The enduring irony of M. Night Shyamalan’s cinema is that no matter how much he believes in the power and magic of storytelling, he nearly always struggles to spin a good yarn. The tin-eared dialogue, the crude sentimentality, and the compulsive overreliance on tension and startling-for-their-own-sake (and often tension-deflating) left turns are all part of what we’ve come to understand as distinctly Shyamalan-esque. And now, they’re present and accounted for in The Watchers, the debut feature of his daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan.
Dakota Fanning stars as Mina, an American living in Galway, Ireland, who spends her time, no doubt as a consequence of her traumatic past, donning wigs and lying to men in bars between shifts at the local pet shop. When she’s tasked with delivering a gorgeous golden conure parrot to a zoo in Belfast, Mina takes the opportunity for some time away but, when her car breaks down,...
Dakota Fanning stars as Mina, an American living in Galway, Ireland, who spends her time, no doubt as a consequence of her traumatic past, donning wigs and lying to men in bars between shifts at the local pet shop. When she’s tasked with delivering a gorgeous golden conure parrot to a zoo in Belfast, Mina takes the opportunity for some time away but, when her car breaks down,...
- 6/7/2024
- by Rocco T. Thompson
- Slant Magazine
M. Night Shyamalan is the name that sparks curiosity and has proven himself one of the greatest modern filmmakers of this generation. Shyamalan’s projects are distinct because they carry a lot of weight and his films feature unforeseen plot twists, that would not have been anticipated by his viewers. Over the years, M. Night Shyamalan has given us several iconic films like Lady in The Water, Glass, Knock At The Cabin, and many more.
M. Night Shyamalan on the set of The Sixth Sense. Credits: Buena Vista Pictures
His films have not only left a lasting impact on the viewers but also at the box office. However, M. Night Shyamalan’s best film, The Sixth Sense tops them all as he became a prominent name in the film. The film was such a great watch that it made Disney fire one of its top executives.
David Vogel Purchased M.
M. Night Shyamalan on the set of The Sixth Sense. Credits: Buena Vista Pictures
His films have not only left a lasting impact on the viewers but also at the box office. However, M. Night Shyamalan’s best film, The Sixth Sense tops them all as he became a prominent name in the film. The film was such a great watch that it made Disney fire one of its top executives.
David Vogel Purchased M.
- 5/26/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) and Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr (WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair) are set to lead the Averted Vision Pictures indie horror/thriller You Lose You Die, written by Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez who will also make his feature directorial debut. Preproduction is currently underway.
You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert, Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.
In addition to Rodriguez, Fliehr and Alvarez, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large; Sophia Zimba as Kara; Ashley Hernandez as Julie; Alejandro Duran as Alfonso; Noah Crider as Chase; Marcella Acuña as Christie; Mercy Grant as...
You Lose You Die follows sociopathic tech expert, Mr. Fantastik (Rodriguez), who runs a popular show on the dark web with two other sociopathic tech experts, Ms. Perfect (Fliehr) and Mr. Creep (Anthony Alvarez). On the show, thousands of viewers vote on games and challenges for prisoners to participate in. If the prisoners lose, viewers vote on the weapons the sociopaths use to kill them.
In addition to Rodriguez, Fliehr and Alvarez, the cast includes Josh Bredl as Mr. Large; Sophia Zimba as Kara; Ashley Hernandez as Julie; Alejandro Duran as Alfonso; Noah Crider as Chase; Marcella Acuña as Christie; Mercy Grant as...
- 5/14/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Prepare to see “Fallout” like you’ve never seen it before. Amazon Prime Video’s latest series may be based on the bestselling video games of the same name, but with new characters and mysteries, it’s sure to surprise even diehard fans.
Set in an alternate version of Earth, the series takes place in the same desolate world as the original games. After advances in nuclear technology following World War II led to the emergence of a retrofuturistic society, an apocalyptic nuclear exchange wiped out Earth as the people of 2077 knew it. Those who could afford it hid in their Vault-Tec vaults. As for the rest of humanity, they were forced to confront the horrors of this new world head on. Now over 200 years after that war, one young Vault Dweller will risk it all and travel to the surface.
Wondering which antihero to root for in this sci-fi dramedy?...
Set in an alternate version of Earth, the series takes place in the same desolate world as the original games. After advances in nuclear technology following World War II led to the emergence of a retrofuturistic society, an apocalyptic nuclear exchange wiped out Earth as the people of 2077 knew it. Those who could afford it hid in their Vault-Tec vaults. As for the rest of humanity, they were forced to confront the horrors of this new world head on. Now over 200 years after that war, one young Vault Dweller will risk it all and travel to the surface.
Wondering which antihero to root for in this sci-fi dramedy?...
- 4/20/2024
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
The dinosaur-chasing actor will take your questions on her extraordinary range of stage, film and TV roles from Shakespeare to Black Mirror to Rocketman
The actor Bryce Dallas Howard may be best known to cinema audiences for walloping genetically modified dinosaurs, but she began in experimental theatre, then broke through on Broadway, playing Rosalind in a production of As You Like It. It was this which alerted M Night Shyalaman to her talent – he then cast her, without an audition, as the lead in 2004’s The Village, as a blind woman who lives as part of a curious sect in a remote community.
Ambitious choices continued, with a role in Lars von Trier’s Manderlay, playing the part originated by Nicole Kidman in Dogville, as an ally to slaves in rural Alabama. Then followed a reunion with Shyalaman for Lady in the Water, and a return to her roots, playing...
The actor Bryce Dallas Howard may be best known to cinema audiences for walloping genetically modified dinosaurs, but she began in experimental theatre, then broke through on Broadway, playing Rosalind in a production of As You Like It. It was this which alerted M Night Shyalaman to her talent – he then cast her, without an audition, as the lead in 2004’s The Village, as a blind woman who lives as part of a curious sect in a remote community.
Ambitious choices continued, with a role in Lars von Trier’s Manderlay, playing the part originated by Nicole Kidman in Dogville, as an ally to slaves in rural Alabama. Then followed a reunion with Shyalaman for Lady in the Water, and a return to her roots, playing...
- 4/16/2024
- by Guardian Film
- The Guardian - Film News
Sam Mercer, producer on several M. Night Shyamalan movies and former head of Ilm, died Feb. 12 of younger onset Alzheimer’s in South Pasadena. He was 69.
Raised in Weston, Mass., he attended Occidental College and then started working as a location manager on 1980s classics including “Stripes,” “The Escape Artist,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Swing Shift,” “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “The Witches of Eastwick.”
He joined the Walt Disney Company as a production executive, supervising films including “Good Morning Vietnam,” “Three Fugitives” and “Dead Poets Society.” He then became VP of motion picture production at Hollywood Pictures, where he oversaw releases including “Quiz Show,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “Born Yesterday,” “Swing Kids,” “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “Arachnophobia.”
Mercer then worked as an independent producer, starting with “Congo,” “The Relic” and “Mission to Mars.” After working with Shyamalan on “The Sixth Sense,” then went on...
Raised in Weston, Mass., he attended Occidental College and then started working as a location manager on 1980s classics including “Stripes,” “The Escape Artist,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Swing Shift,” “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “The Witches of Eastwick.”
He joined the Walt Disney Company as a production executive, supervising films including “Good Morning Vietnam,” “Three Fugitives” and “Dead Poets Society.” He then became VP of motion picture production at Hollywood Pictures, where he oversaw releases including “Quiz Show,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “Born Yesterday,” “Swing Kids,” “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “Arachnophobia.”
