The film would go on to become one of the most talked about horror films of the last decade, whether you loved it or hated it, and the names Oren Peli, Katie Featherston, and Micah Sloat would be added to list of horror film names to remember.

Now in 2010, the Paranormal Activities legacy continues in its sequel Paranormal Activity 2, not directed by Oren Peli of the original by Tod Williams. The film starts off one year before the first film with the birth of Hunter, the newest addition to Dan and Krsiti's family. We jump forward and now Hunter is about a year old and the whole family is living a happy life. We have the husband Dan, Kristi, their daughter Ali from Dan's first marriage (he's widowed not divorced), newly born Hunter, Martine the family housekeeper, and the German Shepherd Abby. Kristi is actually the sister of Katie Featherston, who reprises her character in this film along with her boyfriend Micah.

All seems well until what looks like a burglary takes place while the family is out, strangely nothing has been stolen. This prompts Dan into installing six security cameras throughout the interior and exterior of the house. For the first few days the cameras don't pick up any strange activity until one night when Martine is left alone babysitting Hunter. A series of loud noises terrifies the superstitious Martine to the point of burning sage throughout the house, trying to cleanse the house of the demon. Dan and Kristi return home to see a terrified Martine trying to exorcise the house, Dan is forced to fire Martine claiming he doesn't want any of her superstitious behavior around baby Hunter.

Things only get worse as the days progress. Ali gets locked out of the house after stepping outside and front door slams shut behind her. Ali tries to convince her father the house is haunted, even after showing him the footage of the door shutting on her, but Dan brushes it off as wind. We also learn that Kristi and her sister Katie have had similar experiences as a child but both refuse to talk about them fearing their discussion will only make the hauntings worse. Now, in addition to the security cameras Ali begins to document the occurrences and starts researching hauntings. Ali learns, similar to Micah and Katie in the first film, that they have a demon haunting the house not a ghost. The difference being a ghost is the spirit of a dead human and a demon is not human. What Ali comes to learn is that if a deal is made with a demon for wealth then the family must offer their first born male to the demon, Hunter is the first born male in Kristi's family since their great great grandfather. Eventually Kristi experiences the worst of the hauntings and as a result everyone seems to be a believer and the safety of Hunter is at stake.

While I was watching this movie I will admit I jumped on more than one occasion. Even so, I found it difficult to decide where I stood with this film. The scares and tactics used were virtually identical to those in the first film, the stomping, the slamming doors, etc., the only difference being that the events were amplified significantly. This film, without a doubt had a more engaging story and plot structure than the first one, in fact the flaws of the first one were corrected for the sequel. However, what made the first one terrifying and have its lasting effect was lost in this one. This film's scares were great for the moment but they didn't last longer than the scare itself. I remember, after seeing the first film, anytime I look down the stairs of my house at night a chill when down my spine. While the film was better structured and amplified compared to the first film, the lack simplicity and progression of the tension building scares brought my score of the film down. I'm not saying at all that it is a bad movie, absolutely not, I'm saying that if you are going in expecting to have the same long lasting fear effect of the first then you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for a good horror movie to freak out your date for the night then this is definitely a good film to use. I gave this film of the week 2 and a half stars.

Watch the trailer: Paranormal Activity 2 trailer

See this weeks box office chart: This Weeks Box Office

Jackass 3-D ***

When good ole boys and crazy stunts come together what do you get? Jackass 3-D, of course. The guys from the hit MTV television show are back for their 3rd attempt at crass humor. The group includes: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, Wee Man, Preston Lacy, Spike Jonez and many more.

The plot is really simple, there is none. This group tries their best to come up with the wildest and craziest stunts imaginable and they somehow manage to jam it together into a 94 minute film of laughs, squeals and stomach turning events.

Because the technology has gotten so popular, the crew over at MTV Films and Dickhouse Productions decided to shoot the entire film in 3-D. The effect manages to not be completely over the top at certain times, to the point of forgetting it's even there. Other times they use it to showcase their incredible explosions. If you are a fan of the television show then you know what to expect going in and for the uneducated viewer, prepare to go on a wild ride.

There are cameos from BMX Biker Mat Hoffman, Minnesota Vikings Defensive Lineman Jared Allen and a few others.

