Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

M Night's Next Film... Wanna know'

First? by Ersatz	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:02:40 PM
Sounds like it could kick ass. ... but hey, so long as it's better than Signs...
First...and sounds suspect by godric	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:03:22 PM
I'm not sure I buy this item. It doesn't sound nearly as intriguing as Signs or any of the other ones...a little bit too close to the 6th Sense. We'll see. Any confirmation of the interview?
is it me, or is this another "i see dead people" gimmick... by TV CASUALTY	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:04:03 PM
Whatever. I've loved everything else he's done, I'll probably love this. Interesting title, but I'm betting it changes. latin doesn't go over well with the masses.
DAMMIT, WHERE'S UNBREAKABLE 2!!! by Zod_Is_Back	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:04:42 PM
I don't want more dead people, I want more super people.
Ummm......can this be a little bit less like Final Destination? by Terry_1978	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:08:32 PM
make the running from death thing a little more creepy or something, and it may play out well
sounds kinda cool but.... by Mr Chuff	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:12:19 PM
I saw Signs last night and found it a bit of a let down. I dunno if Night was making the "easy" movie that would plactate those who felt burnt by Unbreakable but Signs seemed a little...lost to me...
typo by Mr Chuff	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:17:29 PM
I meant to say "placate" not "plactate"...maybe I was thinking of M. Night directing some kinda of freaky tale about a small town where all the men start lactating and they soon discover that the town was built on an old maternity hostpital and all the ghost babies start...um.....ok, I'll go...
With Apologies to Bad Ass Uncle Fucka by kingredrum	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:41:03 PM
Fuck First Posters..Fuck them Up their Stupid Asses Sideways
Gotta love M. Night! by IAmLegolas	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:42:30 PM
He seems to be the only one working today with an original thought! Okay so there is nothing REALLY original anymore, but this guy has made 3-4 movies that he both wrote and directed and hasn't yet succumbed to a needless remake or doomed Hollywood blockbuster. It was a close call there for a while with Superman, something he would of been perfect for, but we all know that with the WB that his film wouldn't be the film that ends up in the theaters (right, Tim Burton?). M. Night also politely declined being involved with the next Indiana Jones movie because of too many egos....er..... cooks in the kitchen. GO M. NIGHT, YOU RULE!!!!!
Night's mature now by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:43:34 PM
I'm sure this wont be nearly as "gimmicky" as the 6th Sense. That was what? 4 years ago I think, or something around there... Night's a much more mature and responsible filmmaker now. He's not stupid enough to repeat himself. The idea sounds intruiging, but I still wish Warner would have given him Superman... what a bunch o' jackasses. Signs was perfection for me. It may be Night's finest hour, and all down hill from here... kinda like when Spielberg peaked with E.T., then got progressivley worse... but still a helluva lot better than most filmmakers.
Big Night fan here, but could he be following the pattern of the by ARCTURUS	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:48:40 PM
That pattern being, every other movie critically panned, critically accepted, critically panned, critically accepted? This Ouji board premise sounds weak..I was hoping for a stronger sounding follow up.
The Ouiji board sub-genre is woefully overlooked by most filmmak by Motutoo	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:50:55 PM
I'm glad M. Night is ready to step in where Witchboard left off....
Gee, think there'll be a twist ending? by Osmosis Jones	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:56:13 PM
I get it..."Cassandra" turns out to be the man's future self! (or either his dead wife or something) Shammalammadingdong hit rock bottom with the absurd final zinger in Signs, so he needs to get off his current "Baby Rod Serling" kick and start making movies that have some meaning past their end credits other than "Wha..?" James Newton Howard's scores have been the only reason to keep seeing his movies for me.
And then, after that: a spooky look at the secret love affair b by Lance Rock	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:56:15 PM

Ugh. by UCFKevin	Oct 2nd, 2002 12:57:22 PM
Jesus Christ. Look at you pathetic pieces of shit. "I'm first!" "No, I'm first!" Is that the highlight of your day? Can't get laid so you gotta compete with your fellow zit-laden losers to be first on the Talk Backs?
First posters are so fucking lame. by Jables	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:05:02 PM
Anyway, I'm really excited about this. I loved Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. I see no reason why this should be any different.
Let me guess... by SpaceToast	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:07:03 PM
...Then God will "pick up the phone," at some point, and remind us all that he's still here judging his imperfect creations. MNS must have some deep ruler marks on his knuckles. Promise me no more religious crap, and I'll go see it. No filmmaker's f*ed with the audience's expectations as well as him since Hitchcock was on this end of the Ouija.
And to think...it COULD have been Superman V by the G-man	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:07:18 PM
Thanks, WB. Thanks for nothing.
To Ersatz by Glass	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:14:55 PM
Please clarify what you didn't like about Signs.
