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Signs (Vista Series)

Signs (Vista Series)

List Price: $14.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Good, But......
Review: Not excellent, and i'll tell you why. Signs was one of the best movies of the summer of 2002 that's almost a fact, i found myself very intrigued, and into the story, i never took my eyes off the screen. I am a huge scary movie fanatic, and this movie made me jump and scream several times, all elements of this move were very good, and the camera work was excellent. Mr. Mel Gibson gives another outstanding perfermance like i expected as well as his supporting cast. And for once in a movie the adults believed the kids, that are always right. But when i was done watching Signs i felt like something was missing, that it shouldn't have ended the way it did, that's why i didn't give it 5 stars, i defitnitly recommend seeing this flick, and if your a dvd collector you probably already own, everyone must see it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD STORY, BIG PLOT HOLES
Review: In the latest movie from writer-director M. Night Shyamalan (Sixth Sense & Unbreakable), former man of the cloth Graham Hess discovers an elaborate 500 foot crop circle in his field of corn. As more of these circles appear across the planet, opinion in his family (two young children and a younger brother) is divided as to whether these circles are part of an elaborate hoax or signs of an alien invasion. As the story unfolds, so does a voyage of self-discovery in this slow-build movie.

Mel Gibson plays Graham Hess, a lapsed Episcopalian minister, who locals still unselfconsciously address as "Father", despite the fact he abandoned his faith following the death of his wife in a horrific car accident six months earlier. He lives on a picturesque farm in idyllic Bucks County outside Philadelphia with his two young children and his somewhat delinquent, former minor league baseball star, younger brother (Joaquin Phoenix), who has apparently moved in to provide a shoulder for his grieving older brother to cry on. In trademark Shyamalan style the children, played by Abigail Breslin and Rory Culkin, have a major part to play in the telling of this story. Younger sister Bo is the wide-eyed innocent of the two, whereas older brother Morgan is the preternaturally wise child with an instinctive spiritual connection to matters not of this world.

Signs, is a very worthy movie about faith and the meaning of life. Ultimately, the message is that everything, no matter how unpleasant, happens for a reason. We are all part of a bigger plan, nothing occurs by chance and that as long as we remember to read the signs (on our journey through life) and do not lose faith, everything will work out okay in the end. As such it is an uplifting story but if the old adage that a good story lies in its telling still holds true, then it must be pointed out that Signs has some serious flaws.

While it becomes clear at the end of the movie that the aliens in this movie are merely a device through which to deliver the, everything happens for a reason, do not lose faith message, it has to be said that there appearance counts for many of the flaws and plot holes in the movie. For example, surely if a race had the technology to travel millions of miles through space, they might have the technology to have developed some sort of protective armour, or even a wet suit, and have some half-decent weapons to use against mankind? Surely also the locals might have contemplated kitting themselves out with some shotguns, if not a spare AK 47 or two? I mean, what farmer doesn't at least own a shotgun? Yet this movie is devoid of any weapons at all, with the exception of a kitchen knife and a baseball bat. It is also unclear as to whether or not our Mel was a farmer (as well as a clergyman) before his wife was killed because he certainly doesn't appear to do much work.

On the plus side, however, Signs is an amiable and thought provoking enough movie. The suspense is built up with some skill, although a little slowly for my liking, with some good edge of the seat tension and the odd genuine scare. Signs is also genuinely and deliberately amusing at times, with assured direction from it's very talented young director, who has obviously learnt a lot from watching the likes of Spielberg and Hitchcock. Shyamalan also proves once again what a great director of actors he is, as all the acting is both subtle and faultless, with the only exception being from Shyamalan, who totally mis-cast himself as Ray Reddy, the local vet responsible for the death of Gibson's wife.

Signs is an enjoyable enough if somewhat uneven yarn but it's certainly not the great movie that some people would have you believe. It's possibly the weakest of M.Night Shyamalan's last three outings and it will take a large suspension of disbelief not to conclude at the end of the movie that those aliens sure were rubbish.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good Thriller
Review: I really enjoyed this movie because of its simplicity. Sure it is not packed with spectacular special effects or anything like that, however, that is what helps make this movie pretty darn good and realistic.
Although I am pretty sure Aliens aren't going to invade earth anytime soon, this movie left me wondering, what if?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Meditation on Faith
Review: For ultimately, God asks His question; Are you for me or against me? And the artist must answer, or hear his heart break for what he can not say.

Robert Nathan

M. Night Shyamalan has made another great film presented in a manner akin to the best foreign films. There are actually two films here. The first is a tense and exciting thriller, presented in a realistic fashion, of crop circles appearing at a frantic pace all over the globe which eventually evolve into a frightening invasion of our planet by aliens.

But however compelling and mesmerizing to watch this may be, it pales in comparison to the second, and more complex, film. In fact, this film is about everything BUT aliens. It is Shyamalan's meditation on faith and spirituality, on both an individual level, and as a society. It is subtle and powerful, the thoughtful questions it poses lingering long after we left the theatre.

Mel Gibson is effective as Graham Hess, living with his two children and his brother Merril (Joaquin Phoenix) after the devastating loss of his wife in a tragic accident. He has turned his back on God and given up the priesthood, his faith destroyed by something he can not get his mind or heart around; why God would do this to him. Just how far he has fallen from grace is only revealed when the worst fears of earth's population are realized and crop circles appear all over the globe in a matter of days as a Sign we are not alone. When it finally sinks in that we are being invaded Graham and his younger brother Merril have a conversation you will never forget.

