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Why Paranormal Activity will (really!) creep you out
Either as an example of the simple effectiveness of classical filmmaking or just an alternative to the gag-inducing gore that constitutes the meat (no pun intended) of most contemporary horror flicks, Paranormal Activity is a really, really great movie. Writer-director Oren Peli, working in one location with a single camera, two actors and a shoestring budget, tells the story of a couple that is terrorized by an unseen apparition, in the process creating suspense out of thin air and evoking evil forces not merely scary, but haunting.
And while its low-budget aesthetic will automatically be referenced in the context of the granddaddy of first-person gimmick films, The Blair Witch Project, it's important to remember that the reason it's an immediate point of comparison is because for better or for worse, that film worked—and this one does even better.
Compiled of "found" footage, the film chronicles several days in the life of Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat), a couple who buys a video camera to record unexplained phenomena around their home. Much to her discomfort, Katie explains that since her earliest childhood, something has always seemed to follow her around, and her family was constantly beset by strange occurrences. Micah is perhaps typically skeptical, but after a few nights of filming, he captures some odd, convincing footage, and becomes determined to document more concrete proof of the spirit's existence, if not also hopefully get rid of it. But as the unseen force grows in power and makes it known that it wants Katie for itself, the couple slowly begins to lose control of their experiment, and decides to get out of the house before it's too late for either of them to escape its powerful grasp.
At 33 and having seen probably more than my share of cinematic boogeymen, there isn't a whole lot that really stays with me when I watch horror movies now; certainly when I was a kid, there were things that scared the hell out of me, kept me up nights, and had me thinking about the possibilities of paranormal activity in the real world, much less my bedroom closet. But Paranormal Activity is the first movie in probably a decade that truly lingered in my head after I finished watching it, and actually creeped me out for a few days afterward. Brilliantly, Peli sets up certain audience expectations by establishing a simple premise—a girl thinks she's being haunted—and then delivering on it in a delicate matter of degrees; but it's the patience and subtlety of the escalation of events that makes it seem believable, and eventually, genuinely terrifying.
For example, Micah sets up the camera each night before they go to bed, and time-lapse footage scrolls through each evening's events until the usually random and brief moment when something happens. During the first few nights, it's merely the sound of a set of keys falling onto the floor, or the unnatural creak of their bedroom door. But when Micah essentially starts antagonizing the force, things get significantly worse, but in a completely, unnervingly simple fashion, starting with louder noises and eventually indicators of the presence's power such as broken picture frames or found photos whose very existence seems impossible.
It would be interesting to know on a psychological level what it is about these sorts of events that makes people (myself included) so uneasy: is it merely the "not knowing" of what or how it happened? The pure sense of vulnerability we experience vicariously through these characters as they find their most intimate and otherwise comforting places threatened by someone or thing? Or even a response to some subconscious awareness but not quite understanding of forces greater than ourselves? To say Peli expertly preys upon all of these fears is not to suggest Paranormal Activity is in any way exploitative, but it definitely taps into something deeper and more powerful than our typical appetites when we watch other horror movies—which is also why its impact seems to last longer than the initial shock of seeing something we can't explain, much less escape.
If Paranormal Activity otherwise seems vaguely familiar even before you've seen it, it might be because the film debuted almost two years ago at Screamfest in Los Angeles, and has since enjoyed some complimentary write-ups by various outlets as a festival darling in dire need of wider distribution. Paramount Pictures is subsequently releasing it in a number of different markets across the country, hoping that word of mouth will make it into more of a hit. But as one of the lucky few who got to see the theatrical cut (which evidently differs from previous versions) in advance of its official release, not to mention without the cumbersome pressure of prior expectations, we can only suggest you don't go into it looking for more than is there—such as, say, the salvation of the horror genre as we know it—since its streamlined and comparatively unique approach seems destined to inspire well-deserved if effusive praise.
Because while the film is indeed an anomaly in the rest of contemporary horror's bloodstained, brutality-filled landscape, it's more accurately a throwback to atmospheric chamber pieces like The Haunting or The Shining, much less that grand finale of Blair Witch, recontextualized (if only mildly) in bland twentysomething suburbia. Ultimately, Peli seems to understand what's at the core of our collective fears, and examines that without obscuring it with obvious violence, much less providing any kind of conventional physical manifestation. In other words, Paranormal Activity takes all of the things that go bump in the night and gives you enough of a reason to think they might be real, which is also why you shouldn't be surprised if you're genuinely scared by the movie—both while you're watching it, and long after you've left the theater.
