Tag: m. night shyamalan

‘Slumdog’ star joins Shyamalan’s ‘Airbender’

dev-patel

You just knew ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was going to make a star out of Dev Patel. Â  The young actor has signed onto M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of ‘The Last Airbender’ based on the Avatar TV series. Â  Production begins in Greenland next month.

Patel joins a cast made up of relatively uknown actors such as Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, and Jessica Jade Andres.

Ringer is a complete unknown who was tapped for the title role off an Internet audition. Patel, meanwhile, steps into a role that Jesse McCartney  had all but locked up until the actor’s second career as a musician got in the way.

“Jesse had tour dates that conflicted with a boot camp I always hold on my films, and where the actors here have to train for martial arts,” Shyamalan said.

Patel was “already one of the guys I was interested in. Then I saw ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ and the kid just grew in my eyes,” he said.

Paramount is set to release “Airbender on July 2, 2010. Â  Shyamalan said he is planning a three-picture story arc.

Source: Variety

Shyamalan casts ‘The Last Airbender’

According to Entertainment Weekly, yours truly’s favorite director, M. Night Shyamalan, has done principal casting for ‘The Last Airbender’.

M. Night Shyamalan has found the cast for The Last Airbender, his upcoming live-action film based on the popular anime-inspired Nickelodeon series. The youthful group is mostly filled with unknowns who are likely to be household names by the time Paramount opens the first in its potential three-film franchise in July 2010. After an open casting call in Texas, Shyamalan discovered karate star Noah Ringer and offered him the part of Airbender’s 12-year old hero, Aang, an Avatar with superpowers who must stop the Fire Nation from destroying the world. ‘Twilight”s Jackson Rathbone has been asked to play Aang’s pal Sokka, while Nicola Peltz (‘Deck the Halls’) will star as his sister Katara. Genial singer Jesse McCartney, meanwhile, is negotiating to play against type in the role of the Fire Nation’s evil prince Zuko.

Ever since this morning’s announcement of the cast, people around the web  have been pissin’ and moanin’ – the  usual  crabby comments about Mr. Shyamalan and  that Avatar’s creators  wouldn’t have chosen these kids – i.e., the color of their skin compared to the characters in the cartoon. Shyamalan surely isn’t doing the casting alone, so I say lets wait til we’ve seen the first pics of these kids in costume.

M. Night writes ‘The Devil’ but passes on directing…

Heads up to all the Shyamalan-haters out there because I’m about to spill some new M. Night news. It appears Shyamalan is entering a phase of his career where he realizes he must abide by the laws of Darwin… adapt to survive or die.

Having been virtually crucified over ‘The Happening’ and nearly bankrupting himself with ‘Lady in the Water’ he needed something to turn his career back in the forward motion it began with. It’s old news that Shyamalan is currently working on a live-action feature adaptation of the popular anime series ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ titles simply ‘Airbender’ since James Cameron has something of a lock on the ‘Avatar’ title.

What’s interesting about this is that ‘Airbender’ will be the first film that isn’t an original work of his own. It’s also worth noting that ‘Airbender’ seems to be a strange fit for Shyamalan. Now an even more peculiar twist has developed from Shyamalan, and it’s not a twist ending from on eof his films. Shyamalan will produce ‘Devil’, a new supernatural thriller (big surprise) from a script written by Brian Nelson (30 Days of Night) which is based on an original story by Shyamalan. The film will be directed not by Shyamalan, but by John Erick and Drew Dowdle (Quarantine).

“This is a dream for me. I wanted to find filmmakers that inspire me and I found them.” — M. Night Shyamalan

No details have been revealed as to the plot. ‘Devil’ will begin production next year and is targeting a PG-13 rating. I suppose Shyamalan fears his recent attempt at an R-Rating may have dampened his mojo.

[source: HollywoodReporter]

Positive News About ‘Unbreakable 2’


After the last two films from M. Night Shyamalan, many fans were clamoring for something, anything from the writer/director to reassert their beliefs that he is actually a decent filmmaker.   Ever since it came out, most of these same fans have been wanting a sequel to ‘Unbreakable’, arguably Shyamalan’s best film to date.

Shyamalan recently spoke with Sci Fi Wire, and the subject of an ‘Unbreakable 2’ came up.

“I want to write it right now, but I want to write it for the right reasons,” Shayamalan said. “I want a story to pop into my head that is organic and expressive of who I am. You know, these are all kind of journals of where I am emotionally, so it’s kind of hard. I’m kind of trying to go back to the journal that existed in 1999 for me. But I know me: As soon as I give up on it is when the idea will come to me. It’s just I need to go into therapy; I guess that’s the end of that answer to this.”

I know a lot of people are reluctant to see ‘Unbreakable 2’ get made, especially after what Shyamalan gave us with ‘Lady in the Water’ and ‘The Happening’.   I still have faith.   If he gets himself to where he was when he wrote the original, and if he gets Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson to reprise their roles, ‘Unbreakable 2’ could easily be just as good as the first one.

