'Blair Witch' thieves prompt new signs in town Nov 18, 2009
- The small Maryland town where "The Blair Witch Project" was set has some new welcome signs. Please don't steal them. (AZCentral -- News)
DVD Report: This week's new releases (Nov. 15) Nov 15, 2009
Hetero pals Mark Duplass ( The Puffy Chair ) and Joshua Leonard ( The Blair Witch Project ) kick around an idle thought that it might be a cool, artsy idea to hook up in an adult film. Zack and Zack Make a Porno. (Boston Globe)
Paranormal profit for scary movie Nov 14, 2009
It is a success story to rival that of the Blair Witch Project, which set box offices alight in 1999. Made for less than $100,000 (60,000) and shot in a documentary style, the low-budget horror went on to make $250m (150m) worldwide. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Good news! NASA says world wont end in 2012 Nov 14, 2009
"It's been done before," said Betts, citing the 1999 horror movie "The Blair Witch Project," a story about a group of amateur documentary film-makers who have a really bad couple of days in the woods. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Far-from-normal road to Paranormal success Nov 10, 2009
The killer weekend furthered comparisons to that other groundbreaking, low-budget scary movie, The Blair Witch Project, and cemented Paranormal's status as a box office phenomenon. It's pretty exciting,'' says Peli, who celebrated the triumph with ''a plain cheeseburger and a Jack and Coke'' on the set of his next film, Area 51, in Utah. (MSNBC -- News)
The Fourth Kind Nov 7, 2009
November 5, 2009 - Much like The Blair Witch Project and the recent sleeper hit Paranormal Activity, is a faux docudrama about weird happenings. But where those two films dealt with the realm of the supernatural, The Fourth Kind chronicles what it claims is a real-life case of alien abduction. (IGN FilmForce)
'The Fourth Kind' of fake? Nov 7, 2009
It's not a new idea; "The Blair Witch Project" pulled off the concept effectively, and the recent "Paranormal Activity" uses handheld cameras for a cinema verite look. But unlike "Paranormal," "The Fourth Kind" literally announces its validity, taking Nome's documented unexplained disappearances and making the case for alien abductions. (CNN)
Review: 'Fourth Kind' Alienates Audience Nov 7, 2009
The marketing folks behind the low-budget hit "The Blair Witch Project" did a masterful job in hyping the idea that the scary "documentary" footage seen in the film was real. Of course it was all staged, but it took weeks for that fact to finally sink in. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Alien-abduction story ‘The Fourth Kind’ is an actual case - of silliness Nov 6, 2009
The reason The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, and Quarantine caught on was because they were convincing: You could have made any of them. Paranormal Activity is the latest of this sort of faux-incompetent moviemaking to lure a steady audience. (Boston Globe)
Micah Sloat, Star Of "Paranormal Activity," Snagged His Role In The Recent Hit Film While Attending MI in 2006 Nov 5, 2009
The movie is presented in a documentary style, using footage from the camera set up by the couple to capture what is haunting them, in a similar manner to The Blair Witch Project and The Last Broadcast. . (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
In ‘Paranormal Activity,’ what you don’t see will scare you Oct 30, 2009
The Blair Witch Project broke the barrier 10 years ago, and Hollywood has been playing catch-up ever since, from the monster-stomping fun of Cloverfield (2008) to the viral frights of the 2007 Spanish film [Rec] and its 2008 US remake Quarantine ... Not the hardcore horror crowd but a broader mix of younger teens - the same group that bought into The Blair Witch Project because, omigod, they thought it really happened - and older audiences relieved to be scared without getting a faceful of... (Boston Globe)
'Paranormal Activity' Is Most Profitable Film Of All-Time Oct 30, 2009
The next closest competitor is 1999's "The Blair Witch Project," another indie horror flick. With a production budget of $60,000, that movie posted a 414,000 percent ROI. After two pre-Depression-era films, "ET: The Extraterrestrial" delivered the fifth highest percentage, a comparatively small return of 7,000 percent. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Low-budget thriller 'Paranormal' tops weekend box office Oct 27, 2009
