M. Night Shyamalan
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User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1276628170)
Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan, known professionally as M. Night Shyamalan, is an Oscar nominated Indian-American director and screenwriter famous for his supernatural plots and (occasionally brilliant) plot twists. Though not always thoroughly enjoyed by critics, Shyamalan's films continue to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they wonder what he will come up with next.
Shyamalan's Films
'''''Praying With Anger''''' was Shyamalan's first film, released in 1992. It tells the story of a young man (who happens to be played by Shyamalan himself) who goes back to India to explore his heritage. Shyamalan made this film during his time at New York University where he studied film making. Filled with character epiphanies, this semi-autobiographical film doesn't quite fit in with the thrilling, supernatural themes Shyamalan explores in his later movies, but has developed as a cult classic for many Shyamalan lovers. Never released for mainstream distribution, this movie is primarily screened at film festivals and in Shyamalan fan's living rooms.
'''''Wide Awake''' ''was Shyamalan's first major motion picture, released by Miramax in 1998. This film follows a young boy's search for God after the death of his grandfather and begins to explore some of the themes Shyamalan is most famous for. It has a supernatural subplot, is driven by dialogue and has one of Shyamalan's signature twist endings. Far funnier than his other movies, this film was incredibly successful at the box office and was nominated for two awards at the Young Artists Award Ceremony that year.
'''''The Sixth Sense''''' is arguably Shyamalan's best and most famous film. This 1999 drama about a troubled psychologist and his relationship with a disturbed child who claims to see dead people has successfully shocked and horrified audiences for over ten years. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards and grossed over $600 million dollars world wide. This movie's fantastic plot twist has become a trademark of Shyamalan's work.
'''''Unbreakable''''' has been described by Shyamalan as his favorite work. Released in 2000, this psychological thriller tells the story of David Dunn, the sole survivor of a train crash who comes to realize that he has supernatural powers. The movie opened to mixed reviews (many critics were disappointed by it in comparison to ''The Sixth Sense''), but ultimately grossed over $250 million dollars worldwide.
'''''Signs''''' tells the story of a rural Pennsylvania Episcopal priest who loses his faith after his wife's death but regains it as he witnesses the events of an alien invasion. The film, released in 2002, produced a generally positive reaction from critics and was overwhelmingly successful at the box office. The film's powerful musical score was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's ''Psycho.'' This film has also become a favorite of Shyamalan fans and keeps viewers the edge of their seats with their hands close to their eyes every time they watch.
Released in 2004, '''''The Village''''' stars Joaquin Phoenix and Bryce Dallas Howard as members of a 19th century community encircled by a dangerous and mystical forest, isolated from the rest of the world. The film was panned by critics and although it had a successful opening weekend, it ended up a commercial flop. That being said, many people still enjoy this movie for its chilling scenes and exciting plot twists and turns.
'''''Lady in the Water''''' was released in 2006 and is the fantasy of a Philadelphia maintenance man who discovers a young woman named Story in the swimming pool of his apartment complex. The critical response to the movie was also negative, but despite this, it was more successful at the box office than ''The Village''. A visually pleasing film, it takes viewers into a fantasy world that (depending on the viewer, I suppose) is difficult to leave.
'''''The Happening,''''' starring Zooey Deschanel and Mark Wahlberg, is perhaps the most universally reviled of all Shyamalan's films. Centered around the release of a strange chemical that makes people want to commit suicide, it was Shyamalan's first R-rated film, led to mixed reviews and grossed higher than both ''The Village' 'and ''Lady in the Water.
'''''The Last Air Bender '''''is set to release in July of 2010 and is a live action interpretation of Avatar: The Last air Bender, a Nickelodeon animated TV shows. Hopefully this film will please Shyamalan's fans and critics alike!
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