Interview with Andrew Jacobs, star of 'Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones'

Since 2007 the Paranormal Activity movies have had a four year long stretch that has been wildly successful in gaining a huge fan base with its thrilling "found footage style" horror film series. Starring in the newest continuation "Paranormal Activity- The Marked Ones" is Andrew Jacobs playing the role of the main character Jesse, a recent graduate living at home with a tight-knit family in inner city Los Angeles. 

"I don't think it was (aimed) just at Los Angeles," Jacobs commented when asked about the films demographic  "I think it was supposed to just be about two friends and having it start off with that romantic comedy feel....you know with getting girls and parties. It was supposed to show the pattern of events between two friends. With the story line you could be anywhere around the world, in India even, wherever. And with that kind of close relationships between people that's how it would play out."

As a fan of the series and a ghost geek myself I couldn't help but ask if anything supernatural actually did happen on set. Though he confirmed that nothing had, Jacobs did describe to me some of creepy locations used for filming having a certain "energy" surrounding them, including one actually owned by a "witch".

Social networks have blown up with viewer commentary since the release of "The Marked Ones", and some fans expressed a confusion over why certain questions from the previous films were not answered or given a sense of closure. But the young actor had a more positive insight on the subject. The Marked ones was in fact not a "sequel" per say.

"There's definitely gonna be more (movies)." said Jacobs, "I'm pretty sure they're coming out with a fifth one on October 24th or 25th.... Unfortunately the 4th one wasn't the greatest and was causing paranormal fans to lose hope. So with "The Marked Ones" it just gives it a whole different direction to go in and even a possible series. It really opens up a lot of doors."

With even more suspense now built upon a story shrouded in so much shadow and constantly adding mystery, we can only hope that things are going to get much more intense with what lies in store.

In reaching out to his fans at the end of our interview. Jacobs opened up on a personal level, mentioning his own life struggles in  being adopted, dealing with gang violence, and trying to rise above to get a chance at a better life. Jacobs encourages other aspiring talents to keep the faith and persevere.

"I had to work through a lot...... So if I was to tell them anything, it would be to just live your dream and do something you love through it (all)."

For more information on Andrew Jacobs and Paranormal Activity- the Marked Ones, you can follow him on facebook and twitter @imandrewjacobs.

By Angelina Paige

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Sherlock Lives!

Sherlock Lives, no folks, he is not dead. We have waited two years to find out whether Sherlock was dead or alive. The loyal Sherlock fans had to wait two years, and two years is a long time. I don’t think anyone should have to wait that long for a TV show, especially a show like Sherlock which left us with quite the cliffhanger.  Nevertheless, Sherlock has risen from the dead, and has made it back just in time to stop a terrorist attack.

The season premiere picks up two years after Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) faked his own death, leaving his dear friend Watson to believe he was really gone for good. Holmes’ brother Mycroft urges Sherlock to head back to London because a terror attack is about to take place in London.  The title of the new 90-minute episode is “The Empty Hearse.” A lot has happened since Sherlock supposedly leapt from a building to his death. For John Watson (Martin Freeman), he has settled into his job, grown a mustache, and is engaged to be married.

In this 90-minute episode the characters play a lot of catch up. We learn how Sherlock’s supposed death have affected everyone. We also find out some have moved on a great deal in two years, while others not so much.  The dialogue between Holmes and Watson remains brilliant as always, and their bro-mance is ever more prevalent at the series goes on.  The minute the two of them enter the screen in the beginning restaurant scene just proves how much the pair has missed each other. Watson swatting at Sherlock over and over, and hitting him was just hilarious.  Sherlock continues to play it cool throughout the episode, and pretends that he has not missed his friend much at all. But, us as viewers know the truth.