WTF??? by 1001 Jedi Nights	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:16:03 PM
watch, the kid will already be dead. Oh, but you won't know until the VERY END!!!!! in the last few seconds of the movie!!!!!! It would probably be cool for him to direct superman V, but he would add a "twist" ending. great. And UNBREAKABLE 2? ok, whatever floats your boat. His movies don't make good sequels.
m night must make unbreakable 2! by spider-ham	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:21:54 PM
Really honestly
Does this mean no Superman? by BorisKloris	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:24:49 PM
Damn it! Shyamalan doing Superman would have been so brilliant. I'm sure I'll love whatever he does next, but I'll always be a bit sad, thinking about what could have been. Warner Bros. execs: not so smart.
Congratulations Osmosis Jones! by rev_skarekroe	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:30:51 PM
For being the first person to use the tired "Shyamalamadingdong" gag this talkback, thus proving your lack of original wit and therefore invalidating any argument you may have had. sk
Time flies like an arrow. by Christopher3	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:52:46 PM
Sounds like "Final Destination" without the teens.
P.S. Just say no to "Unbreakable 2." by Christopher3	Oct 2nd, 2002 01:55:20 PM
"Unbreakable" was memorable and different from other superhero films because neither the superhero nor the supervillain knew exactly what they were until the very end. Do another and you just have another generic comic book movie.
I'm there opening day! M Night is the best writer/director a by Tarl_Cabot	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:01:19 PM
Three straight masterpieces! I'm ready for a fourth! Bring it on! I'm glad he's still doing his own stuff and not doing Indy 4 or Superman...stick to what you best M night! I can't wait!
Unbreakable 2 by E Albert Bansom	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:15:49 PM
It's a little known fact that M Night wanted Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Mr. Glass. Sam was perfect in the role but if there is a sequel, imagine Phil as another villain, probably the one who gets him out of the asylum (although we all know the Elijah's mom is gonna do that.)
fettastic by Glass	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:16:48 PM
What happened with the Ouiji board, fettastic? And by the way, I agree with you regarding Signs. Greatest of the great. A masterpiece.
1001 jedi nights, when a movie is originally thought of as a tri by Zod_Is_Back	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:26:34 PM
People that didn't like Unbreakable didn't understand that it was the first part of a proposed trilogy. All three together, like Lord of the Rings, would make one story. The whole point of it was that it was like a comic book. You get one part, then you have to wait to see what happens to the hero next. The first part was obviously the origin, the next part would be him getting in to his new career, and the third would be his end.
Blue filters anyone? by AlwaysRight	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:46:17 PM
Dark oppressive atmosphere, deadpan comedy moments and slow, revelatory silences. It's like I've seen this film already.
The word's spelled "ouija," folks. by nightwatchman	Oct 2nd, 2002 02:50:12 PM
Just call me the pedantic watchman.
How About a Supernatural "Wedgie Board" Movie? by hipcheck13	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:02:09 PM
You know, you put your hands on the plastic moving thing and your underwear gets yanked up your ass by the undead. Seriously, M. Night sounds like he's dipping from the "Final Destination/6th Sense" well here. He's talented, but don't tell me by his fourth pic he's out of original ideas.
First Posters by MercilessMing	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:03:20 PM
I really don't think First Posters are all that bad. Being the first poster takes quickness, concentration and lots of luck. So you have to waste a little time scrolling through all of their posts, what's it to you? One of the awesome things about this site is that every story ever posted is still accessible, along with all their talkbacks. That means every story is a little piece of history. Why not mark each little piece of history with your "First!" post. Someday, I hope to be the first to mark a story with my post. Until then, I'll continue to envy you guys.
Um...Signs had a "twist" ending? by magic_ninja	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:04:58 PM
Maybe I saw the wrong overrated alien movie.
first! by darthhaole	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:06:56 PM
Just kidding. Personally, I think the Ouija board thing is a bad idea. Enough stories about death from this guy already (though he who does totally freaking rock at it). I'd like to see him make an epic film about some ancient historic event. One that hasn't gotten much attention before. His films up to this point have been amazing, but minimalist (only a few characters/sets) and that's cool. But how about something grand with tons of extras and huge sets, exotic locations, and of course lots of hotties.
While I liked his previous films I think its time he takes on a by GornPirate	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:14:44 PM
Porn would be good. He can explore Man's deep interest in T&A.
I see Ghey people by The Dude Abides	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:29:09 PM
all over this site, writing little email notes in the dark, sitting at a desk in their underwear, listening to their mothers scream throughout the house about cleaning up after themselves, sipping on yoohoo.
My Frickin' Toejam by Funk Nickle	Oct 2nd, 2002 03:44:14 PM
I saw a piece of toast flying through the air when cousin Igfried got mad and threw his breakfast at that damn plumber who keeps trying to fix our sink even when there's nothing wrong with it. Crazy, psychotic, out of control plumbers are the scourge of our time!! And don't let that overrated airplane Wright Brothers bastard tell you otherwise!!! Fly my ass!! It's all a damn optical illusion trick that Walt Disney invented on a Peyote trip in Guatalahara (however the fuck you spell it). I learned that from an instense meditation on the back of a cookie box. Is BR5-49 a band or a damn food additive?! You tell me, ya' smart Charlie smarmy smirking beatnik motherfucker!!!!
fettastic by darthhaole	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:06:49 PM
I actually think Christianity is pretty cool in it's truest form. It's the majority of the so called "christians" out there that have fubard it. That's what I think M. Night's next film should be about. The destruction of Christianity by idiot Christians. I'd go see it.
