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Author	Topic: What is outside the Village? (spoilers)

Jeremy Standard Userer	Honestly- You think I would know something like that? This movie's locked up tighther than... oh God... I can't think of one witty thing to say! SEE this movie's messing with my mind Already! The trailers give nothing away-- But then again I suppose I'd rather have that than say the whole movie spoon fed to me in three minutes (ala Polar Express). Futhermore... Has anyone heard any news about James Newton Howard's score for this film? I did my research and-- just like the trialer- It will unveil no secrets. Seriously no sound clips anywhere... no information beyond a tracklisting. I can't wait to hear what he's cooked up though- let's hope it's not a signs ripoff (but I'd like to think I have more faith in him than that.) Excited to hear it! [Message edited by Jeremy on 07-25-2004]
posted 07-25-2004 07:23 PM PT (US)

TimT Standard Userer	Theres a review of the CD with soundclips at Filmtracks.com
posted 07-25-2004 07:37 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	To me, this one's better than Signs in the lyrical sense, although JNH has recreated the intelligently spooky sound of a Shyamalan film.... violin solos are great, making this sound like a muted Goldenthal score (a good thing) to me, but still has the creepy atmosphere JNH does best for Shyamalan. This score hits some terrifyingly low notes, something I like. Warning though... these are my first reactions; 3/4 way through my first listen... very impressed.
posted 07-25-2004 07:59 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	A review from James Southall that finds much to praise in the score: http://www.moviewave.net/titles/village.html
posted 07-25-2004 08:12 PM PT (US)

James Standard Userer	Wait a second...Hilary Hahn performs in this score?!?! How did I miss this? Wow, that's a solid buy for me right there.... Anyone who hasn't heard Hahn's reading of Samuel Barber's violin concerto needs to get themselves to their nearest retailer NOW. Kirk
posted 07-25-2004 08:19 PM PT (US)

Jeremy Standard Userer	Theres a review of the CD with soundclips at Filmtracks.com- Tim T How do I miss stuff like this? I was on that website the other night? Maybe they hadn't posted it yet- I'll have to give those clips a listen. I was really hoping he'd take it to a more lyrical level- although I really did enjoy the tension JNH was able to bring to SIGNS through his repitition- the man is brilliant. Like I said- looking foreword to hearing this one. The moviewave.net review mentioned the words "small scale" and "focusing on character..." God I love to hear that. Especially for a "horror" film, it just shows that there may be hope for depth in music. Can't wait [Message edited by Jeremy on 07-25-2004]
posted 07-25-2004 09:30 PM PT (US)

LRobHubbard Standard Userer	I personally hope that it turns out to be Patrick McGoohan, with a big white balloon waiting next to him. Seriously though, I hope that he doesn't repeat the mistake he made with SIGNS - 95% excellent build-up only to be completely ruined by an illogical 5% ending.
posted 07-25-2004 09:52 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	Red attracks Number 6?
posted 07-25-2004 10:06 PM PT (US)

James Standard Userer	My money's on the whole Sasquatch/Bigfoot legend as the backdrop of this story.
posted 07-25-2004 10:08 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	It's Land Survayors. And Shyamalan will be in the final scene as one.
posted 07-25-2004 11:02 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	It's actually the modern world outside of the village. Those dimwits have been churning butter and using wax candles for decades, all the while Parkay and lightbulbs were a five-minute carriage ride away. Ryan
posted 07-26-2004 05:25 AM PT (US)

Jeremy Standard Userer	Personally I hope it is Shamalan... The main character goes trampsing through the woods just to find the director- run out of good ideas that way they can excentuate the point in JNH'S score where he lays in the Whaa Whaa Whaaaa of a whining trumpet. I should really find a chance to go see it tommorow
posted 07-29-2004 07:13 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6756132&style=music&frm=lk_fmsr Oh, heaven forbid J.N.H. rips himself off like Williams, Horner and Goldsmith did, Jeremy. Even Yared Troy has moments that sound like other scores.
posted 07-29-2004 07:42 PM PT (US)

