Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #13

Dear KK---

Hi. I have your letter written last weekend. And it is very hard to imagine you having a weekend with nothing planned! Are you sure there was not a break in the Space/Time Continuum over New York City-sort of a "Ghostbusters" situation! Very curious to hear your thoughts on "I've Loved You So Long" as well as Kristin Scott Thomas's performance.

And to return your surprise at seeing my mention of that film; I felt the same way when I saw you mention the Diane Arbus <
u> purported biopic "FUR" . I will definitely cross that film off my list!

Thank You, Thank You! When you like M. Night Shyamalan's films, it is easy to believe you are alone in the universe. [I picture big-eyed alien critics panning his films on Alpha Centauri & beyond...]. While I have more important topics to discuss with you from your letter [I will discuss more on the subject of incarceration, psychology, etc., I promise--and I appreciate you realizing that I can't discuss everything or go into certain details...]

I must say a few things about M. Night Shymalan's films: (For some reason, it seems necessary to say all three name when referencing the director.)

>The criticism of "THE VILLAGE" probably surprised me the most. Maybe I was just a dim bulb that day, but I was stunned by the surprise twist: when Bryce Dallas Howard climbed over that wall into the 21st Century! If there were "obvious" clues I certainly missed them. Talk about a transformative moment in a film.

One capsule summary says the film "evolves into a self-parody at some point before becoming downright ridiculous." KK-I simply fail to understand where the brutal criticism comes from.

> "THE SIXTH SENSE" : His first major* film and, of course, highly praised. A couple of years ago I had a chance to watch it late at night when I could give it my full attention: And watching carefully-you see that the "ghost" of Bruce Willis never touches any of the people so as to defy the illusion that he is a ghost. It's very subtle--but as you realize how deftly M. Night Shyamalan manages to pull it off--you become increasingly impressed.

* Did you see his first film, "WIDE AWAKE" filmed in 1995 & released in 1998-a year before "The Sixth Sense" (99) by his direction.

> "UNBREAKABLE" : To me, this is his true "sleeper" film. once again, I saw the film with very little preamble-so I knew very little about it, going in. A fascinating story as it went along, with Willis gradually realizing his imperviousness to harm- except drowning juxtaposed with his"opposite" : Samuel L. Jackson: afflicted with the very real disease osteogenesis imperfecta. And once again, I did not "see" the twist-that Jackson was a god-complex terrorist who was hunting for someone just like Willis.


I will tell you this, though,: On a few occasions in the news I have read or heard of disasters (train, plane, automobile, etc.) in which there was "a lone survivor apparently uninjured". And I instantly wondered if...!

> "SIGNS" was interesting the first time, but I sort of put it on his "second tier". Same with "LADY IN THE WATER" . Perhaps not his best-but not the deserving of brutal criticism it received.

I believe he has a new film in the works.

Have you hear anything about it?

I believe you have many years to look forward to past 39, KK! Clearly your energy level is that of someone age 19. Odd you should mention that though: There is a new "quirky" (hate that word) NYC cop drama called "The Unusuals" which just started (reminds me a bit of "Hill Street Blues"...) - seems promising. It start (among others) Harold Perrineau [Michael on "LOST"] as a police detective convinced he is going to die at age 42. That partially explains his insistence on wearing a bullet-proof vest every moment...

Sorry to cut this very short. Less time than I thought-and clearly I've barely scratched the surface of your brilliantly intriguing and interesting letter!

However, I must add: You dated Eric Schaeffer?!! OMG! I LOVED the F/X series "STARVED". Absolutely outstanding; unfortunately, too cutting edge even for F/X. More to say about that in my next letter, which will begin once this brief missive goes in the mail.

So take care. I'm sure after your rare unplanned weekend, the next month is filled with receptions at MOMA, the Guggenheim, Lincoln Center, and Gracie Mansion; numerous dates or more with New York's most eligible men! :) ...And of course-your cute little dog, Mini, and more movies...always more movies....

Must more to follow, KK. And send all you can when you can. Thanks!

Yours,

Michael

P.S. Congrats on Mini as Pet of the Month!