Well, I just saw the movie Paranormal Activity, by myself in the dark ( with coke and crisps ofc )
To startoff this review, I wanna say that I had no high expectations on this movie, as well as doubts upon how scared I would be left after it.

Short plot summary:
The movie is about the couple Micah and katie who live in their big fancy house.
Turns out that katie is being followed by some sort of entity, so Micah purchases a camera to try to capture any ‘paranormal activity’ on film to see what is really going on.
They get a psychic to investigate and tells them that Katie is infact haunted by a demon feeding on negative energy, a being that cannot be espaced and will follow Katie wherever she goes.
As time goes by, more and more ghostly events take place until it all escalates into insanity and fear out of this world…

Just about everybody who has seen this movie has been totally freaked out, hype worldwide has been through the roof and this movie has at some times been declared the new ‘Blair Witch‘ of the 21st century.
I understand where these comments and rants come from, I must say that this movie actually manages to pull it off at times, but at fewer times it succeeds to scare than it utterly bores.

But lets go into the review:

What I find interesting, and I wonder if it can be called somewhat of a subplot; is the dilemma between Katie and Micah surrounding the horrific events occuring.
As the movie progresses, they float away to and fro from eachother; and I can not only relate to it but I feel sadness because they succeed with building up the ’sympathy bar’ very well.
Meaning, there isnt only the demonical horror presense but also the human emotional side that gives this movie more depth, as we get a front row view of their relationship.
This contribues to the many feelings that are mixed into this movie, and gives a good and very visual transcendance as the story goes, rom uplifting and bright, to very sad and dark.
Calm goes to stress.
This movie hits it off very well seeing as there is only 2 characters present and do all the work, they manage to convey the tension that grows throughout, with a sense of reality and feeling.
Good acting indeed!

Over the to actual horror:

Now, I am not saying I got scared, because believe it or not, I didnt get scared, I didnt even jump…
But I must say that I am impressed; it did manage to set the reality mood but also the horror mood; with the sounds, lights and other effects.
I give them that credit, it is a very well made film indeed.
Just about all the action happens at night, in the bedroom.
Pretty much 90 percent of the time it is only minor ‘hauntings’ to get things stirred up for the grande finale, but is it all really worth it?
I dont know really if they could have tried to make more night sequences with more action, if that would have made it all worth it in the seeing as the last 10 minutes probably overthrow the entire 90 percent of the time prior.
Then again, maybe the subtleties are good, sort of teasingly getting you on the edge of your seat and wanting more and more, I dont know but it didnt really work for me.
I would have liked to have seen more, more MORE!
Though I admit that some scenes, like the Oija Board scene was cool, not only because of the way it was made but also because it is the only ‘paranormal activity’ during the day.
-But I especially liked the part at around 1hour and 17minutes into the movie, where you can actually very clearly hear the demons voice in the hall as the lights turn on and off, and then at around 1hr18min you can just barely make out a dark shadow moving across the bedroom door.
Little details like that, I like alot!

As I said, this movie is more impressive effectswise than in actual horror, which is strange to say about a film with only $15000 in budget and no real visual means of either computer made FX or additional staff help.
Huh….

In conclusion:

Not being a real fan of horror movies, not because i dont like them and dont like getting scared, is because most of them fail to scare me and this movie is no different really…it just didnt scare me .
But that doesnt mean I dont like it, it was very good in other ways, as stated above; like acting, effects and reality.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes it is actually.
Maybe I didnt see it the right way? Alone in the dark…Maybe you are SUPPOSED to see it with somebody else or in a group of people because as a friend said; you get more scared when others around you get scared.
Well, first off I dont have nay friends that I think would want to see this alone with me, and second I dont have a girlfriend which I would findd the most ideal company to see this kind of movie with…but lets not fall into a discussion about my lovelife here, there is plenty of other posts for that.

Overall, and it feelslike I am repeating myself; but this movie was alright, I didnt get dissapointed in the way as I didnt like the movie at all, it was creepy I can give you that, but for my standards…it wasnt a jumper.
It is worth seeing once I think, and the second time you can just scroll through the night parts to both find the little details which are nice but also because they are the only parts worth seeing again.
As far has modern horror flicks go, this is a nice and different addition to the long list of depressing Hollywood horror movies of the past years…But will it go another decade until the movieindustry comes with film that really scares me?????
When???

I give this film 4 out of 5!

+ acting, effects, originality

- not enough horror sequences, not scary enough and….no nudity???? C’mon! A guy, his girl and a big freaking camera…hello???

-Just look at those milkers…omnomnom!

I am about to watch the very critically acclamied horror/thriller Paranormal Activity by myself, here in my dark room!
There is very little that scares me, and I have more doubts about this film than eager, and if this film is as scary as the entire world seems to say…my expectations are very , very high.
-I´ll write a short review tomorrow!

