MSN.COM   By Kevin Lally, Film Journal International

Director M. Night Shyamalan is back to frighten us again with the mysterious thriller 'The Village'

Who could have predicted five years ago that the unwieldy name of M. Night Shyamalan would soon be on the lips of millions of moviegoers across the globe?     But that was before the $661 million worldwide gross of "The Sixth Sense" (1999) and the $402 million posted by "Signs" (2002).

This 33-year-old master of the spooky movie is now readying his fourth film in a row for Touchstone Pictures, "The Village," starring Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver and newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of director Ron Howard.

Set in the 19th century, it's Shyamalan's first period project, but with the same palpable mood of mystery his fans have grown to expect.

The secret of Shyamalan's success is tied to the secrets of his movies (most notably, the stunning surprise ending of "The Sixth Sense"), so no one's telling what's hidden in the woods surrounding the new film's isolated village that has its residents so unnerved.     Audiences craving stylish suspense will learn the answer beginning July 30.