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‘The Blumhouse Of Horrors’ Haunted House Officially Announced!

Earlier in the week we got wind of the news that Jason Blum and Blumhouse were opening a haunted house, now we have the official word!

Blumhouse Productions, the multi-media production company behind highly-successful and terrifying movies like the Paranormal Activity franchise, Insidious and the upcoming Sinister, announced today (The Blumhouse Of Horrors), an innovative and frightening haunted house experience in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

Blumhouse’s Los Angeles-based movie production team is using its expertise in horror film production, storytelling, and movie set design to transform the Variety Arts Theater into a fully-immersive and chillingly intense Halloween attraction. The Blumhouse of Horrors will be open to the public Thursday through Saturday throughout October, and the entire week of Halloween.

Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse said: “Blumhouse is passionate about telling scary stories in entirely new ways and we are taking everything we have learned from our film production experience to create a one-of-a-kind Haunted House in downtown L.A. We are excited to kick-off October with The Blumhouse of Horrors.

Head inside for full details – including ticket prices and hours! Also, you can follow the Blumhouse Facebook and Twitter for more news! READ MORE

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‘Paranormal Activity’ Mythology Expanding Towards Fifth Film

Catfish duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman talked Paranormal Activity 4 in the newest issue of EW where they confirm that the sequel, in theaters October 19, will be a modern day take. They also reveal that they’re working on expanding the mythology into a fifth film (obviously).

I can tell you this – we’re definitely expanding on the mythology and the history of this demon,” Schulman says of PA4. “We’re really trying to get to the bottom of it!

Were told that the sequel will explore the family of witches (who live next door to a newly introduced family) in this fourth film from creator/producer Oren Peli. While inside insiders tell us Katie Featherston won’t return, the filmmaking duo refuse to clarify. I guess we’ll find out in just under two months! READ MORE

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Screenwriters Give ‘Ouija’ Update, Smaller And Scarier!

Last month it was announced, that after deciding to make its adaptation of Hasbro board game Ouija a low-budget pic, Universal Pictures recruited the team of Juliet Snowden and Stiles White (The Knowing, Boogeyman, Poltergeist, The Possession) to both rewrite and helm the pic, reports Variety.

Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz wrote the original drafts for Ouija when it was envisioned as a big-budget pic. The project began at Universal but then shifted to Paramount with McG on board to direct. But Par could never come to terms on a budget, which spurred McG to exit the project. Universal re-acquired Ouija in March after Par put it in turnaround. Blum was brought on at that time to help Bay, Form and Fuller reimagine the property as a low-budget pic.

Last night STYD caught up with the pair who gave a brief update. White said “We just love the idea, when Juliet was growing up, her older sister had a Ouija board, my grandparents had a Ouija board up on the shelf in the closet, so I remember… I had a healthy sense of caution with it. I love the idea it’s a game, but not really a game. It’s sold as a game because where else can you put it in the store?” Snowden added, “Contact spirits with something you find on the shelf at Walmart or Target? That’s where we’re coming from with the story, it’s not just about one board, it’s any board and that’s what makes it scary.

Looks like they’re ditching the adventure angle and headed more into horror. Jason Blum is producing through his Blumhouse Prods. shingle, as will Michael Bay through his Platinum Dunes banner along with Platinum partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. Universal plans to release Ouija sometime in 2013. Snowden let slip that it might be in October.

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Another ‘Paranormal Activity 4′ Image Leads To Speculation

Via Facebook, Paramount Pictures released a new image associated with Paranormal Activity 4, which moves next door on October 19. There’s already a lot of speculation, but we’re pretty sure there’s nothing major here. If anything, the photo is of a kid next door, although we can’t confirm. He looks pretty pissed off (no dessert and right to bed with him).

Catfish duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman will explore the family of witches (who live next door to a newly introduced family) in this fourth film from creator/producer Oren Peli.

Being that this is the fourth film in four years, much like Saw, how excited are you guys? READ MORE

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Second ‘Paranormal Activity 4′ Viral Curls Up Online

Paramount Pictures has released yet another-another teaser clip from Paranormal Activity 4, which moves next door on October 19.

The new footage takes a spin at phone apps that create fun alteration to your photos. Ironic as the clip comes to cellphones of those signed up. If you didn’t, at least we have you covered! Text “WantIt” to 21534 to get involved.

Catfish duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman will explore the family of witches in this fourth film from creator/producer Oren Peli.

Being that this is the fourth film in four years, much like Saw, how excited are you guys? READ MORE

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[Remember This?] DreamWorks Was To Remake Oren Peli’s ‘Paranormal Activity: Evidence of a Haunting’!