Should we be interested in ANOTHER "Witchboard" movie? A: "ah.. by Darth Phallus	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:10:15 PM
Bring on Unbreakable 2 M. Night -you pompous one-note-Johnny! You owe us for making us sit through "Signs"!
Umm...Ever heard of FLATLINERS?! by DVDBoy	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:31:44 PM
Okay, the plot sounds different, but the premise (people fascinated with death...so they want to die) is the same. Of course, M. Night will make it better than it sounds on paper...he always does.
The comparisons of Shyamalan to Spielberg are way premature by one9deuce	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:32:05 PM
After a couple of early films, they both exploded on the film world with a HUGE hit. The Sixth Sense for Shyamalan and Jaws for Spielberg. Then Shyamalan made Unbreakable and Signs, and Spielberg made Close Encounters and 1941. But does anyone really think that M. Night will create films of the caliber of Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. with his next few efforts? I don't, but it would be great if he came close.
DAMN! I was hoping he'd change his mind and make Unbreakabl by neovsmatrix	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:45:11 PM
Unbreakable was brilliant, and I was hoping if he had another story idea for Unbreakable, he'd do it.
willem! by trkane	Oct 2nd, 2002 04:52:50 PM
dawson look just like willem from mallrats in the ROA sidebar!
The Man? by Darth Melkor	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:04:16 PM
Shyamalan is definitely becoming what I like to refer to as "The Man." With the exception of Spielberg, Mr. Shyamalan is the only director whose films I look forward too based soley on the the man behind the camera. Sure I anticipate George Lucas' next, but only cause it's the next Star Wars. I look forward to Jackson's next, but only because it's the next Rings. But when I hear that a new Shyamalan movie is coming, before I even know the plot, I begin getting giddy.
this sounds really boring. by dano-e-mano	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:26:45 PM

Still smells by kadath	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:34:34 PM
As somebody mentioned, this thing smells funny. The way it reads, he's still writing the movie. And he's puking details like they were tequila worms? Sounds fakey to me.
Unbreakable was NOT the first in a trilogy by ferret121	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:38:21 PM
This was widely reported due to various journalists failing to understand a simple statement (nothing new there then). What Shyamalan said was that the superhero story is generally in three acts -- act one: the origin; act two: hero fights crime; act three: hero fights super-villain mastermind. Shyamalan was only interested in the origin, thus made the first act of the story his film. He never intended to give the other two acts their own movies. As a side-note, I understand he has said that a sequel is possible after he saw the amount of Unbreakable fans at the Signs premiere.
SE by PATRIARC ZITHO	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:40:44 PM
Este es el t
Don't forget What Lies Beneath, Harry.. by CoolDan989	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:42:20 PM

fettastic by darthhaole	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:44:28 PM
Damn dude. Like I said, I think it would be cool for M to make a movie out the absolute garbage most Christians heap on people and the ridiculous doctrines taught by most Churches (such as Jesus loves you, but If you are bad you'll burn in Hell forever...give me a break...A deep study of scripture reveals that this is actually not taught AT ALL in scripture and is in fact opposed to scripture). I ain't about to get into a debate with you on your specific points on AICN as it's completely inappropriate, but I could debate the very points you make via email if you want...probably even to your satisfaction...including your point about the slaughter of the first born of Egypt. What the hell, it might even be fun. Just click my name and we'll get this party started. Otherwise, you make great points, but your understanding/conclusions are inaccurate due to the heap of crap that "the Church" has piled on us for the last 2,000 years. Peace. Oh and I agree, Unbreakable II would ROCK!
I can tell that this is going to be a freaky movie because of tw by CoolDan989	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:45:02 PM
1. M. Night Shyamalan. DUH! 2. An ouija board itself creeps the hell out of me. It's like a possessed 8-ball or something. Whenever I do it with someone and ask a question, my hands seem to move by themselves, when I'm not thinking about anything, and spells out the answer! Creepy as hell! I don't know how they do it! Maybe they have a psychic channel her energy into every board...let's hope they pay her well!
I have news for you by GypsyTRobot	Oct 2nd, 2002 05:57:12 PM
the Ouija board doesn't work. Your pal who invited you to work the occult game from Parker Brothers, that rotten kid was moving the pointer. Sorry to break it to you.
Yes, but did you ever notice that "First posters" are unceasingl by nazismasher	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:06:16 PM
It takes qucikness and concentration for a runner on first to steal second base. To be a first poster you only need to be a worthless POS. First? I don't think so. Those fuckers never are.
That's really boring by KONG33	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:07:26 PM
kind of like SIGNS was, hopefully not as badly written.