Graham explains to his brother that there are two groups in this world. Group #1, according to Graham, have faith in God and believe that this is happening for a reason. They believe God will show them the way. Group #2, again according to Graham, believe that whatever happens, we are completely alone and utterly on our own. Which group Graham falls into, and which one he used to be in, are at the heart of this terrific film.

Shyamalan adds humor and insight into human nature in this well acted and involving film that has much to say. Graham's flashbacks to the accident that crushed his spirit and destroyed his faith, especially the final one, are heartfelt and moving. Without giving away anything, a moment will come in this film when Graham will finally come to understand what has happened to him and why. If they survive, it may just change what group he is in. But their survival is not certain by any stretch of the imagination.

Signs is Shyamalan's finest film yet. His films are unique and this one requires multiple viewings. He has blended a tense thriller with a more substantive journey into our spiritual psyche. Those of us like Graham, who often find ourselves in Group #2, will have much to consider after watching this one. Don't miss it. It is a rare film experience and one you must own.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Signs point to 4 stars
Review: This film is not meant for the lowest common denominator in film goers. So if you are looking for a sci-fi film which is all about the "bling bling" or special effects this is not the film you want to watch. You would probably be more comfortable watching Independence Day while they both follow the safely familiar storyline of War of the Worlds, Signs is a far more cerebral film in which each viewing will reveal more insights into the internal turmoils of the main characters. Overall the film is a beautifully edited feature which at times is reminiscent of an old Alfred Hitchcock film (even down to the opening and end credits). Kudos to M. Night Shyamalan for a wonderful piece of art.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: More Bang 4 The Buck
Review: First, let me say that I am not one of those blindly hating this movie. I just think that it needed [a little something] more. I expected this movie to be scary and it didn't even come close. I think I laughed out loud on one occassion; Bo tastes the water that she's about to give to the dog and says it's contaminated. Morgan tastes it too and tells her it's simply from the tap and that's why it tastes different. Bo still doesn't want to give it to the dog because of the taste. So Morgan politely reminds her that the dog licks his butt every day and isn't going to mind. I was almost in tears on that part, but the rest of the time I was on the edge of my seat waiting for a truly scary and exciting moment.... and was consistently left feeling let down when I saw what came next.
I didn't hate it persay, but after seeing other very good movies from this same director, I simply felt cheated.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The way movies should be
Review: This was wonderful and realistic movie in the respect of the characters' reactions to the drama unfolding around them. I love the director's long pauses, and the tension that is palpable throughout the movie.

In this time of uncertainty and unsafety, the director touched on the powerlessness and fear that every parent feels.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great, great movie - Don't believe the nay-sayers!
Review: M. Night Shyamalan's newest film, Signs, is a distinctly original take on the alien genre, showing the watcher how a small family that lives on a remote farm deals with a possible alien invasion. What makes the film so unique is its magnification of this family as opposed to the outside world. For the people who enjoy Indepence Day, action-only style flicks, this one is way over your head. Instead of trying to show the viewer one explosion after another, Shyamalan remains fixed upon his four subjects who are encountering an extremely dreadful experience. I have seen many complaints about discrepancies in the film but the complaints do not hold up because Shyamalan has crafted the story in such a way that everything works itself out at the end. I would explain but it would ruin the story for those who have not seen it (e-mail me if you disagree). One thing that the director does that makes the movie such a treat is the use of suspense to move along the story. Instead of being thrown a scare, M. Night pulls the viewer along, and just when you think something is going to happen......nothing happens--that is until you drop your guard. The art of suspense has been lost in cinema, but that's because Shyamalan has been holding it all this time. In closing, don't believe what people are saying about this film. Although it must be said that an imagination is, in fact, required to watch this film, not to mention a brain, which, from seeing the reviews on this site, not many people have nowadays. Sit down one NIGHT and watch this exciting, emotional, satisfying thriller. You won't be let down...just pulled around and yanked in all directions by this cinematic masterpiece.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Slow but good
Review: I saw this in the theater and it was very suspensful, (especially when you live where it took place). The movie was slow going but good. It keeps you on the edge of your seat about what will happen next and there are some humorous spots to lighten it up. Be sure to watch it in the pitch dark to get the full effect.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: This is a good sci fi movie?
Review: When this movie came out in theaters, the critics praised it with 5 star reviews, proclaiming M Night to be the next Steven Speilberg which just shows how far they have their heads stuck up their azzes. This directors claim to fame was the Sixth Sense which was a 2 hour borefest. The only thing which made that movie worthwhile was the surprise ending but, the problem was that I and many other viewers thought the movie was a dull waste of time up to that point. This movie has a similar dull slow paced tone since most scenes take place inside the house and like the 6th sense, the movie focuses on the main characters psychology where in this case it shows us Mel Gibsons personal struggles caused by his past. We dont see much of the Aliens until the end which is fine if there was supspense however, Signs lacks that quality with the exception of the ending. As a result, this made the movie dull and dreary and as was the case with the Sixth Sense, there was a surprise ending which didn't do much to salvage this film.


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