Mercer then worked as an independent producer, starting with “Congo,” “The Relic” and “Mission to Mars.” After working with Shyamalan on “The Sixth Sense,” then went on...
- 3/14/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Sam Mercer, who produced eight M. Night Shyamalan films starting with the spooky blockbuster The Sixth Sense, has died. He was 69.
Mercer died Feb. 12 at his home in South Pasadena after a battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, his wife, Tegan Jones, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mercer was seen as an out-of-the-box hire when he joined Industrial Light & Magic in September 2015 to oversee and coordinate activities of the VFX giant’s studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, London and Singapore. However, he left the next year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Mercer began his career as a location manager on films including Stripes (1981), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987).
He joined Disney and was a production executive on such features as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Dead Poets Society (1989), and as a production vp at Hollywood Pictures, he oversaw the release of films...
Mercer died Feb. 12 at his home in South Pasadena after a battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, his wife, Tegan Jones, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mercer was seen as an out-of-the-box hire when he joined Industrial Light & Magic in September 2015 to oversee and coordinate activities of the VFX giant’s studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, London and Singapore. However, he left the next year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Mercer began his career as a location manager on films including Stripes (1981), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987).
He joined Disney and was a production executive on such features as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Dead Poets Society (1989), and as a production vp at Hollywood Pictures, he oversaw the release of films...
- 3/14/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sam Mercer, who produced seven M. Night Shyamalan films including The Sixth Sense, headed Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic and was location manager on several classic 1980s pics, has died. He was 69.
His wife Tegan Jones told Deadline that Mercer died February 12 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
“He was the best big brother I could have hoped for,” Shyamalan said in a statement. “He made every movie a family, and I’ve tried to emulate that in every film since.”
Mercer moved to Los Angeles from Weston, Ma, to work in the movie industry. He began his career as a location manager on such 1980s gems as Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Witches of Eastwick before moving to Walt Disney Studios.
Paul Reubens in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
There he worked as a production executive, supervising movies including Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society,...
His wife Tegan Jones told Deadline that Mercer died February 12 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
“He was the best big brother I could have hoped for,” Shyamalan said in a statement. “He made every movie a family, and I’ve tried to emulate that in every film since.”
Mercer moved to Los Angeles from Weston, Ma, to work in the movie industry. He began his career as a location manager on such 1980s gems as Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Witches of Eastwick before moving to Walt Disney Studios.
Paul Reubens in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
There he worked as a production executive, supervising movies including Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
M. Night Shyamalan's thirty-year-plus career has gone through many highs and lows — from rising to prominence as an innovative auteur to becoming a parody of himself with a string of unsuccessful studio sludge, then experiencing a comeback through the lo-fi horror genre. Whether he's viewed as a critical darling or a critical punching bag, Shyamalan continues to deliver suspenseful stories that delve into the darkest, most emotional corners of the human psyche.
After his masterpiece "The Sixth Sense" thrust him into the spotlight, Shyamalan became synonymous with supernatural thrillers that deliver a gobsmacking twist, turning the world of the film completely upside down. But soon these astonishing final revelations became an expectation that not every film was able to deliver, even becoming ridiculously absurd.
Watching all of Shyamalan's films makes it clear how he uses the paranormal to uncover the core of our humanity. These ghostly or science fiction...
After his masterpiece "The Sixth Sense" thrust him into the spotlight, Shyamalan became synonymous with supernatural thrillers that deliver a gobsmacking twist, turning the world of the film completely upside down. But soon these astonishing final revelations became an expectation that not every film was able to deliver, even becoming ridiculously absurd.
Watching all of Shyamalan's films makes it clear how he uses the paranormal to uncover the core of our humanity. These ghostly or science fiction...
- 11/4/2023
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Emmy-nominee Freddy Rodriguez is leading the cast of the Shudder horror film V/H/S/85 set to premiere at Fantastic Fest next month. He portrays Detective Wayne Johnson, a seasoned detective investigating a variety of gruesome murders while on the trail of an elusive serial killer.
The cast is rounded out by Jordan Belfi, James Ransone, Dani Deetté, Rolando Davila-Beltran, Justen Jones, Marcio Moreno, Ari Gallegos, Forrest Hartl, Duffy McManus, Eric Pierson, Felipe de Lara, Tom Reed and Vivian Morse.
V/H/S/85 takes viewers on a journey into the grim underbelly of the forgotten 1980s. Unveiled through a made-for-tv documentary, five chilling tales emerge: scientists observe an unusual boy fixated on his TV, kids embark on a lake skiing adventure, a TV crew fights to survive a natural disaster, the early days of VR awaken something terrifying, and a deadly dream is captured on tape.
The cast is rounded out by Jordan Belfi, James Ransone, Dani Deetté, Rolando Davila-Beltran, Justen Jones, Marcio Moreno, Ari Gallegos, Forrest Hartl, Duffy McManus, Eric Pierson, Felipe de Lara, Tom Reed and Vivian Morse.
V/H/S/85 takes viewers on a journey into the grim underbelly of the forgotten 1980s. Unveiled through a made-for-tv documentary, five chilling tales emerge: scientists observe an unusual boy fixated on his TV, kids embark on a lake skiing adventure, a TV crew fights to survive a natural disaster, the early days of VR awaken something terrifying, and a deadly dream is captured on tape.
- 8/22/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Beneath every placid surface and between each crashing wave, the movies’ most magical aquatic adventures portend the possibility of mermaids. Half-human, half-fish creatures swam onto the big screen at the turn of the 20th century, appearing in silent works such as Georges Méliès‘ 1904 short film “The Mermaid” and John G. Adolfi’s 1918 feature “Queen of the Sea” among others. The mythical archetype was subsequently reeled in as the effervescent love interest template for numerous ’30s and ’40s rom-coms, with the concept perfected in Irving Pichel’s well-loved talky “Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid,” starring Ann Blyth.
The siren songs characteristic of these mysterious ocean-dwellers even resulted in a string of MGM aqua musicals. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” brought the mermaid musical to the animation-loving masses in 1989, winning Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Under the Sea” at the Oscars. Darryl Hannah appeared opposite Tom Hanks not much...
The siren songs characteristic of these mysterious ocean-dwellers even resulted in a string of MGM aqua musicals. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” brought the mermaid musical to the animation-loving masses in 1989, winning Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Under the Sea” at the Oscars. Darryl Hannah appeared opposite Tom Hanks not much...
- 5/22/2023
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
This post contains heavy spoilers for Knock at the Cabin and The Cabin at the End of the World.
Andrew stares at his husband Eric, no longer able to contain his disbelief. The couple, played by Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff, have spent the day undergoing a horrific ordeal, forced by the hulking but gentle Leonard (Dave Bautista) and his three associates to choose to sacrifice a member of their family, including their young daughter Wen (Kristen Cui). If they don’t make that choice, then the apocalypse will occur.
Andrew thinks he and Eric are together in their resistance, fueled by his conviction that Leonard is simply a bigot who put together an elaborate plot to torture them. But Andrew starts to see a break in his husband’s eyes. He sees Eric’s face soften, a look of resolute compassion replacing the fear and anger that was there before.
Andrew stares at his husband Eric, no longer able to contain his disbelief. The couple, played by Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff, have spent the day undergoing a horrific ordeal, forced by the hulking but gentle Leonard (Dave Bautista) and his three associates to choose to sacrifice a member of their family, including their young daughter Wen (Kristen Cui). If they don’t make that choice, then the apocalypse will occur.
