M. Night Shyamalan – NZ Film Freak

Glass

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: January 2019
Starring: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sarah Paulson and Samuel L. Jackson
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Okay. So. In order to enjoy this movie to the max, I strongly recommend you view the two prequels before heading to the cinema.

The very first movie in this trilogy (look at me assuming there’s only going to be three…) is Unbreakable. This came out 2000 and actually has a stronger connection to Glass than Split.

The second movie was Split, and this is important to understand the backstory of the ‘villain’ (James McAvoy) and the ‘brain box’ (Samuel L. Jackson).

I’m so excited about this film, I don’t know where to begin!

Okay, so if you loved seeing all the characters that James McAvoy played in the previous film, then you will feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven in this film. You will learn more about each of his personalities and understand Patricia a little more. But you must watch Split before seeing Glass if you want to understand and appreciate the relationship between the different personalities.

I know that everyone knows, but James McAvoy is just a remarkable actor! He portrays each personality so accurately that you swear you were looking at a different actor. Absolutely obsessed with this character! So amazing to watch. You’ll giggle with nervousness, and chuckle at the absurdity, but ultimately he’s the scariest villain I’ve come across.

Where Unbreakable was about the ‘reluctant hero’ (Bruce Willis), Glass is about the baddies. A psychiatrist (Sarah Paulson) has captured all three characters (Kevin Crumb/The Horde, Elijah Price/Mr. Glass and David Dunn/The Overseer) and locked them in a secure unit. They are unable to escape as each of their weaknesses guards their cell. What kryptonite is to Superman: water is to Dunn, flashes of light is to Crumb and a room void of mental stimulation is to Price.

How will they escape? Who’s really in charge?

There are tonnes of references to comic book tropes and character stereotypes, which I loved! Also, because much of the film is shot via security cameras within the secure unit, you feel like it’s a movie within a movie. Especially because Elijah Price almost narrates the film in third person, referring to each main character as the ‘villain’ and the ‘reluctant hero’.

“That sounds like the bad guys teaming up.” – Mr. Glass

A couple of presenters on either Coast or Radio Hauraki (I can’t remember which) only gave Glass 2/5. But one of the presenters hadn’t watched Split, and the other presenter hadn’t watched Unbreakable. So I think this was likely the reason for their low rating. They probably found it boring because they would have missed the interesting details and references.

You must watch this film if you love movies in general, comics or M. Night Shyamalan.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Signs

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: August 2002
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin
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What a shame.

I love The Sixth Sense. I love The Village. I love Split. Unbreakable was pretty cool. But how has Signs not kept up with the Shyamalan grade?

I love a good sci-fi thriller as much as the next person, but this had all the potential and none of the thrills.

It’s about Father Graham Hess (Mel Gibson – I guess Bruce Willis was sick that day) who has lost faith in God after his wife was killed by a driver, Ray (M. Night Shyamalan), who fell asleep at the wheel. If he had fallen asleep and veered off the road at literally any other point during his journey, then Graham’s wife would still be alive. This fact haunts both Graham and Ray.

Ray: I’ve never fallen asleep while driving before. It had to be at that right moment. That 10-15 seconds when I passed her walking. It’s like it was meant to be.

This theme of fate and destiny plays a large part in this film.

Graham: People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance…

Meanwhile, what is supposed to be the main plot point takes a back seat thanks to all the internal conflict: Graham has bloody great big crop circles appearing on his land. Then, unidentified intruders begin to appear on his property.

His younger brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix) and Graham’s two children Bo (Abigail Breslin) and Morgan (Rory Culkin – Haley Joel Osment must not have been available) hide in the basement when the aliens begin to attack.

Now I see what helped inspire the Tom Cruise film War of the Worlds. Especially with the whole single dad and smart-ass children thing going on. Cruise’s character is even call Ray in War of the Worlds – just like Shyamalan’s character in this movie!

