Rating: 
Summary: Alfred Hitchcock for 2002, suspense and story before effects
Review: M. Night Shyamalan sets himself up for an Alfred Hitchcock comparison from the opening credits - and he does not disappoint. This is the kind of movie Hitchcock himself would be making were he alive today. Like Psycho, which wasn't really about its star actress Janet Leigh, Signs is less about crop circles than audiences expect. The suspense is masterfully handled - diametrically opposed to most other films today - and a welcome relief from their guts and gore. The shots are beautiful, the actors exceptional. The child actors give phenomenal, realistic performances. By always maintaining focus on the characters, and raising serious questions of fate and faith, Signs defies the label of science fiction. Because it shuns so many conventional elements of film (graphic violence, sound bites created solely for trailers, extraneous special effects) Signs is a movie well worth watching again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: War of the World/ID4 wannabe
Review: This movie is a War of the Worlds and ID4 wannabe. The aliens are hardly there.Most of the movie takes places in Mel Gibson's farmhouse. There is one crop circle in this whole movie. Sure it's hyped and critrics are saying it's one the years best films.Mainstream movies maybe? There is tons of plot holes and dialogue problems, It feels like a made for cable movie. Sure people will be screaming at the parts where you jump. Save your hard earned money and wait for this movie on DVD and video. If you must see it wait until it hits the second run movie theaters!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Film!
Review: M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable) is back with yet another well made thriller. Mel Gibson stars as a widower that finds mysterious crop circles in his field of corn. He and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) believe it's a prank by some locals. His son Rory Culkin believes it's aliens though, as he believes the voices he starts hearing over his baby monitor are alien beings. Even after strange happenings on the News with what is believed to be alien space crafts being seen hovering in the air. Mel is scared to believe there's gonna be an attack because his lack in faith for god after his wife was killed by truck makes him think it will be the end of world because no one is watching over them. Well that's about all I'll say because I don't wanna give anything else away. All I'll like to say is that don't expect Mars Attacks or ID4 because Signs is more about Mel's faith in god than anything. So it's hardly about the aliens. It has some thrills and chills but is more emotional than anything. It's surprisingly a very moving film that actually had this 23 yr old guy crying by the end, lol. Don't expect Mel to turn into Riggs and kick some alien [rear] either because that's just isn't what his character is about for once. He plays a difficult character that has trouble believing and does an excellent job portraying him. Could possibly be both his best work as M. Night Shyamalan's as well. Can't wait for Shyamalan's next!
Rating:
Summary: What a great movie
Review: I definately loved this movie....I even went back and saw it and would see it a third time! Lots of people think that this movie is just following in the footsteps of Sixth Sense and so on, but I dont see how its possible...I just love this movie and all the connections in it. It makes you think...
Rating:
Summary: All signs point to yes
Review: M. Night Shyamalan shifts from the ghost genre to the science-fiction-horror genre with ease and style. With a small but strong cast, a good script and exquisite directing, "Signs" is the summer blockbuster to see. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a former Episcopalian reverend who lost his wife in a hideous car crash six months before. Now he has lost his faith and his hope. His younger brother Merrill (Joaquim Pheonix) has moved in with Graham to help him raise his kids Morgan and Bo (Rory Culkin and Aibgail Breslin). They all live together peacefully on the family farm -- until one day, they discover a massive crop circle, an elaborate rounded symbol crushed into the cornfield. Similar symbols begin to appear all over the world, and gradually the populace is convinced that it is not all an elaborate hoax, but the real thing. When alien ships begin hovering over major cities, humanity