What about VooDoo dolls? by KONG33	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:08:28 PM
He could do something w/ that I'm sure. I mean, this game is about as scary as Monopoly.
fettastic by zacdilone	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:42:41 PM
Hey, this may come as news to you, but Yahoo! has a chat room all devoted to people who hate religion and want to debunk it with their "I know more than the (fill in the blank, Christians, Jews, Muslims, whatever)" attitude. And guess what? You don't have any annoying movie talk to distract you.
Ouija board by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:48:21 PM
The ouija board is a complete phony. it moves because your subconscious makes your hands move it. it has something to do with self hypnotism where your sub-conscious acts in complete independence of your conscious self so it looks as if the board is moving on it's own, but it's not -- YOU'RE MOVING IT. or something like that, but that's basically what it is. i have a book on the subject and have tried it.
Where the fuck is Unbreakable 2? by LordWeymont	Oct 2nd, 2002 06:55:11 PM
May M.Night's new movie spawn creative differences that will bring an end to Freddie Prinze Jrs. career...
And for the film after THAT... by CountryBoy	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:00:21 PM
I think M. Night should tackle Spontaneous Human Combustion! Can't you just see it? "M. Night Shyamalan's 'POOF!'" It's the story of Dr. Simon Cross, a successful Philadelphia plastic surgeon who just can't get over the baffling disappearance of his wife years ago... then he meets a mysterious, horribly disfigured stranger, calling himself simply "Sparky", who claims to have all the answers... The cast: Simon Cross -- Kurt Russell; Sparky -- Kevin Spacey; Simon's wife (seen in moody flashbacks) Julianne Moore; his preternaturally sensitive son -- Frankie Muniz; skeptical cop -- M. Night Shyamalan...
Hey, there won't be an UNBREAKABLE 2. by JohnnyTremaine	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:09:41 PM
Shyamalan has said in press reports that he won't make sequels for any of his films; he's only interested in making originals. Unless of course he's offered a studio's franchise, a la Ratner with Superman. Wouldn't UNBREAKABLE make a great 1hr. weekly TV show? Maybe cast Scott Bakula as David Dunn.
This sounds like a great *return to form for M. Night. by EL Duderino	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:19:56 PM
By "return" I'm not saying that by any means Signs was a failure either critically or financially (obviously). There may be some other people though who were a little disappointed in Signs, how it seemed more built around visceral thrills than it was around character development as deep as that found in Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. This, however, sounds like a very original premise, and it would be hard to think that this filmd would not be centered around this Gilbert fellow. If Signs was Shyamalan's "commercial film," I'd imagine that this next one would be his more personal work. Sounds exciting, 2004 can't come soon enough now!
Excuse Me, But What Would Be The Point of Unbreakable 2? by NoCureForFools	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:20:27 PM
Unbreakable was a deconstruction of the superhero genre (and, arguably, the best superhero movie ever made). it took the basic building blocks of what constitutes a superhero story, created a discourse on those building blocks and resolved it's conflict cleanly and perfectly. making a sequal would be redundant and inane. not to be a prick, but, for those of you who want an Unbreakable 2, did you completely miss the point of the movie? it sounds like it. it was supposed to make you think about what these pop-myths and archetypes mean, where they come from and why they work, not as a potential springboard for another overblown franchise. you are supposed to fill in the blanks of what happens next, if you even care to, but the real story ends where the film ends.... i can't believe that you would want to destroy this great film in order to exploit it in some sad, obsessive franchise context. for shame!
NoCure by darthhaole	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:33:59 PM
I feel so dirty now.
M. Night should make a cartoon by Flem_Snopes	Oct 2nd, 2002 07:57:08 PM
Nah. It'd be so murky you wouldn't be able to see anything.
I NEED HELP! by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 08:43:55 PM
Sorry this isn't related to the topic but I need help, bad! Hey, I need to know the name of that song in Goodfellas that played over Pesci and Deniro beating the shit outta that guy who insulted Tommy and killing him. The one who told Pesci to "go home and get your fuckin shine box!" PLEASE HELP THANKS
unbreakable2? by DarkWingDragon	Oct 2nd, 2002 08:51:12 PM
unbreakable is still the best of all m. night's movies. any word on unbreakable 2
PETTING THE PUSSY by TomVee	Oct 2nd, 2002 09:00:45 PM
Speaking of Tawny Kitaen, anyone see the new bio about her on E? Scary. She has fallen a long, long way. Loved her in WITCHBOARD!
Once again, the inherent spookiness of Scrabble gets totally ign by Fred	Oct 2nd, 2002 09:17:49 PM

"tempus fugit" huh? could this be M.Night's time travel movi by amateurscientist	Oct 2nd, 2002 09:20:03 PM
I'm not sure if how many know that M. Night is a huge science fiction fan... I mean, beyond the obvious. he once mentioned off handedly in a documentary or magazine article (can't remember - does anyone?) that he wanted to do his twist on a number of stories, one of them being TIME TRAVEL. as we all know, he also said that he wants his movies to be like feature length twilight zone episodes. with this information, and the tentative title "Tempus Fugit" which means "time flies" he kind of broadcasts to us a number of possibilites for the story, and his "twist" ending. at one point, I was told by someone who read the script months ago, that SIGNS took place of his time travel movie. maybe this is it. how cool would that be if he did something with the paradoxes and notions of time travel? I'd be there. of course, if it's just another rehash of Sixth Sense material, I'm with the other AICN posters who say that he should make sequels to UNBREAKABLE. hell, they should make UNBREAKABLE into a tv series. I'd see that.
