"Signs" -- January 2003 DVD of the Month

[Morticia]

SilentBob had an idea...to take the winners of the DVD of the Month (from Software) and discuss them here. Why not give that a try? Here goes....

This is a thread to discuss the technical and/or thematic merits of "Signs", the winner of January DVD of the Month.

The purpose being to foster intelligent discussion of films without resorting to "It's a piece of crap." or "It's the greatest film ever." (And so that we all can gain a bit of a film education from everyone.)

We'll discuss a new film each week. Either slade or I will post the film in this forum in advance, and lock the topic until the first day of discussion.

Thanks everyone. We are open to any ideas about running this forum.

****SPOILER WARNING**** of course this entire thread is going to be full of spoilers.

[MiddleEarthGirl]

Was anyone else bugged by the thing with the water tasting odd?

[SilentBob]

Originally posted by MiddleEarthGirl
Was anyone else bugged by the thing with the water tasting odd?

Are you the daughter


Ok i guess i don't have to cry anymore hey Tish I got my movie

Anyways i thought the movie was good. The setting was different but it worked in that creepiness sort of way as of loneliness. The sound added some tension to film and the score wasn't bad either but did intrude on the film dialog sometimes.

Again i must complain about the names M. Night uses as i was able to guess the ending AGAIN to the movie about 2-3 weeks before it opened. But i wont go into details on that . . . .well not yet maybe

Anyways back to the movie. Did anyways else notice the 'signs' scattered through out the movie. The curtains and door frames all had signs of 1) Crosses (to represent his past and his future) They were always there to be seen, but never seen as a real sign. Its like he looks past his Church work of the past and never sees that his wife (in a way) is always there on that cross. Let me explain why i say she is on the cross. We learn in the end that she has basically seen what would happen in the future. She had been giving them Signs to protect the family from the alien invasion. Just like Jesus himself who died on the cross warned Peter that he would denie he ever knew Jesus himself. Both (in a way died the same way) They were both Pinned to a slab of wood (the tree) and died with open arms to embrace what they had in coming in the new life. Jesus would later rise again and in a way so did Collean (Graham's wife) She had risen from his past memories and was almost a spiritual guide for Graham. Both brought brought back faith to those he denied God/Jesus existence back to faith. (Ok here is one name thing i noticed. Collean = Calling. She was meant to die like Jesus to save all from evil or aliens in the movies case) Also the fly by scenes of the town showed many streets that intersected. They formed the sign of a cross itself. It was like the town all had faith/believed in the UFO's except for Graham. It took him a while to realize that that both God and Aliens were real.
2)Stars and Moons wre evident everywhere. It was seen in Boo's jungle Gym house roof and were seen in the curtains. It was evidence that someone/something was out there. We are not alone and of course the invasion was proof that we aren't. Again they brought up belief/faith. We have never really seen God/Jesus yet many believe in him and follow him. Why was it different for people to believe in Aliens. All people went on for both really was eye witnessed accounts of old and new material of their existance. Again this movie went on faith/belief of a higher power at work.

Ok lets talk about that book from the Dr. Bimboo (sp?) Was that picture another sign for them. It was exactly like their house and you could clearly see 3 bodies outside on the lawn with the house on fire. BUT was the fire in the picture ever seen in the movie again? No but then again maybe. I think it ight of been a sign for where they were to hide. They eventually hide out in the basement to stay safe but if you remember it was used for a Cole shaft. Cole was a popular form to produce fire in the old days of the house and it also was a sign of protection from the cold of winter. (interesting that the movie end sin a winter scene) But again it could be used a different way with the movies ending as what is a main form of putting out/killing a fire. WATER

Many people question why they attack our planet with all of it being almost water. Well we were close by they did scout out they place as they were here to harvest. Why didn't they protect themselves in suits. Do we know aliens have suits NO. No weapons were used, as the book stated they would be more Hand to Hand Combat. Wouldn't the moisture in the air kill them. No as i think it had to be concentrated form of water.

Overall this whole movie was a test of faith of Mel's Character. He hated God for all he had done to his family. (asthma with the son, Wife being killed, daughter having her water 'tick', Merril's other record for strikeouts which kept him out of the major leagues) It was something he hated that he had to deal with, but it was all God's plan. These things happen for a reason and in the end we see them all fall into place as the worst that could happen to his family turned out to be the best thing to ever happen. He sees Gods work/plans happen in front of his own eyes making him a believer again.

