Dave Magarity -- Signs

At one time or another, all of us have seen the signs.

When you get home late and find a blanket and pillow on the couch that is a sign that you are most likely not welcome in the bedroom.

When you get a technical foul during warm-ups that is sign that it is probably not going to be a great evening.

When a comment you make in the post-game interview room prompts a reporter to leap up and run to the phone; that is a sign that tomorrow's column will probably not be favorable.

And when you are walking through the mall in December and a young child asks if you are Santa Claus; that is a sign that you are a member of the "Portly and Stout" club.

Each of us probably has a long list of others, which can be very telling as to the day's outcome.

Recently I received a phone call from one of my good friends at CollegeInsider.com, urging me to pick up a copy of "Signs," starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix. This past weekend the Magarity family gathered together in the living room to watch the latest M. Night Shyamalan film.

In one word, it was "tremendous."

M. Night Shyamalan, who also plays a rather prominent role in the film, has quickly established himself as one of rising young directors/producers in Hollywood, with "A Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable" to his credit.

His latest offering conjures up memories of the 1953 classic, "War of the Worlds." But Shyamalan's adaptation of the 1901 H.G. Wells story is one of the more chilling and suspenseful tales of alien invaders ever made.

Set in Bucks Country, Pennsylvania, "Signs" depicts one family's battle against the unknown, with numerous other themes intertwined.

Shyamalan does a terrific job of building the suspense, by showing just an alien leg and later a hand. It's not until the film's climactic ending that we get a really good look at the lanky, bald-headed creatures, which bare a striking resemblance to South Florida head coach Seth Greenberg.

The brief views of the creature are unexpected and a bit hair-raising. Like me, I am sure you will find the scene when the unwelcome visitor slithers past an alley way to be very uncomfortable.

Mel Gibson plays the role of Graham Hess, a minister who really questions his faith after his wife is killed in a freak accident. That faith is really put to the test as the story unfolds.

Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Gibson's brother, Merrill, is terrific. This is quite a contrast from his portrayal of Russell Crowe's adversary in the blockbuster "Gladiator." He is a former minor league baseball player who seems to be searching for guidance and direction.

Phoenix should get some serious consideration from the Academy Awards committee, for best supporting actor.

Also starring in the film is Rory Culkin, the younger brother of Macaulay Culkin, and Abigail Breslin who brings both innocence and humor to the screen.

The twists and turns of the film will remind coaches of the course of a basketball game; just when you begin to feel comfortable that creature comes out of nowhere to hit you with a technical foul.

I would highly recommend that you make a date with your woman to sit down and watch this one evening. Be sure to turn off the lights and make sure you will have no distractions, as it is important to get the total feel of the film.

And if you should come home and find that pillow and blanket on the couch, after the wife sits through this film she will quickly welcome you back to the bedroom to protect her from lanky invaders from South Florida, I mean from outer space.

What a tremendous film!