By Marty B. at 11:43 PM ON 09/25/09
So basically "Ghost Hunters: the Movie" but acknowledging that it's fiction.
By Borg03of77 at 12:18 AM ON 09/26/09
Your fiction.
By rkf at 12:23 AM ON 09/26/09
That was a well written, intriguing review. Thanks. I look forward to the film.
By Ryanpat at 12:38 AM ON 09/26/09
so if this becomes successful(may or may not) then I think it's evident that you can do anything w/ the technology that's available today especially involving movies & cameras. I mean, movies were the first form of entertainment that allowed us to witness the impossible in a entertaining fashion, whatever genre that may be. It's only scary if it happens to you at the given moment in time. If it was actually real then that's a matter of point of view.
By WetbiscuitMcGee at 1:32 AM ON 09/26/09
When's the last time you heard about a paranormal experience that doesn't creep the person out?
"So, ya umm, I was sittin' at my computer rippin' the new Taylor Swift when I feel a presense over my shoulder. I look over and there's a spirit sitting on my couch watchin' tv. I mention there's some popcorn in the nuker and my girlfriend's workin' late. The spook nods in approval. We're streamin' Netflix on my xbox and pick the best Ernest Borgnine flick we can find. As we watch, I sense the ghoul is checkin' me out. Due to its etheral appearance, its gender remains ambigious; but I'm inclined to lean toward female. The spirit makes its move and goes for the 'Rita Miller.' I ask her not to, and either she frowns or poops comes out of her mouth. It's hard to tell. Either way, I kindly explain my live-in girlfriend situation and she smiles in acknowledgment. I tell her it's getting late and she exits graciously through the television and Dirk Benedict poster that resides on the wall behind it. I couldn't ask for a nicer spook!"
By tom berenger at 3:07 AM ON 09/26/09
let me guess: in the end both characters die and the evil force wins, then attack a new couple. all the movie end like this, just because teens wants evil wins.
By jedimom at 9:05 AM ON 09/26/09
thank you for the review!! this looks EXCELLENT and will likely 'haunt' me after seeing it!
By NAV at 1:12 PM ON 09/26/09
There's a reason why Ghost Hunters is one of the most popular shows on the air. It's like this movie, only authentic, in spite of what the overbearing skeptics think. I hope they put out a film of documentation of the real thing, which is far scarier than made up fiction.
By Me at 1:16 PM ON 09/26/09
tom berenger, yes, you are correct - these bad endings have been in vogue for far too long now. They are boringly predictable - as bad as the endless happy endings Hollywood used to have. Movies should have appropriate endings, not ones considered to be "edgy" for the sake of it. And yes, unfortunately young people have a very cynical view of reality, and like evil to win.
By rkf at 1:37 PM ON 09/26/09
Geez, so many of you guys are so down on EVERYTHING on these message boards anymore. Just stay locked in your houses and never venture out or try anything; you'll be happier and so will the rest of us.
By BlessedBlogger at 5:12 PM ON 09/26/09
I'm a big horror movie fan but I'm an even bigger fan of movie makers and show makers not treating me like an idiot. Inconsistent character behavior, giant plot holes and nonexistent endings (like Coverfield) are the industries way of saying 'You're all as smart as a rock so you won't notice as long as we make you feel something'. The movie sounds really interesting but what I want to know is: Do they find out who/what is haunting them, do they figure out why it's haunting them and is there any sort of real resolution? I don't want to waste my time and money yet again on a half finished movie.
By chris at 4:06 AM ON 09/27/09
Ok? I hated the Blair Witch the jiggling film while looking real just made me want to puke (Motion sickness). I hate it when they make movies like this, but plot is good but watching it makes me and many others like me sick. MartyB. had it right "So basically "Ghost Hunters: the Movie" but acknowledging that it's fiction." I understand the constraints of low budget shoots but if it's going to jiggle and have garbage cinematography I most likely will skip it. They could have held out and waited for funding from investors, that's all I have to say about that. Anyway, sounds like a good movie just wish it were shot on traditional film or even a stabilized digital.