The film, whose ingenious online marketing and use of web buzz has rivaled that of 1999 indie "The Blair Witch Project," bested the newest "Saw" film, which is part of an established horror juggernaut that has grossed more than 680 million dollars worldwide since 2004. "Saw VI" debuted at number two this weekend, with 14. (Yahoo! Asia News)
A spine-tingling ending for 'Paranormal Activity' Oct 27, 2009
The two play the young couple haunted by a spectral force in the breakout hit "Paranormal Activity." The suspenseful supernatural thriller, reminiscent of "The Blair Witch Project," has become one of the year's biggest success stories. Made for just $15,000, "Paranormal" was the No. 1 movie at the box office this weekend, taking in about $22 million, and has earned an astounding $62. (FOX59, IN)
Will This Is It surpass Miley & Hannah? Oct 27, 2009
For the record, "The Blair Witch Project," "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "The Passion of the Christ" all were hits. "Snakes on a Plane," despite tremendous advance buzz, fizzled. (MSNBC -- Music)
Paranormal Activity slays Saw Oct 26, 2009
Director Oren Peli talks with Access about "Paranormal Activity," and how "The Blair Witch Project" inspired him. Access Hollywood. (MSNBC -- News)
'Paranormal Activity' scares up box-office delight Oct 25, 2009
Following in the footsteps of 1999's "The Blair Witch Project," director Oren Peli's acclaimed film -- made for just 11,000 dollars -- has already earned 37 million dollars in North America alone. Like "Blair Witch," "Paranormal Activity" is simple but effective. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Boos on a budget Oct 25, 2009
Paranormal Activity, released Oct. 16, purports to be found footage, similar to 1999 s The Blair Witch Project ... Paranormal Activity, released Oct. 16, purports to be found footage, similar to 1999 s The Blair Witch Project. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Infotainment Oct 25, 2009
Following in the footsteps of 1999s The Blair Witch Project, director Oren Pelis acclaimed film - made for. Miss Ashida 2010 collectionTokyo: A model displays a cocktail dress with flower shaped organdy during the Miss Ashida 2010 spring and summer collection designed by Tae Ashida. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
Paranormal Activity AU R... Oct 23, 2009
Realism is the key in a film like this ; akin to Rec, The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield ; is in the amateur, off-the-cuff camerawork. Brands that fall into shot (the unintended ones, anyway) are blurred out as they might be if this were aired on television, and the ad-lib approach to the dialogue gives the delivery and reactions a naturalism that draws you in. (IGN FilmForce)
'Wild' film top at US box office Oct 20, 2009
The film - shot in the style of a documentary - is said to have made a box office impact due to word-of-mouth interest and has been compared to 1999 hit The Blair Witch Project. US BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE 1 Where The Wild Things Are - $32. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
'Wild Things' gobble up weekend box office Oct 20, 2009
The film, reportedly made for a paltry 11,000 dollars, has earned comparisons to 1999 hit "The Blair Witch Project" and focuses on supernatural goings-on in a suburban San Diego house. Last week's number one movie, "Couples Retreat" starring comic favorites Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman, scored 17. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Wild Things creates rumpus at box office Oct 19, 2009
Paranormal Activity might have a shot to duplicate the success of The Blair Witch Project, a 1999 Sundance Film Festival discovery that rode Internet buzz to a $140 million domestic total. Box office results. (MSNBC -- News)
'Wild Things' Tops Box-Office Oct 19, 2009
"Paranormal Activity" might have a shot to duplicate the success of "The Blair Witch Project," a 1999 Sundance Film Festival discovery that rode Internet buzz to a $140 million domestic total. "When you have a movie playing this well and it has such a broad appeal, it certainly tells you that is a possible outcome," said Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount. (Fox News)
How Net activity boosted 'Paranormal Activity' Oct 17, 2009