“Remember This?” is a new feature that highlights cool anecdotes from the horror genre’s storied past. It’ll pop up from time to time, giving your brain a spark of an insane memory before you move on with your day.

While the Slamdance Film Festival takes credit for the big discovery (that’s complete bullshit), the Los Angeles Screamfest Film Festival World Premiered Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity on October 14, 2007 to a select few horror fans all unaware of its soon-to-be glory.

Room 101 producer Steve Schneider and Jason Blum (of the now-formed Blumhouse) had the foresight to know what was on the horizon, all the while DreamWorks/Paramount had acquired the Found Footage horror solely with the intent of remaking it. Peli, a San Diego video game designer, was to direct the reboot of his micro-budgeted indie originally titled Paranormal Activity: Evidence of a Haunting.

Even though DreamWorks was moving forward with remake plans, Schneider, Blum and Peli paid out-of-pocket for multiple test screenings (they also created new sound design, score and reworked the finale) and proved that the actual film was more terrifying than anything the studio could do with millions of dollars.

DreamWorks, under Paramount, bought it with the intention of remaking it with the original director,” Schneider told Variety years ago. “We had test screenings built into the deal, so we could discern what needed to be redone in the remake. But the movie tested so well, they decided that it would be the height of folly to remake a mock-doc-type film with unknown actors.

Paramount eventually took the risk (obviously spending quite a bit of marketing dollars) On September 25, 2009, and the rest is history. With only three films under their belt, Paramount’s franchise has already earned $576.6 at the box office worldwide. Paranormal 4 scares theatergoers on October 19. READ MORE

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Who Lurks In The Shadows Of Latest ‘Paranormal Activity 4′ Teaser Trailer?

Paramount Pictures has released yet another teaser clip from Paranormal Activity 4, which moves next door on October 19.

The new footage glitches and haunts with an ominous figure hanging in the background. Catfish duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman will explore the family of witches in this fourth film from creator/producer Oren Peli.

Being that this is the fourth film in four years, much like Saw, how excited are you guys? READ MORE

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Finally! The Full Trailer For ‘Paranormal Activity 4′!!!

After three teasers for this thing we finally have the full trailer for Paranormal Activity 4, which marks the return of Paranormal Activity 3 directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

The poster reveal earlier today indicated that the film takes place in November of 2011, which is a far cry from the 1980′s setting of Part 3 (my personal favorite in the series). The film seems to primarily concern a young high school student and a creepy kid next door (Toby made flesh?). Looks pretty good! The “front door open, back door open” bit is well executed.

Joost and Schulman co-directed Catfish independently before it was acquired by Universal. PA 3 has made over $200 million at the box office worldwide, while the entire Paranormal Activity franchise has pulled in approximately $577 worldwide at the box office alone making it a near billion dollar franchise (when you include home video).

Paramount releases PA4 on October 19, 2012. Head inside for the trailer. Not sure if it will top PA3 for me, but who knows? READ MORE

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‘Paranormal Activity 4′ Asks “What Really Happened?”

After three teasers I really hope this isn’t the trailer for Paranormal Activity 4 that’s been dangled in front of us all week long.

This 42 second teaser features the blond woman from the previous three clips – and some tangible footage (that courtesy of the poster we know takes place in November, 2011) – but man is it short! The clip is called “What Really Happened?” I’m betting that this isn’t the full trailer and that we’ll be seeing something longer shortly. Still, at least it has some new footage I guess.

Paramount releases PA4 on October 19, 2012. Head inside to check it out. READ MORE

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Oh Come On! Yet Another ‘Paranormal Activity 4′ Teaser Trailer!!

Just this morning we posted the second teaser trailer for Paranormal Activity 4, which marks the return of Paranormal Activity 3 directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

And now we have a third teaser trailer. I guess at this point it doesn’t even bear repeating that it’s become par for the course to have several teaser trailers leading up to the actual trailer. Some people are examining this stuff frame by frame, studying the new blonde character. I have no idea why. The full trailer hits tomorrow morning – I’m sure that will have more info.

Joost and Schulman co-directed Catfish independently before it was acquired by Universal. PA 3 has made over $200 million at the box office worldwide, while the entire Paranormal Activity franchise has pulled in approximately $577 worldwide at the box office alone making it a near billion dollar franchise (when you include home video).

Paramount releases PA4 on October 19, 2012. Again, the full trailer hits Tomorrow, August 1st. Head inside for the teaser. Also – are teasers for trailers worth it? Let us know. READ MORE

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Another Teaser Trailer For ‘Paranormal Activity 4′

Yesterday we posted a teaser trailer for Paranormal Activity 4, which marks the return of Paranormal Activity 3 directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

And now we have a second teaser trailer. It still doesn’t show much, but it’s become par for the course to have several teaser trailers leading up to the actual trailer.

