WHY should I go to see "Lady in the Water," the new epic by M. Knight

[Radio_Lady]

Shymalan? I loved "The Sixth Sense," tolerated "Unbreakable" and "Signs," and absolutely hated "The Village."

This movie is being screened on Tuesday (tomorrow) July 18th.

Let me know your answer.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. It's not looking to good on the tomatometer.

I'd give it a few days and listen to word-of-mouth.

[Radio_Lady]

2. No time for that. It's either see it tomorrow (for free) or not go at all.

Yeah, the Tomatometer isn't tell me too much.

That is often a bad sign. (See? All you people who think that film reviewing is such a glamorous profession! It ain't!)

The word of mouth on this film is atrocious, and involves a book that Shyamalan has written which will be released the day after this film comes out (July 21st). This is apparently a tirade against the Disney people who didn't like the script. I hate it when these sort of "skeletons in the closet" gets pooped out in the press.

Read about it at www.Defamer.com -- pretty sad.

I may pass this one completely. Or not. I'll decide tomorrow.

[everythingsxen]

4. If it's free....

Go see it and let us know how it was!

I mean even if it sucks, it was still free.

[Radio_Lady]

24. To those of you who are sticklers for spelling, it's M. NIGHT --

(not Knight) Shyamalan.

[azmouse]

3. You should see it if it's free.

Then report back here to let the rest of us know if we should spend our money to see it.

I have to admit to liking The Sixth Sense and Signs. But this film doesn't look promising.

[Radio_Lady]

10. Shyamalan may be just a sh*t director who had a few good movies.

ALL our previewed films are free. However, we may have to pay for the Tri-Met train (80 cents) or drive our car in and park for about $3.95.

We'll probably go to see it just because we get in free AND we always have happy hour at Stanford's Restaurant BEFORE the movie.

Should I have one beer (my limit) or go for two?

[BlueJazz]

15. If it's as bad as the Critics say, you might want to have 3.

:rofl:

[Radio_Lady]

17. Three beers, huh? It's clear you've never gotten drunk with me!

One beer -- Giddy
Two beers -- Dancing on the table while peeing in pants
Three beers -- Under the table before, during, and after the movie. Have to be dragged to my car and put to bed, fully asleep.

Just throw me in the pool...

[BlueJazz]

20. My kind of Woman!..A Cheap Date.

...Ah...I mean "inexpensive" Date.
I doubt if there is anything cheap about you.

[Radio_Lady]

23. No, cheap is right! My husband says it all the time!

"Ellen, you're a cheap date." And, at various times, a very amorous one.

Furthermore, I hardly remember what happens after I have that very first drink and tell my dates that tequila is the best. (No, I won't eat the worm.)

Your move....



http://ladyinthewater.warnerbros.com/

[BlueJazz]

28. If you have a sister about the age of 37 (and she's like you)...

...and she's not married...and she's a Democrat...and she's sweet and she's intelligent
and she's kind and she's enlightened and...

Wait a Minute....Shit!...She's too good for me..

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Radio_Lady]

29. I'm blue -- and thirty years older than you! Blue Jazz, I have a 37

year old daughter, married to (well, right now, we're having a big fight, so I dislike my son-in-law intensely) a young doctor. She's a Democrat, sweet and intelligent, but she's got two kids who are now quite, shall we say, BUSY and ANNOYING!

Anyway, you're probably too good for her! If you take my one piece of advice, don't marry anyone with kids from another marriage, unless they are age 5 and under. Even that won't guarantee you anything...

Love ya, gotta go now....

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[bigwillq]

5. I am waiting for it to come on bootleg

unless I hear really good things. I am not going to be suckered in by that one trick pony again.

[Radio_Lady]

11. Smooth move. I love your logic.

"The Village" was so God-awful (sorry if you liked it -- this is just my opinion) that I was furious with myself for wasting the time.

[bigwillq]

16. I hated the Village.

I was so mad in how it turned out. I yelled at the screen.
We went opening night and it was packed with all these teeny-boopers. At the end of the movie, this group of H.S. girls, were like "we don't get it" :eyes: :puke:

The Sixth Sense was good. The rest of his flicks sucked, imo.