We have the advantage with all these digital tools of allowing word of mouth to spread much faster than before," said Amy Powell, senior vice president of interactive marketing for Paramount Pictures Corp., which is sending "Paranormal Activity" into wide release in more theaters today. Skeptics, however, say the "Twitter effect" on box office results is overstated. "If someone decided they want to see the movie, they're going to see it, regardless of what they're seeing people tweet about it,"... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Suggestion powers 'Paranormal Activity' phenom Oct 17, 2009
Oren Peli saw "The Blair Witch Project" and was inspired to make his own horror movie ... - Producer Robin Cowie remembers showing "The Blair Witch Project" to some friends of his father's, investors and potential investors, in his dad's basement ... " LOS ANGELES -- The no-budget ghost story "Paranormal Activity" arrives 10 years after "The Blair Witch Project," and the two horror movies share more than a clever construct and shaky, handheld camerawork.Like its predecessor, "Paranormal... (Fresno Bee)
Paranormal Activity Oct 16, 2009
While it s by no means the same game-changer that The Blair Witch Project was in its day, Peli s debut is nevertheless a clever and inventive piece of horror minimalism that shows you don t need a gigantic budget, flashy special effects or buckets of blood to scare the crap out of people. As an added bonus, Paranormal Activity also makes for a great date movie -- it s practically guaranteed to leave her clutching your arm and suggesting other things to do besides go home and go to sleep. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Halloween Movie Guide 2009 Oct 16, 2009
That combined with the aggressive viral campaign has drawn comparison to 1999's The Blair Witch Project. This is movie for those looking for something a bit unconventional. (Suite101.com)
"Paranormal Activity" an Abnormal Success Oct 15, 2009
Another indie horror tale, 1999's The Blair Witch Project, became the biggest hit ever discovered at the Sundance Film Festival as months of online chatter pushed it to a $140 million haul. Preceded by similar Web patter, 2006's Snakes on a Plane wound up fizzling, fans deciding it was more fun to sound off about the movie online than to actually see it. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Has Hollywood's hand been forced? Oct 13, 2009
Considering The Blair Witch Project wasn't released until 1999, and was barely filming in 1997, I think you have your dates a bit mixed up there. A bit of research wouldn't go astray. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
'Couples Retreat' checks in with $35.3M Oct 13, 2009
The studio began two weekends ago with midnight screenings in 13 cities, the movie building buzz online much as The Blair Witch Project did 10 years ago. Like Blair Witch, Paranormal Activity is fiction shot in documentary style as a young man tries to record strange doings and apparitions in the house he shares with his girlfriend. (KHOU.com, TX)
`Couples Retreat' Is Top Movie With $35 Million of Sales in U.S., Canada Oct 12, 2009
He said its popularity is similar to 1999s The Blair Witch Project, fed by word of mouth and, in this case, Internet buzz. The film tells the story of a couple who move into a suburban starter home that is haunted by a demonic presence. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
'Couples Retreat' leads weekend box office Oct 12, 2009
Paranormal Activity" was acquired by former Paramount partner DreamWorks at 2007's Slamdance Film Festival with the idea that writer-director Oren Peli would re-shoot it on a bigger budget.But after audiences responded well to a test screening, Paramount decided to sneak "Paranormal Activity" out in a manner befitting its raw, independent roots. The studio began two weekends ago with midnight screenings in 13 cities, the movie building buzz online much as "The Blair Witch Project" did 10 years... (The Clarion-Ledger)
A Horror Film Phenomenon: Paranormal Activity Oct 11, 2009
Movie Review of 'Paranormal Activity', a Horror Film Phenomenon - TIME. " This weekend, PA has expanded to all-day runs on 159 screens in 44 cities, and according to early reports, it's headed for a box-office breakout perhaps the highest three-day gross of any films showing in fewer than 200 venues. "Look out cuz there's a freight train coming," an executive from a rival studio told Deadline Hollywood's Nikki Finke, "and Paramount is going to make a TON of cash on this pickup. (Time.com)