Unfortunately, the Morgan character was such a little know-it-all that he’d basically tell the audience exactly what was going to happen, just before it happened. So by the time the aliens did invade, you already knew what they’d do and why anyway.

In addition to his over-shares, was that we are shown the aliens in broad daylight – big mistake. It’s far more scary when you don’t know what the monsters look like.

If that wasn’t enough, the lack of music did not work in the film’s favour at all. Isn’t that rule number one of filmmaking? It’s the music that sets the mood, but the lack of if in vital scenes during this film meant that there were many points where it fell flat instead of making you jump.

Bo: There’s a monster outside my room, can I have a glass of water?

Very flat. To the point where the story of alien invasion ground to a halt while Graham reflected on his faith and internalised emotional conflict.

The story was trying to be more complex and more philosophical than it needs to be, with jarringly comedic dialogue to snap you out of any suspense that may have been growing. It drags the film to a crawl and you no longer feel afraid – which, I’m certain was the opposite effect they were going for.

Graham: Everybody in this family needs to just calm down and eat some fruit or something.

There were too many monologues and too many over-layered scenes for me to really get stuck in.

I’m so disappointed because I can see this story had so much potential, I just think it was executed in the wrong way. Which is doubly-disappointing because the genius M. Night Shyamalan is behind it all.

What happened?

Jodie’s rating: 3/10

The Sixth Sense

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: August 1999
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Haley Joel Osment
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The Sixth Sense is another Shyamalan creation that everyone must see. It’s about a psychiatrist called Malcolm (Bruce Willis) who tries to help a traumatised and anxious child named Cole (Haley Joel Osment).

Cole reminds Malcolm of a patient he failed to save back in the day, the patient killed himself and Malcolm became adamant that he will never fail another patient again. Therefore, he persists in helping Cole despite his reluctance, and eventually Cole confides in him: “I see dead people.”

In conjunction with The Village and The Others, The Sixth Sense has a massive twist. While I’m sure many of you know the twist whether you’ve watched it or not, I’m hoping the younger generation are yet to experience the brilliance of this film. I wish I could watch it for the first time again!

Malcolm: Do you ever talk to your mom about how things are with Tommy?
Cole: I don’t tell her things.
Malcolm: Why not?
Cole: Because she doesn’t look at me like everybody else, and I don’t want her to. I don’t want her to know.
Malcolm: Know what?
Cole: That I’m a freak.

I remember my dad said that when it first came out in the cinema someone said ‘I saw that twist a mile off, it was so obvious.’ But I’m quite certain that this pompous movie-goer was lying. The script is genius and makes for a brilliant watch.

Cole: Grandma says hi.
[His mother (Toni Collette) looks up sharply]
Cole: She says she’s sorry for taking the bumblebee pendant. She just likes it a lot.

I think everyone in this film is an outstanding actor. But Toni Collette, who plays Cole’s mother, is absolutely incredible. I adore her so much – she’s so realistic. You can see the desperation in her eyes, trying to figure out what is wrong with her child. When she cries, I cry.

Lynn: Look at my face; I was not thinking anything bad about you.

The Sixth Sense is a particularly scary thriller, there are certainly several horror-heavy scenes that scared me when I was younger. However, I would encourage you to be brave and watch it anyway because it’s a touching and thought-provoking film. Definitely a must-watch!

As usual, Shyamalan has a guest appearance so keep an eye out for him!

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

I’d advise avoiding the below trailer. It’s an old-fashioned trailer, so it’s not that great and I think it over-shares the plot.

The Village

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: July 2004
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson
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The Village is my favourite M. Night Shyamalan film ever. I must have watched it at an impressionable time, because I still catch myself daydreaming about it.

It’s about a 19th century village surrounded by woods. It is said that there are dangerous creatures – The Ones We Do Not Speak Of – in the woods who will attack if anyone goes into their territory. The elders of the village are in charge of keeping the rest of the community safe, ensuring nobody wanders into the woods.

village2

However, when Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes ill, Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) volunteers to brave the woods in order to retrieve medicine from the towns beyond. Plot twist: Ivy is blind (that is definitely not the only plot twist).

