Mother Nature in a horror movie

Jenn, Indiana — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:49:59 GMT

I've enjoyed every one of Mr. Shyamalan's films. He defies the formulaic movie monster that seems to have taken over the theaters. I love 'Signs'. It's absolutely pitch perfect. How can something that freaks me out be so funny? How does he do it??

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Delmar Fairchild, Barron, WI — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:59:11 GMT

We were going to see this movie this past weekend, but my wife doesn't like gore, so we went to see "Don't mess with the Zohan". Oh well.

We really enjoy most of the movies by that fellow whose name we can't pronounce. We really enjoyed "Sixth Sense" (we bought it on tape), "Lady in the Water" (on DVD), "Unbreakable" and especially "The Village" (on tape). The last being the best of all.

"Signs" was goofy to say the least. The aliens hated water, but were here to eat people that were over 90% water? Not realistic and totally deflating at the end. Joaquin Phoenix should have swung the bat at the camera instead of the poor stuntman in that alien costume. I am surprised Mel Gibson would star in that film. Must have needed the money or because it had a preacher in it? Setting himself up for "The Passion"? Mr. M. Night S. should have asked my opinion before making that film!

Now that I have read the above report on this new film, being somewhat of a Naturalist, the thought of Mother Nature getting even is a childish notion but being childish myself sometimes, puts that conflict in the back of the mind, but at the same time is not very realistic.

Now if we accidentally dig up more new ground in Africa or South America and release some old virus like E-bola again, then that is on our heads.

Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, we were taught that knowing the outdoors will save your life in an emergency. Ole Mother nature can be very cruel, I have seen some extremely cruel sights in deer yards during a deep snow when a pack of coyotes were hungry; but if you understand her, work with her, know her, she will never let you down as long as you can find what she provides.

She doesn't get mad like in the commercials or this movie, she doesn't get even and unless we are hit by a planet killer that totally explodes the planet to smitherines, she will always be here, even if we aren't. She has the capacity to rebuild herself no matter how long it takes or what the results are. She doesn't even care if we pollute our surroundings. Sounds like a pretty mellow lady to me!!
You never know, just might go see the movie anyway. Now if only we could pronounce that fellow's last name ....

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Alan Boyle — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:03:25 GMT

By the way, Shyamalan makes a habit of playing roles in his own movies (just as Hitchcock did). He told me that he had considered playing the nursery owner who pops up in the course of the movie and spouts a theory about what's happening. But he thought better of it, thinking the role would be too similar to what he did in "Signs." So he went in a different direction, writing in the somewhat goofy character that appears in "The Happening." So what character does Shyamalan play this time around? For the answer, you'll have to look closely at the ending credits (or cheat by checking out IMDB's cast list). You'd never figure it out just by watching the movie. (Additional hint: It's barely a speaking role, and you never see him on-camera.)

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Delmar Fairchild, Barron, WI — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:03:50 GMT

OH ---
My 11 year old boy and I watch Avatar whenever it is on TV. We will definitely have to go see this movie. He would pester me to the end of time if we don't see it together. It is "our" Cartoon.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Alfred Sasser, Rochester, Minnesota — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:55:58 GMT

I've been somewhat a fan of M.Knight for awhile. I usually like how his movies make you think. There's always a lot more depth to his movies if you pay attention and ask the right questions.

Unfortunately, I did not find "The Happening" to have as much depth as he usually puts into his movies. My personal favorite of his is the movie Signs. I know, some people don't like it because they spend all their time thinking about the aliens, but to me that's not what the movie is really about. In my eyes, Signs is more about a man who has lost his faith and has failed to see the signs. Now, I'm not very religious but I found the scene at the end of the movie, where Mel Gibson's character is wearing his Father's outfit again to be very touching.

With M. Knight's movies, since he's both the writer and director, the dialogue is only a small portion of the story.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Michelle, Seattle, WA. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:59:56 GMT

I was so disappointed in The Happening. His other movies were very good, but this was just too ridiculous. I understand that he's trying to promote saving the earth, but it was too out there to be believable. There's no suspense like his other movies and even though it was only 90 minutes long, I couldn't help but wonder when it would be over. Don't spend your money on this one. The acting alone isn't worth the $9.00 you'll spend to walk in the door.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Genna Warner, St. Cloud, FL — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:32:33 GMT

I am an M. Night Shymalan fan! His movies are intense yet the messages are so simple. I like his unconventional storytelling, like in "Lady in the Water" as well as the fact that the heroes in his movies seem to be the most unlikely of heroes. I haven't seen "The Happening" yet, but I plan on it this weekend. Keep making movies for us who appreciate your work, Mr. Shymalan!

