SIGNS - great movie!

[rxfiend]

just seen the movie "Signs" and i must say it's one of the better films i've seen this year. i loved the "end of the world" type of atmosphere that it played out and even had scenes that were very similiar to Night of the Living Dead like the boarding of the house to keep the aliens out and then hiding out in the basement until they were gone . I can't wait to see audience reaction during the film at the theatres. should be interesting. it definately gave me a few chills during various scenes.

highly recommended!!

[DefJeff]

i heard this movie was scary as hell

[rxfiend]

if you let yourself really get into the movie, it will give you some scares/chills!

[Cujo108]

Hey rxfiend, how about that Brazilian camcorder sighting scene? :)

[Trout]

Sweet...and it opens on my B-day too!

[rxfiend]

Originally posted by Cujo108
Hey rxfiend, how about that Brazilian camcorder sighting scene? :)


definately cool!! i really liked the scene in which Mel Gibson's character is looking around in the cornfield and stumbles upon another crop circle. Then off in the distance, he can hear something and then see a glimpse of an alien. Some creepy stuff and it works very well.

[Yowie]

I haven't seen it yet but I really like this director, he's got a good and healthy anti-MTV style. Hope "Signs" continues this route.

[KillerCannabis]

I thoght this movie looked really good. I enjoyed Night's previous films, so I see no reason why I wouldnt like this. And I think this looks like it could have a few scares in it, which is a plus since I havent been scared by a film in years. I'll be there on Friday to see it.

[Jog]

Oh yeah... this weekend I'll see it!!!

[Gnaghi]

so did you notice the scene that was funny for no reason... when they are sitting at the table in town and see m night only to say is that him... and look really pissed.. like it was one of those comedic is that the director ... yes... kinda deals... i really wish that was his only scene... to make my joke work

[moogong]

I just came back from seeing this movie. You were really kept on the edge of you seat the whole time. I have to say it's probably one of the best movies I have seen this year. I really hope that it gets a good dvd release with an extended directors cut.

[Cujo108]

Excellent movie! Very creepy at times, particularly the aforementioned camcorder scene. I'd say it's definitely Shyamalan's best work to date. I've never been the biggest fan of Gibson as an actor, but he's great in this. The one scene at the dinner table with his family is so wonderfully acted, and is easily among [Mel Gibson's] best work.

Anyway, great film. See it.

[wiklund]

Loved it, loved it, loved it! Especially after pissing away 90 minutes at Goldmember.

I was checking out the comments at IMDB and was amazed at how many people just didn't get it. :rolleyes:

The theater was totally silent through the last act and while the credits started up. I think that's a good sign, as people must have been mulling over what they just saw. Great movie. Suspense, a few scares, good character development, good acting.

[Curt Duncan]

Went to see this film tonight. I agree with Cujo108 on the comments on the film.

[Agent Z]

Movie draws attention to crop circles (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020801/ap_on_en_mo/film_crop_circles_1)

[Trout]

I just saw Signs today and I must say that I am glad to see a horror film that is actually scary. Well worth my $$$.

[rhett]

Originally posted by Cujo108
The one scene at the dinner table with his family is so wonderfully acted, and is easily among [Mel Gibson's] best work.
I completely agree Cujo. I am not one to really get emotionally moved by movies, but I must admit, I had tears in my eyes in that scene. Mel Gibson was so powerful that I felt totally moved and touched that my eyes began to water. I can't even remember the last time a movie brought me to tears.

I saw it last night, and the movie is excellent. M. Night Shyamalan has emerged as one of Hollywood's best directors, and I'd consider signs to be about as good as his previous two efforts. I liked the fact that the ending wasn't a huge revelation like his previous two films (which has become quite cliche as of late), but he still manages to conclude the film in a manner similar to his other films.

One reservation I had was the comic relief. There is a lot of it, and while it is never distracting or annoying, it at times took away from the emotional tone of the film. During the above mentioned supper scene, Gibson had me reacting, but then he pulls in Pheonix to hug as well, which sent the theater in a roar of laughter. It is funny, yes, but that scene was so effective that it is a shame that Shyamalan lessened its impact by copping out with comic relief. Other than this mistep, and a couple others, the comic relief is actually quite inspired and a welcome edition to the film.

