Signs Of Trouble For Found-Footage Horror Films?

Stats courtesy of BoxOfficeMojo.com

This past weekend Devil's Due opened at number seven in the top ten box office standings. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones fell out of the top ten altogether after falling to the number nine spot during the previous weekend. And to top it off, The Marked Ones opened at number two.

Think about that for a second. A heavily promoted Paranormal Activity film opened at number two. Yes, Frozen is a front-runner to take home the Oscar for Best Animated film, but let's look at the facts. Frozen received its limited theatrical release on November 22, 2013, and the wide release on November 27, 2013. That's a full month and then some before the release of The Marked Ones, and Paranormal Activity is a well-known franchise with a fan following and a proven track record of success (the original Paranormal Activity film and The Marked Ones are the only two films in the franchise that didn't open at number one). We're not talking about some random footage film. We're talking about a franchise with real name value, and The Marked Ones couldn't take the number one spot from a film that's been around since November?

And now we have Devil's Due. Devil's Due was heavily promoted for weeks, but the film opened at number seven. I wasn't 100% sold on Devil's Due, but I was sure Devil's Due would find a way to squeeze into the top three somehow. Although, you have to look at things from a moviegoer's POV. The trailers and TV spots for Devil's Due were too generic and ordinary. If I'm using the trailers and TV spots as a measuring stick, Devil's Due is a run-of-the-mill found-footage possession film, with cheap jump scares, and a lame cliffhanger ending.

I know we're in January, so there's plenty of time left in 2014. Still, you can't ignore the obvious warning signs after the recent slide for The Marked Ones, and the huge flop for Devil's Due. As far as Paranormal Activity goes, the franchise is suffering from a problem of one too many sequels. To make matters worse, Paranormal Activity sticks to a tiresome formula: 40-50 minutes of boring security camera footage (I don't need to know what's going on in your empty pool or kitchen at 3:00 am), sporadic attacks from Toby the invisible demon, and a suspenseful finale that might last ten or fifteen minutes. Also, we have a spin-off now, and we're preparing for the fifth film in the franchise, and Paranormal Activity's story is still going in circles? Sorry, but it's a big problem, if you're still giving your fanbase the run around after four films.

Devil's Due is another big red flag. A found-footage horror film about a possessed victim (or victims)? We've seen this same story with the same tired shaky cam tricks and predictable jump scares too many times now, and moviegoers are tired of it. The Devil Inside, The last Exorcism, the Paranormal Activity films. Year after year it's the same movie all over again, and it feels like we're stuck in a reoccurring cycle. And speaking of The Devil Inside, the ending still bothers me, and I watched the movie on opening weekend at theaters. You don't stick up a giant middle finger to your paying customers by telling them to finish the movie at home on the internet. Unacceptable.

If you read my reviews and other posts on here, you'll know I'm not a big fan of the found-footage genre (horror and non-horror). I actually enjoy a handful of found-footage films, including the first two [REC] films ([REC] 3 is unbearably awful for me), The Poughkeepsie Tapes, and Chronicle, but the constant barrage of found-footage films that stick to the same redundant formula annoy me. So when it's all said and done, I'm not sitting behind my keyboard, while twirling my bad guy mustache with a sinister grin on my face for the downfall of found-footage films.

But the found-footage horror sub-genre is in desperate need of a real spark. If we see a lukewarm box office run or a noticeable flop for Paranormal Activity 5 in October, then I think it's safe to say the future of the PA franchise is in jeopardy And to add insult to injury, you have to wonder about the future of found-footage horror films, because the standard formula of possession, exorcism, and an over the top finale with demon attacks is wearing thin.

With all that said, I hope the troubles for The Marked Ones and Devil's Due kill the chances for a found-footage Friday The 13th film. The rumors of  the new Friday The 13th film having a found-footage POV are still floating around. It's clear horror found-footage films are starting to lose some luster, and I actually enjoyed the 2009 reboot. You're taking an unnecessary risk for killing the mystique of Jason Voorhees in a found-footage film, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't happen.