Paranormal Activity will scary you silly Oct 10, 2009
LOS ANGELES - The no-budget ghost story Paranormal Activity arrives 10 years after The Blair Witch Project, and the two horror movies share more than a clever construct and shaky, handheld camerawork. Like its predecessor, Paranormal Activity has been making waves through a viral marketing campaign that has been building positive buzz through early, sold-out college town screenings and Internet chatter. (MSNBC -- News)
Watch scary 'Paranormal Activity' with the lights on Oct 9, 2009
Think The Blair Witch Project meets and then dial it up a few notches, and you have an approximation of the subtle but terrifying atmosphere of Paranormal Activity. A straightforward faux-documentary style and unfamiliar but believable actors infuse the film with a fear factor that is all the more powerful. (USA Today -- Life)
'Paranormal Activity' now playing in the Boston area! Oct 9, 2009
"Paranormal Activity" -- which is being compared to "The Blair Witch Project" if "Blair Witch" had lived up to its hype -- is opening Friday, Oct. 9 in more theaters, including several in Massachusetts. I considered going to the midnight screening tonight in Danvers, but considering how everyone who watches this film loses sleep for a few days, I want to try tomorrow in daylight hours. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Hollywood braced for budget cuts; Studios set to tighten belts in after big budget flops... Oct 7, 2009
Paranormal Activity, a horror film in the mould of the Blair Witch Project, has been selling out midnight screenings in a handful of US cities and looks set to become a bona fide hit when it is released across the US by Paramount this month. EDITORS CHOICE. (The Drudge Report)
Blair Witch Sequel News Oct 5, 2009
October 2, 2009 - Hard to imagine that it's coming up on ten years since The Blair Witch Project first hit theatres, revitalizing the horror genre with its raw, low-budget presentation and sizeable scares. Our friends over at recently had the chance to sit down with the filmmakers Ed Sanchez and Dan Myrick to talk about the anniversary and the pair revealed that progress is apparently being made on a sequel. (IGN FilmForce)
There is some truth in Paranormal Activity Oct 2, 2009
Much like The Blair Witch Project, to which the film is being compared, trades on its cinma vrit realism, the conceit that you are seeing real documentary footage of what happened scary scenes and all. Real ghosts aside, the film is realistic in some ways. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Lionsgate Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager David Spitz Re-Ups With Studio Under New Long-Term Agreement Sep 5, 2009
During his tenure with Lionsgate and its predecessors, Spitz has made important contributions to the successful distribution of such hits as the SAW franchise, the most successful long-term horror franchise in history with grosses exceeding $667 million in worldwide box office; the Tyler Perry franchise, which has grossed nearly $370 million in domestic box office; CRASH; FAHRENHEIT 9/11; and the independent blockbuster phenomenon THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Other successes include the smash... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Art House Cinema planned at Mattoon Public Library Sep 2, 2009
What about The Blair Witch Project or The Passion of the Christ. And who can forget last year s sleeper Slumdog Millionaire. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Reviewed: 'District 9' Aug 29, 2009
Perfecting the ragged handheld documentary style introduced by 'The Blair Witch Project' and refined by 'Cloverfield', it combines on-the-ground footage with news reports and talking head interviews to create an alternate Johannesburg that seems staggeringly real. That authenticity is only reinforced by the treatment of the aliens themselves. (iAfrica.com)
20 movie rentals that never disappoint Aug 28, 2009
When summer movies' bombast leaves EW pop culture columnist Stephen King exhausted, he returns to these perennials at the video store that simply never disappoint Die Hard, Titanic, The Blair Witch Project and more ... The Blair Witch Project (1999)Now that all the hype has subsided, you can revisit this pocket masterpiece and marvel at how scary it really is. (MSNBC -- Movies)
