The Essence of Faith - What Signs Was Really About
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ธ.ค. 2018
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Exploring the essence of faith in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.
Sources:
Jerome Bruner - Acts of Meaning: amzn.to/2VhPgin
Viktor Frankl - Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning: amzn.to/2SqipGn
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My last video for 2018, what a year it has been! A big thanks to everyone who watched/liked/subscribed/shared...etc., and to all of those who have been following the channel for a while; what were your favorite videos of this year? What do you hope to see in 2019?
I wish you all the best in the year to come. You've managed to create one of the finest channels of this kind. Thank you for this excellent video, I always loved this movie. In my opinion, The Sixth Sense and Signs are the best movies by M. Night Shyamalan.
To pick a favorite among all of your insightful, highly introspective, and well-crafted videos would be nearly impossible. Thank you so much for doing what you do - your videos are food for the soul and mind alike. Advanced Happy New Year to all of us!
Hard to choose a favorite but I'd probably say the video you made about Call me by Your Name and the Before Trilogy.
I mentioned this in another comment, but I think you should do a video on the movie Frank
Not from this year but logan vs metal gear solid video was fantastic.
Finally, someone gets the movie. It isnt about an alien invasion.
think that was quite obvious. never for a moment though that was about aliens.
@@jorgegomez524 I'll never understand the premise of "quite obvious" when every review disagrees with it.
variety.com/2002/film/reviews/signs-2-1200547091/
glad you twigged to it (as did I), but "was quite obvious" is both afactual and condescending.
well done, you. you managed to supposedly get the point of a (great) movie AND be wrong AND come off condescending
Calling someone condescending while also intentionally behaving the same way, niiice
@@larry7036 nah. I was criticizing (and even disparaging) ... but not condescending.
silly ol' you.
eh. well, there was an alien invasion going on...so, the movie is at least partially about the invasion. But yeah, ill assume quite a bit of the audience saw the deeper meaning going on as well [kinda hard to miss it].
There is something very special about someone that has a gift and chooses to share their gift with the world. You sir have a gift, and I am very thankful that you chose to share that gift with us. Your videos have helped me to overcome my depression by showing me a different way to perceive the challenges that life has thrown at me. And for that, I am eternally grateful! Please don't ever stop making these videos.
I second that !🌺🌹♥️🪔🎁
Couldn't agree more
Interesting that this kind of explication was still needed 2 years ago. Some people are resistant to wonderful things! As it happens I would not have needed it at the time, as I "got" "Signs" straight away. However, I was given a few extra pointers to key detail here, for which I am grateful, and the reference to Frankl is very helpful to me as something new. As the goal here is (almost solely) to explain a movie plot, there are several extra issues worth adding, which it is my privilege and delight to do, but also something it is my God-given mission to do. For the glorious and paradoxical truth here is that, thanks to the ever-inventive Holy Spirit - "Signs" as a story about signs from God - contains such signs for the watcher and indeed IS a sign in and of itself. First, Shyamalan admitted in a RECENT interview that signs "came easy" , unlike his other work. Second, he declared it was his effort at a kind of antidote to the evil of 9/11 that had shaken bilions of people and certainly caused faith, joy and hope to waver. Hence the desire of the Holy Spirit to help the makers reach a higher plane with the film, which they did! Hence also people's amazing yet specific reactions to James Newton Howard's equally "divine" music, especially "Hand of Fate I and II". Of course that would be Hand of God... This is the further truth about "Signs". Thanks be to God and the wonderful Paraclete, who is always ready to show us his love, mercy, care and inspiration.
Wow, I'm shocked to come across this video after all these years! I left the theater bawling after this movie. No one else seemed to be moved by it at all. I asked so many people what they thought about it and what they thought it was about. Not one person said anything other than, aliens. When I said, "it's about a man who loses his faith and how he regains it" everyone just looked at me as if I was an alien.