By G0m3r at 7:09 PM ON 09/27/09
Too bad most peopel will have to wait for the DVD since this film is in EXTREMELY limited release. How do they expect peopel to want to see this when they don't market it? Major disappointment. I really wanted to see this film.
By XcalPro at 9:03 AM ON 09/28/09
Speilberg loved it and suggested the theatrical ending which is different than the original ending...
By davros73 at 11:25 AM ON 09/28/09
Ah another heaping pile of crap, that the pseudo-horror fans clamored for, has been produced. This is an insult to any person WITH an attention span or an ability to think. I am all for expressing your ideas on any medium whether its print or cellular or vocal, but a crisp new idea would be nice. BlessedBlogger I am in total agreement with you. These so-called directors and script writers need to take their time and put together a solid movie.
By davros73 at 11:28 AM ON 09/28/09
*celluloid
By EchoesOfJoss at 5:10 PM ON 09/29/09
Reading this, it sounds like the movie is rather like the old Hitchcock flicks in terms of building suspense and fear by letting the viewer's imagination work.
One of the reasons I've been bored with, and actually stopped watching, horror flicks for a while was because it was all just so much gore without a substantive story, more of a gross-out and less of a truly scary film.
I think I'll give this movie a chance, and hope that it succeeds well enough that film producers will seek out more movies that work from a solid story rather than lots of special effects and fake blood.
By Robin at 1:18 PM ON 10/03/09
OMG!!!...there were 6 of us that went to see this movie in Columbus, Ohio and I think we all agreed that it's THE scariest movie we have seen yet!!!! As far as being fact or fiction...I'm convinced that some of it could actually happen. That's what makes it so scarey.....WE LOVED IT!!!!
By Spoo at 10:52 AM ON 10/05/09
I saw this movie in Dallas on Saturday night and to be completely honest the ending disappointed the hell out of myself and my date. It didn't go with what I felt was the tone set by the movie up to that point. I've since done some research and found the ending they showed us was not the original ending. In fact were 3 possible endings and from what I can tell we were shown the worst of the 3.
Good movie + Bad ending = Bad movie.
Just my 2 cents.
By sowicked at 12:07 AM ON 10/10/09
We just saw this movie tonight. There was chemistry between katie and Micah. They are funny together. It was good that they were intelligent actors. They made our imaginations run wild. Good Job - different-loved it. Good Luck with your careers.
By kristina at 5:02 AM ON 10/10/09
omggg!!! this movie was creepyy imaa be filmingg myself in my sleep from now on cuz honestly yu never knoe wat happens wen yu sleep .....
By tinnahh at 5:12 AM ON 10/10/09
this movie was really scary.. BuT the only thing that caught me off guard was the ending.. i think it shoulda ended ina different way... but over all the movie was actually pretty scary.. i'm now Jus coming bak from the theater in ontario mills california.. hope whoever else watches this movie Knoes Wat Ther in for cuz its friggin scary..
By NamieDanielle at 9:37 AM ON 10/12/09
I saw the movie last night and it scared the stuffing out of me. I believe in ghosts and I thought it was a ghost movie, but it's actually a demonic presence following Katie. I had to check online if this was real or fiction, if it was real I was gonna start crying, honestly. So I breathe a sigh of relief but it would be awesome evidence that there is something out there if the tapes were real. :D
By r2d2 at 9:11 AM ON 10/14/09
Poop!
By voorl at 10:38 AM ON 10/14/09
I saw this movie last night and I must say that this was by far the worst "horror" movie that I have ever had to sit through. What are you people talking about, this was more of a comedy with the couple making jokes at each other and playing with a camera all day/night. I know it was a low budget film, but Michael Jackson's Thriller video was scarier than this. Too hyped up and nothing scary about it. I should have saved my $10.50 instead of buying a ticket for this disaster.
By NF at 6:52 PM ON 10/14/09
i heard this was the best horror movie of the year...
By brian at 12:15 PM ON 10/15/09
i love these movies like blair witch, ghosts of crowley hall and now paranormal activity. done so cheaply but so effective. i think this one is the weaker though. blair witch we know is false, as is paranormal act, but ghosts of c hall is based on true story. i think.
