DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Paranormal State – Season One

By June L. May 1, 2008, 16:13 GMT

Were you the type kid who adored hearing ghost stories told around a campfire? Did you love reading thrilling mysteries by flashlight under the bedcovers? If so, Paranormal State may just be the reality show for you.

A&E presents the real life adventures of a team of young paranormal researchers on a quest for the truth. It has more shivers and chills than outright horror, but is great fun and addictive viewing.There have been many supernatural/paranormal investigative shows, but this one has an interesting flair. First of all the cast is very young, mostly college aged and there is a sense of complete willingness to listen. There are no preconceived ideas of either discoveries or outcome of their research. They honestly seem to want to be helpful. Ryan Buell heads the investigative team called Paranormal Research Society. He explains in the introduction to each episode that his experiences with the supernatural as a child frightened him and it wasn’t until he began school at Penn State that he realized there were others like him in the world. He started the Society, and they have received hundreds of letters asking for their assistance in solving these mysteries of the paranormal variety. With tech support, and trainees, Ryan, a councilor and a medium set about locating, recording the problem and areas affected. Often they perform research into historical records about properties, or legends from the area, each time with interesting results. If nothing else their “clients” will know a great deal more about where they live after the team finishes assessing the situation. More importantly the team makes efforts to smooth the ruffled spirits and assist in removing the threat or fear of the paranormal activity. Claims are made that everything is unscripted, and we’d like to believe that. It looks like such a fascinating way to make a difference in the world.Paranormal State Season One is presented on three discs in individual folders with program notes for each of the episodes. The playing time is 7 hours and 40 minutes plus minutes for the extras. The set contains some nice extras with cast commentaries on episodes “The Name,” “Beer, Wine and Spirits,” and “Mothman.” These commentaries have the benefit of allowing us to hear the team discuss how the problems are attacked and resolved. There is so much footage shot to make sure that a show will be possible, that editing is sometimes annoying rather than helpful, making the episodes seem choppy at times. With the commentaries there is more continuity of thought and ideas. There are also featurettes on Behind the Scenes, Getting to Know the Members of PRS, and Guest Experts. There is also footage not used on the show. Perhaps a bit too creepy for the young, older kids and adults will be more likely to enjoy the set ups and revelations, as well as the chill that runs down your spine when Dead Hour commences. Paranormal State – Season One is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.

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