Yeah he realises if there's aliens then there something else out there even maybe a heaven cause if the aliens burn from water and it says in the bible about water then that means there is hell an evil so there has to be the opposite of that heaven an goodness an so on so he gains his faith back that he will see his wife again. Brilliant movie
Lol.... Your Comment had me LMAO.. Relate.! Welcome to the world where those of us that look at things Differently Are the "Aliens "... Lol.. Speak.... I noticed this Right Away with this Movie. From Beginning to End.. People just SEE what they wanna See.
Your content makes me cry all the time.
seriously man!!! every time!!!
It happens to me too!
His "It's a wonderful life" video gets me everytime.
Yepp
For real, I'm at working doing manual labor sobbing over radical honesty. Wild
That dinner scene is still one of the most emotional sequences in film I’ve ever watched. Up to that point each character had been dealing with the trauma of losing a loved one on their own, but at that table they are finally able to mourn together. Powerful stuff, definitely one of Shyamalan’s best.
"the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Job 1 : 21
amen!!
The exact thing has happened to me but with this Coronavirus. Hundreds of jobs lost, people being asked to stay at home.
Yet every event for me from being jobless, having a hard time with finding a job, settling with a job working from home with basic pay, going through a personal crisis and leading me to becoming religious.
It was all in preparation for this virus that I could not have ever predicted; It was all for my protection. I thank God for his guidance. I will continue to stay faithful and leave it all in his hands, even if things don’t make sense.
Or maybe their's billions of people on this planet and some of them were luckier than others. If you're praising God for your good fortune, you must blame him for the bad fortune of others as well.
@@APaleDot Our maker cares about us more than our parents. So everything is a blessing, good or bad.
If you look back at all of your past tragedies, you'll realise that on reflection, it was all for the best.
There are things that we can't possibly comprehend and can only trust that it will all work out for the best.
I have been drawn back to "Signs" after a couple years of disappointment, bitterness and spiritual struggle. Hardships that have not come as a result of bad choices but in spite of prudent steps and hard work. I can relate to Graham Hess today in a way I never could when I first watched the film and my faith had never been shaken like his. Thank you for this analysis. Along with "The Village", "Signs" is my favourite work from Shyamalan. I see Gospel truth in both stories. "Signs" to me reveals the sovereignty of God, and "The Village," the fact that utopian human systems do not solve our true issues which are rooted in the sinful nature of man and his need for redemption.
you really make art man. damn
This video has inadvertently- but constructively- challenged my atheism. Not saying I'll ever believe in a god anytime soon, but you've made me consider that perhaps life isn't as random and chaotic as I initially thought. Either way, Frankl is right: either you believe everything has meaning or everything is meaningless and it's up to you to decide.
And your decision one way or the other is essential to the outcome - it is not pre-ordained, but awaits the attention of the observer.....
Had you seen the movie before this video?
@@brianmiller1077 Yeah back when I was kid though
TheGentlemansTable, that’s what evidence is for, faith is great, but one could have faith in a rock after all. That’s why we do research and look for the most reasonable conclusion. It’s God. Most assume things before even doing the research, in that case they merely have faith that god does not exist, I say research your side. If you have faith in God, seek out to prove it (impossible), if you have faith he doesn’t exist, seek out to prove it (also impossible). Your left with only evidence to SUPPORT your side.
And your right about what your questioning about chaos. Chaos doesn’t create order just like how nothing doesn’t create something.
Just because everything is meaningless, it doesn't mean you cant have fun or be productive. It just means it doesn't matter to the "universe" or some stand in for a morality/achievement judge. But allows me to do what matters to me.
Huh. I think I finally get why my mom used to watch this all the time... she was a sad, philosophical woman. Still is to an extent.
She always did try and stress the idea that I needed something to believe in. To have faith in something, no matter what it may be.
How deeply I love, I cherish this channel. It is my church; a reminder to draw breath in my soul. Thank you.
