Howard, James Newton

• Interpreter, The (2005)

  [6/10]

  "I enjoyed watching The Interpreter, but I think with some grooming, it could have provided more thrills and a more satisfactory ending."

• Lady in the Water (2006)

  [4/10]

  "I think Shyamalan keeps trying to surpass his first big success and keeps failing dismally. At least Lady in the Water kept me guessing up to the very end. I had the entire plot of The Village worked out after seeing the first preview."

• Sixth Sense, The (1999)

  [8/10]

  "I must admit that on my first viewing the ending took me totally by surprise. Usually I can see 'surprise' endings within a few minutes of the opening of the film. Shyamalan has built a plot that supports the surprise ending in every way and never telegraphs the ending."

• Village, The (2004)

  [5/10]

  "Shyamalan has assembled a stellar cast, and the actors do their best with the script's questionable motivation and silly dialogue."

  Average score: 5.75