"What we have here is the daffiest Hollywood product since Lawrence Kasdan's Dreamcatcher."

Dreamcatcher wasn't exactly a great film, but it kept my interest, and I don't regret spending a few dollars to rent it...

OK RJ, but did you get laid that night? You used to never be able to relate a life experience without mentioning how you "didn't get laid that night"...

Actually, I did. What's your point, psycho-stalker?

Gee, I hope I come across a Narf someday, so my unused brain portions will become active. Now, I certainly don't want to come across a Barf, as they can cause activity too, but not in a good way. Best to avoid them. And I disagree with your assessment: Shamalama is definitely alot nutters. Maybe he needs a Narf to cross his path to wake up his creatively restraining portions of his brain. Less is more should be his mantra, or a Barf should definitely cross his path.

He took a risk and gave us something unique and truly original in many ways. It is like all critics want the same garbage recycled every year and then complain that there is no originality. I loved it. I think it was brilliant.

RJ: Hey, I saw "Dreamcatcher" twice. I don't regret either viewing, and I'd watch it again too, just for the telephone-gun scene. ("Jonesy? Is that you?")

Iloz: I'm actually a bit torn between wanting to see Night regain his senses and wanting him to make more utterly daft films like this one. At least it wasn't dull.

dr.ess: It's okay to be original, but at the same time originality and quality are not inextricably linked concepts. Being unique and original doesn't guarantee that you've made a good film. But then, nothing I say will sway you. The irony is, of course, that I kinda liked it anyway, as I think I made clear. But I don't know if you read that far.

It's clear Steve enjoys transcribing his scrambled dreams word for word as his style of writing is more confusing and nonsensical than any Night film. After trying patiently to finish reading his review, which I couldn't force myself to do, I am encouraged to discover that there are much worse things to endure than this movie.

well, i thought this was a marvellous review, wonderfully written. and i'm lookin forward to this flick, actually. i didn't like The Village one bit, but the three before that i adored. i never saw the numbers he did afore The Sixth Sense. that Rosie O'Donnell flick, for example.

I hope this doesn't dissapoint me. i had a fair idea the village might be terrible before i saw it. this, in spite of the negative word, i'm actually expecting to like. here's hoping. that he's reclaimed his sense of humour is reason enough for me to be somewhat thankful.

again, great review Steve. you said you didn't like it but admired bits here and there, and descirbed it and your thoughts on the matter with marvellous clarity. i'll let you know if'n my own thoughts are at all similar to yours when i get to see it.

Outstanding and well written review. Though I liked the movie, your nagative review is the first one that didn't reak of typical movie reviewer smarminess.

I agree with dr.ess, film critics blast hollywood for lack of originality, and when originality does come around, they say doesn't follow a formula that they think movies should follow. And they wonder why box office numbers are down. I think many of them wanted this movie to fail so we can be subjected to poorly made movies like "The Three Burials of Melquaidas Estrada".

I cannot believe we watched the same movie. I found Lady in the Water to be a creative and spiritual work that draws the viewer into a the most human of encounters, facing what we do not know.

We have to causully tossed away mystery of our world and settled for a wow me with the technical as portrayed by this shallow review. Night has grasped a great human need, the need to find the heroic in the mundane and the everyday. He gives us courage from the those who are considered social outcasts and keeps us guessing as to who will ultimately arise as the champions of the cause.

I find it very interesting that Night also speaks of the unknown of time and death in a way that could be referred to his current creative struggles with Disney and the movie making world that are more interested in a roller coaster ride that makes money than in the depth that a film maker like Night wishes to take us.

Finally, the casting was perfect. Watch the movie again in a year or two and it will probably be one of your all time favorites (narf, scrants, and all)

Hmm, having seen his previous movies "The Sixth Sense" and "Signs", I can't say I'm keen to see this movie as I didn't particularly enjoy either of those. I had similar feelings about his previous movies that the reviewer had about this one, his movies do not seem to fit well in the full length movie format. He seems to be more suited to "Twilight Zone" TV episodes or something IMHO.

Apparently he has expressed interest in directing one of the last two Harry Potter movies that are still future (i.e. not in production yet) but that he would treat the source material as 'sacred'. Apparently, he had been offered the first one ("...Sorcerer's Stone") but he couldn't do it because he was making "Unbreakable".

Interesting point in #10, I think Night focuses on affecting folks at the visceral, emotional level, rather than the logical, intellectual level. Hence the contrasting love/hate responses to his movies, methinks.

"One worm...whole world..." LOL!

I saw the film yesterday and thought it was awful. I had everything I could do to stay awake. It feels like every movie Shyamalan does sort of feeds off of 'The Sixth Sense' in a way. I'm also not a fan of the acting of Bryce Dallas Howard. She seems very wooden, but she is obviously a Shyamalan favorite.

Wow, that's more discussion than I usually get. Awesome.

The more I think about this film, the more I wish I liked it -- this seems like exactly the much-despised mangy-dog film that I like to champion. There are things that have stuck, too (the ending in particular). I may have to see this again.

Also, as Mr. Montoya points out, there is a sense that Night is completely bypassing the world of the rational and going straight for the emotional. Although I think it's a mistake to separate Night from the "wow us with the technical" world (nobody hires Chris Doyle if, on some level, they're not looking to knock your eyes out).

Lastly, I'm amazed that it took someone this long to accuse me of incoherence. I've always thought that was one of the most charming things about my prose. :-)

Great review. Very objective and professional. Does any one know who did the beginning narration?

Wow, that was quick - I'm told David Odgen Stiers ("M*A*S*H", "Lilo and Stitch") was the narrator.