Signs was a great movie and overall concept. Having your faith restored by an event that’s unexplainable is so amazingly beautiful to witness.
No matter what I love this film.
Glad the channel made this video.
By God this video is a *Sign* 👆
Thank you. I have a lot of fondness for M Night Shyamalan, I have grown up with his movies, the good ones that is. The Sixth sense, Unbreakable, signs, even the village. I am so glad, he is on his way up again, can't wait for Glass.
Your perspectives almost always hit me really hard. You've really tapped into a line of truth. Absolutely spectacular. Thank you
“Signs” is one of those films that many people say they dislike but privately like.
my mom passed away the same year Signs came out, It wasn't the easiest to watch as I immediately picked up on the faith theme of this movie, sitting in the theater with my family (dad, 2 sisters and me) We have always been a religious family and this movie resonated so much back then.
Thanks for this.
There are times in your life when something happens that is so terrible that, inside you, you begin to spin so out of control that nothing seems to have the power to make you stop.
Your work has provided me with a handhold on perception and what a powerful tool it is.
I am forever grateful.
Namaste 🙏🏻
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIO KEY TO OPEN UP MULTI-UNIVERSE AS WELL AS MORE.
GREETINGS YEE OF WHO STILL THINKETH YEE ARE YOUR PHYSICAL BODY UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT YEE ARE MUCH MORE AS YEE ARE A CREATION FORCE WITHIN YEE AS ALL HAVE THE SAME BEGINNING FROM FORM TO FORMLESS LIMITLESS WE ARE ALL ONE
Faith / Patterns are always interesting subjects to ponder.
Faith demands an accepting of outcomes without evidence, an act which can accidentally lead you to letting go of the very same tools you would need to see what's real.
Patterns, or 'signs' are fundamental to our thought processes as living beings, and in our search for evidence, we can also risk seeing what isn't there.
Life, and wisdom, seems to be about finding the right balance of the two.
Faith is not just accepting things without evidence, it's trusting someone or something else when evidence is not possible.
@@Waldohasaskit210 It doesn't matter if evidence is possible or not, having faith implies not needing evidence. Faith says nothing about how you engage with the search for reality, it implies that you're content with your understanding of reality it in the moment.
It is also possible to miss seeing what IS there when you give up on meaning. Both ways of seeing things are quite the risk.
As both a math major and a student of theology, faith is humility in the face of pieces of evidence. My study of math has shown me that the world is far more complex than I can grasp. I can know that such a thing as a four dimensional cube is theoretically possibly, but if it is physically possible I would have trouble knowing as I can only visualize in three dimensions. Faith then is not turning a blind eye to knowledge, but understanding that our knowledge has a limit, but our search for truth can go past this roadblock.
Carakav Faith is not accepting something without evidence, this is a common lie spread online smh, that you just helped propagate it.
You beautiful human being. Thank you for sharing.
I love how M night described this story as a conversation between Graham and God.
Afraid to say I only discovered your videos a couple of months back, but I was immediately hooked. Your shawshank stoicism video was a personal favourite. Can't wait to see what you treat us to in 2019.
I would personally suggest a video on the movie Frank. It is about a brilliant but tortured musician who wears a mask 24/7 (a giant paper mache head) , including when he showers and sleeps.
I'm sure your take on it would make for excellent viewing.
A simple movie that you can enjoy at anytime and has something to say. If it’s anything, this movie is a perfection.
Oml that was a good video essay😭😭😭
Your video essays hit like Mike Tyson in his prime.
Look, when M. Night used to do coherent meaningful movies..... I'm so glad you did an analysis of this since it's one of my favorite movies. It's wonderful. This shows how important it is that movies teach something. It's not just sci-fi for the sake of sci-fi. Directors should never miss the oportunity to question or demonstrate life in different ways.
Really hope you do Unbreakable someday, as not only is it insanely underrated but also my favorite film of all time.
