8. Chronicle
Chronicle is the perfect example of how to make a high quality found-footage film that is highly enjoyable. I have always been a strong advocate for The Blair Witch Project and whilst some claim it not to be scary, I defy anyone to watch it alone then spend a night in the woods. It's terrifying. But anyway, found-footage films really hit the mainstream after it's release and whilst many stuck with the horror genre, Chronicle was the first take on the likes of a superhero film, not to mention a brilliant idea. The plot revolved around three friends who find a strange crystalline object underground before gaining incredible superpowers that grow stronger the more they use them. Whilst at first they use their powers to cause minor havoc in their hometown such as moving cars in car parks, Andrew, the withdrawn loner of the group, becomes increasingly hostile, thinking of himself as an apex predator. Andrew eventually causes the death of Steve and starts a rampage around the City before the final member of the group, his Cousin, Matt, eventually kills him. Unlike another 2012 found-footage film, Project X, which had camera shots that literally could never have been filmed in a found-footage film, Chronicle had the perfect argument for it's ability to have the camera in whatever position necessary, the superpowers themselves. Andrew began chronicling his life shortly before they received their superpowers and then is seen testing his powers by floating the camera into various positions, before he is eventually able to completely control it with his mind, which allows for believable and ambitious scenes without compromising the genre. Chronicle must get a sequel simply because of how entertaining this original was. The final scene of the film also hints at another entry to the series, with Matt promising to use his powers for good and to find out exactly what happened to them in the hole where they gained their superpowers. Any further entries to this series could go any number of ways, with others emerging who have also received superpowers or with the origins of the powers being revealed, whichever way it goes, it would surely be a great sequel.