59. The M. Night Shift #21: Trap (2024)

Spoiler Alert! The M. Night Shift is back! Bryan and A.J. went to the movies for the latest M. Night Shyamalan experience: Trap. Following Siskel & Ebert rules we didn’t reveal our thoughts until recording began and it turns out… we each had a different M. Night Shyamlan experience. We talk about Josh Harnett’s great performance, the curious casting of Haley Mills, and the not-exactly-twists the story takes. We also discuss other thrillers and serial killer movies which likely influenced Shyamalan, plot points that do not hold up to scrutiny, and whether or not Shyamalan can go dark. Minor tangents include the TV series Monk and the meaning behind star ratings. This episode’s Shyamalan scotch was: Shackleton blended malt.

50. The M. Night Shift #20: Knock At The Cabin (2023)

A Knock at the Cabin (2023) from M. Night Shyamalan brings us out of hiatus and we return to being The M. Night Shift to discuss his latest horror/thriller. Bryan and A.J. talk about what works (stylistic choices, the cinematography, but most of all Dave Bautista’s excellent performance), what doesn’t work (nearly everything else), and how Shyamalan put his stamp on yet another adaptation. Naturally, we get into major spoilers and compare the ending of the movie to the very different ending of the novel. We also talk about “cabin” movies as genre and A.J. eventually says the title of this movie correctly. Tangents include a talk about novelizations, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Peter Bogdanovich. This episode’s Shyamalan Scotch was: Dewar’s White Label.

42. The M. Night Shift #19: Old (2021)

Happy Shocktober! For October (or as we call it, Shocktober) we’re taking a break from Coppola to revisit M. Night Shyamalan and review his latest, Old. We discuss the movie’s similarities to a classic episode of The Twilight Zone, themes and plots that Shyamalan revisits from his previous movies and perhaps improves on, share similar reactions to some of the stylistic choices, and wonder: is this Shyamalan’s best film in nearly two decades? Our conversation includes major SPOILERS. Tangents include candy corn, which directors are also good actors, and Tom Cruise’s COVID safety rant. This episode’s Shyamalan scotch was: Chivas Regal 12 Year Blended Scotch.

Episode 18: Glass (2019)

Do not adjust your podcast dials, this is the podcast you’re looking for! The M. Night Shift is now…(drum roll)…The Director’s Wall. The hosts are the same but the filmmaker under review will change next episode, but first there is the little matter of M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero crossover film Glass (2019). Glass is a sequel to both Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2017) pitting Unbreakable’s hero (Bruce Willis) against Split’s villain (James McAvoy) who has teamed up with Unbreakable’s villain Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson). Is this the Shyamalan movie to end all Shyamalan movies? We don’t go on many tangents but we do manage to SPOIL the endings of several movies including: Hereditary, Avengers: Infinity War, Get Carter, Play Dirty, Carlito’s Way, and Layer Cake. This episode’s Shyamalan scotch was: Johnny Walker Blender’s Batch: Experiment #6.

Next episode Bryan and A.J. will begin reviewing the films of Francis Ford Coppola.

Episode 17: She's All That (1999)

…And we’re back! Shyamalan recently admitted to doing a rewrite for She’s All That, so we’re duty bound to review the 90’s teen rom-com. We speculate on what Shyamalan contributed to the script, are impressed by the pretty impressive cast, and wonder if She’s All That and Buffy the Vampire Slayer take place in the same cinematic universe. Tangents include listing all the great movies of 1999, Gene Siskel’s funeral, and some big news about the future of the podcast. Enjoy!

Episode 16: Split (2017)

It’s our (not really) final episode! At last we review Shyamalan’s most recent horror hit, Split (2017) and look as his career as a whole. We marvel at James McAvoy’s skill as an actor, notice the return of interesting camera movements to Shyamalan’s movie, and speculate on the plot of the upcoming Split sequel. We end by each naming our favorite and least favorite Shyamalan films. Then put on our film professor hats and talk about what it’s like to examine a filmmaker’s entire body of work. This episode’s Shyamalan scotch was: Johnny Walker Blender’s Batch No.3. We’ll be back, eventually, for Shyamalan’s next movie.

Episode 15: Wayward Pines (2015) & The Visit (2015)

For the shortest month of the year we bring you a special double episode and review Wayward Pines and The Visit. Our discussion of Wayward Pines quickly turns into a conversation about Freejack, Robot Jox, and Stuart Gordon. Though Shyamalan only directed the pilot of the short lived Fox series, we discuss the first 5 episodes and the big twist of the series. Then we delve into Shyamalan's "comeback": the low budget, found footage horror movie, The Visit. This film was a hit at the box office and with audiences, but not with us. We go over where we feel the movie fell short, including the big twist, or lack thereof. We take tangents to Twin Peaks/David Lynch, Judy Greer, and finally the delight that is Starter For 10,  but not before managing to spoil: Dark City, Friday the 13th IV: The Final Chapter, Twin Peaks, Willow Creek, and Cursed. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Black Scot.

Episode 14: After Earth (2013)

We finally arrive at After Earth (2013) the would-be summer blockbuster created by Will Smith as a star vehicle for his son Jaden Smith, also... it was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. We try to figure out what "ghosting" is, talk about the weird but not too weird animals that populate future earth, and wonder if this is Shyamalan's least creative film. Tangents include: praise for Robocop, a minor rant against Netflix and Bright, and heaps of praise for Tom Cruise. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Shackleton Blended Scotch. 