lancer Standard Userer	Seen it, Yaaawn, I had this one figured out half way through, boring. Although it did have some good acting.
posted 07-30-2004 04:47 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	Here is what Ebert said about the score in his very negative review of the movie: quote: Solemn violin dirges permeate the sound track. Since he was being so negative and insulting of the movie, I can't tell if he means this in a good way, or bad way.
posted 07-30-2004 05:35 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	Perfs by Dallas Howard and Hurt and JNH's score are the lone sanitary nuggets in Shyamalan's most mega of turds. BTW -- I figured this one out before I even saw the movie (see post above). I might not have been totally right, but I was pretty damn close. By the time the "twist" is revealed, you won't even care. Shyamalan's tubby direction and dialogue will have frustrated you into apathy long before. Adrien Brody's perf inspires only laughs. Wow, what a waste of time. Ryan
posted 07-30-2004 09:14 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Standard Userer	Totally agree, Ryan. Way to take your audience for morons, Night. I just got back from seeing it, but did it seem to you that he gave away all of the "surprises" right before he should have? For instance, the box and the stories before she discovers the road? I hope some of you at least got in for free. Shaun
posted 07-30-2004 09:29 PM PT (US)

BMikeJ Standard Userer	You bring up a good point, Monseur Ass. It might've worked out better if he had revealed that information a little later in the film. That notwithstanding, I actually had a good time with this movie. I don't think it's any worse than his other films and I liked them, too. I think he did a really good job of creating the world of The Village in the first 3/4 of the picture and then broke it to bits with his last act. It might have worked better with a little more foreshadowing. There were some good performances in the picture. It was great to see Sigourney and William Hurt in a picture again. I don't think that's happened since Eyewitness. I think they have good chemistry. And Ron Howard's daughter was terrific. The score was very enjoyable and I kept thinking of Philip Glass. Someone pointed out a digital pop on the soundtrack over at the FSM board. Anybody else come across this?
posted 07-31-2004 03:22 AM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	Once again, a TOP NOTCH score from James Newton Howard. The man is amazing! I no longer l;ook forward to Speilberg, or Lucas's movies, I looks forward to Shyamalan's movies. And I look forward to J.N.H.'s latest effort from a Shyamalan movie more than I have Williams's in so many years I lost count. As you might tell by now, I LOVED THE MOVIE!!!!!
posted 07-31-2004 06:24 PM PT (US)

JoeinAr Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by justin boggan: Once again, a [b]TOP NOTCH score from James Newton Howard. The man is amazing! I no longer l;ook forward to Speilberg, or Lucas's movies, I looks forward to Shyamalan's movies. And I look forward to J.N.H.'s latest effort from a Shyamalan movie more than I have Williams's in so many years I lost count. As you might tell by now, I LOVED THE MOVIE!!!!![/B] As did I, and the score. this isn't a film for those needing a speed fix or who have been suckled on MTV. Its not for those who reject spirituality, or those who feel false superiority because they "figured" it out. I think people are getting too caught up in the twist and forgetting the rest of the film
posted 07-31-2004 07:35 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	I can't believe people get angry cause "There were no monsters", or "there were no aliens". PEOPLE! Those WERE NOT what the movies were about!!!!! Shyamalan had a good story and knew where he was going from beginning to end. Which is more than 90% of the movies from the last 5 years can say. I don't have a problem with the ending. I got a small problem with the very, very ending. Just saying she's back seemed an odd way to end the movie and felt like there should have been more.
posted 07-31-2004 08:13 PM PT (US)

nightwing Standard Userer	I like it alot, and loved JNH's score. The worst part about the movie was all the 13-16 year old's in their talking and whining about it not being scary, than after the movie saying "it sucked because it wasn't scary." My friends and I have discussed and think that most people went into it wanting an all-out horror flick, forgetting that that's not what Night is about. I felt he did an excellent job making you scared by anticipating that something was there even though you can't see it. Once again, Night proves that it is scarier to NOT see than to see.
posted 07-31-2004 09:15 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by JoeinAr: As did I, and the score. this isn't a film for those needing a speed fix or who have been suckled on MTV. Its not for those who reject spirituality, or those who feel false superiority because they "figured" it out. I think people are getting too caught up in the twist and forgetting the rest of the film I've seen perhaps five minutes of MTV in my lifetime. I don't go to M Night movies for "spirituality" (if I wanted that, I'd go to church). The twist should have provided some much needed oomph to this tubby and ponderous meditation on masturbatory filmmaking, but it came long after this overcooked bird dried up. M Night professes to be a master storyteller, and by nature, stories should be entertaining. THE VILLAGE is a deliberately dragged out paint drying marathon with all the thrills of an episode of THE GOLDEN GIRLS. Ryan
posted 07-31-2004 09:27 PM PT (US)