I highly recommend this movie!

[Andrew]

Yeah, the comedic relief got REALLY annoying. Everyone was laughing the whole time, and half the time they weren't even supposed to be. Stupid nervous people.

It was indeed a good film, but I really felt it was lacking something...what it really needed was an explanation for why the aliens came. And the ending was a bit rushed. I mean, c'mon, Mel wakes up, Joaquin goes "oh...uh they left" and then they go on...it's just kinda blah. The girl too, what was up with the water? How the hell did she know? And those "bad feelings" were all like mad forshadowing...but it never payed off. And in the basement when she's just sitting there?? I mean it really led you to believe there was something else going on...but there wasn't. The painting too, in the beginning, where the house is on fire and there are the 3 bodies...that was false forshadowing as well. Don't get me wrong, I still liked it a lot, just needed a few more scenes.

[Trout]

Originally posted by AndrewBBD
what it really needed was an explanation for why the aliens came.

The explaination is one of the worst things hollywood movies can do. It seems like every movie needs to explain why something happens just so the audience doesn't need to think a little.

[John]

I saw this film yesterday with no real expectations. I enjoyed Sixth Sense as well as Unbreakable, but Signs blew them out of the water. I was extremely impressed with the tone, characters, and pace of the film. I may have to go see this one again before it's theatrical run ends.

On a side note that parallels Nick Castle directing Dennis the Menace, M. Night wrote the screenplay for Stuart Little.

[Andrew]

Trout: If you're saying it's a "hollywood" thing to explain an ending, uhh, re-watch CAT O' NINE TAILS or pretty much any other Argento giallo. If that's not what you meant, then ignore this paragraph.

I'm not saying I wanted to see them in their ships, but OBVIOUSLY there was more to it then Joaquin Phoenix telling Mel "oh....uh they left....". I mean really, there needed to be a bit more of a revelation or something. And the water.....I didn't really like that. It turned into almost standard monster movie fare....I was suprised the little Caulkin kid didn't bust out a super-soaker. Don't get me wrong, I heartily enjoyed the film, but I can't say it was as magnificent as many others have.

[jeffschmidt]

Originally posted by rhett

One reservation I had was the comic relief. There is a lot of it, and while it is never distracting or annoying, it at times took away from the emotional tone of the film. During the above mentioned supper scene, Gibson had me reacting, but then he pulls in Pheonix to hug as well, which sent the theater in a roar of laughter.

I thought that bit was a great touch. I generally dislike really thick drama (i.e. crying scenes) but the supper scene was great & the funny little pull-in hug was perfect. IMO, of course :D

Great flick all around, & it's nice to see the Culkins working again :D

[Cydeous]

SPOILERS:

The aliens suddenly leaving was explained. Do you remember the kid saying that if they can't win a ground war then they will retreat and come back in 100s, maybe 1000s, of years later in larger numbers? Also, the TV report stated that there was a method to destroy them but the details weren't known to the broadcaster. The method turned out to be using water. So, it was explained.

That's all besides the point, anyway. The movie was about the signs that occur in life, not the crop circles. The main plot was the reverend's struggle with his faith and the subplot was about the aliens.

I enjoyed the movie and, for me, Phoenix' comic relief was well done. The movie shouldn't have been a tear jerker and the comic relief kept it from getting sappy.

It was definitely M. Night's best film. I actually like it more now that I thought about it for awhile. "The Sixth Sense" gets worse with time and "Unbreakable" sucked.

[moogong]

I loved the movie but one of the biggest flaws to me was having the aliens weekness being water. If they were so intelligent, why would they come to a planet that was mainly water?? Uh...arent humans mainly compised of...water!!

And how exactly did the middle eastern countries fight them off with water? Last time I checked the middle east is comprised of sand.

Otherwise it is a really great movie.
:) :)

[Cydeous]

And how exactly did the middle eastern countries fight them off with water? Last time I checked the middle east is comprised of sand.

That's something that really chapped my ass too. That place is completely arid and there are many parts of the world that are within a rain forrest. Maybe M. Night wanted to show that Middle Easterns aren't all terrorists and that they can actually do something constructive.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get into the terrorism thing but every time I think of 9/11 I get really upset. I think that the USA showed incredible restraint with the whole matter. I tell you, if I had any say....

