Category Archives: Residences

Amityville: The Awakening—Release Date Postponed. Again

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Demonic Possession, Famous Locations, Haunted Houses, Horror Movies, Movie Reviews, Movies, Paranormal, Paranormal History, Real Estate, Residences, Uncategorized

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amityville-awakening

Amityville: The Awakening—Release Date Postponed. Again

Originally announced to debut in 2012, Amityville: The Awakening (ATA) has been postponed. Again. This does not bode well for the film, part of the Amityville franchise. Production completed nearly 3 years ago and has endured 7 release date changes. Seven! If this movie does hit the theaters, save your money. The drama surrounding post-production is an indicator that this movie is a dud.

ATA comes 38 years after The Amityville Horror (1979) jolted theater-goers by claiming it was “based on a true story.” With a production budget of $4.7 million dollars, the movie made $86 million in the US alone. As a staple on cable TV stations, the movie continues to generate income. The 1970s ushered in a new form of horror movie: those loosely based on potentially true events. The budget for the 1973 The Exorcist was $12 million dollars. It raked in over $204 million in the United States alone. Likewise, it continues to generate income through cable TV revenue. Arguably, both movies were cutting edge and advanced the horror genre. Most importantly they came from incredibly popular books. Both films successfully bridged the text to celluloid. Although both stories claimed to be based on true events, the stories continue to unravel—more so with Amityville.

The Amityville franchise is successful. By keeping production budgets low, companies can produce a profitable film. This, in turn, leads to more sequels. Not all of them are as successful. This is the case with Amityville. Three motion picture sequels were not as successful. One barely broke even. But the “legend” surrounding the house endures. Unfortunately, it is time to shutter the house and move to a new location.

Initially titled Amityville: The Lost Tapes, this reboot occurs in the infamous Long Island home. The most alert viewer will notice some discrepancies, though. The house is a private residence located at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville. After the film’s release throngs of tourists would linger in the yard. The owners successfully petitioned to change the address to 108 Ocean Avenue in the hopes of confusing tourists. The owners also made extensive renovations to the house so it would not resemble the house at 18 Brooks Road, Toms River, New Jersey, which was used to for filming. Most notably removed were the quarter pie-shaped windows, pretty much the most haunting feature.

amityville

The official movie trailer opens with the old house and lots of land around it. The real house sits on a densely populated street with a canal in the back. There is very little similarities between the two.

The story-line could stand on its own. The mental thoughts of “Kill, kill, kill” is the only visible link to the original movie. The producers should have created a new, fresh horror film franchise. I’ll have to wait until June to see it. That’s if 7 release date changes are the charm! Stay tuned!

Paranormal Activity’s “Haunted” Home For Sale (Maybe)

02 Monday Feb 2015

Posted by in Horror Movies, Real Estate, Residences

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Oren Peli's Paranormal Activity House

Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity House

Paranormal Activity’s “Haunted” Home For Sale (Maybe)

Paranormal Real Estate

The home used as the set for Paranormal Activity is for sale. The 4 bedroom 2 ½ bath home is listed for $749,000. The home is not haunted; however, it was the set for the first two movies in the popular franchise. Neighbors say that the home is really nice and assure reporters that there is nothing extraordinary paranormal about the house.

Nestled in the Ranchos Penasquitos neighborhood, the home features a pool and landscaped backyard. Owner Oren Peli, writer/director, filmed the first two installments of the PA franchise at the home. He specifically remodeled the home for the first movie.

With a deep discount budget of $15,000, the original Paranormal Activity grossed over $100 million dollars. The franchise remains popular. For those looking to buy a piece of horror movie history, look up this property. Buyer Beware: Ask the realtor for confirmation on paranormal history—or the lack thereof.

Cancellations Blow!

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Radio Show, Residences, Sports Related, Universities

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UF Rain Delay

UF Rain Delay

Cancellations Blow

Client cancellations are inevitable. For the Labor Day weekend API (Archer Paranormal Investigations, www.archer-pi.com), suffered not one, not two, but three cancellations.