Mrs. Clack: How could you have sent her. She is blind.
Ivy’s Father: She is more capable than most in this village. And she is led by love. The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.

Despite being a thriller, The Village is such an honest, romantic and innocent film that delves into the fundamental human connection between lovers Ivy and Lucius. It strips life right back and reveals what is important to people, and how far we would go to save the ones we love.

The script writing is divine. I’d like to have my house covered in quotes from these characters. I think Shyamalan’s writing overshadows his talent for directing.

Ivy: Sometimes we don’t do things we want to do so that others won’t know we want to do them.

What makes this film spectacular is the music. It really sets it apart from other thrillers. Hilary Hahn is a fantastic violinist and without her solos The Village wouldn’t have that tender and hopeful feel to it. It’s so emotive that it gives me shivers just listening to it on its own:

I would recommend this film to everyone. You don’t have to like thrillers to appreciate the beauty of this movie because the storyline is so pure and touching.

The most beautiful scene is the one below. Ivy proves Lucius’s loyalty and love during a raid on the village by Those Who We Do Not Speak Of. She stands with an out-stretched arm on the porch, knowing Lucius will not let her fall to the monsters who are on the hunt through their village. He saves her, and the use of slow motion and the frantic violins brings tears to my eyes!

At first I didn’t think Bryce Dallas Howard was a convincing blind person. However, after multiple watches, I realised that she can see faint colour and shadows. Which makes more sense.

Ivy: I do long to do boy things. Like that game the boys play at the stump. They put their backs to the woods and see how long they can wait before getting scared. It’s so exciting. I understand you hold the record? It will never be broken they say.
Lucius: It’s just childish games.

It’s a must-watch. If you get bored through the first half, which I hear some people do, please do persist because it’s well worth it.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

Unbreakable

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Released: November 2000
Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Robin Wright Penn
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Did anyone else not realise that Unbreakable is a prequel to Split?

As soon as we found out, we got our hands on the DVD since we loved Split so much.

You can tell it is an M. Night Shyamalan film immediately. The looooooong shots, the reflections in televisions and glass… The list goes on – it’s very Shyamalan-y.

Unbreakable is about David (Bruce Willis) who discovers he’s invincible. He’s essentially a superhero. So this is the story about him coming to terms with this, and discovering his arch enemy – something ever superhero must have.

Doctor: To answer your question, there are two reasons why I’m looking at you like this. One, because it seems in a few minutes you will officially be the only survivor of this train wreck, and two, because you didn’t break one bone. You don’t have a scratch on you.

The film is an arduous journey. It’s a long, slow arch that takes you on an epic journey, very… very… very… slowly…

I thought, because of this, Unbreakable must have have been made well before The Sixth Sense, as Unbreakable felt a little less complex, and it looked a bit ‘basic’.

Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson): Do you know what the scariest thing is? To not know your place in this world, to not know why you’re here. That’s – that’s just an awful feeling.

The casting for The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are very similar – I can only assume Hayley Joel Osment was not available, because Shyamalan found his doppelgänger, Spencer Treat Clark.

Just like every other Shyamalan film, he makes an appearance – keep an eye out for him!

If you’re a comic book fan, you’ll probably enjoy the nuances of the comic-inspired characters, and will be happy to endure the long pauses and dialogue-heavy scenes.

Elijah Price: It’s alright to be afraid, David, because this part won’t be like a comic book. Real life doesn’t fit into little boxes that were drawn for it.

It was good, but not great. I like Bruce Willis, and I like Shyamalan films, but this wasn’t their best work. (The Village is still my favourite film by this director.)

Nevertheless, it’s an interesting backstory to Split. It fills the holes in a bit.

Keep an eye out for the third instalment: Glass.

Jodie’s rating: 5/10