Paranorally Speaking

A few days ago, I heard a friend mention in passing about a new scary movie made with a hand held camera. It was something of a Blair Witch Project film that seemed to have captured a lot of attention. I figured a bit of research was definitely the way to go before I could muster enough courage to make a decision. Will I be watching it.?? Funny, you think? Yes! Deep rooted? Very.

My fear of the paranormal stems from a childhood that was spent not in Mumbai but my vacations in my native place, Mulki. Stories were shared among friends, family about sightings, apparitions, in some cases even witches and ghouls, that would chill the hearts of the bravest. I could spend a whole evening telling you these and some of them are pretty chilling.. So, yes, I am a believer. And to tell you the truth I have had one experience that I still cannot fully comprehend. I have concluded that it may have been sleep paralysis after much research, but trust me, it takes a lot for me to admit otherwise. And I do, I still cannot explain it. Yet, scary faces don't scare me as much. It is the stuff that cannot be explained that makes me jump. Things moving, inexplicable phenomena that cannot be logically dissected. For every haunted building, there is creaky plumbing, loose door hinges and so many ways to debunk what could be perceived as a haunting.

Yet I crave it more. Thus, this quest began. A few moments on Wikipedia explained how director Oren Pelli wanted to channel his own fears of the Paranormal and create something that will strike terror in the hearts of audiences. This was no latent terror that would linger until the last pod of popcorn was reached at the end of the tub. This was about a serious psychological impression that would keep you awake and fuel your paranoia while your thoughts would swerve and grip your mind as you lay in bed trying to fall asleep. Have you seen 'In the Mouth of Madness?' Paranoia. Borderline dementia. I think the movie does justice to this notion. It has moments when you are holding your breath to see what happens and before you realize, the hair on the back of your neck seems to be receiving radio waves. Kinda like the ending scene in the 'Exorcist' when the demon Pazuzu looks at Father Karras and says, "Can you spare some change, father?" That was probably the scariest moment on film for me. That and Linda's spider walk. If you have seen the movie, you'll know what I am talking about.

Unfortunately, the hype that revolves around 'Paranormal Activity' also stands to kill this very work that was made with a little less than fifteen thousand dollars. Yet it's authenticity in drawing fear convinced the heavy weights at Paramount to release the original version instead of a Hollywood remake. On a personal note, it did make me sit up and blink. While in the movie hall, I was prepared for anything. So, I was not spooked. The audience gasped, muttered even let out screams but I sat there like patience on a fire hydrant. Thank you Uncle Jun. I felt braver than a kid in a candy store. My ears were perked up to hear any scary growls or whispers. My eyes wide open to engage any scary moment, head first.

But what happened last night, is something that made me realize how the movie had left it's lasting impression. I was awake for a good hour and a half. Every time I'd close my eyes, my mind would prompt me to be alert, look out for any signs that may seem uncanny. I'd slowly drift and a sudden thump would wake me up again. You must understand that the guy who lives above me has spent his entire lifetime stomping around his apartment like the Queen's Guards in London doing a cerebral milk run with pants filled with sixpences and pennies. So I debunked it and drifted. Awake again. I thought to myself, it has worked! And so, I urge you. If you get spooked easily but dont think about it much after, you may disregard the film. But if your mind starts to get creative around the witching hours, give it a try. You will not be disappointed.