I have said before, the only movie to ever really, really, REALLY scare me is The Grudge, and strangely enough, the American version, though the japanese original was equally terrifying.

-Just that sound alone is enough to traumatise anyone with nightmares for a year…

Dont forget to look behind your back… OMGZZXAAAHHH DONT LOOK BEHIND YOU !!!!!

Either way, when it comes to horrorfilms, you just gotta remember…it is only pictures on a screen, sounds from a speaker.
Nothing more, nothing less, than not real.
I feel I have pretty much overcome my fear of the dark and such, that used to traumatise me when I was younger, and so easily scared.
I actually went into my livingroom in the night, pitchblack and so silent I could only hear myself breathe…I was thinking long and hard in my mind…GHOSTS…DEMONS…Show yourselves…show yourselves…
Though I couldnt see shit around me I had my eyes wide open and was looking all around me.
-But nothing happened, not shit.
From that moment, I was no longer scared.

You just have to understand, reason and conclude just how far reality goes, whether it be horrofilms with ghosts and demons or even pure religion.
Does God exist? You can stand in a room and cry out for God as much as you wont…shit wont happen.
I can guarantee you that!

- Though this painting is nothing short of amazing, being the art lover as I am

However, reality can sometimes be ever so much worse than any movie.
Ever had the thought of dying all alone?
No family, no love, no money, home, no nothing?
One of my fears is being alone, having noone…ever!

Because let’s face it, things do under no circumstances stay the same for all eternity, the world is in constant motion and maybe in a few years ones family could be all gone; parents dead and siblings moved far away…
What if all youve got is yourself and no one to love or live for?
Nobody wants you and there is no chance for you to start your own family and pass on your legacy.

Imagine youself at 80 years old lying on your deathbed…think through your whole life…all that you have done…but you have been all alone…and you are still alone, you are the last in your bloodline…and then suddenly it all ends, your life is gone and so every trace of your existence.

To me that is true horror.

Monolog & Puisi

Road show ‘Burung Merak” Putu Wijaya & Theater Mandiri featuring Boni Avibus & Iman Soleh in STSI Bandung at November, 8th, 2009

“Questa telecamera ci farà guadagnare un sacco di soldi”, afferma uno dei (due) protagonisti di Paranormal Activity, film fenomeno che ha sbancato a sorpresa i botteghini americani. Mai affermazione fu più veritiera.

Il film di Oren Peli, costato appena 15mila dollari, a oggi ne ha incassati oltre 100 nei soli Stati Uniti, diventando il miglior film della storia del cinema quanto al rapporto costo di produzione/incasso in sala.

Tutti coloro che ne hanno parlato fino ad oggi, noi per primi, si sono soffermati sul miracolo produttivo (il film ha trovato spazio nei listini dopo il rinvio di Shutter Island ed il film è stato “adottato” da Spielberg) e sui padri più o meno nobili che una simile iniziativa ha avuto nel corso della storia (Ricordate Blair With Project? Ecco, ma qui il film è decisamente migliore).

Continua a leggere “Paranormal Activity: Spaventarsi costa poco”

With Thanksgiving just now appearing in our rearview mirrors, it’s time to start  planning for Christmas!  Most everyone needs a Christmas party idea.  Whether you call it a  “Christmas Party” or “Winter Celebration” or what have you, most preschools have some kind of celebration at the end of the year.  Now whether  you teach at a public or private school may have a lot to do with how you  celebrate this time of year.  Regardless of those classifications, I’ve found that a service party fits the bill.  And surprisingly, I don’t think the children have ever been disappointed by the fact that this party is more about others than about them.  Quite honestly, I think they take great pride in being able to help others.  In addition to fostering pro-social skills, it makes them feel important, bigger, and more powerful.  Those are things all preschoolers crave (though I think I know a few adults who crave them too)!

Here’s how it’s worked for me in the past.  Read through it and make adjustments for your group based on their ages and ability levels, your center’s policies and procedures, and the needs of people in your local area.  It has worked particularly well to have parents attend and help their little kiddos through this series of simple service activities.  I start out with a story for everyone, then I explain the tables with projects, and from there, we basically have a “free-choice” time, where the parents and children just choose which project they would like to work on next.

Scarf Making- I start out by reading the book, The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen.  It’s the story of a boy with no mittens who is surprised one day to find mittens hanging from a tree near the school bus stop.  Sarah, the old woman responsible for the surprise, finds that her act of service brought both her and the boy so much happiness that she knits and knits, using all her yarn, until she has produced mittens for each child at the bus stop.  She hangs them on the big spruce tree at the bus stop and upon returning home, finds that there is a surprise waiting for her as well.

