THE VILLAGE [2004]

M. Night Shyamalan knows how to create creepy moods and atmosphere with great effect and that's pretty much what saves The Village from being a complete disaster.

It has moments of strained and awkward dialogue, silly plot elements that are handled poorly and an "surprise" ending that I saw coming from about 20 minutes into the film.  However the photography, music and performances are wonderful and make it all the worthwhile.

3 bright red bad out of 5

SIGNS [2002]

Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan lightens up a bit with a heavy dose of skittish paranoid humor in the alien invasion thriller Signs.

With some interesting camera work, enjoyable performances, startling moments and fantastic music, Signs is a joy to watch even if it does slap you in the ass with some groan worthy moments.   It doesn't leave enough to the imagination to make it fully effective as the perfect blend of humor and thrills that it tries to be.  

3 tinfoil hats out of 5

THE BEAVER [2011]

Mel Gibson gives a subtly brilliant performance in this Jodie Foster directed drama, that's sad, funny, quirky and refreshingly original.
Gibson lives his life through a puppet and at first seems to work out fine but quickly spirals out of control.
It's a wonderful view on living with depression and how much harder it is for the people around you to deal with it.
Gibson and Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence and Cherry Jones all turn in wonderful performances.

4 shower curtain rods out of 5