One of the best films of the year!

Rating: Null/10 (5 December 2003)

Plot Summary: A family living on a farm discovers crop circles in their field and feels that it is a frightening sign of what might be coming.
If you did not see this thriller in theaters, you should check it out on DVD or VHS. Mel Gibson stars as Gram Hess, a man of the cloth who abandons his ministry in rural Pennsylvania following the tragic death of his wife. Gibson's family discovers crop circles that may be the first signs of an invasion by aliens. This is one chilling supernatural thriller, one that is worth seeing again.
The theme or central insight of the movie is that people can triumph over adversities. Gibson's faith is tested after a horrible tragedy and he searches for the meaning of the signs or crop circles. The movie is directed and written by M. Night Shyamalan who also was the writer/director of `The Sixth Sense' and `Unbreakable.' `Signs' has more suspense than M. Night Shyamalan's previous movie `The Sixth Sense.' This is M. Night Shyamalan's best movie yet.
Joaquin Phoenix plays Gibson's brother, Merrill Hess who is a former minor league baseball player. Roy Culkin plays Gibson's son, Morgan and Abigail Breslin plays Bo, Gibson's daughter. Ray Reddy is played by M. Night Shyamalan, the writer/director. Patricia Kalember plays Gibson's wife, Colleen Hess. M. Night Shyamalan's use of low key lighting adds to the mystery of what is out there in the dark in the field, is it aliens or is it something or someone else. This lighting adds to the suspense of the film and the fear of the unknown.
To sum it up: `Signs' will keep you in stitches with suspense. It also has some funny moments as well. `Signs' is one of my favorite movies that I've seen in awhile. Gibson's character faces his adversaries as he finds the meaning of the signs. If you haven't seen this movie, go out and rent it. If you've already seen it, watch it again.