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Cling — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:33:55 GMT

I really enjoyed this article, it made the movie so much better in my eyes. And amazing questions! Great Job!

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Crystal, Wisconsin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:43:18 GMT

Eh.
I would say that his movies have gone down hill. The acting in "The Happening" was so awful it was all I could think about. The characters are totally emotionless for what is happening to them, they are not even able to shed a tear. They bring in one interesting character but do not show any back story at all (the old woman)
I was EXTREMELY disappointed, so much so that I wanted my $9.00 back from the theater.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Tyler, NH — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:51:44 GMT

I just got in from seeing this movie and I've gotta say... I think I've lost all faith in him and his movies. To say I was disappointed would be a serious understatement... wait for it to come on basic cable.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Shane Cashman, Highland Falls, NY — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:53:30 GMT

Does his new movies "The Last Airbender" sound like where Lois Lowry's "The Giver" left off?
The boy and his friend escape the community and presumably die in the bitter cold.
Who knows?
"The Giver," says WIKIPEDIA, will have it's big screen debut in 2011.
The Happening ruled.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Rajkiran, San Francisco — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:45:13 GMT

'The Happening' left me feeling awkward- I'm not sure if I hate it completely or if I love it like 'The Sixth Sense', 'The Village' or 'Signs'. MNS' narrative style, the incredulous revealing of the suspense in the end in each one of his movies seems to be making 'MNS-films-not-a-hollywood-formula', a formula in itself! However, his movies shake you out of your comfort zone, force you to think deeply on mundane things and dare you to challenge theories accepted as everyday facts!

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Soren Turvedsen — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:55:23 GMT

Uh, Alan...what exactly do the ghosts in The Sixth Sense have to do with "science fiction"? In fact, what do any of Shyamalan's other films besides Signs have to do with science fiction? "I see dead people" isn't science fiction - the kid's schizophrenic. Signs, while promising, turned out to be utter garbage with a completely laughable ending (apparently God doesn't like aliens - especially ones that try to hurt Mel Gibson). Unbreakable - now that was a clever movie: I definitely didn't see that whole "I'm a comic book superhero" thing coming. That was right out of the blue from the very beginning, and I loved it. If he could get back on that whimsical track, he'd do much better. The Village was basically a drawn out 10-page short story - nice, but not really worth the effort. Haven't seen Lady in The Water nor the Happening, nor do I intend to. Shyamalan really needs to recognize that his talents don't lay in horror-suspense, but in deadpan absurdity and surrealism. Whenever he goes for horror-suspense, he builds a huge mountain of expectation and then just blows it, so he should make films more like Unbreakable - very, very weird, with unconventional pacing, and a premise that's just plain "Whaaaa?"

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Nana, San Antonio, TX — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:10:26 GMT

Think about what we humans have done to the earth, the animals, ourselves, this movie is telling us to stop and look around, be careful. Global Warming is already here, floods, the horrible earth quakes, it's all a sign, our stupid President. Wake up people, don't take things for grantid. Let's all be a little more responsible.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Kim Schmit, Mt Horeb WI — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:22:48 GMT

This is my pick for worst movie of the year! The acting was unemotional and bland. The story line was unbelievable and just dumb. It needed more explaination behind the story like why now and how long it took to get to the point of attack. I wouldn't even recommend renting this film it is a waste of time.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Taren, Gainesville, Florida. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:32:32 GMT

For Delmar Fairchild, it's a movie. It doesn't have to be realistic. That's what he does best..make great Science "Fiction" movies. Got that? alright. <3

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Thinker — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:52:20 GMT

I wanted the teacher to be a woman.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Sonja, Lake Charles, Louisiana — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:13:14 GMT

The acting in The Happening was intentional - I thought the premise of the film was incredible and very thought provoking!

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Shorty, nowhere'sville, usa — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:07:15 GMT

First of all, I think a lot of people are being a little harsh. Have any of you written, directed, and played in your own movies? I seriously doubt it. I would bet that none of us making commentary on this movie could make any movies half as well as his worst movie, so let's give the man a little credit.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Brett, Portland, OR — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:58:29 GMT

It is sad to see this normally serious and decent blog get pimped out to sell terrible movies that have absolutely nothing to do with science or, for that matter, science fiction. Please tell me the Universal corporate overlords didn't order this.

Mother Nature in a horror movie

Jennie Fort Worth TX — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:46:02 GMT

As a biology major studying botany I found this movie delightful, entertaining and interesting. There is SO much we do not know about plants - what they are capable of, and how they can do incredibly complex things - and yet we have no idea of how they do it! I was thrilled to see my green friends as the star of this movie! Plants do communicate via chemicals to each other - maybe they are talking to us too and we just arent listening!