Signs not scary!
#1
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Signs not scary!
I know this movie has been talked to death.
I just saw "Signs" for the first time this weekend and thought it was a great film. I've read previous posts, since the movie was release, from people who though the movie wasn't frightening. I don't think "Signs" was supposed to be frightening. It falls more into the suspense genre, which the movie actually delivered.
This is the same thing I noticed with "The Sixth Sense". People who watch "Signs" and expect horror will be disappointed.
This is the reason Shyamalan gets compared to Hitchcock. Shyamalan knows how to create suspense.
I just think there's a big difference been "frightening" and "suspenseful"
Anyone feel the same way?
I just saw "Signs" for the first time this weekend and thought it was a great film. I've read previous posts, since the movie was release, from people who though the movie wasn't frightening. I don't think "Signs" was supposed to be frightening. It falls more into the suspense genre, which the movie actually delivered.
This is the same thing I noticed with "The Sixth Sense". People who watch "Signs" and expect horror will be disappointed.
This is the reason Shyamalan gets compared to Hitchcock. Shyamalan knows how to create suspense.
I just think there's a big difference been "frightening" and "suspenseful"
Anyone feel the same way?
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I agree that he is more about suspense than horror (if you define horror as having gore and murder). But he is not "like" Hitchcock, he rips off Hitchcock (and not in the post-modern reinvention/DePalma way). Signs was nothing but a retake of The Birds...with a splash of Close Encounters and Night of the Living Dead, and a bit of Bergman's crisis of faith. Nothing new.
#5
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Originally posted by Pants
Signs was nothing but a retake of The Birds...with a splash of Close Encounters and Night of the Living Dead, and a bit of Bergman's crisis of faith. Nothing new.
Signs was nothing but a retake of The Birds...with a splash of Close Encounters and Night of the Living Dead, and a bit of Bergman's crisis of faith. Nothing new.
#6
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And really, Shyamalan's brand of suspense comes from limiting the audience's information. That's quite different from the Hitchcockian standard of cluing the audience in while keeping the characters in the dark (his whole "bomb under the table" example).
Personally, I think Shyamalan's last three films are shortchanged by that insistence on a "great revelation" at the end. He attaches such a monumental importance to these revelations, everything that comes before just deflates.
Personally, I think Shyamalan's last three films are shortchanged by that insistence on a "great revelation" at the end. He attaches such a monumental importance to these revelations, everything that comes before just deflates.
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Originally posted by Mazinger
Yes it is. He pretty much says that on the interviews included on the disc. The alien invasion story line is somewhat secondary to what the movie was really about though.
Yes it is. He pretty much says that on the interviews included on the disc. The alien invasion story line is somewhat secondary to what the movie was really about though.
#8
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Originally posted by Pants
And birds were secondary to what The Birds was really about. What's your point?
And birds were secondary to what The Birds was really about. What's your point?
You sound a little too defensive there.
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Originally posted by Mazinger
Yes it is. He pretty much says that on the interviews included on the disc. The alien invasion story line is somewhat secondary to what the movie was really about though.
Yes it is. He pretty much says that on the interviews included on the disc. The alien invasion story line is somewhat secondary to what the movie was really about though.
#11
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Originally posted by sundog
And really, Shyamalan's brand of suspense comes from limiting the audience's information. That's quite different from the Hitchcockian standard of cluing the audience in while keeping the characters in the dark (his whole "bomb under the table" example).
And really, Shyamalan's brand of suspense comes from limiting the audience's information. That's quite different from the Hitchcockian standard of cluing the audience in while keeping the characters in the dark (his whole "bomb under the table" example).
Just shots of the characters face and reaction to something off screen.
#12
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Originally posted by Mazinger
Just shots of the characters face and reaction to something off screen.
Just shots of the characters face and reaction to something off screen.
Actually, in his big 3 films, I see a thread of appropiation nested in his languid pacing. This isn't bad necessarily. Unbreakable swims in comic book mythology so well I can forgive the way he handles the conclusion.
But we're discussing Signs here. As to you're statement above, I think Shyamalan just keeps the shots of the "monsters" limited until the end, thusly adding an element of suspense into the horror.
#13
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For me it wasn't. It just made me anxious to find out what they were looking at.
I guess it just depends on the person watching.
I don't get scared when I know it's an alien.
I do have a different reaction to "ghost" movies. Those creep me out.
I guess it just depends on the person watching.
I don't get scared when I know it's an alien.
I do have a different reaction to "ghost" movies. Those creep me out.
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Originally posted by Mazinger
No point. I think my post is very clear. I was agreeing with you about the retake issue.
You sound a little too defensive there.
No point. I think my post is very clear. I was agreeing with you about the retake issue.
You sound a little too defensive there.
#17
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Originally posted by sundog
Personally, I think Shyamalan's last three films are shortchanged by that insistence on a "great revelation" at the end. He attaches such a monumental importance to these revelations, everything that comes before just deflates.
Personally, I think Shyamalan's last three films are shortchanged by that insistence on a "great revelation" at the end. He attaches such a monumental importance to these revelations, everything that comes before just deflates.
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Originally posted by RyoHazuki7
Not a fan of Usual Suspects eh?
Not a fan of Usual Suspects eh?
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Unbreakable wasn't my cup of tea and I'm an avid comic reader. Sixth sense, I saw it coming a mile away. I guess I saw to many Twilight Zone episodes when I was younger.
Signs... Ha, I disliked the whole cheap way out of finding a resolution to the aliens.
His flicks rely to much on that twist and after a few of his movies, it becomes the same ol' thing.
Signs... Ha, I disliked the whole cheap way out of finding a resolution to the aliens.
His flicks rely to much on that twist and after a few of his movies, it becomes the same ol' thing.
#21
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Originally posted by RyoHazuki7
Not a fan of Usual Suspects eh?
Not a fan of Usual Suspects eh?
#23
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Actually, Signs didn't have a Shamalamadingdong twist at the end.
And I strongly disagree that the body of The Sixth Sense is just filler for the surprise ending. I think that movie has a lot going for it throughout.
And I strongly disagree that the body of The Sixth Sense is just filler for the surprise ending. I think that movie has a lot going for it throughout.
#24
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Originally posted by LBPound
Actually, Signs didn't have a Shamalamadingdong twist at the end.
And I strongly disagree that the body of The Sixth Sense is just filler for the surprise ending. I think that movie has a lot going for it throughout.
Actually, Signs didn't have a Shamalamadingdong twist at the end.
And I strongly disagree that the body of The Sixth Sense is just filler for the surprise ending. I think that movie has a lot going for it throughout.
But for me, it's not just the journey, but the destination...
And Signs didn't have a twist, so much as a reveal.
And I was damn_terrified.
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Like Jackskeleton said, I'm getting tired of the "TADA!! Punchline!!"moments in his movies.
I really enjoyed his two previous movies but this one just felt ermmm a bit cheesy at the end.
His next movie should be a musical with midgets, to throw us off a bit
I really enjoyed his two previous movies but this one just felt ermmm a bit cheesy at the end.
His next movie should be a musical with midgets, to throw us off a bit