[Trout]

Originally posted by moogong77

And how exactly did the middle eastern countries fight them off with water? Last time I checked the middle east is comprised of sand.



Yeah, everyone knows that there isn't any water anywhere in the middle east.

[moogong]

Originally posted by Trout


Yeah, everyone knows that there isn't any water anywhere in the middle east.

My point exactly.

[Wermode]

OK, you all seem to like it, so maybe I'll check it out.

I haven't seen Signs yet just because the premise seemed so silly. Unless a person is limited to the information and critical thinking skills of the Middle Ages, he knows that crop circles are created by English artists with boards and rope. No mystery, no "phenomenon," just man-made mathematics and art. Of course. I can suspend disbelief as much as the next person, but this subject seems so fraught with ignorance and superstition already that the whole concept turned me off. But now I hear that Signs is not really about crop circles, which brings me to the second point...

A gore-friend of mine came back disappointed from Signs, saying the film was too didactic, that he felt like he had just suffered a cinematic sermon. Comments?

[Trout]

Originally posted by Cydeous


That's something that really chapped my ass too. That place is completely arid and there are many parts of the world that are within a rain forrest.


Actually their are marshes in the middle east. And they do have water...gulf anyone?

[moogong]

Having spent 13 years of my life in the middle east, I can say without any doubt that it is the most dry place on earth.

[Andrew]

Well it makes sense, the aliens went to the area with the least amount of water. It was just convenient that they found it out.

And yes, I know it was explained, but I felt a simple quick news broadcast didn't do the end justice.

But it's just my opinion....

[rhett]

I agree Andy...it could have been explained a lot better than it was, regardless of whether that information is redundent or not.

[Cydeous]

If the aliens were to harvest humans then it would make sense that they were all over the world, not just dry areas. Sure, they stayed away from large masses of water (such as oceans and gulfs) but the middle east is mostly desert.

The explanation, or lack thereof, is besides the point. As I've already stated, the reason that we all went to the movie (aliens / crop circles) was just a subplot and it didn't need further clarification.

[jeffschmidt]

Originally posted by Wermode
A gore-friend of mine came back disappointed from Signs, saying the film was too didactic, that he felt like he had just suffered a cinematic sermon. Comments?

I guess a person could take it that way, but I think that's stretching it. I think the movie's general theme is "hope", but since the main character is a preacher I guess someone with an aversion to religion might find the movie to be preachy.

[Shannafey]

Originally posted by Cydeous


That's something that really chapped my ass too. That place is completely arid and there are many parts of the world that are within a rain forrest. Maybe M. Night wanted to show that Middle Easterns aren't all terrorists and that they can actually do something constructive.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get into the terrorism thing but every time I think of 9/11 I get really upset. I think that the USA showed incredible restraint with the whole matter. I tell you, if I had any say....

Something constructive?? They are still killing, just not Americans or Israelis this time.

Anyway, I know the whole film's underlying theme was that everything was for a reason, and the whole alien thing was really just filler, but I have a major issue with the aliens


**SPOILER**


Why would such an aggressive species (they have claws and natural adaptive abilities) have the knowledge to fly starships? It didn't make sense. They were a species that were designed to hunt and kill, based on their features and characteristics. I really doubt that they had the brain power to do anything that advanced. In the same note. Someone else could have been flying the ships. Who knows?

[Trout]

Originally posted by Shannafey

Why would such an aggressive species (they have claws and natural adaptive abilities) have the knowledge to fly starships? It didn't make sense. They were a species that were designed to hunt and kill, based on their features and characteristics. I really doubt that they had the brain power to do anything that advanced. In the same note. Someone else could have been flying the ships. Who knows?

Their adaptive abilities could have been genteically modified by their own race.

[Jog]

HUGE SPOILERS!!!

I think the reason why much of the exterior action takes place in the Middle East (and India, and parts of Africa), is because the aliens are landing their major forces in areas where these is very little water. But I assume that a less technologically advanced people would resort to any means possible to defeat the aliens, and accidently uncover the water weakness. Then the UN or whatever could just organize a huge water offensive. All in one night? Sure a bit unbelievable... but so is the injured alien just happening to snag Mel's son in the end after busting out of M. Knight's pantry...