Andrew thinks he and Eric are together in their resistance, fueled by his conviction that Leonard is simply a bigot who put together an elaborate plot to torture them. But Andrew starts to see a break in his husband’s eyes. He sees Eric’s face soften, a look of resolute compassion replacing the fear and anger that was there before.
- 3/24/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Night Shyamalan, known for his infamously thrilling, psychological films released his newest film ‘Knock at the Cabin’ on Friday, February 3rd. The film centers around a family with a young daughter, away on a quiet vacation to a cabin and its surrounding woods. During their stay, they are approached by a group of four strangers to take them into captivity, forcing them to choose between saving the world or saving each other. Although M. Night Shyamalan has had his experience with dark and mystifying films, this may be his most terrifying film yet. It strikes close to home on the theme of family, as well as the looming danger of an apocalypse. Let’s take a look at who M. Night Shyamalan is, what he’s known for, and the cast chosen to represent the crucial roles in this n Night Shyamalan was born in August 1970, in India. He was raised in Penn Valley,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Finley Clough
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Knock at the Cabin (2023) is a movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan starring Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge and Kristen Cui. It is based on the novel by Paul Tremblay.
Knock at the Cabin is a new addition to the long list of M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror and thriller movies. A mountain cabin in Northern California is the setting for this story, where a group of six friends are visiting for the weekend trip. Little do they know that an eerie knock on the door will start their descent into a never-ending nightmare beyond their wildest imaginations.
The main protagonists, Brandon and Chloe, are old friends and driving force behind the getaway. The others tagging along are: James, an aspiring chef and Chloe’s brother; his girlfriend Caitlin; Katya, a scientist from Russia; and David, Brandon’s cousin from Florida. All of them have different personalities and...
Knock at the Cabin is a new addition to the long list of M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror and thriller movies. A mountain cabin in Northern California is the setting for this story, where a group of six friends are visiting for the weekend trip. Little do they know that an eerie knock on the door will start their descent into a never-ending nightmare beyond their wildest imaginations.
The main protagonists, Brandon and Chloe, are old friends and driving force behind the getaway. The others tagging along are: James, an aspiring chef and Chloe’s brother; his girlfriend Caitlin; Katya, a scientist from Russia; and David, Brandon’s cousin from Florida. All of them have different personalities and...
- 2/22/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
It’s easy to make fun of the lowlights of M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography, but his best movies are excellent genre thrillers that remain entertaining even after you know the twist. The director’s biggest hits were original ideas. But he nearly got behind the camera for an installment of a beloved franchise. In an interview promoting Shyamalan’s latest work Knock at the Cabin, Rupert Grint revealed that the filmmaker was in talks to direct one of the Harry Potter movies.
Few directors have soared as high and stooped as low as M. Night Shyamalan (L-r): Rupert Grint and M. Night Shyamalan attend the “Knock at the Cabin” UK Special Screening at Vue West End on January 25, 2023 in London, England. | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
The Sixth Sense signaled Shyamalan’s arrival as a new cinematic talent. The movie left a huge impact on the culture. And...
Few directors have soared as high and stooped as low as M. Night Shyamalan (L-r): Rupert Grint and M. Night Shyamalan attend the “Knock at the Cabin” UK Special Screening at Vue West End on January 25, 2023 in London, England. | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
The Sixth Sense signaled Shyamalan’s arrival as a new cinematic talent. The movie left a huge impact on the culture. And...
- 2/20/2023
- by Garrett Burke
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Few directors are as synonymous with the roots of apocalypse. Not only endings, but associated revelation. After Earth was post-apocalyptic, and to some extent The Last Airbender was after a disaster, while The Happening showed one, well, happening. He's also tied up in the domestic, and threats to convention. Lady In The Water, Old, The Visit, and variously Split. There are those that bridge both, The Village is based in existential threats to a way of life, Signs too.
Knock At The Cabin is differently based on a home invasion. More specifically, upon Paul Tremblay's 2018 novel The Cabin At The End Of The World. The film follows the book quite closely until its third section, Bloody Like The Day You Were Born. Thereafter the two part ways massively, though their trajectories have been closely parallel until then. Whole sections of dialogue are shared, and though...
Knock At The Cabin is differently based on a home invasion. More specifically, upon Paul Tremblay's 2018 novel The Cabin At The End Of The World. The film follows the book quite closely until its third section, Bloody Like The Day You Were Born. Thereafter the two part ways massively, though their trajectories have been closely parallel until then. Whole sections of dialogue are shared, and though...
- 2/10/2023
- by Andrew Robertson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
M. Night Shyamalan is a name that is downright synonymous with moviegoing. The filmmaker's career began by being shot out of a cannon, with his studio feature directorial debut, 1999's "The Sixth Sense," becoming an absolute sensation that set sky-high expectations for him. Some even called him the next Steven Spielberg. No pressure!
That's not exactly how things panned out. While Shyamalan did have several other hits with "Unbreakable" and "Signs," even by 2004's "The Village," the whole "where's the twist?" thing had started to catch up to him. The burden of audience expectations was, fair or not, being placed heavily upon his shoulders.
Things really started going sideways with the widely-panned "The Happening," which was followed by his big-budget, back-to-back bad...
M. Night Shyamalan is a name that is downright synonymous with moviegoing. The filmmaker's career began by being shot out of a cannon, with his studio feature directorial debut, 1999's "The Sixth Sense," becoming an absolute sensation that set sky-high expectations for him. Some even called him the next Steven Spielberg. No pressure!
That's not exactly how things panned out. While Shyamalan did have several other hits with "Unbreakable" and "Signs," even by 2004's "The Village," the whole "where's the twist?" thing had started to catch up to him. The burden of audience expectations was, fair or not, being placed heavily upon his shoulders.
Things really started going sideways with the widely-panned "The Happening," which was followed by his big-budget, back-to-back bad...
- 2/4/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The following post contains spoilers for nine M. Night Shyamalan movies, including "Knock at the Cabin."
Many casual fans don't know this, but "The Sixth Sense" wasn't M. Night Shyamalan's first feature film. It was his third, after "Praying with Anger" and "Wide Awake," but it defined his reputation as a maker of eerily quiet, slow-paced thrillers with a "Twilight Zone" vibe and (usually) big twists at the end. Initially, this formula was so successful that some began referring to Shyamalan in the same sentence as Steven Spielberg, but then he took some bigger swings — without the twists — and things didn't work out so well. So, after being humbled by big-budget disappointments like "The Last Airbender" and "After Earth," Shyamalan went back to basics, making films with lower budgets, more suspenseful plots, and yes, big twists. Of late, he's taken to adapting books and actually changing the endings, surprising readers...
Many casual fans don't know this, but "The Sixth Sense" wasn't M. Night Shyamalan's first feature film. It was his third, after "Praying with Anger" and "Wide Awake," but it defined his reputation as a maker of eerily quiet, slow-paced thrillers with a "Twilight Zone" vibe and (usually) big twists at the end. Initially, this formula was so successful that some began referring to Shyamalan in the same sentence as Steven Spielberg, but then he took some bigger swings — without the twists — and things didn't work out so well. So, after being humbled by big-budget disappointments like "The Last Airbender" and "After Earth," Shyamalan went back to basics, making films with lower budgets, more suspenseful plots, and yes, big twists. Of late, he's taken to adapting books and actually changing the endings, surprising readers...
- 2/4/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- Slash Film
He’s king of the twist, master of tension, and sometimes wildly inconsistent in his output – but at his best, M. Night Shyamalan and stripped-back superhero fare, Shyamalan is as unpredictable as many of his movies’ final acts.