Jackass 3-D isn't going to be getting any major awards for their outlandish stunts but it still manages to make you laugh. If you go in expecting a ridiculous movie, then that is exactly what you are going to get. This film of the week earned a surprising 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer: Jackass 3-D trailer

See this weeks box office chart: This Weeks Box Office

Space Jam***

The movie Space Jam is a classic family movie, starring the ex pro basketball player Michael Jordan. This 1996 film, by director Joe Pytka,  includes stars Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing and many more basketball players, and some of the Looney Tunes favorites such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety.

This family video released nearly 14 years ago brings back fond memories of when Looney Tunes animation use to be the cutting-edge in animation. Space Jam blends live-action comedy with animation as it takes you through a wild adventure with the Looney Tunes. The Tune Squad takes on a team of aliens who will decide wether the Tunes will stay on earth or go back to their home planet as prisoners. The aliens steal the skills of the NBA athletes and literally become basketball monsters.

Michael Jordan, then playing baseball, is asked to help Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes and save them from those evil aliens. But does Michael Joradan still have what it takes to beat the monstrous all-star team of aliens? Find out and watch this great family movie.

With almost every cartoon being computer generated now it is refreshing to see that kids can still enjoy the classic animations of the past. This movie is fun for kids and adults, and is a great movie-night choice.  Space Jam earned three stars***.


Watch the trailer: Space Jam trailer

The Social Network ****

A film that speaks out to the people of our generation, The Social Network tells us the story of how one young Harvard student changed social interactions on the internet forever. The film an adaptation of a non-fiction book, The Accidental Billionaires, by Ben Mezrich.  Jesse Eisenberg portrays Mark Zuckerberg, the brainchild behind the Facebook phenomenon. While it is up for debate how accurate Eisenberg's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg as a withdrawn jerk really is, there is no questioning the Eisenberg delivers exactly what we need to know about the character, that is, the quiet, socially awkward genius who had an idea that would make him the worlds youngest billionaire.

The film is directed by David Fincher, who has created some of the most memorable films of our time, such as, Seven, Fight Club, Panic Room, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. While Fincher has built his career around stylistic thrillers, over the past few years he has made his mark in the drama genre. Taking Aaron Sorkin's adapted screenplay and turning it into an in depth examination of changes in social networking in the Internet age.  Fincher is able to produce a film that is as smart as the titular character and still has the audiences full attention throughout the story. The film itself is presented through a non-linear timeline, that is, the full story is told through a series of flashbacks told through the testimonies the other characters during depositions against Zuckerberg.

The entire cast has been carefully chosen to represent those involved in the creation of Facebook and the events following its release. Eisenberg is probably one of the only young actors in Hollywood that, not only looks like Mark Zuckerberg, but has the guts to tackle such a role. While throughout the film Zuckerberg is portrayed as a rude social outcast, there is the other side to his personality that only wants to distinguish himself from those he feels intellectual relation to. There are a series of characters whom you many never have known were involved in Facebook, such as, Dustin Moskovitz (Joseph Mozzello) and Chris Hughes (Patrick Mapel). The others, who argue that Zuckerberg stole the Facebook idea from them are Divya Narendra (Max Minghella) and twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss who are actually played by the same actor (Arnie Hammer).

The one person who has surprised audiences and is already generating early Oscar buzz is none other than Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster. Timberlake gives a performance that nearly steals the spotlight from the others. What really stood out, in my opinion, was how much Sean Parker's involvement in the story of Facebook resembles a deal with the devil story. Parker seems to want to help Zuckerberg build the next billion dollar idea, but as the film progresses we see that Parker is simple out for himself to cash out on the next big idea of the decade. Timberlake clearly did his homework on the role and it more than paid off. He was has shown tremendous range as an actor and commands the screen every second he is on.

Whether or not you have a Facebook page, it is impossible to argue that Mark Zuckerberg has not changed the Internet forever. Having generated a population of over 500 million, almost double the population of the United States, Facebook is the new communication medium that will only escalate. The Social Network is a film will remind our generation and future generations of that change. This is definetly a film we will be hearing about during Oscar season in the spring. This film of the week has earned a solid 4 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer: The Social Network trailer

See this weeks box office: This Weeks Box Office