Paranormal Activity 2 as expected is leading this week’s top 10 movies chart. There are movies and there are sequels. Then there is Paranormal Activity and then there is Paranormal Activity 2. If the first one made you jump out of the chair, this one will do the same times 10!!! This is a real-deal Halloween film .

The setting is not very different from the previous installment. It is the similar haunting locations made even more haunting with the camera angles. Revealing much about the story will become a spoiler. It would suffice to say just this much, that this time round the central character is a family that has been targeted by something supernatural. And at the center of it all is the baby in the family, baby hunter. Rest of it needs to be seen to be felt.

The performances are great, but what really is the mainstay here is the presentation or screenplay in more technical terms. It just unfolds beautifully, with just the right amount of chills and thrills incorporated with just the perfect timing. While you sit watching the events unfold, there is this constant sense of uneasiness about the air which does not let you relax until the last frame. This is where the movie clinches it all. It sticks so brilliantly to its genre and rather comes out shining and exemplary on how good horror is created with simple yet effective ways of playing on the mind of audience. So, for this one, I would say the real hero is Todd Williams who steered his crew really well. Also the script writers deserve fair amount of credit.

On the acting front, Sprague Grayden completely stands out. She has done an outstanding job. This clearly ranks among her best work till date. Even the scenes where the baby is shown all helpless are very effective. All in all, this is one movie which is quite tough to put out of mind after watching.

This is definitely not to be missed and preferably to be viewed in your nearest theater. Waiting for the DVD would be such a waste. I’m a film buff and love the grit that the theater projector adds to the image. After a long time, a satisfying horror experience! Now if I can just get my assistant to be brave enough, I can go see it again!

It looks like Mel Gibson won’t be making a cameo appearance in “The Hangover 2” afterall.

Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and director Todd Phillips confirmed today that Gibson will not be joining stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms in the highly-anticipated sequel, which follows the gang to the exotic but dangerous locale of Thailand. Liam Neeson has been given the cameo role instead, which is kind of weird since the two are represented by the same management group.

Phillips stated: “I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of [WB president] Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew.”

Galifianakis was rumored to be upset with the decision to cast Gibson in a cameo, explaining to Comedy Death-Ray podcast host Scott Aukerman that he’s turned down several projects on moral grounds, saying:

“But a movie you’re acting in, you don’t have a lot of control – you just show up and vomit your lines out. I’m not the boss. I’m in a deep protest right now with a movie I’m working on, up in arms about something. But I can’t get the guys to [listen] … I’m not making any leeway.” Galifianakis cut Aukerman off with an abrupt warning sound as the host began to mention the film’s title, but after Aukerman pressed, “I know you’re filming The Hhhhhhhh … ” Galifianakis admitted, “It has something to do with a movie I’m working on, yeah. I’ll tell you about it later. It’s very frustrating.”

That’s not to say that Galifianakis had anything to do with Gibson’s removal from the film, though it is interesting how much the times have changed, when a guy who was best known as a stand-up comic three years ago expresses his frustration (which he has every right to do in this case) and a major (yet controversial) movie star is forced to leave a project that would’ve been beneficial to both parties.

Stupid scored big with an estimated $50 million opening weekend for Jackass 3D, Johnny Knoxville’s third foray into theaters. The film, which lured in 15 percent more women than Jackass 2, may break the record for highest-grossing October opening of all time, if projections hold. The R-rated laugh fest will surpass Scary Movie 3, which earned $48 million back in 2003, and a single-day opening record of $21.8 million for its opening day Friday. The film scored well with audiences, mostly young males, earning a B+ from exit pollster CinemaScore.