Joost and Schulman co-directed Catfish independently before it was acquired by Universal. PA 3 has made over $200 million at the box office worldwide, while the entire Paranormal Activity franchise has pulled in approximately $577 worldwide at the box office alone making it a near billion dollar franchise (when you include home video).

Paramount releases PA4 on October 19, 2012. The full trailer hits Tomorrow, August 1st. Head inside for the teaser! Also – are teasers for trailers worth it? Let us know. READ MORE

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Teaser For The Trailer For ‘Paranormal Activity 4′!!! (I Wish Teasers For Trailers Didn’t Exist)

We broke the news back in January that, after hitting a home run with Paranormal Activity 3, both Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman will be returning to direct Paranormal Activity 4 for Paramount Pictures. Since then we’ve had almost no news (no one has) except that Matt Shively (April Apocalypse) had been cast as “Alex”. And that’s it.

But now we have a teaser trailer. And to say that it doesn’t show much would be an understatement. Kind of weird that we live in an age that there are advertisements for advertisements.

Joost and Schulman co-directed Catfish independently before it was acquired by Universal. PA 3 has made over $200 million at the box office worldwide, while the entire Paranormal Activity franchise has pulled in approximately $577 worldwide at the box office alone making it a near billion dollar franchise (when you include home video).

Toby returns October 19, 2012. The full trailer hits Wednesday, August 1st. Head inside for the teaser! Also – are teasers for trailers worth it? Let us know! READ MORE

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Cedric the Entertainer Adds Laughs To Marlon Wayans’ ‘Paranormal Activity’ Spoof Flick

Cedric the Entertainer (Big Momma’s House, Barbershop, Intolerable Cruelty) is set to star alongside Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins in the previously titled Smart Ass, a now untitled found footage spoof pic that is to be directed by Marlon Wayans and Mike Tiddes.

There’s also a new sales synopsis that reads: “From the creators of Scary Movie comes another hilarious horror spoof, a parody of the Paranormal Activity franchise. When newlyweds Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) and Kisha (Essence Atkins) move into their dream house, they quickly find they’re not alone. But it’s not the house that’s haunted, but his wife that is possessed with spirits – or as Malcolm calls it – “relationship baggage.” Malcolm hires everyone from a priest to modern day ghost busters to rid her of the demon, determined not to let the evil spirit ruin his marriage… or his sex life for that matter.” The pic will also spoof Paramount’s The Devil Inside.

Rick Alvarez (Dance Flick, White Chicks, Little Man) and Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie Franchise, White Chicks) penned the screenplay.

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Take The Expanded Ultimate Horror Challenge!!! How Do You Rank Now?

We have heard your cries! MANY of you felt that the The Ultimate Horror Challenge wasn’t comprehensive enough! So we included an additional 20 films that round it out a bit more. Many of these are from your suggestions! But this still isn’t a list of every horror movie ever made. And it still doesn’t contain every major work of every horror auteur (there’s still no John Carpenter’s They Live or Wes Craven’s The Last House On The Left).

The next update will be the Ultimate Horror Challenge: Final Edition – where we take your best new suggestions and use them to get up to 101 films that every horror fan should see! So in addition to your ranking, let us know which films should make the cut! Should newer fan favorites like Frozen or The Devil’s Rejects be included? Should we go back and pick up a few more old-school slashers? You’re shaping the Final 20! Discuss and vote and I’ll tally it up!

There are now 81 Films listed below the jump. Each film you’ve seen earns you 1 Point. Count out how many you’ve seen and let us know which category you fall into!

1-10 Points: Soccer Mom

11-20 Points: Mildly Adventurous

21-30 Points: Casual Fan

31-40 Points: Enthusiast

41-50 Points: Hardcore

51-60 Points: Unstable

61-70 Points: Need Meds

71-80 Points: Psychopath

81 Points: Special Circle Of Hell

Head inside to take the challenge! The films are listed in no particular order. This is NOT a ranking! READ MORE

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Take The Ultimate Horror Challenge!!! What’s Your Score?

This isn’t a list of every horror movie ever made. Nor does it contain every major work of every horror auteur (you’ll notice we didn’t include John Carpenter’s They Live or Wes Craven’s The Last House On The Left). Rather, this is a compendium of films that we feel – in one way or another – are essential viewing for every horror fan. Some are mainstream (Poltergeist), some aren’t (Cannibal Holocaust). It’s a broad sampling of key films from the genre.

