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M. Night Suggests a Reporter Might Consider Killing Herself

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (38)

large_shyamalan.jpg

I think that M. Night Shyamalan might be getting something of a bad rap for comments directed at a douchelady Mexico City journalist this week. I give the reporter a little credit for having the courage/audacity to suggest to M. Night that he decided to take on The Last Airbender because it was commercial and he wanted to captivate an audience again (i.e., she suggested M. Night had sold out), but I don’t at all hold any disregard for M. Night for his response, which was, “If I thought like that, I’d kill myself.”

I mean, Jesus: Celebrities and directors, they get asked some dumb fucking questions, not only in audience Q&As, but from reporters, themselves. More times than not, the celebrity in question is gracious enough to reframe the stupid fucking question in a way he or she can answer it without making the stupid questioner look even more stupid. M. Night, at the very least, answered it honestly, and while he boasts some arrogance in this clip, he’s not exactly prickly (he apparently reserves that prickliess for Chez). I don’t know why we insist our celebrities be so goddamn deferential to dumbass questions.

I dunno. I thought it was as good an answer as one could give to a question as ridiculous as that. It doesn’t make his last five movies any better, or him any less of a cock-weasel, but he was right about one thing: Unbreakable is his best movie.

What do you folks, think?









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Comments

He's an arrogant, self-righteous bastard and I don't care what he says: I fucking loathe him.

Posted by: Scully at July 20, 2010 9:10 AM

He ruined my adult-childhood. For that I can never forgive.

Posted by: Ariana at July 20, 2010 9:15 AM

I'll bet if Shyamalan did kill himself there'd be a twist to it- like maybe he's actually been dead since directing Unbreakable and all subsequent films were directed by Spencer Pratt.

That would explain a lot.

Posted by: clocker at July 20, 2010 9:18 AM

He's just... awful.

Posted by: TSF at July 20, 2010 9:19 AM

"M., if you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? One of those stupid fucking trees in that stupid fucking movie you made that kills people and reporters with the wind? Is that the kind of tree you'd be?"

Posted by: , at July 20, 2010 9:22 AM

I don't think that can be construed as being directed at the reporter in any way. This is how that statement should be interpreted: Shyamalan considers himself an artist, and as an artist, if he ever got to the point of selling out he would be so distraught and upset with himself he would end his own life. It was a stupid question but his answer also wasn't a bad one, he was simply denying he sold out.

Posted by: Mr. Teatime at July 20, 2010 9:24 AM

"Sold out?" Come on, M. Knight's movies aren't exactly the paragon of artistic integrity. He's not financing them with his own money, so the ability to turn a profit is part of the package. Or perhaps I'm underestimating the fine art that is "Marky Mark vs. the Trees."

Posted by: Mrcreosote at July 20, 2010 9:29 AM

What do I think? I think you're probably right, it's probably his best movie.

Posted by: Jay at July 20, 2010 9:29 AM

The only movie of M. Night's that I haven't enjoyed is The Village. And even that I enjoyed up until a certain point -- let's call it "The Twist."

Lady in the water gets a lot of shit for being boring or whatever. Regardless of what knowledge you bring in to the viewing of that movie (it was a story he wove for his children long before a movie he made for cinemas) I think that movie is deeply personal, not only for M. Night but also for the viewer. It communicates beautifully that magic, wonder and curiosity still exist, and is able to conjure some of the lost sensations from childhood.

The Happening is probably his worst effort to date, in terms of actual story-telling (haven't seen Airbender), but even that movie I found to be entirely passable and ten times better than most of the shit that drips out of the Hollywood ass.

I'm still a fan. Airbender isn't getting my money because the reviews have been dreadful, but I'm not going to lose faith.

Posted by: superasente at July 20, 2010 9:41 AM

Scully,
What if he wore a suit?

Posted by: Kballs at July 20, 2010 9:42 AM

So they still let this guy make movies? I thought his career ended with "The Village" because that's when it should of.

Posted by: logan at July 20, 2010 9:42 AM

superasente,

You took the words right out of my mouth, all the way down to the shit-dripping metaphor.