With new existential thriller Knock At The Cabin, the director trades in big twists for tight, truly affecting filmmaking. As the film arrives in cinemas, Empire has wrangled all of Shyamalan’s major movie releases into an official ranking – have a read below:
13. The Last Airbender (2010)
This adaptation of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender did not, it’s fair to say, connect in the way that everyone hoped. The story follows Aang (Noah Ringer), a child “avatar” able to channel the four elements, who became frozen in a block of ice and doomed the four nations to fall out of harmony – until he’s thawed out and forced to confront his destiny.
With new existential thriller Knock At The Cabin, the director trades in big twists for tight, truly affecting filmmaking. As the film arrives in cinemas, Empire has wrangled all of Shyamalan’s major movie releases into an official ranking – have a read below:
13. The Last Airbender (2010)
This adaptation of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender did not, it’s fair to say, connect in the way that everyone hoped. The story follows Aang (Noah Ringer), a child “avatar” able to channel the four elements, who became frozen in a block of ice and doomed the four nations to fall out of harmony – until he’s thawed out and forced to confront his destiny.
- 2/3/2023
- by Ben Travis, Helen O'Hara, Sophie Butcher
- Empire - Movies
It has been noted that new age master of suspense-wannabe M. Night Shyamalan has basically gone downhill since his heady beginnings with the Oscar-nominated classic, The Sixth Sense, then pretty good follow-ups like Signs and Unbreakable. Even detours in split-personality hits like Split, and Glass — the latter successful enough to let Universal trust him with small enough budgets to take a few more swings — or the intriguing Twilight Zone-ish film Old, that unfortunately wore out its welcome after a promising start, bolster that notion.
Movies like Lady In The Water, The Visit, Last Airbender, The Happening, The Village, and After Earth are better left forgotten.
Now we have Knock At The Cabin, a home invasion thriller that mixes its premise up with a pretty far-fetched, Biblical apocalyptic plot line that ratchets up the tension, but could use a little more credibility. As in every Shyamalan picture, you expect some sort of twist,...
Movies like Lady In The Water, The Visit, Last Airbender, The Happening, The Village, and After Earth are better left forgotten.
Now we have Knock At The Cabin, a home invasion thriller that mixes its premise up with a pretty far-fetched, Biblical apocalyptic plot line that ratchets up the tension, but could use a little more credibility. As in every Shyamalan picture, you expect some sort of twist,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Freddie Prinze Jr. refused to watch movies with Sarah Michelle Gellar after spoiling The Sixth Sense
Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar might be one of the all-time great Hollywood couples in terms of endurance, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had their rough patches. The most devastating one? The time Gellar spoiled The Sixth Sense for Prinze.
Just in case you haven’t seen The Sixth Sense, consider yourself warned of spoilers–unlike Freddie Prinze Jr. On a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, Gellar revealed to fellow guest M. Night Shyamalan that Prinze refused to watch movies with her for 15 years after she accidentally ruined The Sixth Sense’s twist for him.
While Gellar was cagey on what exactly she said to Prinze for the movie to be ruined, she did hint about how it came about. Still in the first act of Shyamalan’s breakout film, “It popped out, like, ‘Oh, is that…’…And my husband didn’t see...
Just in case you haven’t seen The Sixth Sense, consider yourself warned of spoilers–unlike Freddie Prinze Jr. On a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, Gellar revealed to fellow guest M. Night Shyamalan that Prinze refused to watch movies with her for 15 years after she accidentally ruined The Sixth Sense’s twist for him.
While Gellar was cagey on what exactly she said to Prinze for the movie to be ruined, she did hint about how it came about. Still in the first act of Shyamalan’s breakout film, “It popped out, like, ‘Oh, is that…’…And my husband didn’t see...
- 1/30/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
M. Night Shayamalan has had more than a tumultuous career. His breakout hit, "The Sixth Sense," made him one of the few directors that became an instantly recognizable household name. A series of critical flops, however, turned him into an easy target for the butt of many a joke about his need for twist endings. The filmmaker has had a bit of a comeback in recent years, earning respect and profits for the mid-budget work he has done for NBCUniversal such as "The Visit" and "Split." His nadir, however, was a brutal one, even by Hollywood standards. And this low point in his career was only exacerbated by the public's poor perception of him. Case in point: The head-scratching phenomenon of "The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan."
As an elaborate marketing stunt for "The Village," Shyamalan orchestrated a mockumentary about his own life and career complete with ominous music,...
As an elaborate marketing stunt for "The Village," Shyamalan orchestrated a mockumentary about his own life and career complete with ominous music,...
- 1/5/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
M. Night Shyamalan has successfully restored his reputation as a provocative filmmaker thanks to high-concept genre films that are just unique enough to keep audiences guessing. If J.J. Abrams is who you think about in regards to the secretive plot device of the mystery box, Shymalan is certainly most remembered for his outlandish twist endings. "The Sixth Sense" used that structure brilliantly, while the careful choreography in "Signs" felt a little forced, leaving the ending of "The Village" to unveil the director's most daring (and highly improbable) bait-and-switch ending up to that point. Then things went off the rails for M. Night until he dove headfirst into horror, bouncing back with cleverly staged low-budget standouts such as "The Visit" and 2021's "Old," a chilling story about a magical beach where time speeds up.
It makes perfect sense for Shyamalan to finally tackle the classic cabin in the woods trope, and...
It makes perfect sense for Shyamalan to finally tackle the classic cabin in the woods trope, and...
- 1/4/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Up next from M. Night Shyamalan is the Paul Tremblay adaptation Knock at the Cabin, and we’ve learned this week that the film will be released with an “R” rating attached to it.
The reason this is notable is because M. Night Shyamalan’s movies tend to be rated “PG-13.” In fact, the only other Shyamalan movie that was rated “R” was The Happening back in 2008, with all other Shyamalan-directed movies being rated “PG-13.” That includes The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable, The Village, Lady in the Water, Split, The Visit, Glass, and last year’s Old.
Knock at the Cabin has been rated “R” for “Violence and language.”
Universal will release the thriller in theaters on February 3, 2023.
Dave Bautista (Army of the Dead), Rupert Grint (“Servant”) and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Old) star alongside Ben Aldridge (“Pennyworth”) and Jonathan Groff (“Mindhunter”).
In Knock at the Cabin…
“While vacationing at a remote cabin,...
The reason this is notable is because M. Night Shyamalan’s movies tend to be rated “PG-13.” In fact, the only other Shyamalan movie that was rated “R” was The Happening back in 2008, with all other Shyamalan-directed movies being rated “PG-13.” That includes The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable, The Village, Lady in the Water, Split, The Visit, Glass, and last year’s Old.
Knock at the Cabin has been rated “R” for “Violence and language.”
Universal will release the thriller in theaters on February 3, 2023.
Dave Bautista (Army of the Dead), Rupert Grint (“Servant”) and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Old) star alongside Ben Aldridge (“Pennyworth”) and Jonathan Groff (“Mindhunter”).
In Knock at the Cabin…
“While vacationing at a remote cabin,...
- 12/8/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Universal Pictures has released the latest trailer from the thriller, Knock at the Door. The suspense-filled film is the latest effort from M. Night Shyamalan. The movie is based on a book titled The Cabin at the End of the World by author Paul Tremblay. Shyamalan shares writing duties with Steve Desmond and Michael Sherman.
