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The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $14.99
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great psychological thriller (and yes, a love story...)
Review: Let's get one thing straight; this is NOT a horror film (chic's or otherwise) as some reviewers have characterized it.

In the end, when you cook this one long enough, what is left in the bottom of the pan is the struggle of one little boy to somehow come to grips with an ability (more a curse than a gift, or power) that is all too frightening, not only in it's shock value, but also in it's shear pervasiveness. The threat isn't that he sees ghosts, or even that they mean him any actual harm (thus removing it entirely from the horror film genre in which an ever increasing body count typically leads us to a rather predictable climax; leaving only the protaganist standing and able to dispatch the villan, who invariably returns in the sequel). No the threat here to young Cole is that the ever increasing throngs of uneasy spirits will completely obliterate his rather tenuous connection to this relm of existence, and they will leave him utterly lost, and unable to see (or hear) anything OTHER than dead people. They don't want his blood, they want his attention. Look past their anger and grotesque appearance and you see sad, pathetic, needful things. Wanting nothing so much as an explanation for their current condition, and perhaps some justice as well.

Poor Cole; he just wants to be like the other kids. He just wants a friend. Someone that he can talk to. He just wants to be able to go to the bathroom in peace... It is his isolation, even from his confused, and worried mother (wonderfully played by Toni Colette), that is taking the biggest toll, and is the heaviest load, on his narrow shoulders.

In the end we come to understand that the doctor who is so intent on helping Cole (and redeeming himself in the process) is truely the only one with the unique qualifications neccesary to rescue him. When the twist comes at the end we don't see it coming, not because we are looking in the wrong place, but rather because we are not looking for it at all. It is the loss of love that we are mourning. And in the end Love is the redemption that we are hoping for...

If you are waiting for chainsaws, or hockey masks you are looking in the wrong place. But if you are looking for a superbly acted, and directed thriller that will keep you up at night, and thinking about it for days after you've seen it, then you have definitely come to the right place...

Hitchcock is somewhere smiling happily. He would have gotten a kick out of this one...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Intelligent, Well-Paced Suspense
Review: When a child psychologist (Willis) is shot by a former patient he begins to reconsider his treatment ideals. The redemption for his failure he seeks in his newest patient (Osment) who displays emotions and fears far to familiar to the former failure.

M. Night Shyamalan may not have had any truly notable films before this endeavor, but with "The Sixth Sense" he establishes a strong foothold in the Hollywood circle. His clever and absorbing storyline stands as only a small piece of this elaborate puzzle. The true force driving the film is its focus on character.

Instead of following the traditional paths of the supernatural, or wandering off into more obscure areas, the movie remains simple and focused, always studying the characters and their reactions to the situations. It never goes out of its way to thrill the viewer, all of the thrills come from the terrified, charming face of Osment.

Who could have figured a child would outshine a major Hollywood name, perhaps only Shyamalan did. Haley Joel Osment steps on the stage shortly into the film and immediately fills the surreal atmosphere of the past with a vigorously subtle mysteriousness. Claiming to see "dead people", Osment is wrought with woe and fears, but the caring child is hardly concerned with himself. In fact his greatest fear is for his mother how his unusually cruel situation is slowly driving her toward madness.

While Willis strolls through the movie with a believable and serene atmosphere (until the end's final twist, which is questionable when considering some of the previous sequences), he is always several steps behind Osment's truly formidable presence.

Never does the pace excell, nor does it let up. Slowly and carefully it spins the story that intertwines these somewhat "lost" souls and the unique ending situation that binds the duo. Certain scenes provide gasp-worthy reactions at just the right time to prevent the movie from slacking, but never does it let these scenes drag into a horror oriented atmosphere.

A clever use of colors (examined on the DVD's extras, which are quite nice and provide a decent length of bonus material), some tender and affectionate dialogue, and deeply realistic characters keep what could have been just a "decent" movie at the "terrific" level. Rather, Osment should be mostly credited with the true praise, his performance simply swept the screen.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nice Picture but....(always a but)
Review: The film shows good quality in general, however it closes the door for other audiences even in the USA, and I'm referring to spanish speaking population, therefore I would recommend to include spanish subtitiles even when it is a region 1 dvd.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wins my vote for best movie of 1999 hands down!
Review: I was a little sceptical at first about watching a movie that deals mainly with themes that involve issues like life after death, ghosts and the supernatural. Unlike it's predesessors 'The Exorcist' and 'Omen'(which also featured a boy), "The sixth sense" is a much more intense and powerful movie, both emotionally and psychologically.

