Rated R – 1h23

Packed with plenty of gotcha moments, Paranormal Activity 3 will make you jump several times. The problem is, we already know the formula and that takes a lot of the frightful edge away.

Set in 1988, we again get a home video obsessed guy who must catch on VHS, the things in his home that are going bump in the night. The added twist of the backstory of the original Katie from Paranormal Activity 1 is a wasted point.

To set up the scary faux-documentary, we’re to believe that were looking back on real archival footage. Dennis, a wedding videographer, has moved in with hot 80’s mom Julie. They live a happy life with Julie’s two daughters Katie and Kristi. One night, Dennis accidentally catches Kristi’s imaginary friend Toby on camera and becomes infatuated. Things escalate poorly for the family.

With just a few exceptions, I almost never recommend the 3rd chapter in a film franchise. That rule is still in effect here. I will admit to jumping several times. That’s the point of watching a movie like this.

In fact, based on this movie, PA1 makes much less sense. SPOILER AHEAD: In this film, young Katie from 1988 befriends the mysterious demon. Are we to assume that her demon friend is the same one that possesses Katie from 2009? The older Katie is more a victim of her boyfriend’s misguided actions. Did the demon and Katie’s relationship mean nothing all those years?

There was something fun I took away from this film. It was in the technical use of a surveillance style point of view, where the camera pans back and forth. I am a lover of puzzles where you have to figure out the difference between two pictures. In this case, the viewer’s perspective pans to the left, so look for the thing that sticks out in the frame. Pan to the right, then back to the left and see what’s spookily changed. I am a film technique lover, so I actually enjoyed this.

Still, would you go see a movie based on someone’s thrill that the camera panned back & forth? I don’t think so. That’s something for movie nerds like me.

The bottom line is, you will be scared with PA3, even if it’s for the lack of creativity.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Maybe.

There was a story out of Wausau this week where firefighters rescued a dog from a house fire and revived a Yellow Lab named Coda with mouth-to-snout resuscitation. A teenager was home at the time of the fire and managed to get out safely. He couldn’t make it back inside, but the firefighters did.

That’s begs the question. Would I be able to do the same for my dog JD? (pictured at the right)

Well, he is a known for creating a lot of slobber. He’s got these floppy lips that droop over his mouth. He always has dog breath. Still, if it came down to an emergency, I’d give my pup the kiss of life. I’d be searching for my toothbrush soon afterwards, but in the name of my doggie, I’d do it.

My stupid yappy neighbor’s dog that keeps me awake at night? That would be a tougher decision, but I’d like to think I’d help out that little rat dog too.

Here’s Coda’s story that was on the Today show this morning:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Popularity: 3% [?]

Can I just fast forward to 2013?  Because really, I want to go back to November, 5th, 1955.

That’s when The DeLorean Motor Company  says they’ll be release their brand new, electric versions of the DMC-12, the car Doc Emmit Brown made famous in “Back To The Future.” The new car will be made of original parts and a new electric engine, will be built to order and cost around $90,000.

88 MPH?  No problem, the new cars are expected to be able to do 125 MPH and go 70 miles on a single charge.

Here’s the other potential benefits of an electric DeLorean:

• It will be upgradable in the future to be able to fly. “Roads?  Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
• It can come equipped to nicely seat two adults, or one adult and a large dog.
• The electric engine eliminates the need for a Mr. Fusion power converter.  Who wants a nuclear reactor in the trunk?
• 125 MPH can easily outrun Lybian terrorists.
• It’s gull wing style car doors are impressive, except when you park closely to another car or are in a drive-thru.
• $90,000 seems cheap for being able to go back in time to collect embarrasing stores about your parents.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I know some pretty die hard Beatles fans, in my life, but this story seems a little across the universe.

Next month at an auction in England, one of John Lennon’s teeth is expected to sell for $16,000.

Sounds a little sketchy, but the source of the tooth isn’t that nefarious.