I will never forget Lionel Pritchard and the Wolfington brothers….what a phrase!
It amazes me how many people completely misunderstand what this film is actually about, so I'm ecstatic you decided to make this video. As always, an absolutely beautiful and insightful take on what many people miss (or misinterpret). I love this movie and I love your channel!
I have this at the top of my playlist for people to watch.
My whole life I have defended this film from those who critically dislike it for some very obvious reasons. There was something about this film when I first saw it when I was 8 years old. Truly terrified after first viewing it, and still am in some ways, but the message it conveyed was something I think most people missed or ignored. The imminent invasion of extraterrestrials was most likely a let down to the horror fans expecting more or even a distraction, but this film is special in its own design. Thank you for continuing to look into films that have not garnered the respect they deserve. Signs is one of my personal favorites in this genre; your video captures the message so perfectly.
My best friend struggled with alcoholism and went to rehab, relapsed then went back and forth for almost two years . He stayed sober for months and we reconnected. Then a few months ago, he fell asleep at the wheel and was killed, he wasn’t drunk it was just an accident. This video has helped a lot. my faith shaken but not gone. This video came out a month later and, i was meant to see it.
As an avid movie evaluator for almost two decades, your reviews and philosophical perspectives has expanded my perception in ways I had not thought possible. When I find myself experiencing some kind of internal difficulty I will watch one of your videos. In doing so I find the insight and perspective I was missing. As with many who have posted, I too am brought to tears...your words sincerely touch my heart. Thank you for your exemplary work, in times like these your words are a welcomed and loving gift.
Consider the odds of coming across this video, just when I was beginning to become one of those persons who sees the world as meaningless. Is this a Sign??
Wonderful insights on a movie that, I'll admit, I apparently did not really understand.
Right, when you think of it, it's as religious as Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ, and also his Hacksaw Ridge. So beautiful , anti-semitic fundamentalist Catholic beliefs aside.
You cannot know how well timed this video is. During a time that I have been questioning meaning, purpose... a transcendent potential beneath the veil of everyday life. There could have been no greater sign than this perfect video essay on a beautiful film... About signs.
Invariably I shall need other signs in the coming future, as I always have, but this shall sustain me for a while. Thank you so much for this.
Truly, in all of my years on this site, one of the standout videos I've seen. Thank you.
Great video and what a conclusion of this year. To feel joy, awe, sadness and epiphany in every single one of your videos means that you invest all that you have in creation of this content, all your knowledge and all your emotions. Thank you again.
Your channel is the vertical plain, connecting the dots of our lives on a horizontal plain.
My favorite youtuber made a video about one of my favorite movies. Thank you for another masterpiece LSOO, you truly are a gold nugget in this river of mediocrity.
What type of sick person dislikes this video, beautiful work
Was probably the NOSTALGIA CRITIC.
@@williamechols2731 nah ussually i would agree but come on. This is some high quality shit for someone to dislike
@@dcamaraman939 he still doesn't get it, just like when he ranted about Hercules.
A soothing voice of insight within the unending scream that is TH-cam. In search of the distinctly human, and Anatomy of a dreamlike romance are two of my favorites. You seem to base your essays on some of my all time favorite films... The Fountain and Shawshank being some others. Fantastic work.
Well that got me choked up. Thank you. Love your videos.
Somehow didn't notice when you put this one up. Thank you! Signs is one of my favorite films, terrified me as a kid, later spent obscene amounts of time studying the movie to figure out the demon, I mean alien, invasion. Keep at it, LSOO.
I rewatched this movie and Frequency. You did a great job in your video commentary!
This was a really beautiful video and resonated with me quite a bit as I am someone who, through much disillusionment and disappointment, has lost much of their faith, but even so I still see some 'signs' here and there and can't help but see some patterns, and there is still some part of me that believes, or wants to believe, that there is something more, that there is some, as the film American Beauty put it, benevolent force at work behind things that wants us to know that we don't need to be afraid.
