Paranormal Activity 3

Movie: Paranormal Activity 3

Genre: horror-thriller

Synopsis: The third movie in the Paranormal Activity series, this is a prequel to the previous (which was a prequel to the first).  The movie spends most of its time in 1988 where we see Katie (played by Katie Featherston as an adult and Chloe Csengery as a child) and Kristi Rey (played by Sprague Grayden as an adult and Jessica Tyler Brown as a child) as children.  When things start going bump in the night, and Kristi Rey gains an imaginary friend, the girls’ stepfather starts using video cameras at night to try and figure out what is going on. What is going on is pretty darned scary.

My two cents: Not quite as good as the previous installment – still pretty darn good.  It has a number of those “gotcha” moments that will bring you out of your seat.  If you liked the previous two, you will enjoy this.  I think it would also work for someone who has not seen the first two – although I definitely recommend seeing them first, if you have that option.  My only real beef is one I had with the first one – you have a guy filming with a handheld camera.  Something happens that scares the crap out of him – and as he runs away, he keeps filming.  I’m sorry, but I just cannot run fast enough if I am looking through a viewfinder.

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The Mighty Macs

Movie: The Mighty Macs

Genre: sports-drama

Synopsis: This is based on the real-life Cathy Rush.  Portrayed by Carla Gugino, in 1971 Cathy is hired to coach the women’s basketball team at the tiny Catholic all-girls Immaculata College. She is paid $450 for a year, there is no gymnasium, no uniforms and one single moldy basketball – but Cathy is happy. Coaching is her dream.  She strives to make her girls not only better players, but better people – and succeeds on both counts.  Her team makes it to the national championship in her first season.

My two cents: I loved this movie. It seems that Cathy rush is quite a legend.  She coached at Immaculate for six seasons – during which they made the final four all six seasons – and won the national championship three consecutive years.  The movie was an eye-opener into the obstacles in the path of female athletes forty years ago. It was inspiring to watch this team go from a rag-tag team that practiced in a storage room to national champions – while reminding myself that it is a true story.

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