I enjoy at least 3/4 of each M. Night movie, regardless of how stupid the twists have become. But I'm a sucker for what-the-fuck-is-this-thing-and-that-over-there-and-how-is-this-happening??? storytelling. I never understood the loathing for him. He's a decent director who relied on a gimmick for too long and tried to bust out of his comfort zone only to step on a bunch of nerds' toes. Excuse me, Your Majesties! I didn't know you had the market cornered on creating a piece of shit no one likes.

Posted by: Kballs at July 20, 2010 9:52 AM

Kballs a DOUBLE Windsor wouldn't help him.

He could pass out a free kitten or puppy to everyone in the world. He could open up a first rate university for the poor. He could find a vaccine for cancer...and I'd still want to kick his small, shriveled up ball. He's a prick of epic proportions.

Posted by: Scully at July 20, 2010 9:54 AM

If he gave free kittens to everyone in the world I suspect many of them would be eaten.

Posted by: superasente at July 20, 2010 10:07 AM

^ This is why I love this woman.

Posted by: Mulder at July 20, 2010 10:09 AM

He is a giant fucking cocksucker who has made some of the worst movies I have ever seen.
THE END.

P.S: Clocker with a great theory!!

Posted by: supafly at July 20, 2010 10:17 AM

If you're raising up your hopes again, it'll just hurt that much more when Devil brings them crashing down, as I think we all know it will.

Posted by: Oracle at July 20, 2010 10:18 AM

Thank you, Kballs and superasente! It's nice to know I'm not the only one who chafes at the revisionist history people seem to write in terms of M. Night. Somehow, because he's been revealed to be a deft craftsmen rather than an original artiste, the entirety of his ouvre suddenly sucks? People seem to be happy forgetting how much they thoroughly enjoyed either Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, or Signs. Anyone reading this was a fan of at least one of those movies when they came out. It's okay to admit it, everyone was enthralled.

His weakness has always been his writing, like George Lucas. I give him props for trying to stretch himself in The Last Airbender, but he also wrote the script for that. So, now, I'd say, still like Lucas, his greatest weakness is his ego. I swear, if he'd just let someone else take a crack at writing his scripts, he'd be making quality movies again. I haven't lost the faith, yet. And, if you have, I highly suggest checking out Unbreakable's deleted scenes-- by far the best stuff you'll ever find from the cutting room floor.

Posted by: RobP at July 20, 2010 10:28 AM

Oh my god, Unbreakable is AWFUL. It's trite, obvious, BORING, flat, and brain-liquifyingly STUPID.

I think Signs has to be considered as his best work just because of the performances. Joaquin Pheonix was hilarious in that one, which is probably the only movie where that has intentionally happened. AND that movie brought us Abigail Breslin, which shouldn't be overlooked. Plus it does have some genuinely suspenseful moments early on.

Posted by: AM at July 20, 2010 10:30 AM

His weakness has always been his writing, like George Lucas.

Agreed, except for George Lucas' biggest weakness is his directing. His second biggest weakness is his writing. Probably he should just produce; the man's got an eye for ideas, but tends toward killing them when he gets too involved.

But M. Knight. Yeah, weak with the writering.

Posted by: Ryan at July 20, 2010 11:01 AM

I’m glad he said what he said, the fucking balls on this broad reporter. I love Iron Chef, but I hate those fucking critics that can’t boil a pot of water and have the nerve to sit up there like their shit don’t stink. Maybe that reporter should go to Mexico and report on how bad the drug cartels are, then she would learn to not open up such a big mouth.

Posted by: Pookie at July 20, 2010 11:13 AM

Unbreakable was my favorite of his as well.
The only value I see in films like The Village, Lady in the Water and The Happening is the unintentional humor that brings a smile to my face and sarcasm to my lips.
It's the same reason you watch the type of movies they show on MST3K - to mock them, and enjoy sharing this mocking with your friends and loved ones. I'm sure that's not the purpose he wanted them to serve, but they do have SOME place in my life.

Posted by: ninetwenteetoo at July 20, 2010 11:41 AM

Dustin, since you mention Chez above, you should link to his post.

http://www.deusexmalcontent.com/2008/06/short-attention-span-theater-welcome-to.html

Posted by: Scully at July 20, 2010 11:43 AM

The reporter's impression of his career is not the same as Shyamalan's impression of his career. Well, DUH!

