Paranormal Activity

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 (2010) - Oct. 22, 2010
An effective sequel (or prequel, in this case).  It plays it pretty safe -- it follows the formula set by the original pretty closely, so it doesn't quite have the same impact of the first one if only because there's kind of a "been there, done that" vibe at play here.  But on the other hand, it's pretty damn effective at building and sustaining tension (there were some scenes towards the end that were amazingly suspenseful).  It also does a pretty good job of actually tying in with the first film, and actually adding to the story rather than feeling like a tacked-on sequel.  It's not just a barely-related haunting story, as I sort of figured it would be.  ***1/2