From this story, I talk with the children about what it would be like to be out in the cold without mittens, or without hats, or without coats to keep them warm.  (Fortunately, the children I teach don’t have this concern for themselves.)  We talk a bit about this idea, and I let them know I have a friend who knows lots of people who don’t have enough warm clothes (she works at a local homeless shelter) and that we can make some warm clothes for her to share with some of those people.  I tell them that I don’t know how to knit mittens, but I do know how to make scarves – and they can help! I pull out a basket of fleece for no-sew fleece scarves.

Fleece scarves are an easy project that kids – particularly with their parents’ help – can make.  Here’s a video with instructions.  Or written instructions here and here.

I usually just have the scarf strips pre-cut and the children and their parents cut the fringe and tie the fringe in knots if desired.  You may want to prepare cutting guides out of cardboard, or just use masking tape to mark how high up the cuts should go.

Cookie Decorating – I have one table set up for cookie decorating, so the children can make an assortment of cookies to take home and share with their family, or someone else of their choosing.  Along with hand-sanitizer, wash cloths and paper plates, I provide the cookies and frosting, and each child brings something (sprinkles, candies, etc.) to share with everyone for the decorating!  If you don’t use store-bought sugar cookies (can be ordered from a bakery), and you don’t already have a favorite recipe, you might want to try this one.  You can also buy pre-made frosting, of course, but I’ve had really good luck with this icing found here. Make sure parents keep an eye on children as they work at this table.  There tends to be a strong desire to lick frosting off of knives, or shake sprinkles directly into mouths.  Just be aware and have lots of extra utensils handy for a quick trade!

Meal Making- Let the children know ahead of time that they should be thinking of someone who may need a dinner that can be served up or frozen for later.  Maybe someone who is older or sick, or maybe even someone who is just plain busy!  Some children may even choose someone who really just needs  a visitor and the knowledge that someone cares.  Have the children bring disposable baking pans, or provide them for them.  Have them each bring a portion of the recipe and then, with their parents, they can assemble a meal from the ingredients provided.  I’ve used this recipe for Chicken Dressing Casserole, as the ingredients are all pre-cooked and can be put together easily into individual dishes then reheated or frozen for later.   You may also want to consider using another recipe that can be used similarly.  Whatever you do, prepare tags for the meals that include the recipe (so that recipients know what it contains and can make it later if they love it) and freezing/cooking instructions.

Letters, Cards, and Pictures- Last, but not least, have one table with paper, markers, scissors, etc. and encourage the children to make cards, letters, and pictures that they can mail or hand-deliver to anyone that may enjoy them!

This list may just be an idea starter for you.  However it works for you, take advantage of the opportunity to teach young children about service!  Let us know here how these ideas have worked for you, as well as how you plan to change things up to meet the needs of your fabulously unique little ones!

Happy Holidays!

Top girl photo by formay2006.

Cookie photo by N_O_A_H.

Red pot photo by vierdrie.

Crayon photo by dhester.

… that I don’t seem to be able to find the time to write my Senna versus Schumacher story. I haven’t given it too much priority of late — or rather, at all, in 2009 — due to all kinds of commitments in my personal life, work and church-related voluntary work.

So, sadly I havent’ done very much research on the 1994 French Grand Prix, let alone write the chapter. Realistically speaking, I won’t finish it in December, either, so I’ll have to aim for January at the earliest.

Subsidies for farmers are being granted an arable farms of the baulk different of as part of the union fund determined briefly PROW, and of which a full name is a Program of the Development of Country Areas. At trying for allotting such a subsidy it is required submitting appropriate documents in the form of the conclusion, the business plan and many annexes required by the program. As part of the program different action and granted subsidies for farmers leading diverse forms of managing are being financed. Action belongs to subsidized action as part of agricultural-environmental, creating and developing microenterprises, diversifying nonagricultural activity, increasing the value added programs of basic agricultural or forest output. Subsidies for young farmers and subsidies are also being granted in the form of structural pensions. Subsidies are being granted young, starting managing farmers in the form of one-time bonuses. With condition to receiving such a help is the majority and not being 40 years of age as well as the real education, not constructing farms and having an arable farm being located within averages powierzchniowo of the province on the area given and hectares not crossing surface 300.  Subsidies for farmers in the form of structural pensions can together with additions to the spouse receive leading an arable farms of at least 10 years, insured and transferring these belongings for persons not being 40 years old lives.  A farm tourism also enables the development of country lands because a need to provide with the appropriate service base in the form of commercial, culinary, cultural and recreational-holiday points is creating. At making plans for farm tourism activity on country areas subsidies for farmers and different persons are being granted from union programs after submitting required documents.