The Blair Witch Project vs. Cloverfield vs. Open Water vs. Paranormal Activity?

[Holmes]

?

[Foggy]

Cloverfield, easy!

[JLant19]

Yea easily cloverield

[Filmmaker]

Hated, hated, despised THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (the very definition of overhyped to me) and have no interest in OPEN WATER or PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (I already own JAWS and POLTERGEIST, thank you), though one day down the road, I will buy the latter when it's in a really good sale, since it's the only way I'll be able to acquire the trailer for SHUTTER ISLAND. All that said, CLOVERFIELD was insanely entertaining, the very definition of hyped-just-right to me!

[Starman22]

Cloverfield

[LordoftheRings]

'Cloverfield'. ...Of course, easy one.

[Batman1980]

Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield didn't even kind of scare me.

[jhiggy23]

Easily the Blair Witch Project. Marketing aside (which is arguably the best marketing job of any modern movie), the film is effectively constructed whether people want to admit it or not. Detractors of the film are predominately those who are influenced by the numerous parodies of it. Cloverfield is also a very good film and expands upon BWP in a pretty good way. Haven't seen Paranormal. Open Water had an interesting concept but was not a good film by any stretch of the imagination.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Detractors of the film are predominately those who are influenced by the numerous parodies of it.

You're feeding yourself a line, friend. Detractors of the film are predominantly those who realize that atmosphere only goes so far; if there's not even a shred of payoff, the audience just got played.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

You're feeding yourself a line, friend. Detractors of the film are predominantly those who realize that atmosphere only goes so far; if there's not even a shred of payoff, the audience just got played.

In my experience regarding this film, those who dislike it overwhelmingly do because of its marketing. It's the same with a film like 2001. About half the detractors don't like the film because they don't understand it, and the other half don't because of its hype. Same for Cloverfield, same for many other films. It becomes less about distaste for the film and more about distaste for what the film stands for.

How can you possibly say there wasn't a payoff?

[Show spoiler]The whole movie you wonder if the Blair Witch is real or not real. The last scene, which many on this site consider one of the most chilling in film history, is one of the best horror payoffs--standing in the corner equals the Blair Witch is real equals they're about to die, as per the story of how she kills people. Dropping the camera and having that as the last scene is undoubtedly one of the great decisions in horror movie history

On that note, what's the payoff of Cloverfield and how is it possibly a greater payoff than Blair Witch? I believe it has a payoff but that payoff is infinitely weaker (and I like the film quite a bit).

[Marcus Wright]

Cloverfield 4/5
Open Water 3.5/5
The blair withch project 2.5/5
Paranormal Activity 5/5

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

the other half don't because of its hype.

I don't understand your line of thinking--to hate the hype for something strongly implies that thing failed to live up to said hype. Ergo, the film sucked and wasn't worth its rampant success.

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

How can you possibly say there wasn't a payoff?

[Show spoiler]The whole movie you wonder if the Blair Witch is real or not real. The last scene, which many on this site consider one of the most chilling in film history, is one of the best horror payoffs--standing in the corner equals the Blair Witch is real equals they're about to die, as per the story of how she kills people. Dropping the camera and having that as the last scene is undoubtedly one of the great decisions in horror movie history

How scary is it supposed to be when you see no trace whatsoever of the "monster" in a horror film? I mean nothing--just snapping twigs, snotty-nosed cast members screaming and whip-pans from the camera that show uninterrupted darkness. All capped off by a dude taking a leak in the corner? Sorry, dude, for me that added up to a lot of pomp and circumstance that = 0. I realize horror films and comedy films are particularly subjective to each individual's tastes but I honestly can't even fathom what someone would find even the least bit frightening about BLAIR WITCH--there's nothing there...nothing.

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

On that note, what's the payoff of Cloverfield and how is it possibly a greater payoff than Blair Witch? I believe it has a payoff but that payoff is infinitely weaker (and I like the film quite a bit).

Um, there's a big-ass monster mowing through New York City, that's what. I'm not saying I have to have everything laid out right in front of the camera with three-point lighting (I actually love that the creature wasn't really exposed until well within the film, and then only shortly) but, at minimum, there needs to be something on the screen at some point for me to be afraid of.

[Arvin Clone]

Cloverfield by far!

Paranormal Activity was ok, but the length of time where nothing happens got kind of boring.

Blair Witch Project is my least favorite of the bunch. To this day I can't see what people was scared of? All I seen was twigs and a Girl in a need for a tissue.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Arvin Clone

Cloverfield by far!

Paranormal Activity was ok, but the length of time where nothing happens got kind of boring.

Blair Witch Project is my least favorite of the bunch. To this day I can't see what people was scared of? All I seen was twigs and a Girl in a need for a tissue.

hahaha easily one of the funniest comments I've read on here in awhile! I don't agree but I have to give you props.

[AKORIS]

CLOVERFIELD is my favorite by a pretty wide margin....