[Radio_Lady]

18. Bingo! I looked for my review of "The Village" -- can't find it.

It probably reached 451 Fahrenheit by itself and burned up from the fire.

[bigwillq]

22. I would've liked to read your review.

I like reading your reviews. :)

[Radio_Lady]

26. FOUND: Here's my on-line review at Metacritic.com:

RadioLady gave it a 3 (0ut of a possible 10):
<***SPOILERS***> I host an internet audio program for a local PBS station, and also review movies on that show. Recently, we aired a several episodes of a TV program called "Colonial House" in which modern people were transported to an unspecified New England location where there was a colonial town built. (The location was acreage near the town of Bath, Maine.) The families and single participants were observed by a camera crew as they tried to maintain their identity in a former era. I assume it was supposed to be the 1700's, due to its title. This was a very interesting "reality" program which garnered quite a bit of comment at the time. Although all participants in the "Colonial House" program were admonished not to leave the Colonial encampment, I recall that one man did breach the boundaries and went to the town of Bath, Maine, I believe -- for a night of unauthorized interaction. I don't know if he was "banished" from the group; I only saw two or three episodes of the total program. In any event, this came to mind when I saw the movie, which I thought lacked even the semblance of a coherent story. Although I did not care for the movie "Signs", I did feel that Shyamalan showed great promise with "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable." I hope he re-groups to identify how he got to this point. Today, I see that projections are for a BIG weekend gross for "The Village" (July 31-August 1), but, as I said in my on-air review, "I see a lot of DISAPPOINTED people."

[ghostsofgiants]

6. Because you're secretly a masochist?

[Radio_Lady]

12. Yeah, that's a good one! You may be right!

[Godhumor]

7. Heh, I can take the bullet if you want...

I'm going to the screening tomorrow night, though I am not confident in this movie ("The Village" still remains one of the worst movies, in my opinion, I have ever seen in the theater--ranking right up there with "Johnny Mnemonic".). I really wish I hadn't checked out Rotten Tomatoes, though--now, I'm not even sure if it is worth my time to see it free.

[Radio_Lady]

13. Silver Spring, MD, huh? My husband used to live on Timber Lane...

with his first wife, now deceased.

Are you in the movie business? I didn't see "Johnny Mnemonic" -- just skipped right over that sucker!

Stay in touch. I'm feeling the same way you are -- have so many other things to do rather than seeing ANOTHER CRAPPY MOVIE!

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[Godhumor]

37. I lived off Connecticut Avenue...but not anymore

Just a few weeks ago my wife and Imoved back to Rochester, so I just updated my profile.

"Johnny Mnemonic" remains one of the all-time turds in my opinon, and I am still angry at being made to see it--at least "Showgirls" offered inadvertant amusement.

Ah well, the nice thing about seeing movies for free is when you see a bad one--nothing is more amusing than marching up to the box office and demanding your money back while they try to explain that you didn't actually pay anything (No, I don't actually do this, but it is fun to think about.).

[Radio_Lady]

42. We reviewers often gripe that we want not money, but TIME back

-- after seeing a poor movie. Think what we could have done with those couple of hours.

Oh, you're living in Rochester! My husband worked for Stromberg-Carlson in an engineering job after he graduated college in 1957. He tells me there is lots of snow there -- but I guess you know that already. He once lost his car completely under a big pile of snow -- the story goes on and on and it's pretty funny, at least after fifty years in memory!

UPDATE: I've seen the movie, but my lips are sealed until I post my review on Thursday night. Look for it then, my friend.

[Godhumor]

43. I saw the movie as well

...and I will add to yours--needless to say, it angered me tremendously, and I've lost what little respect I have left for the director.

Uh, I mean my lips are sealed, too. Heh

[Elidor]

63. Stay out of the water, Frodo! Don't look at the lights

Actually, Paul Giamatti could make even a bad flick worth a glance, but I saw the long trailer for it and before it was over I heard voices telling me to slit my wrists. I'll pass on this one. M. Night Shamalamadingdong's talent evidently has a half-life: every movie he makes is only half as good as the one before. Unfortunate that he has the shelf-life of a twinkie.

[philosophie_en_rose]

8. as a public service.

imagine all of the people that will be saved from wasting $9.00 to see it, if you tell us the "twist."

imagine all of the people that will give it the benefit of the doubt, if you describe things that are good.