begins to panic. And when the aliens's frightening intentions become clear, Graham must try to save his family from a hideous fate. The science fiction plot is essentially only a "circle" for the subplots. It's also about Hess and his loss of faith. I'm not sure what religion (if any) Shyamalan belongs to, but he subtlely interweaves his thoughts on faith, on hope, and on "someone" watching over people. He also gives a moving portrayak of how even a hideous, disastrous situation can sometimes result in something good -- an answer to the old "why does God let bad things happen?" question. The stars do an excellent job: Mel Gibson does his usual good job, with the additional fact that the father of seven obviously likes his pint-sized costars. Joaquim Pheonix, lookalike for "Lord of the Rings'" Orlando Bloom, is a knockout performance as Gibson's cocky younger brother. Rory Cylkin, younger brother of the messed-up Macaulay Culkin, also gives a low-key performance, as does the often-eerie Abigail Breslin. Both children, thankfully, remain serious and realistic rather than becomming nauseatingly precious as most child stars are. And Shyamalan himself has a small but moving part. Shyamalan will keep audiences on edge with his outstanding direction. Silence pervades everything in this movie -- any sounds are merely interruptions. Viewers will be sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for a door to open, a window to shatter, or an alien to attack. If those things do happen, it's a shock, and if they don't, it's a relief. More conventional horror tactics are used as well -- rattlings doors, invisible creatures, and one memorable scene where Morgan sees a clawed hand snaking under a door. Moviegoers will be as aghast as Merrill when they see the "birthday video." However, unlike most movies of this sort, he realizes that comedy is needed to balance out all the horror and tenseness. There are dozens of funny moments in the movie: Graham running around his house yelling "I am insane with anger!", Merrill and the kids wearing their silly tin foil hats, Graham finding his brother glassy-eyed in the closet with the TV, the swimsuit issue videotape, and Merrill telling Graham the worst inspirational story in the world. Most movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" are continuously self-aware and serious; Shyamalan knows how to best balance all the elements of his movie. There is no smut in this movie, some very mild profanity ("It's time for an ...whoopin'!") and of course some violence, though bloodless and very non-graphic. It's a very intense horror/SF mkovie, however, and deals with psychological and family issues that are definitely for teens and up. "Signs" is a rarity in modern moviemaking, an entertaining and pulse-pounding blockbuster that also provides viewers with thought-provoking material. A good movie.
Rating:
Summary: HOW MANY CLOSE-UPS OF MEL CAN WE TAKE!
Review: No one in the theater was terrified at this movie. Comments heard and felt by me and my friends walking out were that it was a big disappointment. At times it was so unrealistic it was ridiculous! There were so many holes. I was amazed at how stupid the ending was. I wish I had rented the video instead of wasting my time and money going to the theater for this slow moving movie. I am so surprised so many people liked it and found it scary.
Rating:
Summary: Best use of 2 of my hours in a long time!
Review: I had first heard about Signs from my dad, who has been a fan of Shyamalan's work ever since The Sixth Sense. Upon looking it up on Shyamalan's web site, I couldn't help but be curious about how Shyamalan would make a movie about crop circles. The trailer looked interesting, and a lot of my friends were interested in seeing it, so I gave it a {look}. I have to admit that I was totally blown away by Signs! There wasn't anything about this movie that I didn't absolutely love! The story was intelligent and beleiveable, the acting was top-notch, the music was fitting, and the cinematography was near perfect! The thing about Signs that really makes it stand out, though, is that it's probably the single most creepy movie ever made. More so than The Mothman Prophecies, the underappreciated Donnie Darko, and even Shyamalan's own The Sixth Sense. Signs featured the most intense and most frequent pee-your-pants moments than any other film I've encountered. I won't hesitate to recommend Signs to anyone and everyone. Go see it!