The late Beatle gave the tooth to his housekeeper, Dot Jarlett, at his Kenwood mansion in Surrey, England in the late Sixties. He had originally told her to dispose of the tooth, but upon learning that her daughter was a Beatles fan, told her to give it her as a souvenir.

This certainly has a high creep factor for me, but maybe a die hard Beatle fan might sink their tee….oh never mind.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Other than the wilhelm scream, That may be one of my favorite movie sounds.

Any character that can pull off an evil belly roll has my thumbs of approval.

Thanks to IFC.com, here’s some of the best evil movie laughs.  Now you’re fully prepared for Halloween.

Predator Laugh

Agent Smith

Emperor Palpatine

Vincent Price from Thriller

Chucky

House MD

The Wicked Witch

Jack Torrance

Dr. Evil

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’m not sure if I fit the proper definition as spelled out by John Lennon, but I did make a road trip to Milwaukee yesterday.

On October 16th, 1965, The Beatles cut Day Tripper in three takes at Abbey Road. Both John and Paul later admitted this was a “forced” composition, because they were under pressure to create a new Christmas single.

What’s it all about? According to John: “Day trippers are people who go on a day trip, right? Usually on a ferryboat or something. But Day Tripper was kind of . . . you’re just a weekend hippie. Get it?”

Weekend hippie.  I get it. I also get the guitar riff, which may still be one of the best in rock and roll.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Thing? Another remake! Yeah, Adam lets you know if it’s worth your time.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rated R – 1h43

It’s not like the world was begging for a remake of the 1982 John Carpenter film, but in the world of sci-fi horror, it’s not a grave mistake to bring this pronoun of a story back.

The Thing (2011) is set in 1982. Confused yet? Graduate student Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is recruited by a Norwegian scientist for her necropsy skills to a base in the Antarctic. There she and a team of about a dozen recover an alien creature that’s been frozen in the ice. It comes back to life and possesses the power to morph into it’s victim to conceal it’s own identity. It’s a similar plotline to the 1982 version with some detail changes.

Note: The 1982 John Carpenter was a remake of a 1951 movie The Thing From Another World, which was also based on a short story.

There are a few fright factors that work in this movie. The toothy creature is quite gruesome and disgusting, but in a fun scary movie way. Since it also has the ability to hide itself within the group of survivors, paranoia drives the suspense.

One semi-intense moment involves a tooth check of the humans to determine if anyone has been body snatched. The imperfectness of the life and death test ratchets up the intensity mid way through and was enough to keep my interest going.  There’s also a nice dark ending to look forward to.

Where The Thing doesn’t work, is how it all plays out. This is a run of the mill, scary things jump from the shadows movie. The little soldiers fall one by one, building up to a final showdown. The redeeming factor is that creepy aliens are sci-fi gold and it’s fun to watch these kind of scary movies.

Logically speaking, you could easily shred the movie. Why would the alien reveal itself one person at a time? Why would the alien have teeth like the Sarlacc Pit? Why does an Antarctic base have military grade flame throwers? That’s all beside the point.

This is more about a good run-for-your-life gore festival. So, was the remake necessary? No. Is it mindless escapism? Yes. More please.

Popularity: 6% [?]

The man, whose career spanned, more years, than tears…turns 70 today.

Happy B-Day to Paul Simon! In celebration of the event, I’ve decide assemble some of my favorite rhymes from Paul Simon songs.

Kodachrome:
Makes you think all the world’s  sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera   I love to a photograph  So mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)
Hello, lamppost, what’cha knowin’?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’

Cecilia
Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please

The Sound of Silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone

Slip Slidin’ Away
I know a man He came from my hometown
He wore his passion for his woman Like a thorny crown

Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
But the press let the story leak
And when the radical priest Come to get me released
We was all on the cover of Newsweek

A Hazy Shade Of Winter
Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won’t you stop and remember me

Popularity: 3% [?]

With all the popularity of corn mazes this time of year, it always makes me wonder anyone actually gets lost inside them?

My question was answered quite nicely thanks to a a family in Massachusetts this week who actually called 911 from the middle of a corn maze for help.

Enjoy the audio/video.

Popularity: 3% [?]