The Empty Hearse left more questions yet to be answered. For example, how did the person on the subway car disappear? Who drugged Watson, and why? We watch, as John Watson almost becomes part of a bonfire. Was the terrorist attack really stopped? Is there more to the story?  This episode was mainly an introduction to the characters, and more of a season opener than a stand-alone episode. We can only assume that there is much more to come.

by Marla Fong

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The Uninvited Wedding Guest

When I was fourteen years old, I picked up the hobby of photography and began putting my profession portfolio together in hopes to start a career later on. I was quickly able to bring attention to my art and gain clients. In the summer of 2008, one of my cousins asked if I would be the photographer at her wedding. The ceremony would be held at the old Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood. Growing up in Los Angeles, I hadn't thought to look up the history of the place, as I assumed it to be just another novelty of the movie tourism appeal. Little did I know that I was walking into a location well known to still be the home of two of the previous owners, and possibly others. 

Opened in 1945 by the first owner, John Hampton, he lived in the attached upper floor apartment with his wife before death. In bringing back to life the black and white films he treasured so dearly, he paid the ultimate price with his life, from the deadly toxins used in his at home bathtub experiments, necessary for their restoration. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1970 and later died in 1990. Lawrence Austin was quick to take over but didn't last long as he was shot and killed during a show in 1997. 

As somewhat of a recent horror tale, sightings of full body apparitions have been spotted by a few (including the new owner Charlie Lustman), but it may take a few more years before it becomes as famous as some other attractions in the downtown area. I didn't expect much when I walked under the Vine covered outside announcement board, but as soon as I entered the lobby, I felt as though I had walked into a dark pit of a sadness. Even with the lights turned on, the room could not be illuminated. It was as if the eyes of movie stars past were silently observing me from their places in frames on the walls. I had begun to take pictures from the moment I had arrived, but each one was coming out blurred and distorted, no matter the settings on my camera.

Going up the winding staircase, my cousin was using the apartment quarters as a bridal dressing room. All of the bride’s maids fluttered around her in a mad rush to put on her dress and make up. It was not the usual air of happiness that inhabited a room of woman before a wedding. The room was still filled with the old fashion love seats, clothing, and paraphernalia of the previous owners. A full length antique mirror on the far side of the room seemed to be a emitting a cold air from it. I continued to snap pictures while trying desperate not to look, as a sense of dread overwhelmed me. Against my efforts, it was impossible not to notice the woman in the mirror, blonde hair in a neat bun, and a long pink gown. Her expressionless face just stared. I quickly rushed downstairs and told no one of the situation not wanting to risk ruining the wedding.

The rest of the ceremony went as planned, though all the pictures came out with strange orbs and colorful wisps of light behind the guests. I have found no written account of who the woman in the mirror may have been. But if you’re ever in Hollywood around Halloween, maybe you should visit. It is said to be the spirits’ favorite night.

By Angelina Paige

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The Weeping Woman

Los Angeles, California, the heart of several of America's most chilling legends and ghost stories. Among the most popular, the Latin folk lore of "La Llorona", literally translated in English as "The Weeping Woman". Legend has it she was once a beautiful woman named Maria who was quite fond of her own beauty and believed that as a result she could have any man she chose. Maria found a handsome "Ranchero" (or Rancher) named Marcos whom she married (though the names differ depending on culture groups). Their two children, she later blamed unfairly for her husband’s infidelity. 

Some say it was in a fit of rage and despair that she drowned her babies in a nearby river, while others say she was not sane and did so only to spite Marcos. Though she took her own life in immediate regret, it was too late. Maria was not allowed in at the gates of heaven when she could not say where her lost children were. And so she was cursed to walk the earth in a state of limbo until she could find their souls.

For hundreds of years, numerous variations of her sad tale have been told, but her famous cry of "mis hijos" (translated; my children) gave her the frightening Spanish nickname of La Llorona. Although several Los Angelinos claim to have witnessed her haunting Echo Park Lake as far back as the 1960's, the sightings stretch far and wide across the states and beyond. 

It has retained an air of mystery to the legends origin, as she has been known to linger around any body of water she can find. 

Perhaps she cannot remember where she performed the murders, or her children passed on peacefully without their mother as punishment for her wretched deeds. If you grew up in LA, you were very likely told this story by one of your older relatives as a warning to stay inside at night, unless you wanted La Llorona to find you and take you by mistake for one of her own.