Unbreakable Reloaded & Unbreakable Revolutions by amateurscientist	Oct 2nd, 2002 10:10:29 PM
when The Matrix 2 & 3 come out, they're going to change the way ballsy filmmakers like M. Night think about and make sequels. here's why: because The Matrix movies will be one massive and complete story. they'll be awesome, they won't pull any punches, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, they will be a franchise not done for franchise reasons. the matrix movies will be done because the massive story dictates that it must be told. franchises are evil, we know that. the word doesn't suggest "continuing story" in the business world, it suggests "burger chain." we sense something wrong with "intended" film franchises and forced sequels because we know that they are pushed by those no-faced corporations that don't watch and don't care about the stories, and have the dollar as their ultimate goal. we don't like movies like this - the rushed sequel written in four weeks(!). but with the Matrix movies, we'll be treated with the gift of story that these guys (the Wachowski Brothers) intendet to tell AND the faceless corporate dicks will get their bucks. when the Matrix movies come out - "the complete story franchise", and not "the bullet-time jump-kick", will be the most copied aspect of the Matrix. how does this relate to M. NIght? well, let's just say that he will rethink his "not making sequels to my movies" thing, and we'll see Unbreakable 2 & 3. count on it. (besides, Bruce Willis told the world in an interview that this was intended as a trilogy. this is not speculation. that's why he didn't use Bruce in Signs and other movies, he's going to do Unbreakable 2 & 3.) the question is, what will the stories be...
Osmosis Jones and The Twist Ending by NeoAngelus	Oct 2nd, 2002 10:32:06 PM
If you think about it, the ending to "Signs" wasn't a twist ending. It was nothing more than a revelation. It was just something the character remembered, and he finally put it all together. As for the ending being stupid, I don't see it that way. How would you expect a real family to react to this, aside from shitting their pants? Just because there wasn't a high tech solution to the problem doesn't make it any less of an ending.
All lead up with no place to go by Philmaker	Oct 2nd, 2002 10:41:57 PM
As much as I loke and respect M. Night, his films are starting to feel coy and arrogant. The first time he did the twist ending followed by a series of flashbacks to show us how we missed it coming, I thought, okay cool. The second time I thought he was repeating himself but the film was so damn good and the twist so perfect, I forgave it. But in signs I was waiting and waiting for it and when it came I felt like I was being patronized by a filmmaker who thinks he's smarter than the rest of us and wants to show off and beat us over the head with his cuteness. In fact, the first time he shows up on screen in Signs, a character actually says "That's the guy...", a line with far more meaning with M. Night playing the role (miscast horribly in such a pivotal role). Come down off the high horse and stop wandering through old bookstores and new age shops looking for neat twist ideas to make your films from. Only so many dips to the well, as they say. Give us a serious film without a twist for once. THAT would be a surprise, and impressive.
the ending of Signs by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 10:42:11 PM
The Mel Gibson simply pieced together different events and made a connection... the audience was allowed to enter his mind (one of the great things about movies) and have the revelation with him. it's as simple as that. it worked, completely and was very satisfying. people are whining about how stupid it is... "well why didn't he just get the bat anyway..." he was too busy staring at the ALIEN STANDING IN HIS LIVING ROOM. Mel had to give him a cue, "Murel, swing away..." oh forget it, I'm tired of explaining. Signs was brilliant.
why signs ending sucked by Philmaker	Oct 2nd, 2002 10:50:01 PM
heres how the ending to Signs was stupid: A guy with a bat(!!!!!) beats the living crap out of an alien that the entire world's armies could not defeat. A missle couldn't rip to shreds what a bat could pummel? please. And the only way to kill them is discovered by three middle-east countries testing out some ancient form of warfare, as we are told in the background (a lazy way of saying, gee I the writer don't know how to explain it, so I'll just toss it in there somehow). For me, what appeared to be the best film of the year for 90 minutes became the biggest disappointment. This film had all the dread of Night of the Living Dead and Alien and then screws up the ending by trying to be too cute and smart.
Philmaker by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:00:24 PM
You ever stop to think that maybe the movie WAS NOT about defeating the Aliens but what EFFECT the presence of the aliens had on a small family on some farm in Pennsylvania? If you're focusing and nitpicking about ridiculous plot details, then you weren't paying much attention to the movie. Or I guess there weren't enough things that went "BOOM!" for ya, right? And if you wanna nitpick about details, why don't you comb through just about EVERY other movie ever made because there are lots. If you want accuracy, go watch a military training film.
HELP AGAIN! by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:11:38 PM
hey sorry i keep going off topic but remember Casino? the scene where the guy gets zapped by the cattle prod? what was the name of the song that played over that scene?