REVIEW: 'District 9' uncovers a great new sci-fi world Aug 21, 2009
Borrowing a page from "The Blair Witch Project," Blomkamp shoots this like a documentary. The conceit works -- until it goes into areas where you know a crew wouldn't. (Sioux City Journal)
The Witch legend Aug 11, 2009
In 1999, The Blair Witch Project set box offices alight, becoming one of the most profitable movies in cinema history ... After eight months in post-production, trimming 19 hours of footage into a digestible 90 minutes, The Blair Witch Project was shown at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Local man to appear in feature length film Jul 31, 2009
Josh Leonard, who previously performed as himself in The Blair Witch Project, stars in the new movie Humpday ... After The Blair Witch Project, Josh made numerous appearances in various television shows. (Daily Collegian, PA)
The Fives: Sturgis rally news you can use -- gas prices, H-D slump, crackdown at Bike Week and more Jul 29, 2009
com, they were able to do it with the Blair Witch Project, so why not Easy Rider. Well, do you recall how good Blair Witch II was. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
'Blair Witch Project' Cast And Crew Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary Jul 15, 2009
Heather Donahue in "The Blair Witch Project" ( Artisan Entertainment ). "We really had no idea what we were doing," said "Blair Witch Project" co-director Daniel Myrick to 00003A0A MTV News in June 1999, little more than a month before his indie horror film swept into theaters, scared up $250 million at the worldwide box office. (VHI.com -- Music News)
The Blair Witch Project 10 years later Jul 10, 2009
The Blair Witch Project 10 years later- msnbc ... The Blair Witch Project 10 years later ... Heather Donahue gave a face to fear in "The Blair Witch Project.". (MSNBC -- News)
A DAY TO REMEMBER Jul 5, 2009
"Humpday" concerns two former college buddies, Ben (Mark Duplass, a director in his own right) and Andrew (Joshua Leonard, of "The Blair Witch Project"), who one drunken night agree to perform together in an amateur porn movie. Oh, yes, they're both straight. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Taking mockery to new heights Jul 5, 2009
and the popularity of "The Office." A mockumentary relative, the found-footage genre, caused a stir with "The Blair Witch Project" as recently as 1999 ... There have been at least two genre-busting shockumentaries: "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon," which follows a nascent serial killer, and the utterly absurd "Big Man Japan," which tracks a gigantic hero who battles Godzilla-type behemoths in Tokyo (neither "Cloverfield" nor "The Blair Witch Project" really fit the pseudo-documentary... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
'Darkside Chronicles': 'Resident Evil' meets 'Cloverfield' Jun 19, 2009
To augment the tension in arcade shooter Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles for the Nintendo Wii, publisher Capcom is borrowing a page from films such as Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project. Based on a quick demo, the results seem to produce a more chaotic, intense experience compared to its predecessor, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. (USA Today -- Tech)
Empire Film Group Taps Industry Veteran David Magedman to Manage Theatrical Releasing Division May 12, 2009
Magedman first rose to distribution fame with the breakout, $140-million USA box office success of ``The Blair Witch Project'' when he managed theatrical operations for Artisan Releasing. Most recently, he was Vice President and senior theatrical release executive for Warner Independent Pictures, where he managed theatrical release activities for more than twenty films, cumulatively generating more than $200-million in domestic box office revenues. (Primezone Releases)
Top 10 Ocean Dramas Apr 18, 2009
At the time of its release, "Open Water" was described as "Jaws" meets "The Blair Witch Project.". Vicious pirates preying on unsuspecting ships off the coast of Africa. (Fox News)
More ways to play Mar 14, 2009
"I am looking forward to the Blair Witch Project of gaming," Gareth Davis, Facebook's head of games platforms, told BBC News. "Just like movies such as Blair Witch and Sex, Lies and Videotape broke out of the independent film scene into the mainstream the same will happen with independent gaming.". (BBC News -- Technology)