A Haunted House (2013)(Minor Spoilers Review)

**This review contains MINOR spoilers, no character deaths, plot twists, or major reveals**

After a series of paranormal disturbances in their new home, Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) and Kisha (Essence Atkins) seek the help of Dan (David Koechner) and Bob (Dave Sheridan), a duo of brothers, who install security cameras for a living, while Dan tries to push a paranormal reality show at the same time, Chip (Nick Swardson), a psychic, Father Doug Williams (Cedric The Entertainer), and Malcolm‘s “gangster” cousin, Ray-Ray (Affion Crockett).

As a happy couple, Kisha and Malcolm are forced to deal with problems from the housekeeper, Rosa (Marlene Forte), and some awkward interruptions from Steve (Andrew Daly) and Jenny (Alanna Ubach), a swinging married couple. As time passes, it’s clear a malevolent entity is stalking Malcolm and Kisha, and moving into another house won’t solve the problem.

Whacky. That’s best word to describe the performances here. You’ll see a lot of whacky, and over the top silliness from the cast, but it’s a spoof horror comedy, so you have to expect that, I guess.

I know A Haunted House is supposed to be an over the top film, but overkill is a real problem here. A prime example is a lame running gag with Nick Swardson’s Chip and Malcolm. Every time the lights go out, there’s a panic in the dark. And when the lights pop on again, Chip is clinging to (or trying to) Malcolm in some random sexual position, because Chip is obviously attracted to Malcolm.

Although, A Haunted House deserves some credit for noticeable attention to detail spoofs. A Haunted House spoofs The Devil Inside, The Blair Witch Project, and Paranormal Activity. Paranormal Activity is the main story arc for the spoofs used in this film, and the noticeable effort to mimic the Paranormal films really surprised me. Trust me, A Haunted House isn’t a great film by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ll give credit where credit is due for the detailed step by step process of imitating other horror films. And kudos to A Haunted House for maintaining feelings of authenticity for the found-footage POV style throughout the movie.

Still, A Haunted House was too hit and miss for me. I won’t sit here and lie to you, because I DID laugh pretty hard a few times. But when the forty minute mark for A Haunted House rolled around, I was beyond burnt out on the goofy lunacy and constant barrage of slapstick gags. Although, if you’re looking for non-stop outrageousness, A Haunted House won’t disappoint you at all. There’s more than enough raunchy and vulgar humor, sex gags, and in-your-face buffoonery during the one hour and twenty-six minutes runtime.

Marlon Wayans returns to his Scary Movie roots with this horror spoof. And if you’re wondering, yes, A Haunted House is better than the neutered Scary Movie films (Scary Movie 3, 4, and 5), but in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a major accomplishment to brag about.

Rating: 4/10

Michael Jordan had another run with the Wizards after winning six championships. Brett Favre was one step away from earning a second ring with the Vikings.

As the world's definitive multi-talented superstar athlete, Trisha Bunrastar is taking an unexpected and shocking leap into a new career path. Assuming the identity of Freechelle Fantabulous, Trisha vows to fight crime and battle evildoers as a superheroine. Will she conquer her new mission? Find out more here! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFLI6VK

Or take a trip into my special world of madness that includes comedy, horror, and the supernatural in this collection of short stories- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFMYZ0U

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A Haunted House (2013)(Spoiler Review)

**This review contains spoilers**

Prepairing to start their new life together, Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) invites his girlfriend, Kisha (Essence Atkins) to move in with him. But the happy couple encounter a series of unexplainable incidents in the new home. With limited options available, a frightened Kisha pushes Malcolm to seek help from the paranormal investigation field.

Kisha and Malcolm seek help from Dan (David Koechner) and Bob (Dave Sheridan), a duo of brothers, who install security cameras for a living, while Dan tries to push a paranormal reality show as ghost busters at the same time, Chip (Nick Swardson), a psychic, Father Doug Williams (Cedric The Entertainer), and Malcolm‘s “gangster” cousin, Ray-Ray (Affion Crockett). Kisha and Malcolm are forced to deal with problems from the housekeeper, Rosa (Marlene Forte), and some awkward interruptions from Steve (Andrew Daly) and Jenny (Alanna Ubach), a swinging married couple. As time passes, it’s clear a malevolent entity is stalking Malcolm and Kisha, and the situation becomes more complex, when Kisha reveals secrets in her dark past……..

