This is a truly simple story of family, pain and faith. M. Night Shyamalan tosses in the added complication of a possible Alien Invasion. Throughout the movie the foibles, pain and humor of being human stand out and we are reminded often how silly and scared we can become. We also our reminded of the simple beauty found in life and loving.

     The audience in our local theater laughed out loud and cringed with the on screen comedy and action. There may have even been some knuckle biting. After the film, one patron was heard to say, "it was a good one, I'm buying it."

     We meet the Hess family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mel Gibson is Graham Hess, farmer, widower, and former reverend. Joaquin Phoenix plays his brother Merrill Hess; Rory Culkin is Morgan, the asthmatic son who takes precious care of his little sister Bo, played by Abigail Breslin. She is a most delightful fresh face with one of the greatest lines in all of movie history J that any new actress has ever had.

     Cherry Jones plays local peace Officer Caroline Paski and is a source of caring, reality, and objectivity that disappears too soon from the screen. Patricia Kalember plays Colleen Hess, the dead mother in a flashback.

     Turning a leaf from Hitchcock, that goes one step further, M. Night Shyamalan has an on screen speaking role that contributes to the plot as Roy, the person responsible for Colleen Hess' death.

     CVN rates this movie as a solid A

     The Critics give this movie their own rating!

Early reports suggest a 60+ million-dollar opening weekend for this Touchstones new release.

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