I enjoyed M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water." It was slow going at first, and I'm not going to say anything about the plot. Suffice it to say, I went without reading any reviews or summaries or seeing anything more than its trailers.
"Lady in the Water" was not what I expected. It was .... sweet. Some folks in the theater applauded. The adults and children with whom I saw it liked it. It's different, that's all I'll say. I think his movies are always worth watching.
I have the feeling that "Lady" will be seriously panned by many on this board, but I enjoyed it overall.
"Lady in the Water" was not what I expected. It was .... sweet. Some folks in the theater applauded. The adults and children with whom I saw it liked it. It's different, that's all I'll say. I think his movies are always worth watching.
I have the feeling that "Lady" will be seriously panned by many on this board, but I enjoyed it overall.
Reading is freedom.
The mind soars, no earthly cares,
no limitations.
A Maggers Haiku, 2005
Years ago my mother used to say to me... "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant."
Well, for years I was smart.
I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me.
Elwood P. Dowd
I just saw it this afternoon. Here's my take:
Overall, I liked the movie. It is not without faults, but most of them are .... pre-production(?) problems. By that I mean, all the critics' review which blast MNS are pretty accurate. Most of the problem lies in the structure of the story, not the story itself.
MNS writes himself too big of a character in the movie, but that isn't really that bad, imho. It is possibly quite egocentric when you learn the fate of this character, however.
He even preemptively rips on the critics (or retaliation for previous poor reviews?) by writing in a movie critic who really isn't necessary. The critic is deceitful, cowardly, and [lost the word]. Is he trying to tell us something??
Giamatti is very good in his role, but I wasn't convinced that Howard has the acting chops necessary to make it without her father's name.
The plot is pretty good, but falls victim to its own weight. It meanders and never really seems to want to get going. Or at least it doesn't show it. It tries to obfuscate the characters and their roles in the story, but it seems more a plot device than anything real. You might not always see how things are being misdirected, but you can sense that you are purposely being misdirected.
Some of the dialogue is forced. This movie REALLY needed someone to tighten up the script and screenplay - someone to tell MNS, "Umm, no, that is stupid. How 'bout if you try it this way." Unfortunately he didn't allow that, because it could have worked SO much better.
All said and done, it is a touching story, even though it sometimes seems a bit manipulative and melodramatic.
****SPOILER*******
Overall the special effects are pretty good. If you've seen the previews, you've seen the "wolf" creature. I thought that was done pretty well. There are other creatures that aren't shown until the very end; I think those would have been better left out or never shown in detail. They appeared fake to me and could have been shown out of focus or in the shadows to better effect, imo.
Overall, I liked the movie. It is not without faults, but most of them are .... pre-production(?) problems. By that I mean, all the critics' review which blast MNS are pretty accurate. Most of the problem lies in the structure of the story, not the story itself.
MNS writes himself too big of a character in the movie, but that isn't really that bad, imho. It is possibly quite egocentric when you learn the fate of this character, however.
He even preemptively rips on the critics (or retaliation for previous poor reviews?) by writing in a movie critic who really isn't necessary. The critic is deceitful, cowardly, and [lost the word]. Is he trying to tell us something??
Giamatti is very good in his role, but I wasn't convinced that Howard has the acting chops necessary to make it without her father's name.
The plot is pretty good, but falls victim to its own weight. It meanders and never really seems to want to get going. Or at least it doesn't show it. It tries to obfuscate the characters and their roles in the story, but it seems more a plot device than anything real. You might not always see how things are being misdirected, but you can sense that you are purposely being misdirected.
Some of the dialogue is forced. This movie REALLY needed someone to tighten up the script and screenplay - someone to tell MNS, "Umm, no, that is stupid. How 'bout if you try it this way." Unfortunately he didn't allow that, because it could have worked SO much better.
All said and done, it is a touching story, even though it sometimes seems a bit manipulative and melodramatic.
****SPOILER*******
Overall the special effects are pretty good. If you've seen the previews, you've seen the "wolf" creature. I thought that was done pretty well. There are other creatures that aren't shown until the very end; I think those would have been better left out or never shown in detail. They appeared fake to me and could have been shown out of focus or in the shadows to better effect, imo.
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. ... The piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
~ Howard Phillips Lovecraft
After his previous disappointments I will not be seing this movie. Your reviews were nice and may change my mind. Though I'll wait for Tony's review before I decide for sure.
Scott Hajek
[i]"A beer right now would sound good, but I'd rather drink one than listen to it."[/i]
I was once upon a time a MNS fan, but ever since I saw his "special" on TV released at the time of The Villiage, he came across as a kid with a camcorder and a pocket full of financiers. I still don't know what the hell it was that I watched but it put me off of any future MNS movies. So there will be no review from me on this one Scooter. Sorry.
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.”
Certified 100% Serious
AsMoral Wrote:I was once upon a time a MNS fan, but ever since I saw his "special" on TV released at the time of The Villiage, he came across as a kid with a camcorder and a pocket full of financiers. I still don't know what the hell it was that I watched but it put me off of any future MNS movies. So there will be no review from me on this one Scooter. Sorry.
Thanks. You just saved me some $$$.
Scott Hajek
[i]"A beer right now would sound good, but I'd rather drink one than listen to it."[/i]
Today I went to see "Lady in the water" and it was pretty good. Better than "The Village".
I totally agree with Jim's opinion. Bryce D. Howard was cool (like a water). Paul Giamatti showed good acting. I think this is his best movie. Actually, all characters were good. What a kind people!
In this movie, I had curiosity about story of Narf(sp?). Korean woman told about Narf's story. So this story came from Korea? But I felt this is like Greek Myth. What do you think?
After all, this is bed time story. MNS made this movie for his daughters. At the ending role, "To my daughters, I'll tell you this story one more time. But then go to bed". MNS is good director and good father.
I totally agree with Jim's opinion. Bryce D. Howard was cool (like a water). Paul Giamatti showed good acting. I think this is his best movie. Actually, all characters were good. What a kind people!
In this movie, I had curiosity about story of Narf(sp?). Korean woman told about Narf's story. So this story came from Korea? But I felt this is like Greek Myth. What do you think?
After all, this is bed time story. MNS made this movie for his daughters. At the ending role, "To my daughters, I'll tell you this story one more time. But then go to bed". MNS is good director and good father.
Hello!
I saw two trailers of this movie weeks ago. The first trailer showed the movie very good I think. I didn't watched it so, It's hard so decide. The second was VERY BAD! Nearly No informations about themovie. German trailer become more and more liek that. I dont understand why. Thats Bullsh**
After having seen the first trailer, I wouldn't like to see the movie...not the theme I prefer i movies...not my case ^^
greetings
I saw two trailers of this movie weeks ago. The first trailer showed the movie very good I think. I didn't watched it so, It's hard so decide. The second was VERY BAD! Nearly No informations about themovie. German trailer become more and more liek that. I dont understand why. Thats Bullsh**
After having seen the first trailer, I wouldn't like to see the movie...not the theme I prefer i movies...not my case ^^
greetings
"Dem ago call a war a holy war...but if a war is holy....what unholy stands for?
(Gentleman)
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