Whacky. That’s best word to describe the performances here. You’ll see a lot of whacky, and over the top silliness from the cast, but it’s a spoof horror comedy, so you have to expect that, I guess.

I know A Haunted House is supposed to be an over the top film, but overkill is a real problem here. A prime example is a lame running gag with Nick Swardson’s Chip and Malcolm. Every time the lights go out, there’s a panic in the dark. And when the lights pop on again, Chip is clinging to (or trying to) Malcolm in some random sexual position, because Chip is obviously attracted to Malcolm.

Although, A Haunted House deserves some credit for noticeable attention to detail spoofs. A Haunted House spoofs The Devil Inside, The Blair Witch Project, and Paranormal Activity. Paranormal Activity is the main story arc for the spoofs used in this film, and the noticeable effort to mimic the Paranormal films really surprised me. A Haunted House mirrors everything from the camera angles, to the security camera footage, falling furniture, recreating entire scenes from the Paranormal films step by step, the final moments of the first film, and Katie and Kristi’s backstory as a child. As a child, Kisha had an imaginary friend/invisible demon named Tony as a friend, and of course Tony is the invisible demon, who’s tormenting Malcolm and Kisha in their new home. If you remember the Paranormal films, Toby is the name of the invisible demon, who befriended Katie and Kristi. Nice touch.

Remember the ending to The Blair Witch Project with an emotionless Mike standing still in a corner? Well they also spoof that scene here with Bob standing in a corner. Of course, the big difference is Bob is urinating. And kudos to A Haunted House for maintaining feelings of authenticity for the found-footage POV style throughout the movie.

Plus, I got a few good chuckles out of the scene where Malcolm and Kisha ignore the demon. The scene happens towards the end of the movie, and while Malcolm and Kisha are sitting around in the kitchen, the demon strikes by opening drawers, throwing pots and pans around, and destroying everything. Instead of freaking out, Malcolm and Kisha calmly ignore the demon in an attempt to get under his skin (i.e. Malcolm commenting on the new plastic drinking cups, preventing the demon from breaking more glass). Hilarious moment, because in every paranormal/haunting horror film, you see the exact opposite reaction for this scenario.  

Still, A Haunted House was too hit and miss for me. I won’t sit here and lie to you, because I DID laugh pretty hard a few times. But when the forty minute mark for A Haunted House rolled around, I was beyond burnt out on the goofy lunacy and constant barrage of slapstick gags. Although, if you’re looking for non-stop outrageousness, A Haunted House won’t disappoint you at all. There’s more than enough raunchy and vulgar humor, sex gags, and in-your-face buffoonery during the one hour and twenty-six minutes runtime. So yeah, you’ll get your fill on an orgy scene, Malcolm and Kisha sharing weed with a demon, and demon rape.

Marlon Wayans returns to his Scary Movie roots with this horror spoof. And if you’re wondering, yes, A Haunted House is better than the neutered Scary Movie films (Scary Movie 3, 4, and 5), but in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a major accomplishment to brag about.

Rating: 4/10

Michael Jordan had another run with the Wizards after winning six championships. Brett Favre was one step away from earning a second ring with the Vikings.

As the world's definitive multi-talented superstar athlete, Trisha Bunrastar is taking an unexpected and shocking leap into a new career path. Assuming the identity of Freechelle Fantabulous, Trisha vows to fight crime and battle evildoers as a superheroine. Will she conquer her new mission? Find out more here! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFLI6VK

Or take a trip into my special world of madness that includes comedy, horror, and the supernatural in this collection of short stories- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFMYZ0U

And remember Amazon offers free Kindle App downloads for various platforms. Follow this link to find out more- http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Follow me on Twitter here- https://twitter.com/LQuigleyFan1

And don't forget to like both of my Facebook pages, because the Mitch MacReady 2 Facebook page includes quotes from both ebooks that can't fit into Tweets- https://www.facebook.com/mitch.macready