He's a fucktard. He's a jerk. And Unbreakable was well nigh unwatchable.

Posted by: Armando at July 20, 2010 12:01 PM

i too liked sixth sense, unbreakable, and signs; i stopped watching his movies after that because the reviews were so bad and i got distracted with other stuff then never went back; there's only so much time after all and even for snobs like me shiny new things get my attention as well; never felt the need to go back and watch those other films missed; still don't

Posted by: splinter at July 20, 2010 12:21 PM

Sixth Sense = great movie
Unbreakable = decent movie
Signs and everything after it is buttfuck retarded.

Posted by: logan at July 20, 2010 1:15 PM

Feh. I can understand why he answered like that, and I'd like it if I didn't hate him so much for what he did to Avatar. Fuck that guy.

Posted by: figgy at July 20, 2010 1:56 PM

And this is coming from someone who loved The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. Hell, I even liked Signs quite a bit. But no, fuck that guy for what he did to Avatar.

Posted by: figgy at July 20, 2010 1:59 PM

Addendum to Figgy's fuck:

And FUCK James Cameron for naming his movie that, as well as those who let him.
I've been sitting here, confused out of my fucking skull, for ten minutes wondering WTF Shamalamashitfuck had to do with Avatar.

Fuckin' dumbasses, the lot of 'em.

Posted by: Rykker at July 20, 2010 3:01 PM

Given recent events, that scene in Signs where Mel's character feigns rage in order to frighten the trespassers away while fumbling over his ability to swear has an entirely new humor to it.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at July 20, 2010 3:34 PM

Living in a culture that wears the skill of being 'media savvy' like a badge of honor, I've got to give props to Night. While it's possible he has some level of ego involved, it's easy to think he's trying to work on it. After all, he hasn't appeared in one of his films since LADY IN THE WATER, which he got trashed for doing. All the same, instead of fumbling and crafting some polite, yet strained response, Night went after her. The press, in some ways, is kind of like our government. We give it more authority than it's earned (or deserves) and we hold them to little accountability. The reporter in this interview crafted a question from "research" gained from...well, likely from comment threads such as this. Had she known of his popularity in other countries, she wouldn't have asked such a poorly phrased question. I haven't enjoyed all of his films, but I still believe he's a director with immense talent and skill. Hate on him all you want, but there's plenty of other directors to throw justified venom to (I'm talking to you Brett Ratner).

Posted by: Barnes78 at July 20, 2010 3:40 PM

Agree on Unbreakable...it was the zenith where his storytelling skills most synced up with his abilities as a director.

Sixth Sense is great, but all about directing, whereas his stuff since Signs is mostly about storytelling but with crap direction.

Unbreakable had both.

Posted by: Jacktrade at July 20, 2010 3:43 PM

I wish he would kill himself, brutally.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at July 20, 2010 6:13 PM

The Happening is the only M. Night film I've ever seen. For real. I snorted pretty hard at 'Marky Mark vs. The Trees'. Didn't he play a chemistry teacher in that? 'C'mon, feel it, feel it! Feel the titration!'


I just have this almost visceral reaction to casual references to suicide, so I almost don't care that he was given a loaded question with an insulting premise that he simply could have said that he didn't have to engage or accept. He could have won out over that silliness and not lapsed into frantic fussiness on his own end. The main finger is: You'd commit suicide over that? No, you wouldn't. Shutup. And if you would, re-organise your life.

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at July 20, 2010 7:06 PM

Anybody that could make a movie that blows that hard doesn't get to make smart ass with the press.

She should have kneed Hadji in the Nads.

Posted by: Mechadave at July 20, 2010 7:42 PM

Hey, I liked The Village. Don't kill me.

Everything else, I contend, is buttfuckingly awful.

What happened to the man who made The Sixth Sense?

Posted by: seeder at July 21, 2010 11:04 AM

I saw the preview for his lastest film before Inception the other day. Almost everyone around me (including myself) was intrigued by it until they saw who directed it. We all groaned. I threw up my hands and then groaned but the groans very very audible. Too bad

Posted by: Candy at July 21, 2010 12:45 PM

And if you would, re-organise your life.

"Sort your fookin' life out, mate!"

Posted by: Rykker at July 21, 2010 7:57 PM