The names were just another sign all along but i guess many still don't see them.

Father = GOD
Graham = GRAND
Hess = TEST



Also here's a link (i hope it works just for viewing purpose only) on a discussion on the movie from another boards i'm on. Guess which one is me Hope this works

[Morticia]

Originally posted by SilentBob
Ok i guess i don't have to cry anymore hey Tish I got my movie

Well, admittedly I liked your idea of adding discussions of DVD of the Month...lucky for you Signs won!!

Oh, and SilentBob? The link's not working for me.

[SilentBob]

Originally posted by Morticia


Well, admittedly I liked your idea of adding discussions of DVD of the Month...lucky for you Signs won!!

Oh, and SilentBob? The link's not working for me.

Dang i was hoping it would at least show the first page of discussion of the movie.

Many think its a dream Graham is having. Many great reasons/theories are said in the discussion. From the design of the alien(old traditional 50/60 look. Graham's kid age), the moments he is sleeping/maybe not, and the off air colour bars on the tv (old fashion look)

[Stockholder]

I loved SIGNS. It was a smart film and to me had a lot in common with the early science fiction films of the 1950's. It was creepy, but not over the top. The characters were deeply rooted in a capacity for good and I think that made them watchable.

Shyamalan is an impressive talent and I think this may be his masterpiece. People tend to favor THE SIXTH SENSE, but I think that was merely a warm-up. Here, he has it together. Atmosphere, character, dialogue, and amazing mise-en-scene.

Sorry, this can't be longer...but I don't actually own the DVD, i just saw the film in theaters.

[darthbenbo]

i'll play the role of devil's advocate and say that i thought this was the most overrated film of last year. i usually refrain from using words like "hate" and "loathe," when describing films i didn't enjoy, but both of these descriptives are dead-on in my feelings towards Signs.

1. first off, i'm a biology major. so the whole "water" aspect of this film really bothered me. after all, what the hell are the aliens going to do when it rains? the oxygen in our atmosphere is maintained because of all of the vegetation (i.e. "green plants") present on the planet. how are they going to co-exist with the life-supplying organisms on the planet if water is a toxic chemical to them? and of course, the water vapor present in air would be in sufficient concentration to destroy them without it existing in liquid state. this KILLED me.

2. the whole arguement that this film is about faith also bothers me, and for the following reasons: while Gibson's character never stops believing in God, his faith disappears as a result of his wife's death. what would have happened if his son had died as well? would his faith have finally departed for good? that isn't faith. the kind of "faith" that Shyamalan is trying to convey, isn't really faith at all. the movie tells the audience that faith should be based upon God granting you "good" things. if God allows you to fall on hard times, then it's OK to question Him and His motives, and that is bull-shit. take Job in the Bible, his entire world crashes down around him, yet he never loses sight of God throughout his ordeal. that is the crux of true faith. Shyamalan would have us believing that faith is only required of us when God makes sure that no harm befalls us. sorry, but there are numerous references throughout every piece of religious literature that says the contrary.

3. the whole scene with the alien stuck in the closet was ridicuous. these things can run and jump far beyond any human is able to, but when it comes to some furniture stacked against a pantry door the aliens are stopped dead in their tracks. sorry, don't buy this for a second. and why in the sam hell would someone lock an alien in their pantry, only to leave town? calling the police, or anyone else for that matter, never crosses his mind. please.

4. the acting was horrid. just horrid. Joaquin Phoenix is an incredibly talented actor, yet this never shines through in the film. Gibson did a good job of portraying a confused, hurting, lonely father. but the children were just pitiful. that whole scence with the Culkin kid saying the line about everything being re-written in textbooks, only to be repeated verbatim by the news anchorman was so ridiculous!

5. "swing away."

6. "i'm a miracle man." his whole speech about that girl seemed way too forced, and completely asinine.

most of my complaints about the film dealt with certain aspects of the story. i thought that the storyline and plot started off well, but soon turned into something that seemed half-cooked and based on nothing logical at all. there were parts of the film that i enjoyed, but my finger are now too tired from complaining so i will refrain from posting them.