Source: Sci Fi Wire

WAMG Contest: ‘The Happening’

It’s Time to Experience The Happening Again!!!  Director M. Night Shyamalan’s (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Lady in the Water)  first R-rated feature… and it scared the bejeesus outta me!! The rest of the M. Night haters can zip it…

In honor of Halloween…what scares you?? Send us a picture of whatever that may be… whether it’s your neighbor’s dog, your basement at night, your dentist’s chair, your cell phone bill… any kind of picture… get creative. (And for you smart-alecs, no pictures of any of M. Night’s other movies like The Village). Final giveaway Halloween week.

3rd place: CD soundtrack
2nd place: DVD of the movie
Grand Prize: DVD and a Survival Pack to help you thru the movie!

Here are some pictures of the prizes:

Please send all entries to contest@wearemoviegeeks.com

Could a sequel to ‘Unbreakable’ still happen?

Regardless of the massive numbers of people who hated this film, of which I truly do not understand, I absolutely loved this movie. Some poeple like to call me a Shyamalan fan-boy, but I’m not. What I am is someone who admires his ability within his own unique style of filmmaking, even if his films do not always succeed… financially or creatively.

However, ‘Unbreakable’ is an incredible film that, despite what some may describe as being a slow pointless film, I feel it’s one of the top ten superhero movies ever made. ‘Unbreakable’ managed to tap directly into the heart of what makes a great superhero. It’s not the super-abilities or the fancy costumes, but the stories behind what makes these heroes more than human… or, perhaps I should say “different” from other humans. I say this because the greatest superhero stories are about superheroes that have problems of their own. Superheroes that are perfect, don’t make mistakes and get through life without any hitches are, well… boring as Hell!

This is what ‘Unbreakable’ managed to do so well, introducing David Dunn (Bruce Willis), a man with special [while time-tested and common] abilities that he gradually discovers about himself after surviving a horrible accident. Meanwhile, Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) is introduced as a mastermind super-villain and Dunn’s arch-nemesis. The beauty of this film is that no one has cheesy superhero names or costumes. It’s an origin story as origin stories are meant to be told.

The big question now is, will there be a sequel? Apparently, ‘Unbreakable’ was originally intended by Shyamalan and Jackson to be more than just a single film, which is somewhat evident by how and when the film end’s in the story. Originally, I would have simply said NO! I thought the film was great as a stand alone piece that gives a new flavor to superhero movies, but now [even if I hate to admit it] I am intrigued. Part of me hopes Shyamalan does a great job on ‘Airbender’ and bankrolls for the studio, giving him back some of his directorial power and creative control. However you look at it, this is a bit of quasi-rumor news that I’ll be following…

Here’s a great snippet from the longer article from MTV:

[According to both Shyamalan and Jackson, “Unbreakable† was originally intended to be a trilogy, but a series of bad reviews as well as fan and film critic misconception of Shyamalan’s work quickly tabled the idea of a possible franchise. As Jackson put it, “He was a victim of what Quentin [Tarrantino] was a victim of. ‘Jackie Brown’ is a great movie, but it’s not ‘Pulp Fiction 2.’ ‘Unbreakable’ is a great movie, but it’s not ‘I see f**king dead people.’†] — MTV

‘The Last Airbender’ open casting call

  

The god-like, genius director M. Night Shyamalan…whose birthday is tomorrow….is looking for a kid for his new movie, ‘The Last Airbender.’ Paramount Pictures and Nick Movies have launched TheLastAirbenderCasting.com, an official site dedicated to finding the cast for the live-action motion picture. Based on the Nickelodeon tv series, Avatar, the film is set in an Asian-influenced fantasy world permeated by martial arts and magic and follows the adventures of the successor to a long line of Avatars who must put aside his irresponsible ways and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.

‘The Last Airbender’Â  is scheduled for a July 2nd, 2010 release.

‘The Happening’ … not so happening anymore.

Look at the sad, depressed expression on their faces… its not because its the end of the world (well maybe M Night’s), its because ‘The Happening’ had a 67% drop off in numbers this week. That is depressing for all you Shyamalan minions. Hey Michelle..who called that one?!

M. Night didn’t make a cameo in ‘The Happening’ …

… or, did he? Perhaps this time M. decided not to show his face (because the movie was so bad) and lent his voice instead? A lot of people are hearing that the voice that is “Joey” in the movie … is actually M. Night Shyamalan’s voice. What do you guys think about that?

Review: ‘The Happening’

Ram Man:

M.Night Shayamalan is back with his first “R” rated feature film …”The Happening” . This film has been cloaked in secrecy since production wrapped. Rumors leaked from a disgruntled projectionist that it was horrible. Everyone says Night’s career is riding on this…He will be fine! If you want to be surprised by what happens in the Happening read this after you see it and see if you agree with me (spoilers coming).

