Signs (2002)

A minister (Mel Gibson) who has lost his faith lives on his farm with his brother (Joaquin Phoenix), son (Rory Culkin) and daughter (Abigail Breslin). When he discovers mysterious crop circles in their field, he at first think it's a prank by some local kids but it isn't long before he discovers the truth. The crop circles are a sort of beacon for a hostile extraterrestrial invasion! For awhile, director M. Night Shyamalan made some decent movies until he stumbled with the dreadful LADY IN THE WATER and he's never recovered since. SIGNS may be his best film but even so, its screenplay is a mess. The script is so heavily burdened with religious elements that if you told me the film was financed by some Christian group, I'd believe you! The movie is at its worst during the domestic scenes with the cringe inducing dialogue and sentimental treacle. On the plus side, Shyamalan knows what he's doing when whipping up an intense atmosphere of dread and taking a cue from Val Lewton, he's careful not to show us the aliens knowing that anticipation is half the enjoyment in a scary movie. The suspense builds up to a taut level which are relieved by a few jump moments. That compensates for the weaker parts of the film. With Cherry Jones and Patricia Kalember.