Jeremy Standard Userer	Political commentary anyone? I can't quite figure this one out... But I have enough faith in Shyamalan as a filmmaker to know that there is definatly something going on underneath his "fable." "Government" elders who scare their "villagers" into doing what they want them to do? = the Bush administration? I don't know... but that was a theory I heard- I loved the fact that Shyamalan was more concerned with the personal stories of his characters than trying to "scare" you. This could be his transition film into serious drama. A few things I would've liked to see- A more complete ending More of Phoenix... He's a excellent actor- I wanted to see more of him. A more focused picture overall... A longer Act one- a little bit of a shorter Act 3. Overall I enjoyed the picture... I think... I still don't know what to think about it... when I draw some conclusions I'll know. But I think I liked it.
posted 07-31-2004 09:33 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	I thought this was going to be a Phoenix oriented movie, but when you-know-what happened ... twice (Which was shocking, I didn't see it coming, even the second time) I wondered what was going to happen and I was glad they centered the movie around someone else. This time he choose a female.
posted 07-31-2004 09:37 PM PT (US)

Lancelot Standard Userer	The Internet: A Place Where People Come To Trade Porn and Bitch About Movies.
posted 07-31-2004 10:06 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Sure, some auteurs are a bit self-indulgent sometimes, but whoever came up with phrase 'masdurbatory film-making' really ought to write a history of post-modern intellectual decay.
posted 07-31-2004 10:22 PM PT (US)

Quill Standard Userer	Well...unfortunately I walked out feeling as if I had wasted 2-hours of a precious weekend. As always with his films, this one was well-acted and executed with his usual precision. Unfortunately, the story did nothing for me and listening to the dialogue was akin to being beaten over the head with an old stick. I know that their was a purpose to the stilt of the dialogue...but still... The first twist was so obvious...and unfortunately, I sat their hoping there was more than that. Someone had hinted at the 2nd twist before I saw the film and as I watched I realized there could be nothing else in his bag of tricks. As for political commentary...I don't look for it and don't like to see films that have even a hint of it. I get enough of that BS on the radio and TV. I agree that the bright spots were Howard and Phoenix, and JNH provides yet another top-notch score. Otherwise...this one left me empty. Zak
posted 08-01-2004 10:04 AM PT (US)

Justin Standard Userer	My thoughts...JNH's score is decent. Movie was a let down
posted 08-01-2004 01:07 PM PT (US)

Quill Standard Userer	I actually have a question...for what is turning out to be a major plothole... SPOILERS So, the elders escape the horrid reality of our modern world to setup up their idyllic village and live circa late 19th century. It appears from their age that the elders have most likely been there for roughly 30-years. Where did everyone else come from? Considering that the elders are the only ones who know the "secret?" There appeared to be many other villagers in their 30's and 40's...were they kidnapped as infants and brought to the village? Otherwise, the thought of inbreeding to get a populace of that size is disturbing....what am I missing?
posted 08-01-2004 05:31 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	Psst... Quill, don't ask questions! Just let Uncle M pat you on the head and tell you a long, boring bedtime story about a village of idiots... Ryan
posted 08-01-2004 09:22 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	Looks like they are missing their main idiot...
posted 08-01-2004 10:43 PM PT (US)

Quill Standard Userer	I know that you weren't directing that at me Justin...but do you have an explanation? I'm just curious if there is a viable answer, or if we are simply to excuse an obvious flaw at the heart of this hokey story? Z
posted 08-02-2004 12:47 PM PT (US)

JeffBond Standard Userer	I thought it was a more interesting story thinking about it the next day than it actually was watching it. The acting was quite good and I liked the IDEA of feeding into character more than plot, but I don't think he quite pulled that off. And it's interesting that Night's cameo is in the film's dumbest-by-far scene. ...and I'm sure glad the filmmakers behind Paths of Glory, The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days in May and a host of other classics never worried about movie-goers who can't stand the idea of having any of that "political commentary BS" in their movies. I just hates movies that makes me think, boss!
posted 08-02-2004 01:17 PM PT (US)

LRobHubbard Standard Userer	The ending was slightly reshot, after "Moriarty" of AICN reviewed the script and panned the ending... it does make the original line of "crazy f*&)ing White People!" more clearer... Shyamalan's movies are basically genre movies for people who don't like genre films... they're interesting allegories that aren't well thought out due to this formula of 'the trick ending' and it's quickly becoming an albatross around his neck. He has talent and is good with actors - now if he's willing to stretch himself the next time around and ditch this silly forumula 'twist', he could turn into a real filmmaker.
posted 08-02-2004 05:36 PM PT (US)