Originally the API Gals were heading to Dalton, Georgia as special guests on the Haunted Dalton Tour. Scheduling challenges occurred, and the tour was re-scheduled for this Saturday, September 6th. Check out https://www.facebook.com/HauntedDaltonGeorgia for more information.

API scheduled a huge—and I mean huge—investigation complete with drone footage and the latest tools and cameras. This was big. Lots of activity. Great history. Gorgeous plantation house. Unfortunately the client was injured in a car accident and had to postpone.

API quickly lined up another investigation at a residence south of Atlanta. Again. Another cancellation.

Holiday weekends seem ideal for investigations. For a paranormal team it provides another recovery day. Investigation hangovers blow. However, homeowners rarely think it through and often cancel because they want to enjoy the holiday. Alone. Or out of town. Scheduling residential investigations over a holiday weekend doesn’t make sense. Instead, paranormal teams should only schedule business locations over three day weekends.

Cancellations happen. I understand. I take them as signs that I’ll collect better evidence next time. So I spent my Saturday trolling TV for college football games waiting for the UF kick-off at 7 pm. Of course, there’s a rain delay. After three hours, I got another cancellation. Ugh!

Buying a “Haunted House”: A New Trend

01 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Famous People, Haunted Houses, Radio Show, Real Estate, Residences

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Billy Bob Thorton Buys Haunted House

Billy Bob Thorton recently purchased this house in Moorehead, ND.

Buying a “Haunted House”: A New Trend

Billy Bob Thorton has joined the ranks of Zak Bagans by purchasing a purported “haunted” house. Seems to be the new trend. Well, “Hell’s bells.”

Ghost Adventurer’s Zak Bagans purchased the supposed “Portal to Hell” located in Gary, Indiana last month. Reportedly, he plans to live—and to film—all the demonic activity. At a bargain price of $35,000, the house remained silent until the former tenant moved in with her three young children. She moved out after three, possibly four, exorcisms failed to remove the evil being. Although the “evidence” seems to be crumbling, Bagans is determined to go through with his plan.

Now Billy Bob Thorton, self-professed “southern-trailerpark-redneck” has found his next house. Mr. Thorton has secured the leading role in the new TV series Fargo and was searching for a “unique” home in the area. Located in the City of Moorehead, the house has a long and dubious history. Local legend has it that an elderly woman and her dog were found frozen on the front porch after her electricity was turned off. Doors open mysteriously, crows hover nearby, and smoke detectors go off. The best is that cell phones don’t work properly while inside. An image of the old lady is displayed with the message: Can’t call 9-1-1. Try calling 6-6-6.”

The eccentric Mr. Thorton snapped up the house. Apparently it fits his sense of spirit.

Is this a growing trend? Apparently not. According to the 2013 Realtor.com report “Haunted Housing Report,” sixty-two percent (62%) of the respondents stated that they would consider living in a haunted house. Thirty-five percent (35%) claimed to have lived in one. Wow! (No small wonder Archer PI is swamped!) Looking and buying are two completely different things, however. Remember A Haunting in Connecticut? Buyer Beware!

Haunted Houses For Sale

Haunted Houses For Sale

 

The Importance of Being Credible, Part 1

28 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Ghost Hunting, Media, Residences

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The Historic LeBeau Mansion

The Historic LeBeau Mansion

The Importance of Being Credible, Part 1

First impressions count. Always have and always will. This especially applies to paranormal investigators. The old adage is in order as well: Dress to impress. When conducting investigations, paranormal groups should always be on their best behavior and look the part—not like the next urban clothing designer.

Matching T-Shirts:     The media has covered the unintentional burning at the LeBeau Plantation House on November 21, 2013. An amateur group of “ghost hunters” were arrested and charged with arson, simple burglary, and trespassing. Some in the group were reportedly wearing matching team t-shirts. They hoped that this alone would add credibility to their defense: The spirits were not communicating and the men wanted to provoke the spirits by setting a small fire. When exactly does provocation lead to good results? Never. However, some in the media have speculated that surely they must be real ghost hunters because they wore matching T-shirts. I disagree. Matching t-shirts does not make one a paranormal investigator.