One witness, told me about a well-remembered story of his father, Francisco Segura, and the terrifying run in he experienced with her ghost in Michoacan Mexico near La Angostura in the 1930's. Being told that that La Llorona would always come out at 11pm, Segura and some friends attempted to prove their bravery by finding her only to be chased away by the "floating woman screaming and crying, for her kids, with fire in her mouth". 

This added detail was not unheard of in Mexico, as another known traveler of the 1930s had once said he too had seen a woman of similar description while in the woods. Asking if she was alright, he and his horse were scared half to death when she turned around, revealing her identity and breathing out fire.

As legend grows and curious minds search deeper for a meaning, people very commonly reference back to the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan, saying that La Llorona was based off a story of their goddess who wanted to warn her children of wars and destruction to come. 

For the skeptics, the story is just that. Simply a result of years and years of Hispanic culture, weaving together a tapestry of their own imagination, creating a way to make life a little more interesting as we all do once in a while. 

But the sightings of the wailing phantom grow every year, as do those brave souls willing to face the terrors of the night waters, and see if La Llorona can make them scream.

by Angelina Paige

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Coming soon..

We are gearing up for an exciting new year. Stay tuned for a new look and new vibe for Smackpress. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @SmackPress to stay updated!

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Main Street Station Casino

I went to check out the Main Street station casino this past weekend. My husband and I had passed it so many times that we finally decided to go in. As soon as we entered I have to admit that despite my preconceived notions I was impressed by the fact that it did not look like a generic casino. It had tons of culture and wonderful artifacts. It almost felt like I was in a museum with slot machines in it. We spend the first few minutes looking around and getting background information on the casino from the brochures. The casino procured various antiques from across the country in order to create a really authentic-looking building. It is reminiscent of a train station/museum overall..and then there's the casino.

After checking the place out, we decided to go to the pub and brewery for a bite to eat. When we entered the restaurant, we noticed the really cool decor and the fact that you could see the brewery section from the tables. The giant copper kegs also added to the decor, theme, and overall feel of the place. Our server was very nice and the environment was pretty relaxed like a sports bar. I ordered the Western Bacon Burger and my husband ordered the chili dog. The burger was absolutely amazing. The chili dog left a bit to be desired flavor-wise. However, the quality of the food overall was great. There was a different assortment of beers that we had for only $6 for the sampler. The restaurant was really good and the prices were fantastic! We will make a point to stop at this pub/restaurant every time we go to Main Street Station for sure!

I cannot speak on the comps at Main Street Station just yet but I can speak on the payout of the machines. I think the payouts are amongst the best I have seen downtown, even better than the El Cortez in my opinion. The staff was friendly overall and to be honest I did not expect such a nice place in the downtown area. It was well-lit and very charming. Needless to say, I will be back. The casino is attached to the California casino which I will be reviewing shortly. If you are in the mood for good food and a good time, you will want to stop in to Main Street Station.

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Divine Calling

     Do you ever get the nudge to do something spectacular or phenomenal? Maybe a whisper hits your ears to jump into another aspect of work or energy flows right through you causing shivers. It is most likely your divine calling or intuition telling you to do something else in life other than what you are doing now.

     At times it is difficult to ascertain what it is that the universe wants us to do. Follow your heart and your career choice. There are many out there to choose from. The metaphysical or paranormal worlds can be very complicated and there are so many that say they have all the right answers; but these answers really lie within all of us, and not one person has them.

     This Divine Calling is something not all of us listen to, and it is a whisper not all can hear. There are small mumbles during our lives that call out to us, even during our younger years, and it is up to us to listen. Not all voices are divine! Some are irrational and cannot guide us anywhere but downward. That type of spiraling is not divine, or metaphysical; it is misguided.

     Many people have mistaken Divine Calling from an inner voice that tells them about regrets or other off-topic issues, those utters can be detrimental to one's nature or person. The glorious calling comes from deep within and only talks of love and compassion. In order to find this calling, seek the guidance of a professional spiritual counselor or other trusted guru. It is the only way to know you are walking a true spiritual path.

Psychic Candy O'Donnell

http://psychicparanormal.blogspot.com/

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