[SilentBob]

Originally posted by darthbenbo
[b]i'll play the role of devil's advocate and say that i thought this :

2. the whole arguement that this film is about faith also bothers me, and for the following reasons: while Gibson's character never stops believing in God, his faith disappears as a result of his wife's death. what would have happened if his son had died as well? would his faith have finally departed for good? that isn't faith. the kind of "faith" that Shyamalan is trying to convey, isn't really faith at all. the movie tells the audience that faith should be based upon God granting you "good" things. if God allows you to fall on hard times, then it's OK to question Him and His motives, and that is bull-shit. take Job in the Bible, his entire world crashes down around him, yet he never loses sight of God throughout his ordeal. that is the crux of true faith. Shyamalan would have us believing that faith is only required of us when God makes sure that no harm befalls us. sorry, but there are numerous references throughout every piece of religious literature that says the contrary.

Ok i shall argue why i think most of the above works. Mel's charater has his whole world fall apart on him and does lose his faith in God. His family never does even with all their ticks, asthma and strike out records. Faith has kept them behind for a reason. It took Mel a long time to find his faith in the end as the Astham that took his son near death that night (cursing at God for destroying what was left of his life/world to live for) is the one thing that saved him. It was a Cruel act of faith, just like his wife's death. But everything that made him lose faith in God slowly appeared in front of his own eyes only to realize faith had done this for a reason.

3. the whole scene with the alien stuck in the closet was ridicuous. these things can run and jump far beyond any human is able to, but when it comes to some furniture stacked against a pantry door the aliens are stopped dead in their tracks. sorry, don't buy this for a second. and why in the sam hell would someone lock an alien in their pantry, only to leave town? calling the police, or anyone else for that matter, never crosses his mind. please.

He saw his moment and locked the door for his own safety. I think Police would laugh at him if he said "well i got an alien in my pantry" BUT he did call someone. . . he called Mel. In which he talks about that night he ran and hit/killed his wife. He mentions it was almost like Faith caused himt o do it. How do we know they aren't that strong. It could be fast and agile but maybe a very hollow bone structure (like a bird) We and others don't know what they are like

4. the acting was horrid. just horrid. Joaquin Phoenix is an incredibly talented actor, yet this never shines through in the film. Gibson did a good job of portraying a confused, hurting, lonely father. but the children were just pitiful. that whole scence with the Culkin kid saying the line about everything being re-written in textbooks, only to be repeated verbatim by the news anchorman was so ridiculous!

I just have to say everyone was well casted and that the kids did a great job. Joaquin was the best in the movie. But the kids were great and hasn't had a bad kid actor yet in any of his movies.

5. "swing away."

great line and was set-up earlier in the movie.

[darthbenbo]

oh well. you're wrong, i'm right.


:p



just kidding. this film just didn't do "it" for me. then again, neither did The Sixth Sense or Unbreakable. needless to say, i will be skipping Shyamalan's next flick.

[SilentBob]

Oh come on give his next film a shot.

Unbreakabel wasn't as enjoyable on first viewing but after my 2nd and 3rd viewing it just got better and better. Especially with the surrounds on. His works are slow paced but well worth it i think. All though i shall mention again that he has too make some names that don't blow the endings to his films and/or characters.

[Darksim]

Just one thing before I get on-topic. How come this forum isn't more lively? It's a good board! Anyways...

I think Shyamalan is making his movies worse and worse. They're all good, but I think his first, Sixth Sense, was the best, then Unbreakable, then Signs. Sure, Signs is freaky and has lots of tension. But it just didn't pay off. ALL THAT, for nothing. The ending was too anti-climatic, and just ruined the movie. While I'm watching Signs, I'm kept thinkin, "ok this is scary, but when is this gonna blow me away??" It didn't. The ending just sucked. It sucked so bad it ruined the entire film. All we get is a little green defenseless E.T. and a bunch of ironic bullshit to stop the aliens? glass of water, baseball bat, kid's got asthma,. whoop-de-doo! Come on, M. Night, this is your follow up to Sixth Sense and Unbreakable? Sixth Sense, wonderful concept, powerful ending. Unbreakable, risky but good concept, also powerful ending. Signs, bullshit concept, weak ending. Sorry guys, but it only takes a bad ending to ruin a good movie. His first two were excellent, but Signs just didn't connect with me. Maybe his fourth will be better.

