If you've already seen "The Village".... (spoilers)

[kamilla626]

Did you absolutely love it???

DH and I were amazed - yet again - by Shyamalan's writing and directing. We drove back to my parents (to pick up dd) talking so excitedly about the themes and messages of the movie. I can't stop thinking about it!

Question though - did you assume that the skinned animals were Noah's doing? Or do you think - like Mr. Walker said to Ivy - that it was "probably one of the elders"?

[mirlee]

I saw it. While I do think the film was well done and interesting, I feel that Shamayalan's formulas, especially in this film, are becoming overused. The visuals and the way the film was shot were quite good. There were many clues that didn't seem to fit and kept you guessing until the reveal occurs. It was obvious after the reveal that Ivy HAD to be the choice to go. After that, everything stacks up very nicely and neatly leaving the appropriate number of loose threads. But, that said, this style made the film a little predictable. You already know going into one of his films that there will be something in the reveal that you don't quite expect even if you think you have the whole plot figured out. You know there is some supernatural or perceived supernatural force at play. There will be distinct challenges. That in the end everyone will learn something significant about themselves or the world in which they live. There will be tragic events. There will be clues to the mystery hidden in plain sight and clues that you won't pick up on until you have seen the film a second time. Or, for me in the case of The Sixth Sense, the third time using the pause and rewind features on my DVD.

All of that said, I think I would see it again. The performances were excellent. The next view would be to see the clues I missed the first time.

[mirlee]

Oh, I forgot to add that if he wishes to continue his homage to Hitchcock, he should give himself non-speaking roles that are truly in the background. He should just appear in a store, walking down the street, or some really non-significant role. He is a very good writer and director, he is just no Jauquin Phoenix.

[savannah smiles]

I saw it yesterday. I agree that it's visually stunning and well-done, but a bit too formulaic. I spend the whole film "waiting" for the twist which took away from the whole experience a bit. Still, it was a movie worth seeing!

[kamilla626]

It's true, that waiting the ubiquitous twists and surprises takes away from the experience a little. I was watching it thinking, "Ok, Night... we're about 1/2 way through now. What's it gonna be...?"

Ditto - about Shyamalan's so-called "acting". At least the few lines he gave himself didn't require much inflection or facial expression!

Anyone know what else that actress that played Ivy has done?

[DaryLLL]

I was disappointed in thos film. I also was disappointed in Signs. Aliens can't be in water? Then how did they walk around at night in the dew? Pfff...

In this movie, I thought the writing was rather lame and the direction spotty. William Hurt was wasted. I remember one speech he had convincing the elders Ivy needed to go get meds. He just shouted and shouted. It was boring and non-nuanced, a waste of his talent.

Bryce Howard (Ron's dd) was good tho. I think this was her first movie. I read an article in Entertainment Weekly, that she was "discovered" by the producer of Village in a NY stage production of As You Like It. Of course, being Ron Howards' dd doesn't help much.

I enjoyed Adrien Brody's performance, but it does seem rather insensitive to use a mentally handicapped person so much for comic relief.

All-in-all, I agree with rottentomatoes reviews on this film.

Every village needs an idiot -- and M. Night Shyamalan is hoping it's you."
-- Staci Layne Wilson, HORROR.COM

"[Shyamalan] hasn't lost his eye as a director, but the story is a mess, boring at first and then becoming progressively sillier until it loses complete credibility."
-- Glenn Whipp, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

"[Shyamalan's] most meditative and lovingly rendered offering thus far, if also his least fun."
-- Gregory Weinkauf, NEW TIMES

"The Village needs a shot of Viagra ... needs to be scarier, more sinister, more shocking, and more emotional."
-- Willie Waffle, WAFFLEMOVIES.COM

"Let not the bad movie be seen. It encourages them."
-- James Verniere, BOSTON HERALD

etc.

[DaryLLL]

ETA, what's with the constant refs to Joaquin Phoenix's character as a "boy?" He will be 30 this yr!

[sntm]

I loved the movie! We played hooky from work and went Friday afternoon. I actually guessed at the final plot twist very early on, but still found it enjoyable. I liked how Noah's reveal may have let people's guard down, thinking that it was the ultimate plot twist.

I like how in his movies, everything is done for a reason. And I personally like that the dialogue is a little stilted, for lack of a better word. It seems more like a play than a movie.

But then again, we ADORE Signs. I completely identified with the little girl -- I have half-drunk glasses of water all over the house. And maybe the aliens were wearing shoes, to avoid the dew?!?!?

[Lindy]

I loved "The Village". Having grown up in a very strict religion where fear was used to manipulate, I really could relate to this story. I didn't care about the surprise ending, it was the story of how people used fear to control the others that enthralled me. And how the other villagers where sooooo afraid of the something out in the woods just based on what they had been told that I could relate to.

[chellemarie]

Dude, I was so bored watching this movie. We had such high hopes, too.

We watched it at a drive-in sitting outside and didn't even get a teeny bit freaked out and the twist was too obvious. Ugh! On our way home (over an hour drive from the drive-in) we decided we should have left right after "I Robot" which was much more entertaining.

[Lucysmama]

I thought it sucked. I was bored, too. I can't stand Joaquin Phoenix (except in To Die For, where I think he was perfect.) so that really took away from The Village and Signs. The formula is getting old and easy to predict.

Adrien Brody??? How did they get such an awesome actor to play such a one-dimensional role in such a crappy movie?!! Ditto William Hurt...

The screenplay was lacking and obvious. The direction was so uncreative, the shots were boring. I was really disappointed.

[DaryLLL]

J Phoenix was good in Quills too. I kind of like him. I liked him in Gladiator. But in this movie...not so much.