Take one for the team! :P

[Radio_Lady]

14. How about "Win one for the Gipper"? (Should I spell it Gyp-per?)

Nine dollars! Is that what they are charging in your area? Gee-whiz.

If we pay for movies, which is unusual, it's probably a matinee and costs just $4.50 or $5.50. We bring our own popcorn or granola bars or an apple.

Regarding the poster below, don't you just HATE it when guests don't wipe their feet after bathing? :sarcasm:

[philosophie_en_rose]

19. Nine Dollars - Adult Evening Price

It's only 6 dollars for a double feature at the drive in - but it's about an hour and a half away.

[Radio_Lady]

21. Are you old enough to remember, "Movies are BETTER than EVER"?

It was a really neat slogan years ago.

Now it can be told that movies may NOT be BETTER than EVER, but they are CERTAINLY MORE EXPENSIVE than EVER!

[philosophie_en_rose]

25. Nope.

:)

I love drive-in movies though. Cheap, annoyance-free, and um... friendly.

[jobycom]

9. Paul Giamati?

Aside from him being in it, it doesn't interest me, either. I'm not a creep-flick fan, though. I thought the Sixth Sense was decent but predictable. Oddly, I actually loved "Unbreakable," I think because I got into the deconstructionist comic book element. Never was interested in seeing Signs or The Village, despite liking the trailers--just not enough motivation.

I'm convinced Giamati is the next Richard Dreyfus type actor, and seek out his films, but this one just doesn't do much for me. So, if you go see it, tell me if it's worth seeing as a Giamati fan. I'm almost hoping it does well just to give him the paycheck and exposure he deserves.

[Radio_Lady]

27. Yes, Paul Giamatti is an amazing actor. I hope he survives this outing.

Did you happen to see him in "Cinderella Man"? That movie suffered several setbacks but it was a worthy vehicle for Paul's talents.

Here is some of what's up ahead for him:

# Bubba Nosferatu (2006) (announced) .... Colonel Parker
# Tender Interface (2007) (pre-production)
... aka Szelíd interface (Hungary)
# Fred Claus (2007) (pre-production) .... Santa Claus
# The Nanny Diaries (2007) (post-production) .... Mr. X
# Shoot 'Em Up (2007) (post-production)
# The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2006) (post-production) (voice) .... Dr. Satan
# Amazing Screw-On Head (2006) (TV) (completed) .... Screw-On Head

# The Ant Bully (2006) (voice) .... Stan
# Lady in the Water (2006) .... Cleveland Heep

More at link ---

http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0316079/bio

[Broken_Hero]

30. To me,

the movie looks like a stab at mythological creatures...looks interesting. I thought the Village blew, but enjoyed Signs/Unbreakable/6th Sense, greatly.

[Radio_Lady]

33. UPDATE: We are presently planning to see the movie.

This is more as a selfish diversion from some thorny family problems (are there any other kind?) that have taken place recently.

I'll try to get back to you no later than Friday, June 21st, when the film opens nationwide.

There is some interesting background on "Lady in the Water" at http://www.us.imdb.com
As with all other movies, this will be a personal experience for me, my husband, as well as you and other viewers. I really don't want to get into any more verbal diatribes with others as those experienced in the "Superman Returns" review, now archived.

Thanks for your guidance.

Here is the direct link to user comments if you care to read them.
http://www.us.imdb.com/title/tt0452637/usercomments

[Broken_Hero]

41. Oh...:)

Don't feel bad about about the Superman Returns review, I didn't think I was to harsh with you, was I?...:) I do tend to get carried away, at times, though, and if I did, I apologize...:)

I do like reading your reviews, and critics are helpful, I'm just in a spot where I'm trying to find a critic, whom's opinion I echo, quite a bit...still looking for one...but again, its rough, cause 99% of the time, I wait until dvd and don't watch movies in the theaters. This year, I have spoiled myself, I saw Xmen 3 once, and Superman Returns three times....thats an anomaly for me, but Superman, is my main man...:)