By ThisGuy88 at 5:13 PM ON 10/15/09
The ppl leaving the negative comments must have the personality of a rock. Just miserable ppl who are in love with being "THAT GUY"
By Fritz at 8:50 PM ON 10/15/09
I don't know if there are different versions of this movie..but i got more entertainment from other scary movie. I was basically laughing throughout this movie and slept perfectly after. Everyone is over-exaggerating and I guess the ending is the ONLY scene that caused me to jump....sad sad sad.
By baxter at 2:18 AM ON 10/16/09
Good flick (if you liked Blair Witch). Acting was good, story was intriguing, especially if you're remotely interested in ghost/demon stories. I've been woken up by some creepy stuff. While I cant say I jumped a million times through the movie, I stuck to my seat because I put myself in their shoes, being woken up by stuff like that isnt fun.
By baxter at 2:24 AM ON 10/16/09
Good movie if you appreciated Blair Witch. This movie is thoroughly enjoyable if you can place empathize with the actors, which do a good job. When you're still half asleep and something is off/crazy, its a lot scarier than when you've been awake all day. And the stuff that happens to the people in the movie would make anyone lose it. Fun scare.
By ThisMoveIsBS at 4:11 AM ON 10/16/09
I went to see this movie with my wife ,who was terrified before and did not want to got .I waited tell midnight and paid 20 dollars to watch two hours of basic nonsense .My wife wanted to leave simply because it was so pathetic in its attempt to be scary .Demonic possession is a real thing and i feel bad for the real victims who are basically made to look stupid by this pathetic garbage .We truthfully laughed at most of the scenes in the movie along with most of the audience .At the end there was no clapping but instead alot of boo's and people yelling BS .If ya want to be scared save yourself 20 bucks and go sit in a graveyard over night ,then maybe at least something might scare you
By Paranormal at 5:38 PM ON 10/16/09
By sfsdf at 11:39 AM ON 10/19/09
stupid fake so nobody need this crap
By renee at 2:58 PM ON 10/22/09
yes a scary movie, but not once in the movie did anyone mention the power of god or turn to god for help. are demons real? yes. are we helpless against them? no! there is power in the name of god!
By ambria at 11:34 PM ON 10/22/09
very scary shit. i wont sleep again.
By mcleela at 12:03 AM ON 10/23/09
The movie was a good go see. Well done for the type of movie (Low budget movie makeing at its best). Kept me on the edge of my seat all the way, until the end that is, which was sadly the lacking compared with the rest of the movie as a whole, but all in all worth the $10.00. Those with all the neg. input, get a life. "As if you could do better."
By baxatax at 1:23 AM ON 10/23/09
This movie was NOT SCARY and I knew about 10 minutes when the main character started cracking jokes. I don't want to laugh during a supposedly scary movie. Spielberg's off his rocker and the film industry has suckered us all once again.
By Dinosaur at 12:09 AM ON 10/24/09
Just saw it. REALLY freaked me out. I did notice that when the demon was around, they made it known with a sound (which was smart) but i'm sitting there "GET A CROSS!!!HOLY WATER!!!THE FRIGGIN POPE!!!THE DEMON CAN KILL THAT MOFO!!!AND BE HAPPY!!!!AHHH!" *is not a happy camper* really its fantastic, and most horror movies make me laugh my head off, that made me fear for my sister.
By Dalevis at 6:46 PM ON 10/24/09
I viewed this film with my fiancee yesterday. I definately has an unnerving effect on you, and those which deny this likely were looking for holes in the story or errorrs in production because they didn't want to allow the story to get to them. The thing that makes this film "scary" is that the phenomenon portrayed in many parts of the film HAS BEEN experienced by everyday folks. The use of powder (or flour) to see if an entity has walked through an area is a common practice, and has been known to have chilling results. Slamming doors and flickering lights are also something that many have experienced in one way or another. I have personally seen "shadows" move accross a door when there was nothing to cause the shadow to exist... nothing "natural" anyway. I was no more than perhaps 14 feet from the point where the image appeared, and when I investigated further to try to find the cause, there was "none". I didn't imagine it. So, this film reaches folks on a more personal level than they really care to admit, unless they are more like the boyfriend in the story, who totally dismisses all of the "activity" as fantasy until it really begins to manifest itself. Of course, this film WAS a fantasy, but one well based on things experienced by others...