Jeremy Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by LRobHubbard: ...'the trick ending' and it's quickly becoming an albatross around his neck. He has talent and is good with actors - now if he's willing to stretch himself the next time around and ditch this silly forumula 'twist', he could turn into a real filmmaker. Now I must admit that after first seeing "The Village" it took me some time to make up my mind about how I felt- mainly because I had to sift my way through the film to find it's deeply hidden themes- However I found that "The Twist" worked in this film because it was in full support of the story and it's characters. If you look at Shyamalan's films you'll notice that "The Sixth sense" is very much a movie ABOUT the twist- that's the third act ending device- the whole movie leads up to it... as his films progress we see his movies being less and less about the inevietable "twist ending." For example: "Signs" did have somewhat of a twist (I'm not sure I'd even call it that) but it was split about 50/50 with the story Shyamalan was telling. We cared as much about the characters as we did about the twist. Now granted THE VILLAGE is no signs, however we see him starting to gravitate towards human stories- focusing less and less I should hope of his trademark twist ending. In THE VILLAGE the twist matters less and in fact I see as a secondary device to the real story of the "lover on a journey." Here the twist that they really live in modern times is just to explain the groundwork from which the true story is sprouted. It's as much a story about love as it is a story about fear. They both share (rather clumsily- but ultimately I feel sucessfully) the same screen. I hope that in the future Shyamalan continues telling more personal stories with less emphasis on the twist- because he is a brilliant director- what I would call a real "visionary" filmmaker.
posted 08-02-2004 06:17 PM PT (US)

Quill Standard Userer	No need to be sarcastic Jeff. I for one simply prefer my films to be free of political subtext (unless it is a story directly tied to a governmental/political issue.) I guess the movie just missed the mark for me. As I said before the directing as always is top-notch, atmosphere perfect, and acting superb. I think he simply should consider working with another writer other than himself next time. Oh, and I guess the plothole is there and simply needs to be accepted. Not that it really matters in an overall subpar effort. Zak
posted 08-02-2004 10:10 PM PT (US)

joan hue Standard Userer	I like it, I like it not, I like it, I like it not, I like it, I like it not. I liked the movie more upon reflection. I was expecting real scares and horror, but that wasn't his purpose. In SIGNS, Shyamalan commented upon the nature of faith and the tests our faith must face. THE VILLAGE seemed almost to be a parable or allegory on the weaknesses of isolationism and the controls of pandemic terror. I found the editing weak in places and although the dialogue was suppose to sound old-fashioned, I found it at times simply inane. And, of course, there were credibility issues that weren't addressed. Still, I enjoyed the acting and themes. (Bryce Howard was wonderful!) Spoilers on several scenes ahead.......warning..The scene where Howard first holds out her hand trusting in the love of Phoenix was amazing as was the scene filmed from the ceiling as the knife is pulled out. Rather classic photography in my opinion. JNHoward's music was excellent. Yep, he did some scary stuff, but it was his delicate strings capturing the purity and delicacy of the love story that I found so endearing. I've always wondered if Shyamalan would direct a movie actually written by someone else? (Quill, he should at least consider other writers, IMHO.) [Message edited by joan hue on 08-05-2004]
posted 08-05-2004 08:57 AM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by joan hue: I've always wondered if Shyamalan would direct a movie actually written by someone else? (Quill, he should at least consider other writers, IMHO.) Nice thoughts Joan. As to whether he'd consider other writers, he seems to regard himself as an auteur who takes his projects from beginning to ending. It might be interesting to see what he'd do with a scriptwriter like Rafael Yglesias (Fearless, Les Miserables) or David Koepp though, both of whom share some interests of his. As his next project could be Yann Martel's The Life of Pi, it's possible the original author could have some input to (what one presumes will be) the Shylaman script.
posted 08-05-2004 02:41 PM PT (US)

joan hue Standard Userer	Thanks, franz. Someone is considering making The Life Of Pi??? I can't imagine making that movie into a novel. My book club did this novel, and we really debated the ending. If one could control the animals and the camera (as well as Pi's perspective), he might just pull it off.
posted 08-05-2004 04:33 PM PT (US)

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