Last year(2005), I watched Batman Begins in the theater, thats it...year before that, Spiderman II(2004)....year before that, hmmm, Xmen II, matrix II and III, and Bruce Almighty(2003)...my brain is fuzzy past there, but in short, I am part of the populace, that 99% of the time, waits for the movie on dvd. Theater prices, are outta control, and I try hitting matinee's in most cases....so, its hard to remember a critics review, 5 months after I read it, when I buy that particular movie, on dvd...:)

But, don't be afraid to post your opinion...I didn't think, I debated your opinion persay, but pointed out the misconceptions, you had with Superman Returns...I think...;) Take care, and I can't wait to see your review of Lady in the Water...it looks interesting to me...:)

[Radio_Lady]

54. Hi, petersond -- I wasn't pointing at you particularly, but thanks...

I had a completely different experience when I saw the movie the second time. I reported that and got at least one PM from someone who was not pleased.

Forget about it -- it's ancient history! I'll post my review in a new thread Thursday night.

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[Broken_Hero]

70. I'll await your review, with baited breath!...:) nt

[last_texas_dem]

31. I say you should see it

on the theory that you are allowing the director a second chance after one screw-up. You know, like the old "fool me once, shame on you..." expression that Shrub can never say right? Of course, if you end up hating this one, too, then that's kind of a "fool me twice" thing which messes with the theory, so maybe that wasn't the best example! Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is you should see it in case The Village just wasn't your (and obviously, a lot of other people's as well!) kind of movie, but Shymalan still has the potential to make some movies you like, like his earlier ones. If this one sucks, too, then you should definitely approach his future work with caution!

FWIW, I actually liked The Village quite a bit, but found Signs to be a real drag. I seem to be in the minority on this opinion, though!

[Radio_Lady]

34. I like your reasoning and totally accept your viewpoint.

Thanks so much for posting.

[fujiyama]

32. I'm not particularly looking forward to it

I didn't mind his other flicks, but frankly I didn't find Signs and the Village worth any more than a premium channel viewing (or a video rental at best).

I liked the twist at the end of the Village, but found the rest of the film really slow. I didn't see any real twist in Signs. Unbreakable was kind of fun. The Sixth Sense was his only really good movie.

So, I say go see the Girl in the Water only for the following reasons:

You're going out on a date and don't particularly care which movie you're going to see.

You don't mind spending atleast $8 (or whatever your local theater's cheapest ticket prices are).

You want to see Ron Howard's daughter act like some weird mermaicd chick.

Personally, I think I'll pass on this one.

[Taverner]

35. Hmmm I liked all of his movies

Even the VIlliage. True, I predicted the twist but I thought it was a cute film nonetheless.

[arwalden]

36. Uh... To Give Yourself An Excuse To Rag On The Movie? And So You Can...

... rant about what a horrible director/writer he is?

[Radio_Lady]

38. Naw. I'll really give it a chance. I like slow moving fantasies and

it will be a real change of pace from the fast-moving action movies that have dominated this summer.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

40. The shame is I think he's a pretty good director.

Not great, but he's still pretty young. He's got potential.

That said, his scripts suck. He needs to direct somebody elses script.

[Radio_Lady]

53. I believe you've hit the nail on the head. In this film, he tries acting

as well as writing and directing the film. It's a three-headed hydra and two of the heads just aren't working well for him.

Here's the background from Wikipedia about the current film:

Main article: Lady in the Water

Lady in the Water, scheduled to open July 21, 2006, is a fantasy about a Philadelphia apartment-complex maintenance man, Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti), who discovers a young woman named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the swimming pool. Heep eventually learns she is a water nymph who has come to "the world of man" to deliver an important message to someone in the complex. Her life is in danger from a vicious, wolf-like, mystical creature that tries to keep her from returning to her watery "blue world".

The film brought about a severe rift between Shyamalan and Disney, the studio for which he had done his biggest previous films. In the book The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale by Sports Illustrated writer Michael Bamberger, Shyamalan said that he felt Disney "no longer valued individualism ... no longer valued fighters".<21> Shyamalan left the studio after production president Nina Jacobson and others became highly critical of his script, which Warner Bros. eventually produced.<22>

The advance review that appeared in Variety (July 16, 2006) in anticipation to the release of the film was negative. The review began as follows: "Vindication is rarely as swift or complete as that likely awaiting the Disney execs who passed on M. Night Shyamalan's latest effort "Lady in the Water." <...> Disney's misgivings were well founded, as Shyamalan has followed "The Village" with another disappointment -- a ponderous, self-indulgent bedtime tale. Awkwardly positioned, this gloomy gothic fantasy falls well short of horror, leaving grim theatrical prospects beyond whatever curiosity the filmmaker's reputation and the mini-controversy can scare up."