I had absolutely no intention of seeing this film, but your review may get me to plunk down money for a matinee next weekend. I don't know whether to say bravo on an excellent review or curse you for instilling a desire in me to see something that I'm still 99% sure I won't like. Thanks a lot, Mr. Carlson.

Okay, I watched this movie tonight, and I was pleasantly surprised. There were several funny scenes, a couple of truly touching scenes, and lots of great dialogue.

On the other hand, it was a very odd movie (as all of Shyamalan's flicks are)...I don't think it's gonna make big box office, or reap many major awards.

3 - 3.5 stars of out 5.

Oh yeah, and the camerawork was pretty damn good, too.

What's up with the boom mic? It was in so many scenes it should have been listed as a supporting character!!!!

Diby: I'm gonna go ahead and assume you saw a print that was being framed incorrectly. Which is another kettle of fish.

Shouldn't Warner Brothers get an honorable mention for allowing the trademark saying of one of their beloved cartoon characters, Pinky from "Pinky and the Brain", be used to name the primary type of character in the movie???

N A R F !!!!!

:-)

-TM

I like this movie..... I think it all depend where you are in life, steve said everybody will hate this film it shows that he have no clue about the message in this film I think Steve is in the state of mid life crisis right now maybe around 40 or early 50 .

I think this movie is refreshing, very original I bet you steve like clerk 2 which I thing is the worst movie ever. I'm from germany most people here love this movie

The disappointment this movie put me through was unimaginable.I didn't expect much from the movie in the first place but I was hoping it would prove me wrong.It wasn't even scary and had no story line whatsoever.All they did all throughout the movie was make mistakes and almost get killed.And Reggie was extremly scary for only working out on one side of his body.And the kid reading the ceral boxes was outragious.GOD.And Story never put pants on, not even once which I found rather disturbing.I mean I know she from a world where people proably never wear clothes but doesn't she know the saying,'In Rome do as the Romans do'.THAT MEANS PUT ON SOME PANTS FOR THE VIEWERS SAKE.And the whole thing about the guy going to die because of what he said in the book I mean give me a break he could have changed the words or better yet, NOT PUBLISH IT AT ALL.I mean the only funny part was when before that movie credit guy was gonna get eatin and he was predicting what was going to happen.

I like this movie..... I think it all depend where you are in life, steve said everybody will hate this film it shows that he have no clue about the message in this film

That's right, I said everybody will hate this film, meaning the American public. I think that's been borne out by the weak box office and poisonous word of mouth. What I didn't say -- and this is a crucial distinction -- is that I hated the film. Rather, I have a bit of a strange affection for it, as I think this review bears out. I'm unduly fond of projects in which untrammeled directors use big studio money to pursue their lunatic vision. (See also: Branded to Kill, Freddy Got Fingered, Can Hieronymous Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?) If you've misinterpreted my stance, that's well and good. But it does lend a touch of irony to your complaints about my missing the message.

I think Steve is in the state of mid life crisis right now maybe around 40 or early 50 .

Alas, I'm a mere twenty-six years of age, but I'm told I drink whiskey like an old man (neat, no chaser)...

I bet you steve like clerk 2 which I thing is the worst movie ever.

I thought Clerks II was amusing enough. Not sure how liking that and not-really-disliking Lady in the Water are connected, but there you go.

I'm from germany most people here love this movie

Hey, that's great. Maybe in a couple years, y'all can reclaim M. Night the way France did with Jerry Lewis, 'cause Lord knows he might be finished in America for a while.

Despite everyone ranting on M. Night's egotism, I found this film to be large hearted. Yes, it is flawed. But I left feeling great, smiling away and dragging my roomie to see it two days later. I dunno--even if people hate this movie, they hate it with a passion, which is quite interesting. I am sure Night can make films in Hollywood again. He causes reaction and emotion. he just might not get the budget or the carte blanche he enjoyed for a time.

I think that the fact that they had a scene were they savagely tore apart and killed a movie critic might be the reason that the eggocentric critics wrote bad reviews...... Shyalaman probably new that they were gonna write a bad review. I personally loved they movie and I give 100 thumbs up.

"What's up with the boom mic? It was in so many scenes it should have been listed as a supporting character!!!!"

Well it probably the fault of whoever is on charge of the upkeep on all that equipment. It gets very confusing to push something up to make it go down and that thing you turn sometimes wouldn't move. I thought the way they were doing a lot of things is very stupid, but decided not to say anything since it was my first week on the job, plus i didn't want anyone finding out i dont have that much experience working at real films.

THIS IS THE BEST SCI-FI MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE I REALLY LIKE THE MOVIE I HOPE THERE'S PART TWO!!!!

I actually listened to the critics and did not see this in the theatres. Having just seen it on DVD, I have decided the critics no longer serve my tastes. The writing was so clever. M. Night gives you all the clues and still it is impossible to guess the ending, plus I really enjoyed the upscale humor. I loved this movie and have been recommending it whole heartedly. I thought the characters were so endearing I would love to know what happened to them. I'd love a sequal.

I advise viewing Akira Kurasawas "Dreams", which has all the pluses mentioned for "Lady", and inverts the minuses to pluses. Kurasawa is simply a better and more accomplished movie maker, and "Dreams" exemplifies both his genius and his experience. You should find within "Dreams" the things you like in "Lady" and the dislikes of "Lady" reversed.

Christina: M. Night gives you all the clues and still it is impossible to guess the ending

Guess the ending? But there's nothing to guess. There's no twist. It's a straightforward plot progression. You sure you weren't watching, say, The Village?

Bliffle: I advise viewing Akira Kurasawas "Dreams", which has all the pluses mentioned for "Lady", and inverts the minuses to pluses.

Thanks for the recommendation -- that's been on my to-see list for a while now.