Here's how to prove that oija boards are bullshit: by Mister Pink	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:13:17 PM
Try it blindfolded. Let someone else write down your answers. What dou you get? Meaningless fucking jibberish. If it's the Devil, or ghosts or hoodoos or whatever than they would be able to direct the planchette by themselves, but they can't cuz they don't exist cuz ouija boards are horseshit. I like Shymalan (even though the ending of signs was basically ripped off from "A Prayer for Owen Meany") but I hope he can come up with something better than OUIJA BOARDS for fuck sakes. ouija boards are about as scary Monopoly boards.
If he wants to do this, I don't see the problem. by Lobanhaki	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:18:21 PM
The guy seems to have the talent to take simple concepts, and with very elegant sensibilities work out possibilities others wouldn't consider. Sixth Sense managed to be a domestic drama, Unbreakable a work about a rite of passage, and Signs a work about faith. All this while each managed to be supernatural and science fiction thrillers.
direktor by Philmaker	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:19:24 PM
Well, at least you did not say i was incorrect in my complaints. But anyway, I was so involved in the deeper meaning of the film that when M. Night decided to get all twisty and ubersmart again it took me out of the film almost completely. There wasn't a finer moment in film this year then the scene between the brothers on the couch as Mel tries to comfort his brother. My point is that this film did not need a half-assed attempt at a twist ending, or realization ending or whatever talkbackers are calling it now. It needed an honest ending and I didn't get it. I feel like M. Night is processing these films as fast as he can before people get sick of them and the work is suffering. It's like Dean Koontz. The guy used to be a great writer (between 1981-1990) and then the pressure to publish a novel every spring made him rush the ending to each and every novel. M. Night is like Koontz in a lot of ways, but none so more than that. I now wonder if maybe the film is just an excuse to get to the ending. Maybe he's afraid that if he doesn't have it, people will treat his film like they treated Wide Awake - with indifference. Maybe fear is driving him. Who knows. And another thing. The film would have been a thousand times better if he never showed the alien in the end. Much more dreadful and frightening.
Mr Pink by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:19:28 PM
Who said the Ouija board is going to be the SCARY aspect of the movie? I'm sure it's just a Mcguffin. People don't give Night enough credit. I mean the man is obviously in love with Hitchcock and we know how much Hitch loved Mcguffins.
Direktor by Mister Pink	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:28:21 PM
I'm always willing to M night a chance. I'm sure you're right about him being too smart to think that a ouija board PER SE is going to creep anybody out. At least I HOPE so. BTW what does the phrase "tempus fugit" (time flys) have to do with ouija boards or death?
Philmaker by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:30:46 PM
I respect people's opinions even when i don't agree with them. I actually hated 6th Sense when I first saw it cause the ending felt totally phony and gimmicky. I still think it's an ok film. But Signs was different. I just think Night is smart enough to know that endings are important and the film had better have a good ending to justify the audience sitting there for 2 hours in the first place. The man is smart. He knows that if you have a terrible film and an amazing ending, the film will make MUCH more money than if you had 2 hours of brilliance and a half-assed ending (the ending being the FIRST thing on people's minds when they leave the theater, telling their friends about it). Maybe he was trying too hard in 6th Sense and Unbreakable, but in Signs he got it right. I'll say it again... the ending was a revelation for the main character that did not feel hokey because it didn't CHEAPEN what came before it. What came before it was BRILLIANCE... a family struggle(and I too ADORE the couch scene between Mel and his brother) and the ending just felt more like icing on the cake than cheap jerking off by Night. I dunno, that's how I feel. We were allowed to enter Mel's mind and SEE the connection he made... like a thought so quick it couldn't be conveyed with anything else BUT a flashback. Makes it all the more significant. I suppose the people who didn't like the ending are people who don't like endings to be such a big deal. No problem. It's a preference. Anyway, Night and the movie are brilliant.
Mr Pink by direktor	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:34:44 PM
Hmmmm, not sure about that one. Maybe time flies has to do with the main character's ignorance about how important life is and this dead woman trying to teach him about not taking life for granted or something or time will fly and sweep him away. I have no idea.
my OUIJA board just spelled: KCUS LLIW TIGUF SUPMET by amateurscientist	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:43:11 PM
I had no idea anyone else knew that SIGNS ripped off "A Prayer for Owen Meany." kudos. not that that's anything... new. M. Night ripped off DEAD ZONE for Unbreakable. and perhaps he's put himself underway too much pressure now HAVING to come up with a surprise twist ending. if this new one TEMPUS FUGIT (latin for "time flies") isn't a TIME TRAVEL movie hidden in a mysterious horror movie, then maybe he just made a deal with Parker Brothers to sell more OUIJA boards or something. maybe his character writes out TEMPUS FUGIT on the board, but it means something else. I don't know. if it's just horror though, it's treaded ground... and that is kind of boring. let's think of other old movies and stories that have twists and then think of which on he'll steal, sorry... pay "homage to" next!
