When I saw this in the theater, I definitely came away from Signs with a negative reaction. I felt that I had been duped by what was portrayed in the original trailer. It was marketed as an Alien Invasion movie. There was clear deception on the part of those behind the scenes, so you can imagine how p*ssed off I was when the final scene went to black. I wasn't the only one that felt like I had been bamboozled by deceptive publicity around this film. A lot of people were griping when the lights came up. I did end up buying the DVD when it first came out though, hoping that it play better the second time around.

It didn't, although my negative reaction the the film had lighten somewhat. So, I went into watching Signs again, really trying to wash away any preconceived bias I have and just let the story tell itself and not dwell on expectations of what a movie is suppose to be, but what the director is trying to get across instead. I, along with everyone on the planet, is hardwired a certain way when it comes to movies. We have all grown up expecting certain beats and how scenes are presented to us in the Sci-Fi genre. For me, having grown up during the Blockbuster years, I of course have grown accustomed to the money shots that are the 'Invasions' themselves.

There are two ways to reveal the main villain in a movie. One way is to hint and tease us until the inevitable showdown as seen in ID4 Independence Day. The 2nd way is to give us glimpses, slowly building up to the money shot as seen in Jaws. So, watching this one again today, I saw this more in line with Jaws, and you can clearly see how much Steven Spielberg is an influence on M. Night Shyamalan in the way he sets up his shots. But the ending, with the Alien in the house, it's still somewhat of a letdown because he is obscured for the most part. I will say that keeping an open mind while watching Signs today, it did make the movie play a lot better than before. Still kinda feel gypped at the end, but overall the movie is way better than I've given it credit for in the past.

Definitely worth a Rent if you have never seen it before. Just don't expect the typical Hollywood onslaught type of Alien flick and you'll be okay. I however never had a problem with the cast, which I like. Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin all did a great job. I just now noticed Cherry Jones in this one for the first time. I've seen her in countless things and I never could figure out where I saw her first. Now I know.

Good observation on how shamalamadingdong frames and shoots his stories.

I don't remember anything about the trailer deception. We know it happens... A lot.

I was more aggravated with the huge plot hole of Aliens affected by water in a very deadly way, to a water planet. I just dismiss that portion and enjoy the 95% of the flick.