But you don’t have to be a horror die-hard to take the challenge! If you’re comfortable being a “Soccer Mom”, simply clock how many of these you have (or haven’t) seen and let us know! There are 61 Films listed below the jump. Each film you’ve seen earns you 1 Point. Count out how many you’ve seen and let us know which category you fall into. You can give us your specific count in the comments or yell at us for the films we’ve left out!! The categories are:

1-10 Points: Soccer Mom

11-20 Points: Mildly Adventurous

21-30 Points: Casual Fan

31-40 Points: Hardcore

41-50 Points: Unstable

51-60 Points: Psychopath

61 Points: Special Circle Of Hell

Head inside to take the challenge! The films are listed in no particular order. This is NOT a ranking! READ MORE

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‘The Hospital’ Has As Many Ambitions As It Does Patients!

HospitalBanner50312 The Hospital Has As Many Ambitions As It Does Patients!

Allied Horror, in association with Lazy Donkey Films, has begun pre-production on The Hospital, starring genre staples such as John Dugan (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Scott Tepperman (Ghost Hunters International), Jim O’Rear (The Dead Matter), and Daniel Emery Taylor (Return Of The Swamp Thing).

They claim that the film will be like Saw, Hostel, Paranormal Activity and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre rolled into one. Kudos to them if they can pull it off! The film is also being shot in “actual haunted locations” this summer in East Tennessee and “the filmmakers are almost guaranteed to capture real paranormal activity while they are shooting their scripted paranormal events.

In the film, “Old St. Leopold’s Hospital has many urban legends surrounding it, but the residents of Bridgeport all agree on one thing: tortured souls roam its abandoned halls. The mystery proves too much for a pretty young student who decides to investigate for her senior class project. Unfortunately, she does not find ghosts. She, instead, finds Stanley… serial rapist, murderer, and psychopath. As the young girl becomes Stanley’s new pet, a team of young investigators descend on the hospital to “hunt some ghosts.” Stanley sees nothing but fun and games in his future. But, what Stanley does not know is that the hospital truly is haunted and the restless spirits there are not happy with what he has been doing.

You can find out more on the film’s Facebook. Head inside for the poster. READ MORE

‘Paranormal Activity’ Gets Latino Spin-off!

devilinside040612 Paranormal Activity Gets Latino Spin off!

Paramount and the producers of Paranormal Activity are prepping a spin-off of sorts.

THR writes that the new project will reunite producers Jason Blum and Oren Peli with Christopher Landon, the writer of the second and third installment of the Paranormal movies.

Christopher Landon (Disturbia) will write and direct the project, described by sources as a “cousin” to the Paranormal movies but not a sequel or reboot, nor a spin-off. The real kicker is that the movie will be Latino-themed. It will star a Latino cast and will tackle Catholic-based paranormal mythology. It will not, however, be in Spanish.

The aim is to make the micro-budgeted movie in the next several months.

Paramount could potentially have the movie ready for an early January 2013 slot. This past January, the studio released the Catholic-centered found-footage horror movie The Devil Inside; the movie was made for about $1 million and grossed $53 million domestically and $46 million internationally. (The three Paranormal movies have grossed more than $575 million. A fourth film is set for release in October.)

Latinos are a growing market for Hollywood studios, and it’s pretty amazing to see Paramount cater to them. The Latino population in the U.S. sees movies at a higher rate than non-Latinos, and because they are heavily Catholic, religious-themed horror movies tend to play well in heavily-Latino markets. The territories of Central and South America are also fertile grounds for these kinds of movies.

Seth Rogen And Evan Goldberg May Write A Horror Movie After ‘The Apocalypse’

GoldbergRogen30712 Seth Rogen And Evan Goldberg May Write A Horror Movie After The Apocalypse

This simultaneously my most and least favorite kind of news. It’s my most favorite because I love wondering what this kind of project might ultimately look like. It’s my least favorite because this might as well be filed under “jumping the gun”. But here goes… the writing team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Pineapple Express) may be writing a horror movie.

Per The Playlist, “a desire to take on new territory… has led Goldberg to one of his next endeavors — writing a full on, straight ahead horror movie. “Seth [Rogen] and I have been talking about doing a horror idea that we came up with, and I don’t like horror movies. It’s interesting to me that I don’t like horror movies and I’m interested in doing it,” Goldberg revealed. “I used to just think, ‘Anyone who likes horror movies is sick or [more] likely to kill me in my sleep than my friends who like comedy.’ But movies are therapy for a lot of people, and it’s good for people to get things out. Maybe there would be more serial killers because they get it out with the horror movies, or maybe it makes people serial killers, I don’t really know. But I’m interested in this whole area now, and I never really was before.”

