Le Projet Atticus

This film is a very well done film of its kind (which is documentary/found footage). The big drawback is that it is anticlimactic, and not very scary. So if you are watching mainly just to appreciate the art of film you will like it more, but if you are looking for scares, you will like it less.

'The Atticus Institute' is quite a strange and unique film. It's a "found footage" film in a way, yet it's also presented as a documentary. Now, about the least scary thing I can possibly think of watching is a documentary, and that stands true here. Having the documentary style did take away a lot of the horror element to me. It meant that any character we were shown talking in the future obviously survived the past experiences shown in the tapes at the institute. On the other hand, it was quite an interesting way to have the story told to us. It let us get inside the mind of the characters and hear stories and insight we wouldn't otherwise have gotten. I suppose it's like having a narrator, but of course a narrator in a horror film is a big no-no, so this was a way around it. I don't think we'll ever see any big-budget horror films adapt this documentary style, but it was an interesting concept to see done here in a lesser-known film.

There are one or two moments of quality horror to be found, where suspense was drawn out of the scene. They weren't quite as regular as you may have liked though. The ending was quite quirky and a bit of fun that requires the viewer to think back on what they thought they knew. Altogether though it's unfortunately pretty forgettable. Those who watch it won't be disappointed, it's above average as far as some of the garbage horror films Hollywood is putting out these days, but ultimately they won't be blown away by it either.

The premise of The Atticus Institute is a very promising one. In fact, going into it, I was not sure if it was going to be a documentary or a fictional movie. In the event, it turned out to be a pseudo-documentary. Set in the mid 70's, it's about a group of scientists who perform a series of paranormal experiments on a woman with extreme extrasensory abilities. Before long the government get involved and things go increasingly badly wrong.

The film-makers have taken some care to present this in a manner that replicates an actual documentary. To this end we have lots of talking heads footage involving people who were connected to the story and there is also retro looking filmed material as well as stills. It would only be fair to say that the execution of the whole thing is less than the actual ideas. It's pretty low budget and this accounts for some mediocre acting, while the script was a little clunky in places. The biggest problem though is that it all gets a bit samey and one-note after a while with little variation in events. On the whole, however, it gets points for trying to do something interesting and having an intriguing central idea. It could surely have been better but it has some good things about it.

Well.....this was a different kind of movie! The whole story took place in one location via a series of interviews n hand held video cameras. It was ok n the plot was good. It was not what I would class as a horror but rather more of a documentary style film.

The acting or rather interviewees were really good n believable n the characters were good too.

The ending was a bit abrupt but not predictable.

I recommend this movie especially if you like documentary style hand held video films.

Personally, I though this film was one of the better demon possession films that I've come across. Most are pretty lame and I am very critical of most of them. This one was rather unique. The mockumentary style is something I enjoy if it is done well and isn't boring until the last 10 min. Good pacing in this and the effects are practical for the most part and not over or under used. I would recommend this one.