Paranormal Activity: The Oxnard Tapes

Not to be mistaken for its fifth instalment, 'The Marked Ones' is in fact a spin off that casts a young Latino named Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) in place of the original's Katie and Kristi Featherstone. But what could have been an opportunity to invigorate a franchise of increasingly diminishing returns turns out instead to be a nail in the coffin, and despite boasting the series' regular screenwriter Christopher Landon as its writer * director, this is undoubtedly the worst entry yet to bear the 'Paranormal Activity' brand name. The setting is a modern-day Latino neighbourhood in Los Angeles, where best buddies Jesse and Hector (Jorge Diaz) spend their time doing Jackass-type stunts and filming them with their new hand-held camera. Within their two-storey apartment complex lives a mysterious (ain't they always) neighbour Anna (Gloria Sandoval), from whose unit Hector hears strange noises from at night and who is rumoured to be a witch. Plenty of time-filling scenes and a half hour later, Anna is found gunned down by their school valedictorian Oscar (Carlos Pratts). And just as you expect them to, Jesse and Hector decide to play Sherlock Holmes by breaking into Anna's apartment to look for clues. That first visit leaves Jesse with a mark on his forearm (hence the title) as well as superhuman-like powers that look like an utter ripoff from 'Chronicle'. Jesse discovers that his powers stem from the presence of a supernatural entity, which he verifies is malevolent with the help of an Old Simon electronic game (or basically the equivalent of an electronic oujia board). That's not the worst of it - he starts to sleepwalk at night to places he cannot remember and develops some stringy stuff around his eyes which he tries to remove to suitably gruesome effect. For reasons unknown, Landon seems schizophrenic about his film. On one hand, he wants a clear link to the other 'Paranormal Activity' films, such that hardcore fans who have seen especially the last two in the series will immediately guess that it has to do with some coven of witches who have been practicing the dark arts. On the other, he seems to want to take things in a different direction, so instead of things that go bump in the night around the house, Jesse goes the way of 'The Exorcist' and gradually becomes possessed by the very otherworldly entity who's been following him around. Suffice to say that originality is in short shrift here, but what begins as an exercise in mediocrity descends into camp by the time the climax rolls around. We won't spoil it for those who are undeterred by the lack of any new ideas here; we will however declare it probably one of the most unintentionally hilarious moments of the franchise. What redemption the relatively exciting climax provides is also quickly undone by the ending, which sees Landon try just too hard to tie the events of the film to the main 'Paranormal Activity' story thread of Katie and Kristi. But the surest sign that the series has all but lost its footing is the fact that there is nothing at all scary or disturbing in this entry. Whereas the earlier films used suspense and anticipation to build some genuinely terrifying moments, this one offers none of that gratification, offering instead an 'Exorcist'-style horror with elements of 'Chronicle' blended into the 'Paranormal Activity' universe. The result is derivative to say the least, and proof that what was once a promising and enduring brand in the horror genre is quickly going the way of 'Saw' and ultimately bleeding itself dry. As its title suggests, mark this entry down - but do so by crossing it out.