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED THRILLER
Review: "Unbreakable" was an ultra-serious comic book movie that may have been too morose for most. As a comic book fan, I fell in love with it (and the director's filmmaking style). "Signs" is an edge-of-your-seat drama that may have been too farfetched or "preachy" for some. It's the most fun I've had in years! Admittedly, M. Night Shyamalan's directing skills far surpass his storytelling skills, but the young writer/director again proves with his latest blockbuster that he is a filmmaker to be contended with. First let me say there were two things that surprised me about this film: 1) There is NO SURPRISE TWIST. There is, admittedly, a REVELATION of sorts, but it's not nearly in the same capacity as his last two films. So don't set yourself up for disappointment and miss a well-made film despite (or because of) the lack of a huge twist. 2) There is a lot more humor than I expected. Almost to the point of being distracting. ALMOST. "Signs" is essentially a family drama and the dynamics between the characters are extremely amusing. Despite the humor, the tension is almost unbearable at times. I don't recall being this nervous since "Silence of the Lambs." It's truly amazing how Shyamalan shifts between the two poles of comic relief and terror with such precision and effectiveness. A word of warning, like all of his other films, "Signs" walks a very fine line between surrealism and silliness. Depending on what you expected and what kind of mood you were in, you'll end up loving the film or despising it. There is no middle ground, because Shyamalan leaves no such choice at the end of the film. I've come to realize that you need a particular mindset when you enter a Shyamalan movie: namely, forget what you think you know about what you're going to watch. It's probably not true. Expectations and assumptions are key. Shyamalan's direction has been panned by some critics as being "pretentious." I can't disagree more. "Unbreakable" may have been pretentious, but "Signs" is subtle and understated. The camera never brings attention to itself because story and character require the complete attention of the audience. His writing is excellent, though there are several elements that can be considered "plot holes." Dialogue is a little silly but highly effective and, excluding a few anti-mind-reading tin-foil hats, it is the sole reason for the film's humor. Needless to say, Shyamalan's story development is in perfect sync with his visual storytelling. The music is SUPERB. It is one of the most effective scores I've ever heard. And the sound effects are extremely creepy. The resulting mood that is set with the music and sound is highly reminiscent of Bill Paxton's "Frailty." But while Paxton's inexperience is evident in his debut film, Shyamalan shows himself to be on top of his game. As for the acting, it is very good overall. Note that there are basically only 4 characters who make up the whole picture. Mel Gibson takes on most of the acting burden, and, as an actor who doesn't have the greatest range, he is his usual star self. Not his best work but good enough. The two child actors are charming and well-cast, but a bit too heavy-handed in their precociousness. In fact, they play their characters with such weirdness that I was expecting one or both of them to be revealed as aliens. Thankfully, such is not the case, cause that would've been way too creepy. Finally we have Joaquin Phoenix who totally steals the movie. Gibson's dry wit scores some chuckles and the kids have their occasional funny lines but Phoenix bats a thousand in all his scenes (sorry, couldn't help myself). He was born to play this part. One of the best scenes he has is the "I'm a miracle man" story. As much as I like it, there are four reasons why I'm not giving this film a perfect grade: 1) With all the excitement and tension that is built up in the last 20-30 minutes, the climax does not completely satisfy. "Swing away Merrill" was a nice touch, though. 2) The aspect of the ending dealing with Gibson's faith was appropriate, but it was too pat and simple and abrupt. It needed a little more development. 3) This opening and closing title sequences are extremely ugly and unnecessarily HUGE. I can live with them since they're homages to Hitchcock but I will never like them. 4) SPOILER: For a being who is super fast and fairly strong, the alien in the final scene did nothing to fight back. He just stood there waiting to be hit. All in all, scarier than "Panic Room," superior to "Frailty," and funnier than any thriller I've ever seen, "Signs" is the best film of the summer so far. As my friend predicted before the show started, "Shyamalan delivers."
Rating:
Summary: It's not ET.
Review: I was disappointed in this movie, but, then, I am not sure what I was expecting unless it was simply this - a better story. The clue to the identity of the plot lies in the meaning of what, in this story, the word "sign" means. The acting is almost good. But I did get weary with the camera angles and dark shots. Gibson is sometimes stoic, sometimes cheerful, and sometimes morbid as the self - defrocked minister who does not want to be called 'Father." He has lost his wife in a terrible accident six months before. Actually the flashbacks (intersperced throughout) of his coming upon the accident scene are the most interesting part of the movie. And for a few seconds the cute little girl who plays his daughter draws our attention. Joaquin Phoenix's character is actually good and heroic, but that is not to say he is quite ready for romantic leads yet nor is he Spiderman material. All and all the story just didn't flow. We are so concerned with where it may be going that we become confused and lose our way in the process. And I must admit that I wasn't scared, not once. My husband kept falling asleep and I kept waking him up. That should have told me something early on. Two themes struggle to emerge throughout - ET gone bad vs faith lost and then....but neither really win the day and we are left wondering where it could have gone...
Rating:
Summary: Signs
Review: M. Night Shyamalan has yet to disappoint me with his skill at crafting films. SIGNS is an alien movie that is ultimately not about aliens. I enjoyed it immensely. The main problem that I have with it is that over two-thirds of the earth is covered with water.
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