Oh Hungry? O. Henry by Philmaker	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:52:04 PM
Actually there is a very good little story called Who's Cribbing? that M. Night should adapt since he is on a huge O. Henry kick with the twist endings (with as little Ambrose Bierce thrown in for good measure). Who's cribbing is a story told in letters, from an unpublished science-fiction writer to the publisher of a science fiction magazine. The author writes in explaining the short story he is submitting, then gets a reply saying that this exact story has been written and published by a great, but little known writer many years before. Surprised, but undiscouraged, the writer submits a second story. Same response with a hint of a warning regarding plagerism. Confused, the writer send in another story and another and another, his lifes work for christsake! All get the same response with stronger warnings until the publisher finally stops answering the letters and the writer is going nuts trying to figure out how this could happen. Finally, he gets the idea of a lifetime - he wants to send in these correspondences between himself and the publisher as a story titled Who's Cribbing? The publisher responds by saying with finality that the very same great but little known author of many years before already did that too. The fact that the real author of this story used his own name in this story as the writer was very cool, and a better twist I have yet to see. After all, the fear that drives all writers is that ideas are free floating out there in the universe and that when they land in your lap, you'd better make the most of it before someone else does. Hey, maybe I'd better make this into a movie before M. Night does. And shows the alien at the end. Or beats the publisher to a pulp with a bat and a dusty glass of water...
Re. ripping off other old twists by Mister Pink	Oct 2nd, 2002 11:59:11 PM
Ok, how about this one. There's this babysitter see, and she keeps getting these mysterious phone calls, and so she calls the cops and they trace the calls and it turns out that the calls are coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE! Or how about this. A dude from the future goes back in time to protect this chick from a killer robot cuz she's gonna have this baby that's gonna be like this big messiah figure in the future. So the dude bangs the chick and it turns out that he's this messiah dude's FATHER!
amateurscientist by Philmaker	Oct 3rd, 2002 12:00:56 AM
what exactly is the ending of A prayer for owen meany. Always wanted to read it, never did. ANd you for got to mention how Sixth Sense is just Jacob's Ladder with more focus on the kid. As much as I like 6th Sense, Jacob's Ladder was the MOST underrated film of the early 90's.
Owen Meany ending by Mister Pink	Oct 3rd, 2002 12:16:19 AM
The ending of Owen Meany doesn't mean much unless you know all the stuff leading up to it, but essentially the title character performs a heroic act which encompasses and explains a lot of heretofore meaningless or seemingly unrelated elements from earlier in the book (ala Signs) A major theme of the novel is Owen Meany's faith. The ending reveals that everything in his life had a specific purpose to it (ala "swing away"). It's this concept (not the actual content) of the Signs ending that Night seems to have borrowed. Owen Meany is a great book BTW.
SIGNS was one of the most contrived, idiotic pieces of crap I by Cash Bailey	Oct 3rd, 2002 12:21:22 AM
Where to start? -- Okay, the alien's motivation: "Let's invade a planet that's mass and inhabitants are about 70% water even though water is the only thing that can kill us." What... does that early morning dew in the corn fields not affect them? -- Asthma Kid: let's face it, any writer or director who introduces the 'child with asthma\diabetes\chronic haemerroids' plot device should have their movie-making privileges taken off them. -- "Swing away." What the fuck!? Mind you, it might have worked if that bullshit flashback wasn't there to bludgeon the point home with the subtlety of a barbed-wire enema. -- M Night should never appear in another one of his movies ever again. It's bad enough we have to see his name about 6 times in the trailers. -- The little girl SEEMED to have quite a bit of dialogue but not a single word of it made sense, either during the film or in retrospect. -- The Ending: Obviously M Night thought: "Well, they're gonna expect another twist ending from me but I want to show them that I have matured and developed past being a gimmick director." His solution? "I know, I'll give them NO ending!! I truly am the new Spielberg!" THE SIXTH SENSE was wonderful, and UNBREAKABLE was damn good (if slower than a NSynch fan), but SIGNS was desperate and inept.
Cash Bailey by direktor	Oct 3rd, 2002 12:52:57 AM
"SIGNS was one of the most contrived, idiotic pieces of crap I've ever sat through"... 99 percent of movies are contrived if you didn't realize it...."Okay, the alien's motivation: 'Let's invade a planet that's mass and inhabitants are about 70% water even though water is the only thing that can kill us.'... it's obvious the aliens were trying to take over the planet and knew about the water but the HEAD ALIENS didn't care, they were just sacraficing "soldiers", much like we do when WE'RE fighting a war. It's all irrelevant anyway because you could come up with thousands of theories, it was just a plot device and a distraction to those who couldn't see past the details.... "Asthma Kid: let's face it, any writer or director who introduces the 'child with asthma\diabetes\chronic haemerroids' plot device should have their movie-making privileges taken off them."... so I guess Hitchcock putting Jimmy Stewart in a wheel chair in "Rear Window", or Spielberg making Roy Schneider's character afraid of water in "Jaws", or how bout Indiana Jones being afraid of snakes -- yeah those character flaws should make the filmmakers turn in their movie-making cards RIGHT NOW... "Swing away." What the fuck!? Mind you, it might have worked if that bullshit flashback wasn't there to bludgeon the point home with the subtlety of a barbed-wire enema"... How would "swing away" have worked WITHOUT the flashback?... "M Night should never appear in another one of his movies ever again. It's bad enough we have to see his name about 6 times in the trailers."... Agreed... "The little girl SEEMED to have quite a bit of dialogue but not a single word of it made sense, either during the film or in retrospect."... Oh no? Prove it... "The Ending: Obviously M Night thought: "Well, they're gonna expect another twist ending from me but I want to show them that I have matured and developed past being a gimmick director." His solution? "I know, I'll give them NO ending!!"... Obviously you didn't get it, and that's ok. Nothing wrong with being ignorant as long as it does no harm to anyone else.