The film stars newcomer Kristen Cui as a little girl named Wen, who is on a camping trip with her fathers, played by Jonathan Groff of The Matrix Resurrections, and Ben Aldridge from Fleabag. While quietly relaxing outside, Wen is approached by Dave Bautista’s mysterious character. Things quickly turn ominous as Bautista and three companions, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint, take the family hostage and give them some chilling instructions. In an interesting hook, Bautista’s character lets the family know, “Your family has been chosen to make a horrible decision.
The film stars newcomer Kristen Cui as a little girl named Wen, who is on a camping trip with her fathers, played by Jonathan Groff of The Matrix Resurrections, and Ben Aldridge from Fleabag. While quietly relaxing outside, Wen is approached by Dave Bautista’s mysterious character. Things quickly turn ominous as Bautista and three companions, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint, take the family hostage and give them some chilling instructions. In an interesting hook, Bautista’s character lets the family know, “Your family has been chosen to make a horrible decision.
- 9/22/2022
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Anne Hathaway praised James Gray for not being a “kid-glove” director. The filmmaker directed the Oscar-winning star in his autobiographical film Armageddon Time, which is receiving its North American premiere Friday at the Telluride Film Festival.
Hathaway plays Esther Graff, mother of increasingly wayward son Paul (Banks Repeta), who has become pals with Black schoolmate Johnny, played by Jaylin Webb.
Set in Queens, New York in 1980 against a backdrop of racial tension and economic inequality, Esther’s exasperated while wanting to do what’s best for her son.
Hathaway noted that Gray “can see his own life through very clear, unsentimental, but empathetic eyes.”
She said that she was fully engaged in Gray’s vision for the film and was happy “stripping off all the glamour, and getting to play this woman who was, frankly, overworked and exhausted, and stressed out,” she told Deadline at Telluride.
“He’s not a kid-glove director,...
Hathaway plays Esther Graff, mother of increasingly wayward son Paul (Banks Repeta), who has become pals with Black schoolmate Johnny, played by Jaylin Webb.
Set in Queens, New York in 1980 against a backdrop of racial tension and economic inequality, Esther’s exasperated while wanting to do what’s best for her son.
Hathaway noted that Gray “can see his own life through very clear, unsentimental, but empathetic eyes.”
She said that she was fully engaged in Gray’s vision for the film and was happy “stripping off all the glamour, and getting to play this woman who was, frankly, overworked and exhausted, and stressed out,” she told Deadline at Telluride.
“He’s not a kid-glove director,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
A second season of HBO Max’s “30 Coins” is on its way, and, thanks to Sensacine, we can expect a surprising new cast addition to look forward to: actor Paul Giamatti. The site reports that Giamatti will play “Christian Barbrow, an American business and technology billionaire, science fiction […]
The post Paul Giamatti Joins the Cast for Season Two of HBO Max’s “30 Coins” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post Paul Giamatti Joins the Cast for Season Two of HBO Max’s “30 Coins” appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 6/23/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Glynn Turman (Women of the Movement), Bob Balaban (The French Dispatch), Ron Funches (Undateable) and Jimmy O. Yang (Space Force) are the latest additions to the cast of the upcoming film 80 for Brady, from Paramount Pictures and Endeavor Content. They join an ensemble that includes 7-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady, as well as Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Sally Field and Sara Gilbert, as previously announced.
The film is inspired by the true story of four best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl Li to see their hero Tom Brady play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country. Details with regard to the characters the newest additions to the cast will be playing have not been disclosed.
Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote and starred in Sony Pictures Classics’ The Climb,...
The film is inspired by the true story of four best friends and New England Patriots fans who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl Li to see their hero Tom Brady play, and the chaos that ensues as they navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country. Details with regard to the characters the newest additions to the cast will be playing have not been disclosed.
Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote and starred in Sony Pictures Classics’ The Climb,...
- 3/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Professional basketball player and producer Jarnell Stokes has signed with Babette Perry at Innovative Artists, who will rep him for both on-camera and production deals.
Stokes is currently developing two drama series examining the ruthless intersection of sports, music and street culture in his hometown of Memphis.
The first, Break the Cycle, follows the struggles of twin 16-year-old orphan brothers as they each seek a piece of the American dream. Stokes is co-creating the series with writer-producer Taylor Materne (Hustle), with Chris Pavoni (Supergirl) on board to produce alongside Walk Like A Duck Entertainment. The second series, collegiate sports drama Rocky Top College, centers on an institution of the same name that harbors a dark secret. When the school’s newest recruit joins the team, full of promise and hope for a better life, they set him up on a regimen to dominate on the court. But as waves of anxiety and hallucinations surface,...
Stokes is currently developing two drama series examining the ruthless intersection of sports, music and street culture in his hometown of Memphis.
The first, Break the Cycle, follows the struggles of twin 16-year-old orphan brothers as they each seek a piece of the American dream. Stokes is co-creating the series with writer-producer Taylor Materne (Hustle), with Chris Pavoni (Supergirl) on board to produce alongside Walk Like A Duck Entertainment. The second series, collegiate sports drama Rocky Top College, centers on an institution of the same name that harbors a dark secret. When the school’s newest recruit joins the team, full of promise and hope for a better life, they set him up on a regimen to dominate on the court. But as waves of anxiety and hallucinations surface,...
- 2/16/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re looking for something to watch on HBO Max this month, you may want to prioritize the following titles that are leaving the streaming service throughout February. Below, we’ve assembled a complete list of everything leaving HBO Max in February, which ranges from Oscar-winning blockbusters to stone-cold classics to delightful comedies.
Noteworthy films leaving HBO Max this month include “Dunkirk,” “Blade Runner 2049,” “Amistad,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Independence Day,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “The Goonies,” “Joker” and “The Lego Batman Movie.” It’s also last call for DC films “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman,” “Birds of Prey” and “Suicide Squad.”
The end of February will also mark the departure of a number of documentary series that aired on CNN, including “The Bush Years,” “The Seventies,” “The Eighties,” ”The Nineties,” ”The Movies” and ”The Story of Late Night.”
Check out the full list of everything leaving HBO Max in February 2022 below.
Noteworthy films leaving HBO Max this month include “Dunkirk,” “Blade Runner 2049,” “Amistad,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Independence Day,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “The Goonies,” “Joker” and “The Lego Batman Movie.” It’s also last call for DC films “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman,” “Birds of Prey” and “Suicide Squad.”
The end of February will also mark the departure of a number of documentary series that aired on CNN, including “The Bush Years,” “The Seventies,” “The Eighties,” ”The Nineties,” ”The Movies” and ”The Story of Late Night.”
Check out the full list of everything leaving HBO Max in February 2022 below.
- 2/1/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
So, The Happening…happened. Here’s the thing, M. Night Shyamalan is an interesting director. There’s no doubt that the guy is extremely talented. There’s no such thing as a filmmaker accidentally making a great movie, and Shymalan has at least four in his catalog. However, the veteran filmmaker was making a string of clunkers that effectively slowed down his career. It started with Lady in the Water. Then The Last Airbender, and now, The Happening. When you watch the trailers, the film genuinely looks promising. A mass string of suicides is taking place across the country and the terrifying phenomenon is
Why The Happening Almost Killed M. Night Shyamalan’s Career...
Why The Happening Almost Killed M. Night Shyamalan’s Career...
- 10/28/2021
- by Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
- TVovermind.com
The summer movie season may be winding down, but HBO Max is keeping the movie ball rolling in September 2021. HBO Max’s list of new releases this month is heavy on the film side of things – both in library and original offerings.