And while Goldberg is keeping further details close to the chest for now, he does cite one recent franchise for spurring his curiosity, and he hints that comedy could possibly find its way into the story. “We do assume that by making it funnier, we can make it scarier, but people don’t love ‘Paranormal Activity’ because it’s funny,” he said. “If it was a bit funnier, and more realistic, maybe it would’ve been even better — and I did think it was a fantastic movie, I actually really liked that movie. That was the one that kinda drew us into discussing this, because we just thought it was so innovative.”

This is so far off that the world might literally end before I see it, but I’m a fan of theirs so it’s fun to think about. Meanwhile, they start shooting The Apocalypse (seemingly retitled from Jay And Seth Vs. The Apocalypse) soon. To see the fake trailer they made a few years back (the new script differs significantly) hit the jump. READ MORE

TV: A Little German Flavor for ABC’s ‘The River’

Thomas Kretschmann (Hostel: Part III, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, King Kong) has been cast in the ABC drama pilot “The River,” reports Variety.

The German actor joins Bruce Greenwood and Leslie Hope in the ABC Studios project, which hails from Paranormal Activity writer-director Oren Peli.

Being directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (The Orphan, House of Wax), Hope stars as Tess, a world traveler and top-notch producer who, six months after her TV explorer husband Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) goes missing in the Amazon, receives a signal from his beacon. Convinced that Emmet is alive, Tess forces her reluctant son Lincoln (Joe Anderson) to abandon his medical studies and lead a rescue expedition.
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TV: Genre Vet Heads to the Deep Amazon ‘River’

Deadline is reporting that British actor Joe Anderson (The Ruins, The Crazies, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1/2, and The Grey) has landed the lead in ABC’s drama pilot “The River” from Orphan and House of Wax director Jaume Collet-Serra.

The horror thriller, from DreamWorks TV, ABC Studios and Paranormal Activity mastermind Oren Peli, centers on Lincoln Cole (Anderson) who, after his famous TV explorer father goes missing way up the Amazon, reluctantly abandons his medical studies and follows in his father’s footsteps – accompanied by a small camera crew, and with Something Deadly in the water, waiting for him.

Anderson joins the previously announced Eloise Mumford.
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New ‘Paranormal Activity 2′ Deleted Scene!

Paranormal Activity 2 materializes in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and standard DVD February 8, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Gearing up for the release, the studio is going viral once again sending us the following deleted scene labeled “There Is More”, along with a New Mexico Sage and Cedar Smudge Stick to ward off demons. Thanks! Dig on both inside.
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Rumor Control: ‘Disturbia’ Writer Pens ‘Paranormal Activity 3′

Update: Apparently the press release for ‘Burning Palms’ and IMDB were wrong in listing Landon as a writer. Official update forthcoming. Christopher B. Landon (Disturbia, Blood and Chocolate – and director of the forthcoming Burning Palms) and Michael R. Perry are both responsible for penning Paranormal Activity 3 for Room 101, Paramount Pictures and producer Oren Peli, writes IMDB and the Burning Palms press release. Doing a little research, while Perry is listed on IMDB as the writer of Paranormal Activity 2, Landon is now also listed as a participant. I guess you can say they’re reteaming for the trilogy? Story details for the next film is being held under lock and key, but Paramount has officially announced an October 21, 2011 release date.
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Full Specs for ‘Paranormal Activity 2′ DVD/Blu-ray

Paranormal Activity 2 materializes in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and standard DVD February 8, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Hailed by critics and audiences alike as “one of the scariest films of all time” (ARTISTDirect), PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 solidifies the franchise as the hottest new horror series that has viewers clamoring for more. The chillingly realistic prequel to 2009′s horror phenomenon chronicles the frightening days leading up to the events of the original film, marking the return of Katie, Micah and the terrifying and malevolent presence that’s torturing them. When Katie’s sister Kristi and her husband find their house vandalized after bringing home their new baby, they set up 24-hour surveillance cameras. What unfolds on the footage is far more sinister and shocking than anything they could have imagined. The full specs, art and first deleted scene can be found inside.
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Watch a Deleted Scene from ‘Paranormal Activity 2′

Arriving on DVD and Blu-ray February 8th from Paramount Home Entertainment is the UNRATED cut of Tod Williams’ Paranormal Activity 2. This evening Paramount unveiled a deleted sequence from the film that will only appear on the unrated version of the film. Check it out inside. It’s nothing all that exciting. After experiencing what they think are a series of “break-ins”, a family sets up security cameras around their home, only to realize that the events unfolding before them are more sinister than they seem. Don’t forget to write your own reviews of the sequel/prequel.
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