The MAJOR problem I had with Signs is that I feel the movie cheated pretty badly on the whole religious subtext. Throughout the movie, Mel's character struggles with faith and his beliefs in god. His beliefs are restored in the end. How? Why through his dead wife's final words referencing his brother's cerimonial bat which is used to smash the water glasses his daughter happened to leave lying around while his son's asthma kicks in preventing him from inhaling the deadly alien wrist fart! Ha ha! WELL OF COURSE he'll believe in God after that! ANYONE WOULD!!! Or at least anyone who believed in God before would certainly come back. The proverbial dice is so insanely loaded in this final sequence that all of the subtle working of Mel's psyche before is meaningless, because he just got SMASHED ON THE HEAD with God's existance. I'm sorry, but I think the film REALLY took the easy way out of it's complex character conflicts.

Hell, I loved the rest of the film. It's beautifully made. There are some wildly scary moments (the scene where Mel faces off with the alien under the pantry is a small masterpiece of suspense). Nicely acted. Great score. I loved the first tv appearance of the alien... very creepy (though one of my friends whispered: "It's Swamp Thing!"). But... I think the film really bit off more than it could chew in the subtext department...

[Andrew]

I think there's a real simple solution to most current movies' problems.

They need to tell the studio execs to give them more time :). I guaruntee that with a month or two more time, the film's few flaws could have been ammended.

Then again, M. Night's last film was over 2 years ago...so maybe that's not it :D.

[Shannafey]

Jog,
You really hit a lot of things dead on. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I have other little things that made it less than perfect, but all in all, I liked it. Not as much as Unbreakable, though. Another thing, the Mid East explanation is very plausible, but also Night is from India, so of course, just like his films are based in Philly, he probably likes to throw in something from the homeland, though India is not technically in the mid east. I know he's more American that anything, but it's his heritage, and that's probably why he wants to include it. Also, another thought. The areas mentioned are HEAVILY populated, so more of a food supply for the aliens.

[Nexus_06]

I know I´m a bit late, but I just saw the film tonight.
here in chile south america movies take a bit of time to come out

I really loved the film, a real tension builder, it really had me on the edge of my seat. But the end sucked big time.

As mentioned before, I thought that the end was a cheap way out of a good complex film. with excelent tension and charecter development jaquins actin was excelent.

I mean that fart wrist thing and the water weaknes (if the aliens were smart enough to make space ships why didn´t they make special suits against water, and how did they walk around at night with all the mist and wet grass an moisture especially in brazil wereits so humed, no good that didn´t convice me)

. Please.....
give me a break.

but boy the film really promised the brazilian cam bit was incredible it really creeped me out and I loved how the movie started really fast,

But as I say what a crappy ending. could of had been much better.:(

I know that the real theme of the film was faith and not about the alien but I think it could of had a better ending,

anyway cool film and it remembered me of many films and books like day of the triffids (book) and the I loved how he handled the idea of having charecters faced with critical conditions encolesed in small spaces remembered me of dawn, night, and the thing.
also it had a touch of orson wells war of the worlds as mentioned in the film, and the faith thing was like rodriguez´s from dusk till dawn

I hope the dvd comes out with an alternate ending. ?

by the way anyone saw the day of the triffids, not the old 50´s movie but the brittish tv adaptation miniseries I think it was BBC´s, that was excelent, I remember seeing it as a kid in australia and it freaked me out, it was a real gloomer. does anyone know where I could get it.?

Cheers.

last.

Here in chile a new horror vampire film is coming out soon (sangre eterna) eternal blood translated, its by jorge olgin, its his second horror film his first being angel negro (black angel), although I did not like his first film (I´m not much for slasher films) but I hope this one will, becase here in chile south america no one has made any horror films, so I am happy that this could mark the begining of this gerne in this country. I would ove to make a horror film myself, being such an ethusiast of the gerne.


anyway the link for his new film is:

http://www.sangreterna.cl/

cheack it out, the trailer is cool.