I may continue to have questions and doubts but I try to stay open to this possibility as it gives me some hope.
Anyways, thank you for sharing this and keep up the great work. :)
Wonderful timing " ... and this shall be the sign - a child in a manger".
Interesting that you suggest he chooses to believe again. It seems to me that this was a journey by which he is lead "through the valley of death" and back to faith! Guess that must reflect which camp I am in!
Thanks for all your marvellous content!
(PS Westworld!!!)
Your ability to take a story, see deeper meaning within that story, convey that meaning in a compelling and philosophically sound way, splice scenes into your discourse which validate your message and make your videos more entertaining than the movies themselves... is a miracle.
You make me understand that film in a wonderful way. And in this way you develop the work. Like Leonardo said" Art is never finished, only abandoned" You carry on that film and art carries on...This is a special gift for Christmas. Thank you...
Thank you !!! I LOVE THIS MOVIE . I hate how there is this sick culture on looking to hate on anything and everything instead on focusing on the beautiful messages that great films leave us.
You have Millions of subscribers..already on their way! Your content is brilliant! Never stop creating ♥️
It might look like a random comment but it’s a signn ✌🏻🧚🏻♀️
Your videos are always so inspiring. They are almost stories on their own. I hope you keep it up and thank you for making our lives a little fuller. Happy new year!
Happy New Year everyone. And this...this might be my favorite channel. The even-handed delivery combined with exploration of subtext (and sometimes even metatextual themes) is easy to listen to. I always come away feeling like I learned something, or at least have a deeper appreciation for the effort that goes into any given story.
I think one thing that could be interpreted in favor of the 'random chance vs fate' debate in this movie is the last words of his wife. You mentioned the "swing away" part, but there's more that I think is super important. She says, "Tell Morgan to be silly; it's okay to play games. And tell Bo to listen to her brother. And tell Graham..."
Graham says, "I'm here, baby."
"Tell Graham... to see. Tell him to see."
To me, this is such a beautiful and subtle moment that suggest someone (God) is speaking through Graham's wife in her final moments and she's repeating what she hears. I've seen this movie countless times, and it's one of my favorites, and this was a BEAUTIFUL video about it. It's such an underappreciated movie and so much deeper than people give it credit for. Thank you!
You guys make such in credible videos. I have been checking every day since the last one came out. Please don't stop!
You’re the man! These narratives are amazing, I sometimes enjoy them more than the movies themselves!
Oh man! What a beautiful synopsis! You are a master.
Finally!! If you got a chance, please do Les Miserables!!
This is by far the best video of yours that I have seen. I've been watching it again & again, day after day for the past week or so, because it's that damn deep, and that damn good! I love it.
People are always confused when I say signs is my favorite Night movie. This pretty adequately explains why.
I can't adequately express how much I enjoy and appreciate your videos. Such thoughtful analysis of some very interesting material that really makes me think and sometimes lets me see things anew. Please keep up the great work.
Criminally underrated channel
Thank you man for these videos ❤❤
Another brilliant analysis. We’re lucky to have you and your content...
I just happened upon this channel. I subbed. My only regret is not discovering this channel earlier than I did but so grateful that I finally did. Thank you
I discovered your channel recently and I am vary glad for it, your analysis helped me to get over depression anxiety and unfaithfulness of life and more importantly I get encouraged to read books which you mention in your videos to understand the meaning of our existence and circumstances around us. I wanna gave you a very big thank and I hope you continue your valuable work
You bring joy to my life with your videos
I have rewatched this video again in 2022, 3 years after it was first published and after watching the best movies of 2022. This is still, in my opinion, Thomas's finest video. This video gave a mediocre and almost corny movie, a significantly deeper and much more important meaning. This video is amazing because, there are still people to this day who focus on the plot and anti-climactic aliens allergic to water. But this video forever changed my perspective on this movie which to me is an incredible feat.
