M. Night Shyamalan is definitely the next Hitchcock!

Rating: Null/10 (29 September 2002)

Today, I just went to the mall to see Signs for the third time. And it keeps getting better every time! I was watching The Sixth Sense on ABC this June, and I saw a preview for Signs, and when saw that it was written, produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, I KNEW it would be terrific. He has now officially become my favorite director, writer, the whole shebang!
First of all, his camera angles are what do it all. During a particularly emotional or explosive scene, the camera becomes shaky, as if it is a home video. That's what makes it so real, for instance when they're in the basement, you feel like you are in there with them. It takes away the glitzy-glamour big Hollywood movie thing and really grounds it in reality. And second of all, what makes the situations (aliens, ghosts) in his films so real is that they are NOT CENTERED ON THOSE SUPERNATURAL THINGS. Like The Sixth Sense has ghosts in it, but that isn't the point. Signs has aliens in it, but that isn't what it is about. Because the focus isn't on the aliens, it makes it more realistic. One big message that the film sent to me was "This IS most likely the end of the world, and this is how it affects this particular family." Its like its saying, "How would you prepare yourself for the end of the world?" You would have to come to terms with not just your family issues, but yourself. Graham had to "see". (If you've seen the film, you know what I mean there.) Bottom line, "see" it! It will absolutely blow your mind, and....get ready for some shocks.