By ThisMovieIsForFools at 2:04 AM ON 10/27/09
I beg to differ. This is the worst movie I've seen in years. The "heroine" is a useless airhead that does nothing to gain sympathy. If watching that idiotic ditz get her stupid in a twist helps you to relate to the character, then you're an equally stupid melon head. In addition -- comparing this movie to classic horrors (Exorcist, Blair Witch, etc.) proves that your taste is shallow and pitiless. This synopsis is a far cry from the naturalistic fallacy, I assure you.
This shameless excuse for a movie allows its suspense to piff out like a minuscule gust from the anus of a sparrow, flittering into nothingness. At the end of the night I ask myself "Was that it?"
This movie combines the ideas already explored by BETTER movies with YouTube, a hopelessly annoying broad, everything that's lame about the modern urban lifestyle, wanton trite from the New Age section, and a heaping dose of excellently deceptive marketing.
This movie can take its hype and bite it.
By Daniel at 3:22 AM ON 10/27/09
I'm glad I watched this online. This movie was not scary at all. It was actually really boring.
Also, you can predict what's going to happen throughout the entire film. People who really liked it or thought it was scary haven't seen many good horror movies before.
I liked The Blair Witch Project. This movie sucks compared to it though.
Why don't they make a scary movie that's.. I dunno... scary?
By Foolish Human at 5:06 AM ON 10/27/09
I'm pretty sure for all the people who give this a bad review is because they have never experienced haunting / ghost in the first place. From my experience i did not sleep well due to because some of this stuff in the movie really happened to me in real life. one of the major things i found was . . . Who gets a Ouija Board and tries to communicate with a demon. that only helps it manifest itself. I would only recommend this to the people who believe in ghost and demons
By EzSTiKiNs at 2:21 PM ON 10/28/09
I thought this movie was really good. The ending made sense to me. I don't really know if spinning the Earth backwards would make time go backwards, but that was the only way Superman could save Lois. The only thing I didn't really believe was the nuclear bomb exploding in space and shattering the prison/prism thingy that Zod was in. That seems a little far-fetched. Welcome to CostCo, I love you.
By Paranormal Activity at 11:35 PM ON 10/30/09
It is a terrible film, I advise to look if you want to be scared by this!
By amatxlatina at 1:07 AM ON 11/01/09
OMG! THAT WAS THE DUMBEST MOVIE I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG LONG TIME! Very boring! The best parts are on the trailer so I would not recommend this movie to anyone! I should have known being as hyped as it has been it would be a disappointment. I didn't expect it to be that much of one. At least we didn't pay for our tickets we would have been pissed to waste the money.
By CBlady at 1:43 AM ON 11/01/09
This was the most mundane movie I have watched in years. The first half is so boring, 3 of us wanted to walk out but stayed in hope of it improving. What a mistake!
As much as I hated the unsteady camera "look" of the Blair Witch Project, I'd prefer it to Paranormal.
As one who believes in true paranormal activity I feel this was a waste of my cash and of my time. If you are into true stories of the paranormal, I suggest you look elsewhere.
Yes, there were a few tense moments but not enough to make me jump and the majority of the movie patrons were groaning about how bad it was as we were leaving.... what a disappointment. How could you give this such a glowing review?
By ber at 3:41 PM ON 11/02/09
I watched the movie last night.. and I only slept 3 hours if that.. I was scared.. I am 21 and nothing scares me more than the dark and the unknown
By Bob Barker at 10:27 PM ON 11/13/09
Please DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY. The only thing scary about this movie is that you think it will never end. This literally may be the worst movie I have ever seen. Not because of the low budget, but because it is just down right bad. I can't even begin to describe it.
By WhatTheF&$# at 10:50 PM ON 11/13/09
The comments that some of this stuff has happened to you in real life are stupid. I believe in ghosts, demons and all paranormal, but this was a joke. Ok maybe a noise in the middle of the night, but doors slamming, keys dropping in the middle of a living room floor, three toed footprints left in baby powder and a ouija board just bursting into flames in your living room, girl friend being drug down a hall......PLEASE. There I told you the whole movie. I did leave out how annoying the characters were and how I wished for the good ol days of the silent film, so I wouldn't have to listen to them again. They went to far. If it would have stuck to the things that go bump in the night maybe it would have some effect on your mind. None of the crazy stuff that happened in this movie has happened to any one of you. And if it has I highly suggest you stay the hell away from me and any other person. The only scary thing here is that I paid money to see this crap.