I'm with Cash Bailey on this ---- by Ronnie_Dobbs	Oct 3rd, 2002 01:42:36 AM
---- SIGNS, like M. Night's previous two, looked beautiful but , unlike the other two, had a script that just seemed thrown together. When they pan up to the female cop and she says, "What in God's name is going on here?", I almost puked in my popcorn.
damn, do i love Shyamalan. by a goonie	Oct 3rd, 2002 02:22:34 AM
i mean, The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are both well-constructed films with exceptional composition and intelligent writing, good acting, and a startlingly original style. but Signs... still one of the best films of the year, it is quite possibly the closest thing we will ever get to classic Spielberg without being real Spielberg. and yet, somehow, M. Night's voice and style break through and the film becomes confidently his own. amazing stuff.
m.night shamalomadingdong needs to...... by dork74	Oct 3rd, 2002 04:07:47 AM
make superman!!! (the new script being re-written-not the shit script)i want to see a new spin on supes by someone who knows how to do it right!! m. should beat rat the ratner's ass to direct this ...stick to rush hour sequels and dragons and videos you hack!! Don't touch superman you will kill an american icon! m.night if you hear me do this production please!!!!!!!!!
MNS is THE most overrated director working. by eau hellz gnaw	Oct 3rd, 2002 04:51:29 AM
PERIOD. His movies are complete trash.
His next flick should be about...Giant Squirrels by millermeusa	Oct 3rd, 2002 10:51:27 AM
think about it......a heroin addicted garbage collector..Joseph Biggalo( played by Murray Povitvh) finds large teeth impressions on the side of his garbage truck.....at first he brushes it off thinking that the indian kids down the street are playing jokes......but then one nite as he is having anal sex with his crackwhore( played by mariah carrey) a large beast creeps by his window with big swollen jaws.....at first he thinks its Bea Arthur running naked again down the neighborhood...but days later he hears on the radio that there have been piles of large amounts of squirrel shit all over the neighborhood......suddenly after slipping on a wet tampon...he hits his head on an old ass Ford escort and has flashbacks of his life as a commando in the Gulk War...where his soldier buddy from Indiana tells him about sightings of giant squirrels who had eaten his lesbian neighbors in the late 60s'.....he regains consciousness...and realizes that he has superpowers and that his mom is a black woman who gives comics to kids with crutches...still confused he battles the giant squirrel at the end only to realize that the giant squirrel was sent by aliens in raincoats who wanna find some lil bitch named Bo who threw a glass of water at them........the script is of course co written by the Olsen twins....and eventually gets Knight his oscar.
Liberata Me by aViciousLick	Oct 3rd, 2002 12:09:30 PM
I saw a short film called Liberata Me at Cannes and the NYFF which dealt with the same subject... some guy has a ouija board tattooed on his back and becomes possessed with a spirit when his friends play it... pretty cool movie. here's the website www.ouijiboard.net
Will all M Night Shyamalon's feature depressed leads? by Drath	Oct 3rd, 2002 01:01:02 PM
I think Night should do whatever interests him, but I do hope he'll explore other moods. In all his films, even Wide Awake, his lead is dealing with a tremendous loss that just weighs on his shoulders like the the burden of Atlas! So far, the only time it didn't work too well was in Unbreakable--and that's largely because Bruce Willis has made it his stock character. Signs worked, but I hope this won't become a limiting formula for a great storyteller. Dealing with Death sounds like more of the same. Here's hoping that'll be a good thing.
Firsts and Signs by Ersatz	Oct 3rd, 2002 03:26:41 PM
GLASS: Don't get me wrong, I liked Signs. It was a good movie. But it wasn't as good as Shyamalan's done before, so I was kinda torn... on the one hand, a good movie, on the other hand, not as good as he should've been able to make it. It's my least favourite of his features. MERCILESS MING: Firsts don't necessarily have to hang around and be fast to get their stuff in before others - I just happened to come across the posting and wanted to talk back... noticed no one else had, but ended up posting a few seconds after someone else did. It's not that big a deal either way, and certainly isn't something I'd seek out. Just worked out that way.

Talkbacks

M Night's Next Film... Wanna know'

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks