Signs... more good Night

[Remo D]

We're past building up to what one hopes will be a devastating "surprise" ending this time, so fear not. And never mind about the complaints you might have heard about the special effects--what's there works quite well enough.

As with "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable," the film is less about the phenomenon taking place than about the very real, believable people caught up in it. Mel Gibson, his two children and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) must confront potentially deadly events beyond their understanding--while they must also work out their personal relationships and crises of faith... which they do quite convincingly, be it played for humor, drama or pathos.

Given the reputation (and past work) of its creator (not to mention the subdued ad campaign), you already know not to expect ID4 here (thank goodness). But you'll be surprised how well this one works as a thriller, nonetheless--the jolts are once again perfectly-timed.

It's NOT true that a cliched climax is completely avoided...


MILD SPOILER BELOW


...after all, we ARE given a character who suffers an "attack" while unable to reach his vital medicine. Naturally, this is played for heart-wrenching tension for all its worth... but as we JUST got this in "Panic Room," I'm getting just a bit tired of this device.

But that's a small complaint indeed--this is still one to see on the big screen.

[Valgamon]

some of the worst pacing in recent memory...

lingering shots for no apparent reason...

a meager payoff at best, for all our patience...

poop.

[I am 138]

I found Unbreakable to be unengaging, though salvaged somewhat by Samuel L.

I absolutely detested The Sixth Sense...not so much for the movie, but for the fact that so many people fell for the ending which...DIDN'T MAKE ANY FUCKING SENSE!!!!!!!! It wasn't clever, it was just fucking stupid!!!

I might watch Signs, though, just because it looks watchable...

[hodgy]

Remo D writes real pretty.

[I am 138]

He writes for Deep Red, or he used to, if you're interested, Hodgy.

[Remo D]

And for Video Watchdog every month (he shamelessly added). But of course, that's not "Remo D.," but his alter ego Shane...

[I am 138]

Oh, sorry, I didn't know that. I don't read much VW is a good mag, though.

[bruce h]

Some spoilers, so hide your eyes...


I caught it last night, and found it to be very enjoyable - though I agree with Remo about the needless climatic turn. Still, creating an alien invasion flick that NEVER SHOWS THE ALIEN INVASION is a nice gesture, and I'm glad to see genre standards and conventions deftly sidestepped once again by our dauntless director. I truly think M. Night is a top-notch fella, and one of the few folks (outside of Cronenberg) that understands that sometimes quiet works just as well as loud. I highly recommend SIGNS, and any whiners or elitists can piss off. Just because something ain’t obscure doesn’t mean it’s not any good, and just because something doesn’t change the world doesn’t mean it’s not worth seeing.

[Darth Tanner]

I caught SIGNS last weekend and enjoyed it as well. Remo and Bruce pretty much summed everything up and I agree with them 100%. Definitely one of the best movies I have seen in awhile (other than HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, which I actually liked). Shymalan is definitely a talented director and all of his films are worth viewing. Out of all of them, I still have to say that UNBREAKABLE is my personal favorite (not to mention one of the most underrated films of 2000). I can't wait to see what this guy does next.

[ROBERT]

Saw it tonight. Very interesting film. It's not so much an alien invasion flick, as it was about personal faith,lost and found. That was nice,but I would have preferred a few more aliens. It's still a good solid film. Very taut direction by Night.