Let's get something straight, right here and now: when it comes to this franchise, I'm about as close to a fanboy as you can get. And that makes it challenging to attempt to do a fair and unbiased review. Not everyone likes this franchise - in fact, I'm sure there's a significant portion of the people out there that HATE IT. With scary movies, more than any other genre of movies, it's all about personal taste, and everyone is different. With that said, perhaps the best way to look at Marked Ones would be based on how you felt on any of the previous movies. Marked Ones sticks to the formula of the previous movies, with some fine tuning here and there. Here's my take: Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones is the 5th movie in the franchise, but it can also be considered a spin-off...sort of. Marked Ones follows high school graduate Jesse, a kid living in a rather tough part of town (noticeably distant from the settings of any of the previous movies). Jesse and his friends notice some strange things happening in the home of their downstairs neighbor, and decide to use their camcorders to answer their curiosity. A good idea? Of course not. This won't end well...will it? Was it all destined? If there's one thing I've always praised Paranormal Activity for, it's this: MASTERFUL use of suspense, tension, and misdirection. And Marked Ones not only follows suit - in terms of scare value, IT DAMN NEAR SURPASSES ANY OF THE PREVIOUS MOVIES. I don't say this lightly - Marked Ones might be one of the scariest movies in a looooong time. It will give you just enough time to worry about what's about to happen. And even when you think you know what's coming, they can still get you to jump. And man, can they hit you with some 1-2 punches... Movies like Insidious and Mama could take some tips from Paranormal - they know what they're doing. The cast does a very convincing job in their parts. For the most part, everything feels like a home movie, but thankfully, you never have to deal with all the insane camera-shaking that many of these Blair Witch- type movies suffer from. And the pacing is excellent - the movie clocks in at just under 90 minutes, a tad on the short side, but not a moment is wasted. Every single moment is spent either scaring you, making you laugh, or pushing the story forward. About the story...As a stand-alone film, without seeing any of the other Paranormals, this movie is still very enjoyable and scary. However, some of the lore of what's going on may get lost if you're unfamiliar. And the ending, while TERRIFIC on it's own, takes on EPIC-LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE if you've been following the franchise. You may want to brush up on the main characters of the previous movies before seeing Marked Ones. You may also want to pay some attention to the timeline of the films...2 happens before (and after) 1, 3 happens before 1 and 2, 4 happens a while after 1 and 2, and 5...well, that's something you need to pay attention to... Being such a fan of the series, it's hard for me to find anything bad to say about Marked Ones. It's intensely scary, it squeezes in some funny moments, and it pushes a deep and involved story. What more could you ask for? Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones scores a FIVE OUT OF FIVE on The BDBOS!!! If you enjoy the series, it's a must see!!! (Hey guys, thanks for checking out my review. If you wind up seeing the movie, I hope you enjoy it. For more reviews like this, movie news, and maybe even the occasional free ticket or two, be sure to check out my little page at facebook.com/TheBDBOS. Stop by and say wussup!)

Let's face it, the Paranormal Activity franchise is one of the worst out there. The whole franchise has been built on the over hyping of one film that led to billions of dollars in revenue and spawned a franchise of even less scary sequels. Now after 4 installments, the franchise has gotten it's first spin-off and it's just as awful as you'd imagine. If there's anything positive that can be said about the film, it's not as bad as the last installment. This really isn't a positive though considering that the film is still garbage and the fourth installment is one of the laziest films I've ever seen. The Marked One's does add some elements that haven't been seen in the previous films, but they are things that you've seen done a million other times in different films and they aren't even particularity done well here. It's essentially just ripping off much better movies. The acting here is by far the worst in the whole series and it doesn't help that the writing is as equally atrocious. The profane filled dialouge is embarrassing to the point where you will actually find yourself becoming annoying by the constant use of the F-word, and this is coming from someone who has a pretty filthy vocabulary. Aside from elements from other films that have been rehashed into this entry, The Marked One's offers nothing you haven't seen in the other installments. It's slowly paced and features the same cheap scares that you've come to expect from the franchise and you've seen more than a dozen horror films, than you've seen everything that this film has to offer. The worst part of all is that the ending for the film is downright insulting to the viewer. It's evident that the writers were trying hard to tie this one in with the rest of the franchise, but had no clue how to. They try to present to us a so-called "twist" that makes absolutely no sense and is only there so there is some sort of connection the previous films. I won't spoil it, but most of the audience left the screening pretty annoyed. If you've somehow managed to enjoy this terrible franchise, you might find some enjoyment in The Marked Ones. But if you are a veteran horror viewer, you'll want to look elsewhere because there is nothing here worth wasting time on. Hopefully this franchise will come to an end soon and we can stop having to sit through these awful films every year. The only scary thing about this is that we've got to sit through another installment in October.

