This week, a little film called Paranormal Activity hits screens directed by a complete unknown and made on a G-string budget.

It’s already taken $100 million Stateside, and its director, one Oren Peli, is being touted as the next big thing.

Yes, it’s Blair Witch all over again, nigh on a decade later.

But with newbies taking up the reins every day, is Peli’s success just a case of beginners’ luck?

Have other first-time filmmakers had similar success? And if not, why? We investigate...

Horror

The Best: Sam Raimi – Evil Dead

Why It Rocks: Two words: Bruce Campbell.

Hard to believe that before transforming into a one-man army (and, later, a one-armed man), The Chin was a total unknown.

Sam Raimi’s staggeringly effective micro-budget horror debut put paid to that.

Positioning Campbell as both the go-to guy for cameos (he has almost 100 films/television series under his utility belt) and the Coolest Dude In Horror(TM), Evil Dead stinks of horrific genius.

Its Rotten Tomatometer speaks for itself: yep, this baby’s 100% fresh.

The Worst: James Cameron – Piranha 2

Why It Sucks: Filmic baptism by fire for James Cameron with this dud.

Originally hired as a special effects hand, Cameron replaced the flick’s original director when he jumped ship (presumably not into awaiting Piranha jaws, but you never know considering the damp squib this was quickly turning into).

The resultant hack job, replete with rubber fish, is an utter embarrassment.

Not even Lance Henriksen can save it from a watery grave.

Needless to say Cameron now refers to The Terminator as his first feature film. Just keep telling yourself that, Jim.

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