M. Night Shyamalan is back with his latest spine-tingler, and Wade and Kevin have a spoiler free conversation about the ‘The Visit’ asking: is it any good? But first (what a twist!), they each talk about their personal favorite film from Shyamalan’s filmography, discussing what made him great as a director and what could make him great again.

Music interlude by Builders, “Paperback Bible.” Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn and Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.


1 Comment

  1. As a man who read a Shyamalan biography 9 years ago, and whose favorite movie for several years was The Village, I feel I should comment.

    I really enjoyed your guys’ perspective. I haven’t seen The Visit yet, and I wasn’t planning to, but now I feel like I should, if only to say that I was there when Shyamalan took his steps toward the best films of his career (we can hope, right?).

    Kevin, I disagree with your criticism about Signs having a deaux machina ending, but only because God’s involvement in the characters’ lives is a primary theme. “Are you the kind of man who sees signs, who sees miracles?” Graham asks his brother halfway through the film. With this recurring theme of coincidences that are imbued with deeper significance, Shyamalan sets his audience up for a deux machina ending, but in this case one which is allowed by the structure he’s built for his story. Right? Right!

    I agree that The Village is not as formally prestine as some of his other films, but it still has a special place in my heart. The soundtrack! Violinist Hillary Hahn really brought this film up a couple notches. Also, even though the structure is weak (particularly the third act) the characters are beautiful. Watch this scene and tell me you’re not moved:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbJpJBKUf4k

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