This will need to be edited to add Nina Jacobson, Disney's production president was let go the same week the movie opens. Very sad and ironic... IMHO.

[Godhumor]

39. Well, wish me luck--off to see it

Heading out a bit early to go book shopping before catching the 7:00 screening. I'll post later.

[6000eliot]

44. Disney rejected it because it didn't make sense

How bad does a movie have to be to get rejected by Disney?

[Radio_Lady]

46. Woman who nixed Shyamalan's script was fired Monday by Disney.

This is a sad story, really. She has a lot of hits to her credit, but corporate America eats up earnest young people in their employ. The company is carving away 650 jobs and she is one of the first top level heads to roll.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Disney Fires Film Production President
Nina Jacobson will be replaced by marketing head Oren Aviv as the company revamps unit.
By Claudia Eller, Times Staff Writer
July 19, 2006

Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group President Nina Jacobson has become the first high-level casualty of a major restructuring of the studio's movie operation that will see 650 employees lose their jobs and will save the Burbank company $90 million to $100 million a year in overhead.

Jacobson, 40, one of Hollywood's most respected movie executives, was fired Monday morning by her boss, studio Chairman Dick Cook, when she called him from the hospital room where her partner was about to deliver their third child. Despite the record-breaking performance of Disney's current release, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," she was hearing rumors and wanted reassurance that her job was safe. It wasn't. Cook told Jacobson — who had two years to go on her three-year contract — that Oren Aviv, the studio's marketing chief, was replacing her as president of production.

Cook offered Jacobson a production deal at the studio, which she declined. "I would rather start fresh with something new," she said Tuesday. "I feel very sad to be leaving a job that I have loved."

FULL STORY AT http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-disney19jul19,1,1768636.story?coll=la-headlines-entnews&track=crosspromo

[6000eliot]

49. I have a feeling that the box office will vindicate her decision,

but then again, I'm no fan of this guy's work.

[Radio_Lady]

51. Philadelphia Weekly's critic Sean Burns gave it a scathing review.

Living Night-mare
Shyamalan's latest is an absurd, overwrought exercise in narcissism.

by Sean Burns

Lady in the Water
Rating: D
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, M. Night Shyamalan
Opens Fri., July 21



Has M. Night Shyamalan lost his goddamn mind?

That's the only logical excuse for Lady in the Water, the Philly-based writer/director/egomaniac's convulsive seizure of narcissism that's so nakedly personal—and also so unintentionally, hilariously revealing—watching the movie feels a bit like walking in on your roommate while he's masturbating … to a picture of himself.

Billed as “a bedtime story by M. Night Shyamalan,” the film takes place entirely inside a run-down apartment complex, where Paul Giamatti's Cleveland Heep (the names in this movie are really something else) is the depressed, stuttering superintendent. There's a Rainbow Coalition cast of self-consciously “wacky” characters dwelling in their separate units just above the poverty line. And then one day a mermaid shows up in the swimming pool.

Well, not a mermaid per se. She's a “narf”—some sort of sea nymph who can see into the future, and is visiting here from “the blue world” to help “man get back on the right path.” Played by Bryce Dallas Howard in a joyless Osment-ian whisper, our narf is really more of a wet blanket, quivering in Giamatti's shower most of the time and gravely intoning ominous prophecies. Oh wait, did I forget to mention her name is “Story”?

Story has been sent to this particular pool so she may serve 
as a muse to a brilliant young writer—a young man so exceptional, with ideas so powerful, an entire generation is going to take his words to heart—and thanks to the fine work of this astounding young genius, our ravaged, war-torn earth will be returned to paradise.

The brilliant young writer is portrayed by M. Night Shyamalan.

