M. Night Shyamalan was born in India but was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Most of his films have been shot in Philly and the surrounding communities. His films deal with supernatural story lines that climax with unexpected surprising endings. His most famous is "The Sixth Sense" which he both wrote and directed. This film tells the story of a young boy who speaks with the dead and the child psychologist who consuls him. "I see dead people" is just one infamous line from the film.
"Signs" was another film written and directed by Shyamalan that was shot in Bucks County. Mel Gibson starred in the flick that told the tale of mysterious crop circles appearing around the world and the subsequent invasion of extraterrestrials. Delaware Valley College leased 40 acres to the production company where they built the house and shot the cornfield scenes. The bookstore and pizza shop scenes were filmed in Newtown, and the pharmacy scene was shot in Morrisville.
One of his most recent film's "Lady in the Water," was shot entirely in Levittown at the site of the old 3-M property. Here they built a 5 story apartment complex complete with a swimming pool and filmed the entire movie at this location. The film was about a building maintenance man who saves a young woman from the pool. She turns out to be a story book sea nymph that he tries to help back to her home before others succeed in keeping her in the present world. The film did not do well at the box office due to the rambling storyline.
M. Night Shyamalan is a gifted writer and a talented director. We can look forward to more spine-tingling films from this gifted writer/director.
The following link is the trailer for The Sixth Sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlkwIPLP_EE
I think that M Night Shyamalan has captured the exact attitude of giving back to the community where he grew up. He has made many movies right here in Bucks County and has provided many people with employment regardless if it is just for a few days, he brings it back to where he grew up. I think that this is an outstanding attitude in today's world economy in giving back to society. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI really like most of Shyamalan's movies. His stories are great and mysterious. I think it is really cool many of his films were shot in this area. I also like that he appears in many of his movies. Most times playing an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteI think its great that he grew up in PA and still to this day shoots his movies in PA. His movies are science fiction which is great because of the technology in movies today can make something that is fake look so real.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your blog, I would like to watch the movie "Signs" again so that I could see the bookstore and pizza shop scene in Newtown, and the pharmacy scene in Morrisville. This makes a movie even more interesting when you can connect personally with the place. This is the only movie that I have viewed that he has produced. Your blog has inspired me to view more of his films.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am not a big fan of his style but I do respect his work. I have heard a lot about him and he's very talented. I heard the movie "Signs" was shot around here and that's why I was scared to watch it when it came out! I get really freaked out by movies like these....
ReplyDeleteI have actually been disappointed in him because his recent movies haven't had great emotions to them. Recently is movies have involve many people and the storyline is not well develop. I think he should take some time and if even some years off and rediscover himself to get back in the movie career. I respect as a person because he seems to see what most of us put in the closet.
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