Two Warner Bros. films of note arrive this month. The James Wan-directed horror tale Malignant premieres on Sept. 10 and is followed by Clint Eastwood’s Cry Macho on Sept. 17. The next installment in Adventure Time: Distant Lands (which is kind of like a film series!) is titled Wizard City and opens the month on Sept. 2
Of course, it wouldn’t be a new month of HBO Max releases without some interesting evergreen Warner movie titles. Sept. 1 finds all eight Harry Potter movies returning to WarnerMedia’s streaming service. They will be accompanied by The Goonies, The Evil Dead, Cloverfield, and more. Later on in the month, Mortal Kombat (Sept.
Two Warner Bros. films of note arrive this month. The James Wan-directed horror tale Malignant premieres on Sept. 10 and is followed by Clint Eastwood’s Cry Macho on Sept. 17. The next installment in Adventure Time: Distant Lands (which is kind of like a film series!) is titled Wizard City and opens the month on Sept. 2
Of course, it wouldn’t be a new month of HBO Max releases without some interesting evergreen Warner movie titles. Sept. 1 finds all eight Harry Potter movies returning to WarnerMedia’s streaming service. They will be accompanied by The Goonies, The Evil Dead, Cloverfield, and more. Later on in the month, Mortal Kombat (Sept.
- 8/30/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The Boy Who Lived is changing his U.S. streaming address again.
All eight original “Harry Potter” films from Warner Bros. are returning to HBO Max next month, after spending a little less than a year on NBCUniversal’s Peacock.
Starting Sept. 1, the eight wizarding films based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling novels will be available on HBO Max: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Parts 1 and 2.
When HBO Max launched in May 2020, it included the octet of “Harry Potter” movies — but that was only a three-month carve-out on streaming rights the studio had sold to NBCU. In October 2020, Peacock began streaming the “Harry Potter” movies; now WarnerMedia...
All eight original “Harry Potter” films from Warner Bros. are returning to HBO Max next month, after spending a little less than a year on NBCUniversal’s Peacock.
Starting Sept. 1, the eight wizarding films based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling novels will be available on HBO Max: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Parts 1 and 2.
When HBO Max launched in May 2020, it included the octet of “Harry Potter” movies — but that was only a three-month carve-out on streaming rights the studio had sold to NBCU. In October 2020, Peacock began streaming the “Harry Potter” movies; now WarnerMedia...
- 8/26/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
On September 1, all eight Harry Potter films return home to HBO Max.
September also brings Clint Eastwood’s latest film Cry Macho on the 17th and director James Wan’s Malignant on the 10th. Both Cry Macho and Malignant will be available in theaters and on HBO Max the same day. They will stream on the $14.99/month ad-Free HBO Max plan for 31 days after their debuts.
See all of the new content on HBO Max for September, 2021, below. The list is organized alphabetically by date.
September 1:
A Hijacking
The Animal
Army Of Darkness
The Benchwarmers
Bodas de Oro – aka The Anniversary
The Cell 2
Cloverfield
Dead Again
Deck the Halls
Detour
Drinking Buddies
Epic Movie
Event Horizon
The Evil Dead
Evil Dead 2
Flawless
The Forgotten
Fun Size
The Gallows
The Good German
The Good Heart
The Goonies
Green Lantern
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the...
September also brings Clint Eastwood’s latest film Cry Macho on the 17th and director James Wan’s Malignant on the 10th. Both Cry Macho and Malignant will be available in theaters and on HBO Max the same day. They will stream on the $14.99/month ad-Free HBO Max plan for 31 days after their debuts.
See all of the new content on HBO Max for September, 2021, below. The list is organized alphabetically by date.
September 1:
A Hijacking
The Animal
Army Of Darkness
The Benchwarmers
Bodas de Oro – aka The Anniversary
The Cell 2
Cloverfield
Dead Again
Deck the Halls
Detour
Drinking Buddies
Epic Movie
Event Horizon
The Evil Dead
Evil Dead 2
Flawless
The Forgotten
Fun Size
The Gallows
The Good German
The Good Heart
The Goonies
Green Lantern
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the...
- 8/26/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros fired up James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad last night, the studio’s first Thursday preview in a long time — arguably since pre-pandemic. The DC ensemble is seeing $4.1 million off showtimes that began at 7 p.m., the biggest number for a R-rated movie during the Covid era.
There haven’t been many R-rated movies during the pandemic; previous notable Thursday previews include Funimation’s Demonslayer with $3.8M and Universal/Blumhouse’s R-rated The Forever Purge posting $1.3M. The Suicide Squad‘s Thursday is also a hair ahead of its previous DC spinoff Birds of Prey, which did $4M on its Thursday before the pandemic in February 2020; that start translated to a $12.9M first Friday and $33M opening weekend.
As per WarnerMedia’s pandemic plan, The Suicide Squad is playing in both theaters and in homes on HBO Max. The Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker’s take on the...
There haven’t been many R-rated movies during the pandemic; previous notable Thursday previews include Funimation’s Demonslayer with $3.8M and Universal/Blumhouse’s R-rated The Forever Purge posting $1.3M. The Suicide Squad‘s Thursday is also a hair ahead of its previous DC spinoff Birds of Prey, which did $4M on its Thursday before the pandemic in February 2020; that start translated to a $12.9M first Friday and $33M opening weekend.
As per WarnerMedia’s pandemic plan, The Suicide Squad is playing in both theaters and in homes on HBO Max. The Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker’s take on the...
- 8/6/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Chicago – Happy Birthday on August 6th, 2021, to the King of the Creepy Thriller, M. Night Shyamalan. The bold-faced-name director just released his 14th feature film, ”Old”, and has had a career of thrilling and perplexing audiences with his odd and mysterious films. He is 51 years young.
Manoj Nelliyatu “M. Night” Shyamalan was born in India, and emigrated to the United States at only six weeks old. He graduated from New York University School of the Arts in the early 1990s, where he adopted the “M. Night” moniker. After the student film “Prayer with Anger,” his first studio distributed film was “Wide Awake” (1998).
M. Night Shyamalan, Chicago circa 2015
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
His next film was the sensation “The Sixth Sense” (1999), followed in order from 2000-2008 with “Unbreakable,” “Signs,” “The Village,” “Lady in the Water” and “The Happening.” After a setback with the big budget...
Manoj Nelliyatu “M. Night” Shyamalan was born in India, and emigrated to the United States at only six weeks old. He graduated from New York University School of the Arts in the early 1990s, where he adopted the “M. Night” moniker. After the student film “Prayer with Anger,” his first studio distributed film was “Wide Awake” (1998).
M. Night Shyamalan, Chicago circa 2015
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
His next film was the sensation “The Sixth Sense” (1999), followed in order from 2000-2008 with “Unbreakable,” “Signs,” “The Village,” “Lady in the Water” and “The Happening.” After a setback with the big budget...
- 8/6/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
M. Night Shyamalan may be known for terrifying audiences with his films, but it’s sincerity that can be truly scary to some.
With his latest movie “Old” now in theaters and hitting the top spot at the box office over the weekend, Shyamalan spoke to Variety about his films, many of which contain scenes are unabashedly sincere or earnest – think of the fairy-tale style of “Lady in the Water,” bringing a comic-book hero into the real world in “Unbreakable” or the exploration of faith itself in “Signs.” Even “The Sixth Sense,” his breakthrough hit, has a loving mother-and-son relationship at its core where he asks her to trust in him and believe the impossible. “Old,” in which several people find themselves aging rapidly on a secret beach, also examines big issues about love and loss and mortality.