The first PA movie was a surprise hit that made millions out of its miniscule budget which led to several sequels that were both average and disappointing especially the fourth one which was made so lazily that its sole purpose was to make a quick cash-grab. I expected this to be another average PA film but was surprised to see how well it was made. If you are not a fan of found-footage films which has recently become a huge trend, then obviously this movie will do nothing for you. The typical static camera shots of spontaneous noises and random things moving from the previous movies are gone now which is a good thing since there's only so much they can do with that. It takes place in a new setting with new characters and a lot more humor is added in this time. The protagonists were likable and not annoying and acted competently. However, the good always comes with the bad but not too many. The film does nothing new or original but it wasn't as big a problem for me since the film was effectively made. Some of the scenes involving Latino gangs were too stereotypical and unnecessary but other than that, the movie didn't have too many flaws. All I'm going to say without spoiling anything is that the last 20 minutes of the film will truly scare you with a huge twist at the end that will obviously not be explained further until the confirmed PA 5 comes out this October. I really thought this franchise was sealing its fate after the fourth one but The Marked Ones gives fresh opportunities for the filmmakers to indulge in. If you are a fan of the PA films excluding the fourth one and are unsure about whether you want to spend money to see this film, my recommendation is go see it without a doubt. I got my money's worth. :)

Paranormal Activity: The Oxnard Tapes_720p(480P)

source: Paranormal Activity: The Oxnard Tapes

In Oxnard, California, the teenager Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) graduates in high-school and buys a camera in the pawnshop. Jesse lives in an apartment on the second floor of a small residential building with his father and grandmother and in the floor below lives Anna (Gloria Sandoval) that people use to say that is a witch. Jesse has two friends in the building, Hector (Jorge Diaz) and Marisol (Gabrielle Walsh). When Anna is found dead in her apartment, the prime suspect is Jesse's schoolmate Oscar that had just left her apartment. Jesse, Hector and Marisol snoop around Anna's apartment and soon they find a sort of altar with photos of Oscar and Jesse. Then Jesse changes his behavior and soon they discover that Jesse was marked by evil witches. Will Hector and Marisol save Jesse from evil? "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones" has a reasonable story and a nice poster. However, the cheap camera work is annoying and lame garbage and ruins the movie. My vote is two. Title (Brazil): "Atividade Paranormal: Marcados Pelo Mal" ("Paranormal Activity: Marked by Evil")

Firstly as the option isn't there I am awarding a 7/10 for this film! Was excited to be back in the cinema for my first horror of 2014, and being a fan of the whole Paranormal series, I was looking forward to this one! This film like every other paranormal follows the same trend, 3rd person recording, that annoying rumbling sound which pretty much gives away any time that your going to be made to jump or scream, as well as finding some plausible way to keep all the films in the series linked. The first task of these films is to try and make it plausible why the lead character is always using a camera, which I guess it did OK. The characters in this film are a complete switch to what you are used to which I enjoyed, moving away from a nice American Suburb was one that was probably needed. The only issue with the characters was the amount of youth orientated humour such as drugs and swearing etc, it isn't overbearing but I just think that this sort of film can appeal to horror fans of all ages and bearing in mind most of the best horrors that have been either made or remade for our generation are 20+ years old, so I feel that the youth focus can maybe alienate elder viewers. This isn't a big gripe just something id point out. The characters were good, acting was good too. The storyline worked which was nice, wasn't massively far fetched and everything was explained quite well. There are plenty of jumps and screams to be had, sitting in a 3/4 full cinema and seeing people jump or scream to me shows its done what its supposed to and the general feeling was that everyone enjoyed it. Here is my only real dislike of this series, as a jumpy bit approaches in all 5 of the Paranormal series in the background you here a faint rumbling, which although maybe for effect, on the 5th time of watching this series becomes an irritating give away of what is about to come, other than that effects and sound were done well. Im sure there will be more from this series as it seems still a popular franchise, I would like to see it really push itself a bit more but overall its a good addition to the series. Well worth a watch for all horror fans alike! Don't go expecting amazing filming or top quality scripts as it isn't designed to be like that, its chilling home shot movie style still works but maybe if were going to a 6th or 7th film it may need to add something new. There are many Paranormal films out and also coming out in 2014 such as The Quiet ones and Devils Due, I will see and review them all , I left feeling hyped, I was gripped and entertained and its definitely worth a watch, if not at the cinema then definitely for a DVD rental in the future!!! 7/10 worth a watch!