Episode 13: The Last Airbender (2010)

Just in time for Christmas we watch the big budget box office flop, The Last Airbender. Shyamalan’s attempt at a studio franchise did not go well. The movie was universally panned, earned Golden Razzie awards, and made many appearances on “worst of the year” lists. It probably didn’t help that this big studio movie was a watered down version of a much loved animated series. We ponder the state of Shyamalan’s career, try to figure out the intricacies of the Airbender universe, and are perplexed by James Newton Howard’s least memorable score. This episode’s Shyamalan scotches were: Macallan 18 Year Single Malt Scotch and Chivas Regal 12 Blended Scotch.

Episode 11: The Happening (2008)

We’re back just in time for Shocktober! This time we watched Shyamalan’s environmental horror film The Happening. Though this movie turned a profit at the box office it was panned and derided by audiences and critics alike. We delve into the casting, dialogue, shaky premise, and unfortunate lack of thrills in what was meant to be a shocking, thrilling movie. Tangents include: Bryan’s encounter with Alan Ruck, horror movies we stumbled upon in our younger days, and being in rowdy theater audiences. This month’s Shyamalan scotch was: Glen Moray Speyside Single Malt  

P.S. We also talk about the impending celebration known as Video Store Day, a day to celebrate and support your local video store if you’re lucky enough to have one. If you happen to be in Austin, TX on October 21st swing by Vulcan Video. We’ll be having a raffle with cool prizes, deals, and free beer (while supplies last).

Happy Shocktober!

Episode 10: Entourage-Sorry, Harvey (2007)

In between Lady in the Water (2006) and The Happening (2008) M. Night Shyamalan made a special guest appearance in season 4 episode 4 of the HBO original series Entourage. We talk about Shyamalan's acting and willingness to have fun with his public persona. Since Entourage is only a half hour show, we end up taking many tangents, as you may have guessed. Tangents include: the CD-ROM movie encyclopedia Cinemania, Harvey Weinstein and Miramax in the '90's, the outrageous price of HBO DVD's, and Bryan's work as an extra in the movie Deep in the Heart. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Loch Lomond.

Episode 8: The Village (2004)

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, released in the summer of 2004, made over $100 million at the box office, but still fell flat with audiences and critics and inspired one of Roger Ebert’s most notorious 1 star reviews. We discuss the elements of the film we liked, and then delve into the problems, plot holes, and twists. Tangents include A.J.’s days at the Tower Records classical department, reminisce about the “trailer voice,” Chris Carter’s Harsh Realm, and who would be the perfect star for our fictional cop show, The High Commissioner. This month’s Shyamalan scotch was, you guessed it: High Commissioner.

Episode 7: The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan (2004)

Before finding our way to The Village, we take a detour to uncover The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan (2004). Directed by Oscar nominated documentarian Nathaniel Kahn, The Buried Secret was a “documentary” produced for the Sci-Fi Channel intended to promote and create excitement around Shyamalan’s soon to be released film, The Village. This fake documentary, or mockumentary, is an odd assortment of obviously staged interviews, apparently genuine scenes of Shyamalan out in Philadelphia, a random cameo from Johnny Depp, and the idea that Shyamalan actually talks to ghosts. We digress to talk about another mockumentary, Incident at Loch Ness, starring Werner Herzog, contemplate going through either Herzog's or Kevin Smith’s films next, and talk about the price of DVD’s. We also discuss, of course, Shyamalan’s latest news about an Unbreakable/Split sequel and speculate wildly on what the plot might entail. This month’s Shyamalan scotch was: Clan MacGregor.

Episode 6: Signs (2002)

Signs (2002) was marketed as "M. Night Shyamalan's Signs" making him one of only a handful of filmmakers that have had their names put above the title of a movie. Signs received polarizing reviews and reactions from critics and audiences alike, but went on to make over $200 at the box office. Bryan and A.J. delve into the plot (spoilers ensue), the unlikely weakness of the aliens, fan theories, theology, CGI, and somehow end up talking about zombies. We also get confused about the Culkins and discuss our own theories of UFOs and alien life--it gets a little nerdy. Apologies for A.J.'s lackluster plot synopsis-- the scotch had not kicked in yet. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition.

Episode 5: Unbreakable (2000)

Unbreakable (2000) was highly anticipated and released in theaters just a year after M. Night Shyamalan's break out hit, The Sixth Sense. Usually director names don't figure largely into a film's marketing but Unbreakable was sold to audiences as Shyamalan's next movie. Though it didn't achieve the same rare popularity as The Sixth Sense, it still grossed over $200 million dollars at the box office. We discuss the plot, the twist, cinematic style, and decide if Shyamalan was able to top The Sixth Sense. We also discuss the final scene (but not the climax or twist) of Split (2017), so consider this a SPOILER ALERT for Split! We also talk about the DVD extras, surround sound systems, and cinematic universes. This month's Shyamalan scotch is: Inver House Green Plaid

Episode 4: Stuart Little (1999)

Apologies in advance for technical difficulties we experienced with our microphone while dealing with the acoustics of a new recording space and recovering from colds.

We say we're going to discuss the career of M. Night Shyamalan, and we mean it, which means we had to watch Stuart Little, written but not directed by Shyamalan. We overanalyze the world of Stuart Little, marvel at its impressive cast, and ponder its incredibly large budget. Tangents this episode include current "live action" Disney movies, the upcoming children's movie Rock Dog, and we touch briefly on Shyamalan's recent box office hit, Split. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Grant's.