Every now and then a horror film comes along to redefine an age. In a time when slasher flicks brutalize women and create senseless stories of violence with reason, true horror and real scares get lost in the abyss of movie history.. The BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, though the Horror Report would say one of the most mediocre films in years, earned rave reviews simply because it was different. The same summer a decade ago had another film rock the box with unexpected returns: The SIXTH SENSE. Again, Mr. Shyamalan is highly criticized for current releases, but the Bruce Willis surprise ender stirred enough to give the film sleeper status.

For weeks, the Horror Report, along with other websites, have reported on the low budget film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. The Horror Report spoke to representatives early in the release of the film in a few college towns. The source said that the hope was for a wide release in October .. The buzz on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, may have worked.

Last night, Nikki Finke reported on Deadline Hollywood that a source told her that PARANORMAL ACTIVITY was viewed by Paramount as a 'freight train' ready to hit.. And now, Shock Til You Drop reported exclusively on Saturday that the horror movie was going to get a wide release in October..

For years, the SAW film franchise has hacked and thwacked its way into box offices like clockwork every October just in time for Halloween--and the SAW flicks have been able to achieve top spots for its release weekend every Halloween.

But now, it appears that SAW VI could have some unexpected competition..

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has also been able to get some attention from sources other than horror sites and blogs. This past week, the Associated Press reported on the ACTIVITY 'phenom'.. Even the New York TIMES gave the film a review, though it said the movie was better left dead and basically for viewers to avoid it at all costs..

In its latest issue, TIME magazine points out that some people born and raised on gross out horror flicks may be confused by the 'scared by what you don't see' mentality in PARANORMAL..

The most recent numbers from this weekend that are reportable at post time show a good weekend for COUPLES RETREAT, a decline but still decent weekend for ZOMBIELAND, but a highly successful weekend for PARANORMAL ACTIVITY in just 159 theaters..

The Horror Report officially concludes that if the Shock Til You Drop report on the expansion turns out to be a true story, it's only positive. SAW deserves to be crushed by competition, the film started with originality and personality but steadily declined into stories of gushing gore without purpose. Horror movies in theory are normally only good when they originate from Japan or Indie markets.. But PARANORMAL ACTIVITY could be the little charm that comes along to change all of that.

Perhaps more than anything else, the movie's increasing popularity shows a streak of genius in Paramount's marketing technique: Spend as little money as possible, release it in college markets first, and let the fans do the rest of the work. If PARANORMAL ACTIVITY succeeds in big box office runs, it may redefine the way studios can save money, use the internet, and market movies that people will go see.

A case in point on the success brewing: Google Trends shows a massive increase in internet interest for the film, and Rotten Tomatoes features a big number of positive reviews ..

Developing..