Paranormal Activity (2007)

Title: Paranormal Activity
Director: Oren Peli
Year: 2007
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****

Whilst watching this film you must first bear in mind the tiny budget and mainly improvised dailogue, as well as two actors who have never had any experience beforehand. Well, I say 'bear in mind', but actually, you simply forget that, as the film is completely believeable, regardless of the paranormal side of it. Whenever the two main characters put their camera on the tripod in order to go to sleep, your pulse rate immediately accelerates, as you are aware that this is when the freaky stuff happens. And by God is it freaky. Even the mild scares at the beginning are enough to make you understand just how terrifying this film will become. It is definitely a must-see for those who are Grudge fans, and even just those who love ghosts. Or even just anyone searching for a good scare.

Although it was filmed using a hand-held camera, in a 'found footage' style, the cinematography is still extremely interesting, and it simply serves to make you feel like you are actually experiencing what the characters are going through.

Definitely a shocker.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Title: Kick-Ass
Year: 2010
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Mortez, Mark Strong, Nicholas Cage, Lyndsy Fonseca
Age certificate: 15
Rating: *****

This absolutely stunning superhero film is up there with my all-time favourite, the Lord of the Rings. But, before you expect elves and orcs to show up, it's a favourite for a completely different reason, and of course, set in modern-day New York.

The hilarity, the gore, and the sheer brilliance of this film is complimented by the breathtaking cinematography and acting (especially by Chloe Mortez, who was only eleven at the time of shooting, performing many of her own stunts and using taboo to the extremeties).

My advice is to stop your knitting, and go out to the cinema and WATCH IT RIGHT NOW.