Paranormal Activity 2

'Paranormal Activity 2' (Oct. 22)

What it's about: The plot has been kept under wraps, but it's presumably about more hauntings in a suburban setting, captured on videotape, just like its out-of-nowhere hit predecessor.

Our take: Can lightning strike twice? A sequel was ... morefast-tracked to last fall's surprise smash chiller almost immediately, with original director Oren Peli on board as producer and Tod Williams behind the camera. The first film's stars, Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston, reportedly make an appearance as well. But as the makers of "Blair Witch 2" can tell you, a phenomenon like this is almost impossible to duplicate a second time. The rush to production and a last-minute switch in directors doesn't instill confidence either. It may take the paranormal to make this work.

(Paramount Pictures)