Reviews

Yes, there's been a lot of hype for Paranormal Activity, and that brought me in too. The movie is best watched in a theater, and at night, and with an audience that knows to shut up.

And then go home to try and resist imagining the same things happening in your house. Oh you will imagine - just about the time you turn off the lights before trying to sleep. And then you'll turn them on again. It's very very difficult to shake off PA when home.

That said, I recommend this, and save prospective viewers a lot of time: 1.- Go into the theater an hour after the show starts. Until then, pretty much nothing happens(Now that everyone kinda knows about the story,the couple and the presence in their house - catching up is no problem) 2.- Take a few minutes to get a feel for the situation on screen, and 3.-Focus from the time she wakes up, goes over to his side of the bed, and stares at him for a couple hours. This is like 2 minutes before the film ends.

That's all there is in this movie. The last 2.5 minutes of PA will make the impact that everyone's raving about. Save the first hour for anything else you have planned, outside the theater.

Trust me. :)

I go to watch a superhero film to see a superhero - a being that has extraordinary powers, that can perform amazing feats and importantly be a WINNER. I don't want to watch him be a loser, be ordinary, and keep getting hammered, beaten up, and ridiculed.

This movie...jeez, where's the superhero? Tobey MacGuire looks like a loser throughout, and is unconvincing overall. He (true to his usual roles) shows no steel or a desire to win. If the idea was to portray a mortal mushy goof, then don't call the film 'Spider-man'. 'Loser-Man' would be appropriate as he's in frustratingly (to viewers) loser situations all through this film.

I believe most people don't give a hoot about their superhero wrestling with his goddamned personal issues and his desire to be a normal human. Just acknowledge your powers, beat the cr*p hard outta the villain, and be done with it. Then the audience goes out satisfied, having seen feats they aren't capable of. For them, to have such abilities is divine - why would they care to understand his desire to be ordinary?

In this case, the humanized Spidey comes out a mortal sap, he is a loser - always humiliated. He never ever retaliates immediately or convincingly. There's NO sting, no quick strike-back that makes us go, 'Yea! Git the Bastard!'.

Spoiler: I was overcome with irritation at the # of times Spidey's web shooting wouldn't work. Suddenly, for no reason.

Bring back IL' Supe.... Superman anyday. He always came back quickly after his 'self-discoveries', and rammed 'em all to kingdom come.

This was truly an awesome film that kept me and my fellow audience enthralled from beginning to end. M.Night rocks with his mixture of thrills and humor all through 'Signs'.

All the acting is first rate - Gibson is amazing in his role as the ex-minister, and Joaquin Phoenix does a competent job. The kids are amazing - Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin rock as Gibson's children. The little girl is cute as hell! You gotta admire the way the young director interperses the tension with the humor.

Certain Shyamalan trademarks: Reflection images, flashbacks, the whole noir touch... this guy is way ahead of the field.

**Spoilers** First off, we only get hints of the aliens throughout the movie, we hardly see them until the end. There's suspense and excitement throughout. Night keeps the focus on the family of Fr. Hess and the way they react to the unworldly happenings around them.

8/10 easy.