The Haunting...

I really enjoyed today's film - very spooky, in a subtle and thought-provoking way. What I found particularly effective was the fact that all the creepy things that were happening were not far-fetched or over the top - in fact, I bet most of us have experienced them at some point or another! Who hasn't noticed a shape on the wall that looks like a face, and once you've seen it you can't stop looking at it? Or felt the eyes of a statue or painting following you around? Or had their heart beat so fast and loud that it sounds like someone is knocking.... Luckily for us, we don't usually get to experience all these things at the same time, unlike the poor characters in todays film!
There were a couple of techniques that I noticed that made the atmosphere all the more tense for me - firstly the use of high and low camera angles. This gave the impression that you were spying on the character, perhaps peering at them from a hidden peep-hole up high or from under a piece of furniture. This is unsettling for the viewer, as it puts you in the position of the ghost or spirit, watching and waiting for the moment to pounce. The other technique was the use of mirrors throughout. Mirrors placed directly behind the characters reflected the backs of the characters, and had the effect of stretching out the usable set space - the action did not only have to happen in the room itself, but could also potentially take place behind the viewer facing the mirror, in the reflection itself, so to speak. This also gave the possibility of something popping up in the reflection and scaring the life out of you! As it was, this did not happen - but the possibility was there, and so the suspense was created...
This evening I also watched the trailer for Paranormal Activity...EEEEK ! That's one film I will definately be off to see once its released on the big screen. Roll on the end of November!!