[darthbenbo]

silentbob, i've given Shyamalan 3 films, and he's batting 0-for-3 when it comes to my tastes. i think that he is a talented director, but his plotlines are just too.....weak for me.

i admire the fact that he is able to create these stories that carry such a powerfully "alternate" meaning, but my personal feeling is that he spends too much time writing the allegory portion of his films rather than the backbone of the basic story. if the "spine" (if you will) of the story is too far out there, then i lose interest quickly, even if the sub-plots are still going strong.

does that make any sense? like i mentioned before, Shyamalan just fails to hit the mark with me.

[SilentBob]

I kind of understand. I kind of thought you didn't like his slow pace of the movies to their 'surprise ending' I think he takes his time yes but the spine of the story or the backbone is always there. I think his writing is pretty strong not always really strong but its very supportive. Again characters are well developed maybe sometimes too well developed before his movie endings. I think his directing is his strongest area with his movies. He has that eye for little bits of detail that know one should get to what he is hinting.

As far as his concepts go for his movies. I don't think the plots of his movies are any more far fetched then some of the popcorn flicks out today. Aliens, Ghost and Comic Books have all been done before in the movies, too FAR FAR fetched ideas and images. But i like that M. Night doesn't take that big blockbuster Blow shit up, SFX here and weak characters story there approach. Its been done before but he makes it into a smart got to think about it movie. We as a society have grown mostly accustom to big explosion and SFX popcorn movies that our brains don't need to think anymore about the movie itself. Just sit back relax and enjoy the film visually. He is more of that older age of film makers. He likes to use that classic Jaws approach for his movies. The trailer would freak people out on radio cause of the classic theme. The shark couldn't be seen but it was till scary. That sound is just as powerful as the shark on screen itself. . . if not scarier. M. Night uses it to great advantages and that is why his directing and writing is so strong. He doesn't really need others to go in and make his movie 'Hollywood Summer BlockBuster SFX Extravaganza' Its basically all pure movie talent and skill. That is why i like his movies.


Not saying though i don't like a good Hollywood Blow Shit-Up movies here and there too

[incubus0]

Originally posted by darthbenbo
1. first off, i'm a biology major. so the whole "water" aspect of this film really bothered me. after all, what the hell are the aliens going to do when it rains? the oxygen in our atmosphere is maintained because of all of the vegetation (i.e. "green plants") present on the planet. how are they going to co-exist with the life-supplying organisms on the planet if water is a toxic chemical to them? and of course, the water vapor present in air would be in sufficient concentration to destroy them without it existing in liquid state. this KILLED me.

I'll preface this to say I liked the movie, but completly agree with this point.

They go to a planet who's surface is 70% covered with a liquid that is like acid to them.
You would think that they would have a very good reason for this, right? Well going by what we saw in the flick they wanted to gather humans, who are made out of 50-65% water?!?! OK, maybe they want to study our anatomy and find out how we can withstand it, or whatever, I guess there could be a good reason we never know.
But . . . . perhaps, just maybe, they would want to protect themselves from this liquid-o-death, maybe a plastic suit of some kind instead of being completely nude? Not to mention they land and/or leave marks in fields that now a days usually have automated sprinkler systems that would generously dispense this flesh melting chemical.

Because this little fact was left out until the end I could get into the movie, but if you think about it for even a second it just doesn't work.

[aintnosin]

Originally posted by darthbenbo
1. first off, i'm a biology major. so the whole "water" aspect of this film really bothered me. after all, what the hell are the aliens going to do when it rains? the oxygen in our atmosphere is maintained because of all of the vegetation (i.e. "green plants") present on the planet. how are they going to co-exist with the life-supplying organisms on the planet if water is a toxic chemical to them? and of course, the water vapor present in air would be in sufficient concentration to destroy them without it existing in liquid state. this KILLED me.

You see, it wasn't the water that killed them. The flouridation in the water sapped and impurified their precious bodily fluids. (Sorry, I was just posting to the Dr. Strangelove thread and I couldn't help myself).

Anyway, I agree that this ending is far fetched, but I also think it was a deliberate toss to War of the Worlds, which had the almost as implausible ending where the aliens didn't figure on our biology being deadly to them.

The point of the movie wasn't alien invasion but Graham Hess' reaction to it, just like the point of Unbreakable wasn't superheroes but rather accepting the responsibility life hands you.