I'm interviewing Jason Blum next week, the producer of Insidious, Paranormal Activity (starting with the second film), The Purge, Sinister etc. So if you've got any interesting questions for him, you can suggest them.

You can just thank him for producing good horror movies when everyone else is producing crap.

His favorite horror films.

The importance of balancing atmosphere with more overt loud-noise jolts.

Why contemporary audiences are so intensely drawn toward horror films with a home-invasion theme.

While producing the first Purge, was there always an impulse to later expand the franchise's scope? Does he prefer sequels which change the formula to a certain extent?

As a producer famous for micro-budget, high-earning wide releases, his thoughts on simultaneous theatrical/on-demand releases for films perceived as "specialized" or niche.

Why is your business model such bullshit?

Why are there only about three different groups of people in downtown L.A. during THE PURGE: ANARCHY? How did Chalky from BOARDWALK EMPIRE feel about playing a Malcolm X Machina?

Did you really think seeing a marine's boot was a satisfying way to end AREA 51? Are you surprised nobody liked it?

Why? Seems to be making lots of money.

Also, do you have any real questions, or do you just wanna rant?

Most are hiding to avoid being purged. Next question, please.

I CAN DO BOTH PASSIVE AGGRESSIVELY. ASK THE QUESTIONS, GODDAMMIT.

(His business model is that he hires directors and writers for absolutely nothing. They only get paid if the film hits a certain box office mark, usually $30m.)

If I had an actual question, it'd be how he handles reshoots. I was at PURGE 2's first screening and they were doing reshoots nine days later.



"We're downtown! Everybody purges downtown!"

- The actual movie. Talk to me in a few months when you've seen it.

Thanks.

I was also wondering what's going on with Paranormal Activity 5, unless TDS has some scoop already.

The PARANORMAL flicks are so locked-down that I don't know much of anything. They'll probably shoot it next month if they haven't already.

Ooh, there's one. Will PARANORMAL 5 provide any sort of story closure if the box office continues PA4 and THE MARKED ONES' decline?

I just noticed he executive produced my beloved Lawless. So now I dig him more.

Just FYI: The Purge: Anarchy is obviously the main reason why he is giving interviews, though I won't see the film beforehand this time.

I also think I want to ask him: The concept in The Purge is that all crime is legal. Doesn't he think that in a situation like this, it's more likely that people would just start robing banks and stores for money than go on murdering sprees?

ask him what's going on with stretch

Yup, was going to already.

There's an attempted rape in ANARCHY. (Yay?) The new one says something like banks are locked down and money is moved during purge nights, so nobody bothers to hang around them.

I'm sure they could still start robbing people and apartments everywhere, without, yanno, killing people. Seems more likely to me if this scenario was to exist.

I'm sure all the horny latinos would just rape young girls. I'd expect not a lot of murdering to happen.

The attempted rapist is in fact Latino...

Good one. Lecter should tell him fans what them to provide some effing answers instead of just bringing up more. Wrap it up already!


Lecter, when might you get to see Anarchy?

I don't know. But I did do the interview. It wasn't very spectacular, though. Don't expect an end to Paranormal Activity anytime soon.