The affliction and pain that Osment brings to the screen is so overwhelming and powerful, it's scary to think where all that talent comes from, more so than all the creepy scenes in the movie put together.

While the few sentimental scenes between Cole(Osment) and his mother(Toni Collette) are simply priceless, the show stopper is definately the 'knock your socks off' ending to the movie. The punch the final scene delivers will simply blow you away and leave you with an emotional and psychological baggage for days after watching the movie. I saw the movie when it was originally released in the cinemas and as I drove home late that night , I could swear I heard a knock on my rear windscreen. My heart literally stopped as I slammed down on the brakes. That's how much the movie affected me.

I can't begin to imagine how talented Osment is and what a star he will become. His screen presence and emotions eminates from his acting to the audience, even moving some to tears. As for director M. Night shyamalan, I can't say enough about his great directing and screenplay. His craftsmanship and meticulous attention to subtleties will amaze even the harshest critics.

And the best thing about the movie? The fact that you can go back after watching it the first time, and see all the events and moments in the movie that have enabled the greatest audience deception in movie-making history!

5 stars for the best of 1999!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best and shocking movies I've seen!
Review: This DVD is a must buy! Sound and Picture are great! The bonus tracks are worth buying it alone. Buy it now and you'll thank me! If you don't your friends will!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This movie is horrible. What's wrong with you people?
Review: The Sixth Sense was certainly the WORST movie of 1999. There was no part that was scary. Since when does whispering EVERY line of dialog constitute good acting? And as far as the "twist", didn't anyone see the commercials? That annoying kid says "I see dead people." Bruce gets shot in the first scene and never shares any dialog with anyone except the kid. Didn't anyone think that a gunshot wound would maybe cause him to get killed? Is everyone so immune to violence that they didn't think that? Come on!

This is the type of movie where the more you think about it, the worse it gets. Not very good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the Best Movies I've seen
Review: This dvd is packed with all kinds of extras not found on most dvds. It has all kinds of long deleted scenes that are great for those who have already seen it. The resoulution could be better but is naturally better than any vhs. The movie is just breath taking. Everything you thought was true is taken away at the end! I love this movie. It's full of drama, suspense, and great acting. One of Bruce Willis' best acting role's in any movie. Plus you have to admire that kid. I've never seen any kid be so good at acting that young. This dvd is great, you won't be dissapointed!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Movie, Excellent DVD
Review: When I saw this movie in theatres I must say that I was not expecting much from it. Seemed like just another formulaic hollywood horror movie. Unlike most of my friends however, it was not the films ending that made me like it so much (I saw it coming 3/4 into the movie). I liked the fact that although the movie didn't really have any great special effect, it was able to great a great creepy atmosphere. Sure there are alot of cheap shots to make you jump, and I'll admit that some of them actually worked (when will I ever learn!), but I liked just being able to settle into the creepy mood of the movie. The music fits the movie very well and does wonders to create the atmosphere. Bruce Willis is very toned down in this movie, but still does a very good job. As everyone already knows, the real star here is Haley Joel Osment, who makes you believe he is really this scared, intelligent little boy who sees dead people. The movie is great and I love having it on DVD. There are some cool special features, I personally like the deleted scenes and I don't see why some of them were cut. Anyways, if you liked the movie pick it up for sure!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An intelligent adult horror movie
Review: I think horror movie is not the way to describe this movie. It's more like a thriller with ghost element in it. The most frustrating part of watching this movie is to resist the temptation of sharing the ending with my friends & family members. The setting of "The 6th Sense" is spot-on, haunting & chilling throughout. Just like a good book, the story gradually flows through rather than hitting the viewers in the face such as movies like "The Haunting", "The House on the Haunted Hill". I strongly believe that to make a horror movie works, it should let the story does the talking, conjuring fear in the viewers of things they don't & can't see. Isn't it true that imagination is our own worst enemy? Well, "Stir of Echoes" starred Kevin Bacon shares the same trait as "The 6th Sense" but we shouldn't forget that "The 6th Sense" is the movie that started it all. Highly recommended to watch right in the middle of the night, when you are all alone. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Entertaining but not surprising
Review: I enjoyed watching The Sixth Sense, but also thought that the ending was kind of obvious and thinking about it sort of wrecked the movie as I watched it. Still, it all fit together pretty well, and I recommend seeing it. I especially liked the acting of the boy and the mom.


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