In addition to extracting deep religious meaning, the editing, pacing, music and shot selection makes this video a must watch intro video for any new viewers of the channel. Such a wonderful video to watch over and over again.
To have someone show you the world is a new light...is a great gift. You are doing that now, with your insightful...beautiful video essays on human thought. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Please don't stop.
Bravo! You have the unique ability to pack more meaning into 20 minutes of my life than it usually takes for me to do across several days. I am once again moved to tears. As I have experienced the ultimate loss of life, and every so often a rebounding of life into something better, even if for just a little while. Ultimately I still believe that we make our own connections, we choose to see certain “signs,” as meaningful. Even if they probably are not. As humans we are so inexplicably connected with the concept of faith. It’s a very hard thing to break away from, and it usually takes something that breaks US for it to happen. I loved the tie in the Frankl as well. I have always loved this movie, and now I have another reason to go watch it again. You are an inspiration! Keep up the wonderful work!
I was more excited about waiting on this to come out, than I was about the holidays.
Keep doing what you’re doing, man. Amazing stuff! I’m binge watch all your videos lol
Another amazing video that offers some interesting insights... thank you
Thank you fo this one. I enjoy how you explore meaning in the small moments of life, connecting together to somehow make sense of it all. I love this film..
I have to say that I'm blown away. My kneejerk reaction was to navigate away from this video, as I found your vocal cadence to sound a bit off-putting and contrived. Then I read some comments. I'm so so soooo glad I watched the whole thing. Your voice grew on me and I was brought to tears by your perspective. Thank you! I'm going to watch the rest of your videos.
Just discovered your channel (on my third video in a row) and I'm blown away! Keep up the great work!
You are by far my favourite literary analysis channel
I watched the entire channel today. Really insightful thoughts. May you be blessed :)
Excellent work as always. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks for sharing. I'd love to hear your take on M,Night's film "The Village". I believe it is a story about love. What we do for love, What we cannot. The lengths we will for it as our duty and of course the lose of it. The whole story is about love and all its complexities disguised as a suspense horror thriller. Many hated this film . I first saw it at the mall cinema as upon leaving started to cry (in the middle of the mall) realizing the depth of the film and how it effected me and the lose of love as I was in the process of losing a great love of my life. It was intense, sad & it hurt....but it nourished me in a strange way and gave me hope. Again, thanks for sharing.
Breathtakingly remarkable examination of this multi layered movie. My absolute favorite, although all are wonderful and deep. Your toil is evident and much appreciated! Much love to all!
Thank you so much for this video. I hope you continue to make videos as inspiring as this one.
I always find myself coming back to this video, amazing work!
I don’t often comment on videos but your video essays are amazing.
Fantastic insight. Really great video.
Your videos are incredibly emotional.
I feel so much joy and love now... thank you so much.
I haven't watched this video so far, just discovered your channel and am watching from the start, so to say.
But just wanted to say: Amazing work.
You kind of made me love the art of movies even more!
You and this channel are very special. I just wanted to say I really appreciate it.
For me, the proof (amongst many) that there are no coincidences, because I’ve been asking this question for the past few days and watching every happening and wonder exactly the same thing that the main character in this movie wonders. And that this video is randomly seen by me after watching a random recommended video about cinematography that lead me 5 videos later into this one which doesn’t have the word “coincidence” in the title and i just felt wanting to watch it and gave me my answer.
My brother,
Thank you for your insightful analysis.
Your videos inspire and motivate thinking.
This was a grand video, keep them up
I've just discovered your channel. You do such a superb job. I'll continue to follow and will subscribe to your website.
These videos you make are very useful.
What a video!
Love your work, this is an incredible essay
Wow so beautiful. Man your work is amazing. I don't have enough words. Just keep it up. 💜
Killin it as always LSOO 🔥
Wow. Another home run for this channel. Great content!