The movie Signs and its aftershocks.
FACT: did you know the only male actor* with a talking part to walk away from this movie unscathed is Michael Showalter? I am convinced that strange things were afoot at this proverbial Circle K, as everyone slowly lost their fucking minds after this movie came out:
Joaquin Phoenix-Batshit Insane. Putting out a faux documentary about his rap career after supposedly “losing it.” Yo dude, this shit only worked before the internet/paparazzi/gossip mags. Andy Kaufman also pulled this stunt years ago to much success, let sleeping dogs lie.
Mel Gibson-Already told the world he hated Jews a few years back. Now leaves his distaste for other minorities on his ex lovers voicemail. Oh Melvin, you so crazy. Not to mention the fact that you still owe me my admission to “Passion of the Christ.” If I wanted to watch a two hour steel cage Wrestlemania match, I would have ordered it on pay per view. Dick.
M. Night Showerama Pingpong - See above chart. First three mainstream movies were absolute bangers. Sixth Sense was killer, Unbreakable was his masterpiece, and Signs is awesome. I even dug parts of the Village. Everything since has been just wretched. Couldn’t get through “Lady in the Water”, “The Happening” was one of the top ten worst movies I have ever seen (followed closely by Vanilla Sky), and I put a Megan’s Law-esque restraining order on “The Last Airbender.”
Rory Culkin-I couldn’t find any dirt on this lil shit but lets face it, he’s related to Macualay so you know the wiring isn’t up to snuff.
The knight in shining armor out of all of this is Michael Showalter. A wonderful man (no, not the title of the Michael Ian Black comedy album.) Has since starred in a plethora of films including his own delightful comedic romp “The Baxter” and the hit show “Stella.” His role as the town dick in “Signs” may have been miniscule, but hats off to you for keeping it real when others on the set of a prime movie lost all semblance of reality. 
*There was an army recruiter in “Signs” but he hasn’t done much since, so fuck you Ted Sutton. Ruining my theory. Let’s just pretend you woke up in rehab dressed as a woman.