Not to be mistaken for its fifth instalment, 'The Marked Ones' is in fact a spin off that casts a young Latino named Jesse (Andrew Jacobs) in place of the original's Katie and Kristi Featherstone. But what could have been an opportunity to invigorate a franchise of increasingly diminishing returns turns out instead to be a nail in the coffin, and despite boasting the series' regular screenwriter Christopher Landon as its writer * director, this is undoubtedly the worst entry yet to bear the 'Paranormal Activity' brand name. The setting is a modern-day Latino neighbourhood in Los Angeles, where best buddies Jesse and Hector (Jorge Diaz) spend their time doing Jackass-type stunts and filming them with their new hand-held camera. Within their two-storey apartment complex lives a mysterious (ain't they always) neighbour Anna (Gloria Sandoval), from whose unit Hector hears strange noises from at night and who is rumoured to be a witch. Plenty of time-filling scenes and a half hour later, Anna is found gunned down by their school valedictorian Oscar (Carlos Pratts). And just as you expect them to, Jesse and Hector decide to play Sherlock Holmes by breaking into Anna's apartment to look for clues. That first visit leaves Jesse with a mark on his forearm (hence the title) as well as superhuman-like powers that look like an utter ripoff from 'Chronicle'. Jesse discovers that his powers stem from the presence of a supernatural entity, which he verifies is malevolent with the help of an Old Simon electronic game (or basically the equivalent of an electronic oujia board). That's not the worst of it - he starts to sleepwalk at night to places he cannot remember and develops some stringy stuff around his eyes which he tries to remove to suitably gruesome effect. For reasons unknown, Landon seems schizophrenic about his film. On one hand, he wants a clear link to the other 'Paranormal Activity' films, such that hardcore fans who have seen especially the last two in the series will immediately guess that it has to do with some coven of witches who have been practicing the dark arts. On the other, he seems to want to take things in a different direction, so instead of things that go bump in the night around the house, Jesse goes the way of 'The Exorcist' and gradually becomes possessed by the very otherworldly entity who's been following him around. Suffice to say that originality is in short shrift here, but what begins as an exercise in mediocrity descends into camp by the time the climax rolls around. We won't spoil it for those who are undeterred by the lack of any new ideas here; we will however declare it probably one of the most unintentionally hilarious moments of the franchise. What redemption the relatively exciting climax provides is also quickly undone by the ending, which sees Landon try just too hard to tie the events of the film to the main 'Paranormal Activity' story thread of Katie and Kristi. But the surest sign that the series has all but lost its footing is the fact that there is nothing at all scary or disturbing in this entry. Whereas the earlier films used suspense and anticipation to build some genuinely terrifying moments, this one offers none of that gratification, offering instead an 'Exorcist'-style horror with elements of 'Chronicle' blended into the 'Paranormal Activity' universe. The result is derivative to say the least, and proof that what was once a promising and enduring brand in the horror genre is quickly going the way of 'Saw' and ultimately bleeding itself dry. As its title suggests, mark this entry down - but do so by crossing it out.

I am a big fan of the Paranormal Activity films, Although I thought the 4th one was a major let down and so expected this one to be equally as boring, how wrong I was! What I started to hate about the franchise was how they never gave much information away, I think this film explains a lot whilst still leaving you with many unanswered questions and looking forward to the next film! It is worth noting that this film is a cousin film to the others and while it follows the same story line it is not a direct sequel to paranormal activity 4 (although it may as well be). I think the characters were good in this film and I liked how it was set in a poor urban gang riddled neighbourhood and not a posh suburb like all the others, I think the use of props were good and made it somewhat different from the others. The only thing I did miss in this movie was the use of recording through the night as it is all filmed while all characters are awake and controlling the camera, I also missed the lack of people being dragged around as thats usually quite a humorous moment in the cinema! The film is overall enjoyable and scary but nothing compares to the last ten minutes (its amazing!), very confusing but fantastic and enables the viewer to make their own conclusions! There is so much more I could say but I don't want to give anything away as I think its worth a watch without knowing what to expect. I cannot wait until the next one!