Of course, sincerity doesn’t always go over with cynical audience members,...
With his latest movie “Old” now in theaters and hitting the top spot at the box office over the weekend, Shyamalan spoke to Variety about his films, many of which contain scenes are unabashedly sincere or earnest – think of the fairy-tale style of “Lady in the Water,” bringing a comic-book hero into the real world in “Unbreakable” or the exploration of faith itself in “Signs.” Even “The Sixth Sense,” his breakthrough hit, has a loving mother-and-son relationship at its core where he asks her to trust in him and believe the impossible. “Old,” in which several people find themselves aging rapidly on a secret beach, also examines big issues about love and loss and mortality.
Of course, sincerity doesn’t always go over with cynical audience members,...
- 7/29/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
It’s usually poor form when filmmakers attempt to respond to either critics or audiences (or both!) through their own movies. M. Night Shyamalan did exactly this with a certain side character in 2006’s Lady in the Water, one who just happened to be a film critic and who just happened to be the snobby, unlikable, misanthropic […]
The post ‘Old’ Spoiler Review: Shyamalan Playfully Embraces Being the Heel appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Old’ Spoiler Review: Shyamalan Playfully Embraces Being the Heel appeared first on /Film.
- 7/26/2021
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
“The Sixth Sense” will often top lists ranking M. Night Shyamalan’s best movies. The 1999 supernatural horror drama made a star out of Shyamalan, earning him Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. “The Sixth Sense” was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Supporting Actor for Haley Joel Osment, and Best Supporting Actress for Toni Collette. At the box office, it grossed just over $670 million on a $40 million production budget. And yet, “The Sixth Sense” is not the Shyamalan movie Shyamalan loves most.
Asked recently by GQ magazine to name “his favorites of his oeuvre,” Shyamalan answered, “The ones I have most affinity for are the ones that have maintained that quirky nature. ‘Unbreakable,’ and ‘Lady in the Water,’ and ‘The Visit,’ and this movie [‘Old’]…the ones that are poky.”
Some moviegoers might be surprised to hear Shyamalan prefers a film like “Lady in the Water” over “The Sixth Sense.
Asked recently by GQ magazine to name “his favorites of his oeuvre,” Shyamalan answered, “The ones I have most affinity for are the ones that have maintained that quirky nature. ‘Unbreakable,’ and ‘Lady in the Water,’ and ‘The Visit,’ and this movie [‘Old’]…the ones that are poky.”
Some moviegoers might be surprised to hear Shyamalan prefers a film like “Lady in the Water” over “The Sixth Sense.
- 7/26/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
As far as brand names go, it looks like G.I. Joe is no match for M. Night Shyamalan. Many were expecting the weekend to be won by Snake Eyes, which is essentially a reboot of the G.I. Joe series, but Old, the latest from Shyamalan, snuck past it, despite not setting the box office on fire itself. With big declines from both Black Widow and Space Jam: A New Legacy, this weekend had the lowest overall gross since before F9: The Fast Saga opened a month ago. It is hard to say whether this is due to a lack of enticing new content to draw people in, renewed fears of Covid due to the Delta variant and rising cases, or many of the top films being available for streaming, and it is likely that all three played some role.
Old took home $16.5 million for the weekend from 3,355 theaters. The film...
Old took home $16.5 million for the weekend from 3,355 theaters. The film...
- 7/26/2021
- by Sam Mendelsohn <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Universal's "Old" has taken No. 1 on a quiet box office weekend, becoming the seventh film from director M. Night Shyamalan to take the top spot at the box office with a $16.5 million opening from 3,355 locations.
The bad news is that a mix of tepid reception and the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant has made "Old" the lowest opening of Shyamalan's career, falling beneath the $18 million earned by "Lady in the Water" in 2006. The film received a C+ on CinemaScore and a 52% Rotten Tomatoes score, though even with the weak reception the $18 million film is likely to turn a profit. Overseas, the film added $6.5 million from 23 markets for a global launch total of $23 million.
Paramount's "G.I. Joe" spinoff "Snake Eyes" is in second with a $13.3 million opening from 3,521 locations. It's a big drop from the $51 million four-day opening of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" in 2013 and sets the $88 million blockbuster...
The bad news is that a mix of tepid reception and the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant has made "Old" the lowest opening of Shyamalan's career, falling beneath the $18 million earned by "Lady in the Water" in 2006. The film received a C+ on CinemaScore and a 52% Rotten Tomatoes score, though even with the weak reception the $18 million film is likely to turn a profit. Overseas, the film added $6.5 million from 23 markets for a global launch total of $23 million.
Paramount's "G.I. Joe" spinoff "Snake Eyes" is in second with a $13.3 million opening from 3,521 locations. It's a big drop from the $51 million four-day opening of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" in 2013 and sets the $88 million blockbuster...
- 7/25/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
(Spoilers ahead for, well, most of M. Night Shyamalan's movies. Including "Old.")
M. Night Shyamalan has been known as a twist ending guy since "The Sixth Sense" -- his debut as a director -- blew everybody's mind way back in 1999. Since then, not all of his twists have fared so well, with some delighting viewers and others garnering outright scorn from audiences.
And now we've got a new one, "Old," which has thus far proven to be pretty dang polarizing as it competes with "Snake Eyes" for the box office crown this weekend. Check out the list below to find out what we think of how the twist at the end of "Old" turned out.
11. "Glass" (2019)
The whole movie you can tell that Elijah "Mr. Glass" Price has some kind of grand plan for this small group of superpeople, like he's doing some "Ocean's Eleven" style sleight of hand...
M. Night Shyamalan has been known as a twist ending guy since "The Sixth Sense" -- his debut as a director -- blew everybody's mind way back in 1999. Since then, not all of his twists have fared so well, with some delighting viewers and others garnering outright scorn from audiences.
And now we've got a new one, "Old," which has thus far proven to be pretty dang polarizing as it competes with "Snake Eyes" for the box office crown this weekend. Check out the list below to find out what we think of how the twist at the end of "Old" turned out.
11. "Glass" (2019)
The whole movie you can tell that Elijah "Mr. Glass" Price has some kind of grand plan for this small group of superpeople, like he's doing some "Ocean's Eleven" style sleight of hand...
- 7/24/2021
- by Phil Owen and Phil Hornshaw
- The Wrap
Universal's "Old" is poised to take No. 1 at a muted box office, earning $6.8 million from 3,355 screens on Friday to earn an estimated $15.75 million opening.
While that meets tracker and studios projections, it is also the lowest opening weekend ever for director M. Night Shyamalan, falling below the $18 million earned by "Lady in the Water" in 2006. Such numbers can partly be attributed to the still-recovering box office, which may be seeing its attempts to rebuild hindered by the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant.
But "Old" has also received tepid reviews from critics and audiences, earning a 52% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ from CinemaScore audience polls. The good news is that "Old" should easily turn a profit with a reported production budget of $18 million, and despite the number, it is Shyamalan's seventh No. 1 film.
In second is Paramount's "Snake Eyes," which was released on 3,521 screens and grossed $5.5 million on Friday.
While that meets tracker and studios projections, it is also the lowest opening weekend ever for director M. Night Shyamalan, falling below the $18 million earned by "Lady in the Water" in 2006. Such numbers can partly be attributed to the still-recovering box office, which may be seeing its attempts to rebuild hindered by the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant.
But "Old" has also received tepid reviews from critics and audiences, earning a 52% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ from CinemaScore audience polls. The good news is that "Old" should easily turn a profit with a reported production budget of $18 million, and despite the number, it is Shyamalan's seventh No. 1 film.
