Devil's Pass (2013)

One of my favorite things ever is when a movie is based on true events.  Devil's Pass is a pretty kick-ass found footage movie that is based on the Dyatlove Pass Incident, which took place in the Ural Mountains in 1959.  If you're unfamiliar with this incident, click here.  In the Devil's Pass, a group of people decide to take the same route to see if they could uncover the mystery behind the mysterious deaths that occurred in 1959.  What they uncover leaves you feeling very unsettled and off-balanced.  I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire movie.  I read about the original incident before watching this, and I'm very glad I did.  It helps paint even more of a picture of the original conditions and the absolute terror these people must have experienced.  If you want a "serious" found footage movie that includes blood, danger, terror and government conspiracies, then look no further.

Check out this awesome trailer!

Area 51 (2015)

I was super excited to check this one out. I scurried over to RedBox and secured my rented copy and rushed home. The premise in this one is just as the title implies. Four young adults head out to explore the heavily guarded Area 51 base in hopes to capture proof of alien life. As expected, they get much more than they bargained for. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for me.  

What a disappointment!  I mean seriously, the setting and obvious budget could have lent itself to the creation of a really creepy movie, but alas, it was a huge failure. Next time, how about show an alien?! Sheesh. Lame sauce. 

Grave Encounters (2011)

I have a habit of watching The Office over and over and over....you get my drift.  There are, however, only a few movies I can watch more than once.  Lord of the Rings, Sleepless in Seattle, A Knight's Tale...and this movie.  Grave Encounters is a pretty badass found footage movie.  A film crew, who had previously gotten away with fake, spooky footage for their Ghost Hunter-esque show.  Of course, the last episode was "found" and on it, the most terrifying account of their time (and untimely deaths) in an abandoned asylum.  There were so many horrific and unsettling scenes, that I had to watch A Turtle's Tale after just to go to sleep.

Warning: Don't watch this alone. And have a nice Disney movie queued up... Unless you want to spend the rest of your night rocking and sucking your thumb in the corner. 

Troll Hunter (2010)

I had the absolute pleasure of stumbling across a list on the internet that a girl put together of found footage movies on Netflix.  One of the movies she listed was "Troll Hunter."  Now, most people would read that title and probably laugh and keep scrolling through...but not me.  See, I don't just love scary, low budget movies, but I am also a die-hard fan of the creature-feature genre.  Naturally, upon seeing this title, I quickly searched for it and...VOILA! 

This movie takes place in the beautiful Norwegian countryside.  I mean, it is simply GORG!  Subtitles don't bother me a bit, but if they do you, then you might want to skip this one.  Essentially, three college students go searching for the cause behind some pretty brutal attacks.  Authorities claim it was a rogue bear, but something is definitely amiss.

The students get involved with a "trapper" of sorts and begin following him around to observe his trade.  What follows is nothing short of a wild goose chase...if the goose is a ginormous, hairy and smelly creature and the chase is a literal case of, "Run for your life!"

I loved it.  It rocked.  My eyes were glued to the TV for the entire length of the movie.  Well, except for all of the times Nikki poked her head in, saw it was still going, rolled her eyes, and left.

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1218685977?ref_=tt_pv_vi_aiv_2

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

Have you ever been to a rest home and noticed an elderly person sitting by themselves, lost in their thoughts?  How did you feel?  Did you feel sorry for them?  Did you want to talk to them and find out what their story is?  Did you wonder where their children and grandchildren were?  Well, if you're talking about Deborah Logan, then it's just best to stay away and pretend you didn't see her.

This movie had me freaked the f*** out!!!  The premise is that a college student is working on a documentary that tracks the mental decline of Alzheimer patients.  The elderly woman in the spot light is Deborah Logan.  Her daughter takes care of her and the film crew quickly figures out that this isn't the devastating affects of Alzheimer's.

For the first time, in all of my horror movie career, a couple of members of the documentary crew actually LEAVE!  Seriously?  One movie out of a thousand?  Smartest.  Camera men.  Ever.

I'm pretty sure the scariest part of this movie is Deborah's forehead.  Maybe not the scariest, but it should at least be listed on IMDB as a member of the cast.  Check this thing out?!

The plot takes you on a wild ride full of hospital kidnappings, evil spirits, and the attempted consumption of children's heads.

All in all, I'd say this movie not only promised, but also delivered.  Just when you think you've got it figured out, this happens...

Watch the Trailer!

As Above, So Below (2014)

The found footage genre is a slippery slope.  You have to watch them with at least a little bit of allowance for silliness and general ridiculousness.  I've watched plenty, but this one has got to be one of my favorites.  As Above, So Below takes place in the ancient catacombs under Paris.  It mashes up a good old fashioned treasure hunt with paranormal activity, making it not just scary, but also intellectually stimulating.

This is the first time I've seen Perdita Weeks (main actress), and she did not disappoint.  The twists and turns (figurative and literal) take you down into the depths of madness, where you are pleasantly surprised by each introduction of a new and life-threatening danger. 

It was a really well thought out plot and the cast was chosen very well.  All in all, I'd say this is one of my most favorite found footage movies.  Even Nikki liked it (I think lol).

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1892855065

The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill (2013)

I had the opportunity to rent this movie last weekend.  I sat on the couch, poised to watch yet another paranormal documentary unfold before me.  This movie started out like all the rest...a couple of people, explaining what they hope to accomplish, introducing their "film crew," going into a bit of the detail of the place they intended to explore.  It really did have the potential to be an amazing film.  The location, a dilapidated church on the outskirts of Clophill, Bedfordshire, England, was absolutely gorgeous, and had the necessary mystery and foreboding feeling for a film like this. 

Unfortunately, the charm that was built up, quickly dissipated as more than half the movie passed without a single scary moment.  I'd say there were two small scares and the rest was a bust and frankly, a waste of my time.  My lady sat on the couch, rolling her eyes and asking me if I really liked it (but really meaning, "Can't we just turn this shit off?").  She hates these movies and I hate when she's right.

This is my most favorite type of movie, but I was sorely disappointed with this one.  Don't waste your money.