Poor Story didn't cross into our world alone—there seem to be several snarling hellhounds on her trail. These creatures are called “scrunts,” which I believe is a word I once heard in a completely different context on The Howard Stern Show. It falls on Cleveland to rally all the rascally residents to perform a complex nonsense ritual that'll somehow enable a giant eagle to swoop down from the heavens and bring the ailing Story back home—all while keeping those nasty scrunts at bay.

What's remarkable—and dramatically deadening—is that everybody cheerfully goes along with this silliness, grinning beatifically and spouting affirmative aphorisms about accepting their destinies. Shyamalan clearly wants to make a parable about the importance of faith (territory he already mined in his far superior Signs) and the value of a community working together toward a positive goal.

The trouble is he's put it together so hamfistedly, with such overwrought, cringe-worthy dialogue, you'll half wonder if he's going to pull one of his patented twist endings and reveal the entire apartment complex is actually an insane asylum.

Also, it doesn't help that the positive goal he's assigned to this makeshift community involves protecting and nurturing the genius of M. Night Shyamalan.

Even more embarrassing is that the only note of skepticism from any of the residents comes from a pissy film critic played by Bob Balaban. Perhaps intended as some sort of cathartic payback for the savage reviews given to Shyamalan's The Village (and probably as an inoculation against the even harsher ones Lady in the Water is bound to receive), the scrunts rip the guy to shreds.

Shyamalan knows how to put a film together. Even The Village is one of the most elegantly crafted stupid movies you'll ever see. But his locked-down camera and church silences are a terrible match for this script's loosy-goosey mythological musings. If something this extraordinarily asinine were ever going to have a chance of working, it needed to be joyful and light on its feet. Lady in the Water sags under the usual M. Night hush, with leaden pauses between every whispered line.

Somewhere in the middle of this foolish thing, Story peers into the future (perhaps looking ahead to the derisive cackles at my screening) and informs Shyamalan that he'll one day be martyred for his writing, but it's okay because his work is still going to reach people, and the power of his ideas will change the world.

You know, even Shyamalan's buddy Mel Gibson had enough common sense not to cast himself as Jesus.

[6000eliot]

52. Here's a quote for the print ads:

"watching the movie feels a bit like walking in on your roommate while he's masturbating … to a picture of himself."

[Radio_Lady]

56. Did you ever hear the little ditty...

"I love myself
I think I'm grand
When I go to the movies, I hold my hand
I put my arm around my waist
And when I get mad, I slap my face!"

Really, I hope that Mr. Shyamalan learns something from this debacle and can recover and go on to a better career. I'm trying to think about "one-hit wonders" and although no one jumps into my head at 12:50 am on a Wednesday, I know there must be directors like that.

Interestingly, both "The Village" and "Signs" got pretty good grades from the public and went on to make a lot of money for the studio.

On this one, how can I say this more succinctly than the guy from Philly? I believe Shyamalan is playing with himself! In some respects, he may not even be playing with a full deck!

[Godhumor]

58. It actually reminds me of Tarantino's acting experiments

I dunno--I think M. Night Shyamalan has bought into his own hyp and sees himself as a visionary director and a passable actor.

The real question is if "Lady in the Water" fails will he accept responsibility, or will it be a case of "no one understands my art!"

[Nicole]

45. To see if Opie's daughter can act n/t

[Radio_Lady]

48. Bryce Dallas Howard was reduced to a shivering, pasty-faced

water nymph who mostly sits on laps or on the bottom of a shower stall in this movie. She is either mute or using her soft voice for some kind of "SHAM-Shyamalan" mythology throughout this film.

I'm sorry, but she needs a better script and/or better direction. She does have a beautiful and ethereal look, and I thought she did well in her part in "The Village."

How can anyone know what she is really capable of?

[Frank Cannon]

72. She's going to play Gwen Stacy in the next Spiderman movie

Hopefully, that will make much better use of her talents.

And yes, she is ethereally beautiful.

[Hissyspit]

47. "Signs" was AWFUL. n/t

[Radio_Lady]

50. I didn't include it in my top 20 films of that year.

My notes are as follows: "Signs" Mel Gibson 7.6/10 -- I liked "The Sixth Sense" much better. This movie didn't make much sense. I did like the poster for the film, but then, I'm a sucker for crop circles!

[Hissyspit]

55. People make crop circles!

I agree that they make for a cool movie-poster graphic, though.