In second is Paramount's "Snake Eyes," which was released on 3,521 screens and grossed $5.5 million on Friday.
- 7/24/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
This week sees two new wide releases hit theaters, Snake Eyes and Old, and after last week’s expectations-smashing debut for Space Jam: A New Legacy, we feel like anything could happen at the box office. Many expect the top spot to be taken by Snake Eyes, the latest entry in the G.I. Joe franchise, but there could be an upset from Old, M. Night Shyamalan’s new supernatural mindbender, which is outrunning Snake Eyes in IMDb page views. They look like solid bets for the top two, and it should be noted that both are theatrical exclusives, but if they have sub-par performances and Space Jam holds strong, we could see the order of things shaken up. Whether or not the current uptick in Covid-19 cases impacts the box office this weekend is another open question.
Paramount’s Snake Eyes is the origin story of its title character which...
Paramount’s Snake Eyes is the origin story of its title character which...
- 7/23/2021
- by Sam Mendelsohn <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Paramount’s Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Universal’s M. Night Shyamalan thriller Old, both wide releases respecting the theatrical window, will face off this weekend at the domestic box office. Each are eyeing a mid-teens opening frame, making the winner too early to call.
Previews for both titles begin Thursday at 7 p.m.
In the meantime, Warner Bros’ Space Jam: A New Legacy, which is also available in homes on HBO Max, and Disney’s Black Widow, could wedge themselves between both titles, which are geared at males. Space Jam 2 is spotting a 48%-58% second-weekend decline between $13 million-$16 million, while Black Widow‘s third weekend is figured at a 45% decline for $14M.
Space Jam 2‘s weekend 2 projection comes with an asterisk as the industry is still learning how to forecast these theatrical day-and-date releases. There’s only been two theatrical day-and-date family features in the marketplace this year,...
Previews for both titles begin Thursday at 7 p.m.
In the meantime, Warner Bros’ Space Jam: A New Legacy, which is also available in homes on HBO Max, and Disney’s Black Widow, could wedge themselves between both titles, which are geared at males. Space Jam 2 is spotting a 48%-58% second-weekend decline between $13 million-$16 million, while Black Widow‘s third weekend is figured at a 45% decline for $14M.
Space Jam 2‘s weekend 2 projection comes with an asterisk as the industry is still learning how to forecast these theatrical day-and-date releases. There’s only been two theatrical day-and-date family features in the marketplace this year,...
- 7/21/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Two new movies — “Snake Eyes” starring Henry Golding and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old” — will open nationwide this weekend, but neither are expected to take down reigning champ “Space Jam: A New Legacy” on domestic box office charts.
After its $31 million start, the sequel to 1996’s sports comedy “Space Jam,” the latest version led by LeBron James, Bugs Bunny and a smattering of Looney Tunes characters, is heading for a repeat victory in North America. The Warner Bros. film is expected to fall 45-50% compared to its debut, which would put ticket sales at $15 million to $18 million for the weekend. Unless “Snake Eyes” or “Old” has a better-than-expected turnout, that haul should be enough to reclaim the top spot. However, it will be a close race.
As for the competition, Paramount’s “Snake Eyes” and Universal’s “Old” are eyeing openings in the low- to mid-teens. All three films are targeting younger male audiences,...
After its $31 million start, the sequel to 1996’s sports comedy “Space Jam,” the latest version led by LeBron James, Bugs Bunny and a smattering of Looney Tunes characters, is heading for a repeat victory in North America. The Warner Bros. film is expected to fall 45-50% compared to its debut, which would put ticket sales at $15 million to $18 million for the weekend. Unless “Snake Eyes” or “Old” has a better-than-expected turnout, that haul should be enough to reclaim the top spot. However, it will be a close race.
As for the competition, Paramount’s “Snake Eyes” and Universal’s “Old” are eyeing openings in the low- to mid-teens. All three films are targeting younger male audiences,...
- 7/21/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
M. Night Shyamalan, along with cast and crew, attended the premiere of his film Old at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday. The film follows a family who begin to rapidly age while on vacation. (Trailer)
His family also joined him on the red carpet. Old hits theaters this Friday, July 23.
Shivani Shyamalan, Saleka Shyamalan, M. Night Shyamalan, Bhavna Vaswani and Ishani Shyamalan arrive on the red carpet at the “Old” New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Monday, July 19, 2021 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/Upi
Shyamalan’s daughters have joined him in the business. He has posted on Twitter photos of his girls with him on the sets of his movies.
This is a picture of me on the set directing the scene where Elijah falls down the subway stairs in #Unbreakable 20 years ago. The older daughter is now a...
His family also joined him on the red carpet. Old hits theaters this Friday, July 23.
Shivani Shyamalan, Saleka Shyamalan, M. Night Shyamalan, Bhavna Vaswani and Ishani Shyamalan arrive on the red carpet at the “Old” New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Monday, July 19, 2021 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/Upi
Shyamalan’s daughters have joined him in the business. He has posted on Twitter photos of his girls with him on the sets of his movies.
This is a picture of me on the set directing the scene where Elijah falls down the subway stairs in #Unbreakable 20 years ago. The older daughter is now a...
- 7/20/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Kate: It’s not meant to be.Alex: No. Don’t say that. Something must’ve happened.A decade and a half is not really long enough to commemorate a film’s anniversary—but then again, bogus nostalgia for the immediate past is the main engine of pop culture discourse today. So here’s a wild proposition: what if 2006 was the last great year for adventurous, bigger-budget movies? It’s impossible to answer, of course, but consider these studio releases: Marie-Antoinette, Children of Men, Southland Tales, Clint Eastwood’s Iwo Jima diptych, Inside Man, Miami Vice, Idlewild, Crank, Idiocracy, The Holiday, The Black Dahlia. Millions were spent on bizarre highbrow and/or vanity projects like Michel Gondry’s The Science of Sleep, Soderbergh’s The Good German, Tommy Lee Jones’ (phenomenal) The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, or Ryan Murphy’s (excruciating) Running With Scissors. World Trade Center and United...
- 4/1/2021
- MUBI
After over a decade characterized by the law of diminishing returns and a couple of outright disasters, M. Night Shyamalan slowly embarked on the comeback trail. Once hailed as cinema’s latest wunderkind after rocketing into the mainstream with The Sixth Sense, which raked in over $672 million at the box office, scoring six Academy Award nominations in the process including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, it looked as though Hollywood had found its latest phenom.
However, from there things began to slide gradually downwards. Unbreakable was great, Signs was good, The Village was okay in parts, and Lady in the Water and The Happening marked a descent into disappointment, while The Last Airbender and After Earth were just awful. Things got so bad that even low budget horror Devil, which only cost $10 million to make, omitted his name from the marketing campaign completely in fear of being...
However, from there things began to slide gradually downwards. Unbreakable was great, Signs was good, The Village was okay in parts, and Lady in the Water and The Happening marked a descent into disappointment, while The Last Airbender and After Earth were just awful. Things got so bad that even low budget horror Devil, which only cost $10 million to make, omitted his name from the marketing campaign completely in fear of being...
- 1/14/2021
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
We've known that Blumhouse was developing content for Amazon, but now it's official. Amazon Prime Video has announced "Welcome to the Blumhouse," which will feature eight new genre films. It all kicks off with the first four films being released right in time for Halloween:
From the Press Release: "Culver City, CA – August 13, 2020 – Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October,...
From the Press Release: "Culver City, CA – August 13, 2020 – Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
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