The Happening jumps right into it! The first scene in the movie has a pair of women in Central Park talking on a bench, when all of the sudden one takes a hair pin out a drives it into her own neck! People then begin to fall of buildings and drive cars of the road and die by the thousands. The Happening stars Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Dechanel as a married couple Elliot and Alma Moore. Their relationship “on the rocks” they must try to fix it while staying alive from the invisible force of death. Elliot and Alma together with their friend Julian (John Leguizamo) attempt to leave the city to a safer are outside the hot zone. Soon the force takes over the eastern coast of the country and out group finds themselves stranded in rural Pennsylvania. (I figured any kind of deadly force would be too bored to go to rural Pennsylvania).

After the large cities are decimated people begin to be affected in the smaller communities including the one Elloit and Alma are hold up in. Julian , once he loses contact with his wife leaves to go back to the city to find her (Noooooooo). Can you say Goner? By this time authorities have rule out terrorism and have no Idea what is causing this. Elliot , a science teacher, begins to believe a theory of this old farmer that the plants and trees are turning on us. I now expect to hear a chorus of “Trees” by Rush. Still on the run Elliot and Alma take up residence with a crazy old woman (Betty Buckley from eight is enough) and intended to wait it out and stay alive til this is over.

That is where the movie stops..and the ending takes over. The movie is thrilling and bloodier than anything M.Night has done before. The death scenes are great. My personal fave is a scene in Princeton NJ., Julian riding in a car on a suburban street, where people are hanging from trees like human Christmas ornaments. The movie was good but then he had to end it….that’s where you lose me. Like in his past films (Village & Lady in the Water) the end of his film ruins the ride you have taken up to that point. I’m not going to give it all away but I just have to quote an old TV slogan …Don’t mess with Mother Nature! The film is ok for DVD rental or catch it at a matinee.

I hold M.Night Shaymalan up to a higher mark with his past films (Six Sense, Unbreakable,Signs) and this one is still in that same rut with the Village. I do give him credit for night repeating or falling into the sequel trap. M.Night fans will go see this film and say I’m nuts. But the average movie goer will leave the theater and just say “Huh????”

Travis:

I know I’ve been shunned for having positive opinions for movies that the mass movie-going audience has found repulsively, unforgivably bad … so they say. But that’s the beauty of it … I don’t care. I think M. Night Shyamalan is a talented filmmaker and a promising storyteller. I’m not suggesting everything he does is perfect, but I believe the reason he gets crucified so often is because he’s doing something outside the box.

The Happening is a great sci-fi thriller that deals with a contemporary issue in a creative and entertaining way. What I admire about Shyamalan as a filmmaker is that he chooses to break out of the Hollywood mold [even if he does occasionally get stuck in his own mold] and he makes an effort to tell stories in a way that is fresh. I also respect him for doing his homework in writing an interesting story. The scientific “theory” presented in The Happening is based in relevant scientific concepts and addresses an issue that many, including myself, feel is important.

Like all of Shyamalan’s films, The Happening is rooted in suspense and the fear of the unknown. We can’t fault him for that, as its what he does. It would be like faulting Ingmar Bergman for making beautiful but depressing films … its what he did. I’m not going to start throwing Oscar comments out there, simply because there’s nothing in the movie that warrants any Oscar discussion. So, don’t worry about that. However, I feel this is a solid film that will find its audience amongst the fans who keep an open mind. The performances were perfect in that they served their purpose. This movie wasn’t about the characters, but rather about an idea. Wahlberg was convincing … serious and straight most of the time, emotional when necessary and even dabbled in light humor when called for. Zooey Deschanel … well, don’t get me started with her. I mean, those eyes … [*snap out of it*]

Sorry. Where was I … Oh, the cinematography and the score also carried this same relative characteristic of being subtle and appropriate, masterful on their own but maintaining a humble symbiosis with the film. There’s an organic quality to the flow of the story which is fitting, given the idea behind the incredible events taking place. I suppose the only thing I can really nit-pick about [if I must] is the somewhat convenient circumstance by which Elliot (Wahlberg), Alma (Deschanel) and Jess (Sanchez) manage to survive The Happening. Its a brief distraction, which is followed by the true ending to the film … which actually further illustrates my point that the story isn’t about Elliot and Alma. This is a very good film … I dare you to see it and really think about it. If you’ve already seen it and hated it … I triple-dog-dare you to watch it again without the blinders.

4 1/2 out of 5

Scott:

This movie is being promoted as the greatest B movie ever by Mr M Night, and I have to say..This movie isnt even the greatest D movie ever. This is your typical M Night crap..strange occurrences that have no explanation and the ending is just a big let down. If I wanted to walk away unfulfilled I would have went and watched a Uwe Boll movie, I might have scored it better.

1 out of 5.

[rating: 2.5/5]