By ag43 at 10:54 PM ON 11/13/09
i thought this was a movie that makes you think...im dissappointed that it wasnt real but it gave me chills. Im sure some similar things like this happen in real life so thats what makes it a lil creepy. As far as being compared to the "blair witch" there is no comparison..im not just talking about blair bitches sorry filming but the whole movie...what the hell was the movie about anyway..i watched it and nothing in that movie made sense. the only thing you can compare from this film to the blair witch is the self filming, other than that PA wins as far as creepyness cuz it can happen. although i would of def. been living in the church if that happened to me in real life.
By Dc10 at 12:16 AM ON 11/14/09
The whole concept of "demons" and this "power of god" referred to in renee's comment is purely fictitious
By charlotte at 5:01 AM ON 12/07/09
this film is to scary to be in the cinemas and shouldnt be a fifteen
By Matthew at 8:34 AM ON 12/08/09
Lol its not even that scary ??? why are you guys scared from something that isnt even there ? and you cant see lol haha lol haha lol
By Laurence at 6:28 AM ON 12/15/09
Haha its probably the worst horror film that I have ever seen, apart from the scene where micah gets posessed and pulls katies hair out in her sleep, then goes to space and throws the earth at the sun that was pretty scary, then thre was the scene where Jason Voorhees comes and teams up with the spirit and they kill micah, that made me laugh hahahaha
By swan at 5:16 PM ON 12/29/09
I just watched it. It creeped me the f*@! out! I feel emotionally violated; and it takes quite a bit to scare me... Let me just say I am glad I watched it during the day! Probably the best low-budget film I have ever seen. Blair Witch was a joke and DEFINITELY in comparison to this! You forgot even that it was low-budget, because you get so caught up in the "reality" of it. FANTASTIC movie - if you have not yet seen it, do yourself a favor and get to your nearest video store and rent it - TODAY.
By hello at 1:09 PM ON 12/30/09
I found this movie terrifying. The only reason was that this can happen. Is this movie real? I dont know. Before I had seen it I was told that a random couple where having trouble with a ghost and taped it all. Then someone found the tape and turned it into a movie. But I think it is fake because I watched i on DVD and there was an alternet ending. If it was real then why was there an alternet ending? So I would llike to think that this movie may be true, like someone did experance all of that but I dont know if they could turn it into a movie with no acters just to watch because of what had happened to her was terrible. But now that I think about it I dont think I have ever seen those people ( possible acters ) play in any other movie. 0.0
By Laura Jean at 1:12 PM ON 01/04/10
This movie creeped me out. It wasn't as scary as I thought. The thing that freaked me out the most was the part with the ouija board. I thought this movie was real until I saw the alternate ending. If she killed herself like the alternate ending showed, how come in the actual ending they say she was never found. So therefore this movie has to be fiction.But that is ok. It was still a pretty good movie. Seems real.
By kassy at 11:41 AM ON 01/13/10
might as well put a camera in my room..but it was cool
By seaottertail at 8:06 AM ON 01/15/10
I just saw this in Seoul, South Korea tonight. A friend of mine told me to go see this movie and not research it. I had no idea what it was about. For the first 10 minutes, I thought the footage was completely real. Then I thought, "No, it's one of those reality shows that isn't really real." So then, through the rest of the movie, I had to talk to myself by being a skeptic and convincing myself that everything was done with fancy movie camera tricks. I still jumped out of my skin and screamed twice. When it ended, I just laughed out loud! I don't know why??
The thing is, when I left the movie theater, I HAD to believe it was all fake. Why? Because if it was real, I would have been absolutely terrified out of my mind. And tonight, even after coming home and reading that it was filmed as "real" - I am scared to go to sleep.
By DJIZZLE at 1:36 PM ON 02/08/10
This movie might be fake but it is really good. the acting is pretty good. they shouldve gotten will shatner to play the demonologist lol
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DJIZZLE:
This movie might be fake but it is really good. the acting is pretty good. they shouldve gotten will shatner to pla...More »