"Signs" was very derivative and, I thought, insulting in it's pandering and themes. (The whole scene where he comes across his wife's death was taken from an episode of "Homicide.") My friend whom I went to see it with (along with his wife and another lady), we sat and whispered to each other how annoying the movie was all through it. It seemed to me a very "Dubya Bush-era America" movie, but I would have to see it again to explain that more thoroughly.

[Radio_Lady]

57. Hissyspit, this movie may be derivative also! One critic pointed it

out. It was similar to an older movie with William Powell and Ann Blyth called "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)"

http://www.us.imdb.com/title/tt0040614/

Plot Summary for Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)

As told to a psychiatrist: Mr. Peabody, middle-aged Bostonian on vacation with his wife in the Caribbean, hears mysterious, wordless singing on an uninhabited rock in the bay. Fishing in the vicinity, he catches...a mermaid. He takes her home and, though she has no spoken language, falls in love with her. Of course, his wife won't believe that thing in the bathtub is anything but a large fish. Predictable complications follow in rather tame fashion.

[Hissyspit]

60. I saw that a loooong time ago.

On AMC or TCM. I had completely forgotten it.

Actually, worse than derivativeness, that review of "Lady" from Philadelphia Weekly makes it sound really arrongantly pretentious and just YUK!

[Tyrone Slothrop]

65. Sixth Sense wasn't that original either

It's based -- sorry, "inspired by" -- an episode of the Nickelodeon show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".

At least according to imdb and M. Night himself:

"According to M. Night Shyamalan, the movie was inspired by an episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" (1992) called _"Are You Afraid of the Dark?" (1992) {The Tale of the Dream Girl (#3.10)}_ in which both male leading characters are ignored by somebody and don't realize that they are dead until the final moment. In the tale of the dream girl, the boy notices that his sister who can see him shows him the newspaper of him and his girlfriend dead."

[Skittles]

59. here ya go

http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=12636

[Radio_Lady]

61. See my post #51, Skittles. No problem if you didn't notice.

Maybe he was more pissed off because the movie was filmed in Philadelphia. I recall when "Hunted" with Benecio Del Toro was filmed here in Portland, and then screened before release, people who are usually inclined to be generous -- absolutely ravaged that film.

[datasuspect]

62. because all those hollywood imagineers

went to so much trouble to thorougly test market, manufacture, and advertise this m knight-branded vehicle.

you wouldn't want to miss out on that would you?

[Radio_Lady]

64. WEDS. 7/19: Rottentomatoes.com has the film at 18% -- which means

generally unfavorable reviews. Out of eleven accredited reviewers, 9 have panned it, 2 have applauded it.

Viewers were no more charitable, giving it 3.5 out of a possible 10.

I don't believe I've ever seen a film start quite this low and then recover appreciably to become a real hit. But, of course, I could be very wrong.

My review will be posted on Thursday, as an accommodation to the publicists for Warner Brothers. I think you can probably guess my position now.

Ah, well -- we're having a heat wave and I wish I were in a pool, but not with that particular lady in the water.

Stay cool, everybody.

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[Merrick]

66. Because you're M. Knight's mom?

I guess I could understand under those circumstances, but I'm sorry to say, your son is a one-note hack.

[noonwitch]

67. Theaters are air-conditioned

If you don't have a/c and live somewhere in the heat wave, it's a nice break.

[Radio_Lady]

68. Bryce Dallas Howard clings to the shower wall --

as she awaits reviews on her newest movie, "Lady in the Water". I'll point you to my review on 7/20/06.

[Radio_Lady]

69. Stay tuned...

coming soon.

[terrya]

71. You shouldn't

He peaked at "The Sixth Sense". Which isn't saying a whole lot.

M. Night Shaymalan(sp) is overrated as a director, imo.

[Radio_Lady]

73. Terrya, I already saw it and it opens Friday (July 21).

If you're interested, I'll be posting my review in a couple of hours.

Thanks for your additional comment. Nice to know you care!!!!

[Radio_Lady]

74. Radio Lady Reviews: New thread containing review is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5394320&mesg_id=5394320

Thanks for everyone's opinions and suggestions. It's very helpful to have your feedback!