Paranormal Investigations 10 - American Poltergeist

What's the best way to get a spirit to contact you? Make it angry!

What a joke of characters this movie was. So much was pointless and contributed nothing. Like introducing us to the cast of the tv show in depth. Giving them slight character development and back story. Showing the rival ghost hunter show. None of this mattered as 25 min after the minus starts we don't see any of them again except for 1 guy.

It made no sense that the lead guy, the one who really wanted to catch a ghost, didn't believe any of the paranormal activity that was happening in his own home. Every stupid decision that could be made, he made it.

I won't even comment on the bad cinematography, acting, music, or setting. But I will say this: directors: stop thinking 80s sci-fi sounds and bgm are cool. They. Are. Not!

Beats me how this film was ever released,it seems the storyline is made up as it goes along,the worst acting ever and the sound quality coming from a cheap camcorder.

Provoked otherwise known as American Poltergeist (Not to be confused with the equally dire movie of the same name from the year before) this is also the 10th movie in the Paranormal Investigations franchise.

Yet another movie revolving around a ghost hunting team this particular one see's the team failing to come up with anything and frustration kicking in. Angering a spirit one of them seems to have brought it home with him and his girlfriend.

You probably can work out what happens next, paranormal nonsense but even then very little. Practically nothing happens and when it does it's incredibly ugly which raises the question where did the 1.5 million budget go? No, seriously. How can a movie with a budget like that, look like this?

With the ripoff cover art, weak acting, non-existent action and recycled script this is an absolute mess alike every other Paranormal Investigation franchise movie I've seen so far.

Dreadful stuff, incredibly making it found footage may have helped it.

The Good:

Nope

The Bad:

Hideous sfx

Really boring

How did this cost 1.5 million?

"Provoked" is a film that I have followed from the beginning so I am thrilled to finally get to see the film completed. It follows a group of paranormal researchers following the path of their favorite TV paranormal team, M.A.P.S. On one assignment unfortunately one of the investigators brings something home that proves fatal. "Provoked" is the first feature film of Jordan Pacheco and stars Tony Moran, Christopher P. O'Reilly, Nicole Lasala, Dan Liebman, Jami Tennille, Sean Carmichael, Kati Salowsky, Camille Farnan, Michaelah Noelle Nunes, Charles Everett Tacker and Jeanne Lohnes .

The story explored in "Provoked" is very tradition and doesn't stray far from paranormal lore which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it trapped the film in a "sleeper" mode for a great deal of the film. The acting and character depths in the film were believable and strong enough but the actual interactions and honest ability to connect on screen fell a bit flat at times. That being said "Provoked" does draw you into the story and offers a serious, chilling atmosphere that screams "haunting". And that "sleeper" feel of the first part of the film does more to disarm you just enough for the thrilling height of action, which throws, claws, and drags you right to the exciting, and intense climax-and man is it thrilling. This is a story that builds calmly, steadily right up until all Hell breaks loose.

"Provoked" uses some pretty standard effects to bring the paranormal aspects to life in the film, they are mild for the most part and a little too expected. That doesn't really hurt the over all production of "Provoked", I merely mention it so that fans of this subgenre who may be seeking big amounts of falderal will be prepared when viewing this movie. Now the real joy for horror, and effects fans comes at the last third of this film-right along with the excitement and chills. There are some pretty creepy and thrilling moments. And I love an ending that isn't all "Hallmarky". The film is definitely worth seeing because it holds to the more mature, classic love of the genre, with a steady paranormal story, and a very modern nightmare ending. I feel "Provoked" will please any paranormal fan.

I must address my biggest complaint with the film. When the film starts it introduces you to a whole set of characters from a "ghost hunting" team. Some establishment of character is attempted, or at least feels so. At about 30 minutes into the film, almost the entire cast is never seen from again except one. Why was the time spent explaining little nuances about the characters if you are never going to see them again? The character that the camera does stick with had the smallest build up. It felt like a waste of time. The remainder of the film is the "ghost" activity, which mostly consist of the ghost or whatever it is spooking people.

This makes the story or complete lack there of very weak. No explanation is given to the ghost or why it was around in any way at all.

The acting wasn't horrible. Not great by any means. Far better than your average B horror selection. Doug the plumber came off a little silly at points.

Special note would go to some of the music which presented a very good 80's horror feel, though it was pretty limited.

Something to watch if you have seen virtually every other available film on netflix/amazon.