‘Paranormal’ frights

With no new features in theaters this week, low-budget phenomenon Paranormal Activity stands out on DVD and Blu-ray. This spook-inducing thriller written and directed by indie filmmaker Oren Peli cost Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures only $15 million to make, yet went on to gross more than $107 million last fall based largely on great word-of-mouth from genuinely freaked-out moviegoers. The premise is simple: a young couple moves into a new house and slowly becomes more and more disturbed by the bizarre things they see and hear each night. Once they begin videotaping their room while asleep, the thrills and chills captured on tape spread to the audience. The cast stars relative unknowns Katie Featherston and Michael Sloat, adding to the believability of these lo-fi, but effective practical effects. Rated R.