Get Your Paranormal On

             Todd Williams brings the suspense and scare once again in Paranormal Activity 2. Paranormal Activity is the sequel to the 2007 horror film Paranormal Activity. The film stars Sprague Grayden and Brian Boland, relatively unknown actors. Todd Williams creates a prequel that is as entertaining as the first.

            Here is the part where viewers who have not seen the film might want to skip to the next paragraph because there is about to be a plot spoiler. Williams concept of showing Kristi Reys and her sister Katie, from the first film, was an interesting style of prequel. The audience reaction to the demons haunting and realizing that Kristi’s husband transfers the demon to her sister can gradually be seen on the looks of the audience as well as various whispers like “Oh that’s how Katie [Kristi’s sister] became possessed.”

Williams is able to make a prequel that reflects its predecessor by keeping its character interaction similar as well as its central theme of scare and no gore. Throughout the film the moments of the largest screams and what not were in which there was no one on screen. There is a sequence within the first quarter of the film in which afer the Reys install cameras there is a shot for about one minute of a pantry door slowly opening. It is during this sequence that music plays deep, omniscient tones that makes one hand, or even two, go towards those eyes of yours because you can feel something coming, but then the tones stop… nothing...Slam! there goes the pantry door and you realize what you have just gotten yourself into. The director slowly introduces the audience into his concept of scary.

Williams brings back scaring an audience without the need of over produced blood and effects make-up. Analyzing the mise-en-scene draws you to the characters and the locations and how they depict a very plain suburbia. The makeup show on the films depicts little to none.

Other horror films released this year such as Piranha 3-D and Saw 3-D  which use cutting edge  3-D, extreme effects/make-up and sex appeal represent exactly what this film isn’t. It lacks new technology by using steady cams and handy cams, it uses close to no make-up on actors and lastly it does not try to create sex appeal throughout screen time. It is these conscious properties that lead to Williams success in all aspects of the film.. If you are trying to get scared without the gore and teenage angst then Paranormal Activity 2 is the movie for you.

Knott’s Downs and Disneyland’s Ups

Thinking of perhaps where to go on your next vacation, well theme parks more times tan not will provide you with a destination that is quite fun and fulfilling. Many people in southern California choose between Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, however, realistically the decision should be made fairly easy. However, first one must see the meat and bones of the theme park to determine for themselves, but this will be made easy for you wit the presentation of reason of why Disneyland is an all around better park than Knott’s Berry Farm.

            Knott’s Berry Farm was first a farm and chicken diner. However, Knott’s did some interesting things prior to their park years like feeding people during the depression and created their own berry, the boysenberry. “All boysenberries in the world can trace their origins back to Knott’s Berry Farm,” describes the company. With all this history Knott’s Berry Farm and a great foundation to become into it’s own element, which now is comprised of six themed areas as well as now a water park next door. These themed areas include: Ghost Town, Indian Trails, Marketplace, Boardwalk, Fiesta Village, and Camp Snoopy. There are nine coasters, eight thrill rides, and 5 shows.

Now with all these attractions one might first think now this is a great park, however, when dealing with the employees and service there are definite problems. When calling to write this, Knott’s refused to give me any statistics on park guests on a quarterly or yearly figure. The so-called “themed areas,” are somewhat lazily done. When considering a theme for a sector of a theme park, a area that has a couple of shops. What Knott’s does have that must be given credit is Camp Snoopy. Charlie Brown is an American Classic and this makes it Knott’s have one of America’s classics.

            Knott’s is a definite park of destination but when choosing, Disneyland is the prime destination. Being ranked second on Yahoo’s top ten visited parks with a number of 14,721,000. It contains 8 lands including: Fronteirland, Toon Town, Tomorrow Land, Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Fantasy Land, Main Street USA, Fantasy Land and Aventrueland. Now Disneyland is not one to have only ride themed areas. Main Street USA is similar to Knott’s Marketplace yet it has old vehicles you can ride in, a story featuring Abe Lincoln, all sorts of shops, and some first cartoons featuring non other than Mickey.

Now that Mickey has been addressed a short history of both him and Disneyland should be presented. Mickey was founded in 1928 with the Steam Boat Willie cartoon, which still plays on Main Street; thirty years later Disneyland opened its gates to the world. It now has another park located across the street, California Adventures. And Disneyland itself has 58 rides and attractions. This number is much more grand than Knott’s 22 rides and attractions. Although Disneyland Park price is $76 compared to Knott’s $55 ticket, 26 more rides and attractions is worth the $20 difference. When spending already a large amount for a theme park, one wants to be fulfilled for a full day, and not get bored in a few hours.

Other than having more coasters and attractions, Disneyland has a much more consistent theme through out the entire park, with more specialized workers in each themed land. Besides this, it is Disneyland. Everything that incorporates Disney is present from characters, to shows, to the big smile you get everywhere in the park.

Overall Disneyland Park is a greater experience due to their number of rides, attractions, carryout of themed areas, to the helpfulness of the staff. Although Knott’s is a good park, when deciding between the two, Disneyland is the better decision.