Look Professional:     When representing any organization, you should look the part. Although we tend to track and trudge through mud and muck, we can still look respectable. I usually wear the same outfit when going on an investigation. I call this my “uniform.” This serves many purposes. In addition, it helps keep me focused and not have to worry about what to wear. I am a girl still. I wear jeans (properly fitted and not full of rips), rain boots, and a black top and cover. I wear my hair in a ponytail. I find that ghosts like ponytails and tug on them at times. Plus it keeps my hair out of my eyes and the camera lens. Gals: Wear a black bra. If not, you will illuminate like never before. And that is embarrassing. The reason for the black top may not be obvious to many (since there are far too few female investigators on television), but it helps minimize the flash flare from the digital camera. The jeans are for comfort and the rain boots for practicality. In the winter, I add a trench coat.

Back to Matching T-Shirts:   This has been a heated discussion in our group. Personally, I hate them. Further, I just won’t wear them. It is merely to placate my ego, but I don’t see how a T-shirt matters. I think they undermine that first impression. Our clients expect us to wear T-shirts. They’ve been watching too many TV shows where the ghost hunters show up in urban wear and look all “cool.” I’m there to instill confidence in the investigation. To add a level of professionalism to the field. If I’m ever on TV, I’ll be in my paranormal uniform.

 

 

My House Moans

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Ghost Hunting, Marietta, Residences

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Spooky Living Room

Strange lighting makes the living room appear spooky.

My House Moans

Winter weather brings about new sounds from my house. It moans. Actually, only one side moans, but it moans nonetheless. These seasonal noises are remarkably loud. One would think my house is haunted. But it’s not. Drat!

However, Archer Paranormal Investigations (API) has conducted a few investigations where the clients think their house is haunted only to find that it isn’t. In the movie The Conjuring Ed and Lorraine Warren investigate a young couple’s attic and discover that the “ghost” was a creaky floorboard. This is sometimes the case. Good paranormal investigators check it out. Period.

Back in the Victorian Age, the prevalence of gas lamps in the streets created the “Haunted House Syndrome.” Excessive exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) caused people, entire families even, to claim their house was haunted. These people experienced hallucinations which they believed were caused by paranormal activity.

Today skeptics attempt to debunk haunted house sounds by claiming over-exposure to different chemicals. And this may be the case. However, that is a generalization. One of the easiest, and safest, ways to debunk strange noises in your house is to purchase a carbon monoxide detector. In fact, you should buy one for each floor. Carbon monoxide is known as the “Invisible Killer” since it is colorless and odorless. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 150 in the United States die per year from accidental CO poisoning. Not only will it provide peace of mind, it may save your life.

 

Mini Haunted House

The only way my house is really haunted–Halloween decorations.

 

Rev. T.E. Nash

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in Battlefields, Civil War, Farms, Residences

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Rev. TE Nash Nash Farm, Henry County

Rev. TE Nash
Nash Farm, Henry County

Thompson Edward “T.E.” Nash was born on September 20, 1811 in Laurensville, South Carolina. In 1858, T.E. purchased the Nash Farm from his brother Elihu Nash. T.E. was appointed postmaster of Fosterville and was a minister, contributing the land for the County Line Methodist Church. Although T.E. did not fight in the Civil War, his property was one of the largest campsites in Georgia. According to the Nash Farm Battlefield Website, the property was probably abandoned during that time.

The main house was built prior to the 1920 date recorded in the county property records. It has been preserved and converted into the museum.

Investigation: On two separate occasions, the Ghost Radar indicated “red” activity in this area. On one occasion, the Spirit Voice box repeated the word “Hi.” One was a female voice.

Observations: During both trips to the farm, a “green” light attached to us and remained with us the entire time. We picked up a lot of words. Most notable were the words: north, choice, condition, supply, march, differ, parts, equally, saved, bone, victory, fell, death, and October.

We plan to revisit the farm in the near future.

Nash Farm Museum

Nash Farm Museum