Zodiac (Widescreen Edition)

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Closer in spirit to a police procedural than a gory serial-killer flick, David Fincher's Zodiac provides a sleek, armrest-gripping re-invention of the crime film. It surveys the investigation of the Zodiac killings that terrorized the San Francisco Bay area in the late -60-early -70s; Zodiac not only killed people, but cultivated a Jack the Ripper aura by sending icky letters to the newspapers and daring readers to solve coded messages. But the film's focus isn't on the killer. We follow the reporters and detectives whose lives are taken over by the case, notably an addictive crime writer (a sartorially splendid Robert Downey Jr.), an awkward editorial cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), and a hard-working cop (Mark Ruffalo). Fincher and his brilliant cinematographer Harris Savides are deft at capturing the period feel of the city, without laying on the seventies kitsch, and James Vanderbilt's script doles out its big moments to major and minor characters alike. Fincher's confidence is infectious; the movie glides through its myriad details with such dexterity that even the blind alleys and red herrings seem essential. The well-chosen cast includes unexpected people popping up all over: Anthony Edwards as a lunch-bucket homicide cop; Charles Fleischer as a mysterious suspect; Elias Koteas and Donal Logue as small-town policemen whose districts are hit by Zodiac; Chloe Sevigny as Gyllenhaal's sweet-natured wife; Brian Cox as the media-friendly lawyer Melvin Belli, so famous he once appeared on Star Trek; and the mighty John Carroll Lynch, as a supremely creepy suspect. The film is based on non-fiction books by Robert Graysmith (he's portrayed by Gyllenhaal), although Fincher and co. did extensive research on their own. The result is a propulsive whodunit without (thus far) an ending, but the uncertainty makes the film even more intriguing. --Robert Horton

Beyond Zodiac

The Zodiac (2005)
Curse of the Zodiac (2007)
The Novel

Stills from Zodiac (click for larger image)

Customer Reviews:

A Tale of Twin Obsessions.......2007-09-15

David Fincher invites his viewers on a nearly three hour journey into obsession in Zodiac. Two obsessions ,really, one the story of a person with a obsession for killing and the second of the police and journalists on an obsessive quest for the truth.

Zodiac is a departure from normal Fincher fare. The film is more a tight police procedural than a gory serial killer film. The story is the stuff of urban legend and needs no real explanation. The three principal leads in the film Jake Gyllenhaal as cartoonist Robert Graysmith, Mark Rufallo as Inspector David Toschi and Robert Downey, Jr. as reporter Paul Avery are excellent. The film offers insights into all of its characters great and small that are not usually found in films of this type. We go on an emotional ride with these people and begin to care about what the strain of the case is doing to them both professionally and personally.

Fincher has always been a director for creating atmosphere ans Zodiac is no different. Using cinematographer Harris Savides and production designer Donald Graham Burt he effectively recreates late 1960's/ early 1970's San Francisco without ever going over the top. Writer James Vanderbilt provides a complex screenplay that keeps you guessing throughout. There are more false leads and red herrings here for a film twice its length.

If there is a problem with this film it's that Paramount has decided to release a bare bones edition of the film but promises a new bonus filled Director's Edition early in 2008. Having this trailer on the film feels like a slap in the face to those of us who bought the early edition.

This is one of the better and more intelligent films of the year thus far and deserves a look. You may want to rent it now and wait for the special edition before purchasing it though.

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME........2007-09-15

THIS FILM IS SO GOOD, I HAD TO GET THE BOOK BY ROBERT GRAYSMITH. THE BOOK IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE FILM. NAME CHANGES, STUFF LIKE THAT. I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE ZODIAC ON THE A&E CHANNELL. IT WAS AN INTERESTING YET FRIGHTFUL TRUE STORY THAT HAPPENED IN THE LATE 60'S AND 70'S. IT REMINDS ME OF THE SON OF SAM, WHICH I KNOW MORE ABOUT BECAUSE I AM FROM AND STILL LIVE IN NYC, THAT HIT CLOSER TO HOME, BUT THE ZODIAC IS A LITTLE BIT MORE SCARY TO HEAR AND READ ABOUT. STEVE MCQUEEN'S BULLET, WAS BASED ON THE LEAD INSPECTOR, DAVE TOSCHI. MARK RUFFALO WHO PLAYS THE POLICE DET. IS FANTASTIC. HE HAS THE ITALIAN LOOK, THE CURLY HAIR, YES HIS HAIR IS REALLY THAT CURLY. I HEARD ABOUT THE ACTOR, BUT I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM ACT. HE IS SO BELIEVEABLE. I READ IN THE BOOK HE ACTUALLY MET WITH DAVE TOSCHI TO PICK UP THE MANNERISMS AND THE CLOTHES DET. TOSCHI WORE. JAKE G. IS ALSO BELIEVEABLE. THE ACTORS BRING HEART AND SOUL TO THE ROLES. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. BLEW ME AWAY. THE CLOTHES IN THE FILM BRING ME BACK TO THE ERA. ROBERT IS SUCH A GOOD ACTOR. I THINK THIS FILM WILL BE A CLASSIC, LIKE JFK WITH KEVIN COSTNER. I RENTED IT, AND I HAD TO BUY THE DVD, THEN I GOT THE BOOK. I BOUGHT THEM ALL ON AMAZON. I HOPE THE FILM GETS NOMINATED FOR OSCARS, IT'S THAT GOOD. THERE ARE A FEW SCENES THAT ARE HARD TO WATCH, WHEN THE ZODIAC ATTACKS HIS VICTIMS AND KILLS SOME OF THEM. THIS FILM IS WORTH RENTING AND BUYING IT. IT'S KINDA LONG, ALMOST 3 HRS, BUT IT NEVER GETS BORING. YOU FOLLOW THE STORY FROM ONE OF THE MURDERS, TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS: JAKE G. RUFFALO, AND DOWNEY. ON THE DVD,COMING IN 2008, THERE WILL BE A EXTENDED VERSION OF THE FILM. DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY, BEHIND THE SCENES. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT VERSION. I HOPE THIS REVIEW HELPS. THANK YOU

Too long makes this film forgettable........2007-09-14

Zodiac directed by David Fincher starts off really well even though the first 30 minutes are the most violent but as the film goes on, the characters become too cluttered and the progression is a bit slow and lackluster. I have always liked Fincher's films but this one doesn't flow well and since the San Franciso Police Department never found out the identity of the Zodiac killer, you kinda expected an ambivalent ending. The use of the song, Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan is played many times during the film, and that song is perfect and kept me watching this film the whole way through. There are some great performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo but sadly even their acting can't save this so-so film.

I expected more.......2007-09-09

After years of pondering the Zodiac murders, I thought that this movie was going to bring all the pieces together by placing the final piece into the puzzle. So I was really disappointed that the final piece still leads to the person the law and writers always thought it was....But with no true ending. But it's a good movie.

Like the book, like the movie.......2007-09-09

If you have problems with Graysmith you'll have them with the film - very close to the book and a fine set piece for the era. Definitely worth your time.

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West

Average customer rating:

A must-see
What you don't know can kill you
Why We "Must" Fight
The minority among Muslims are taking the majority of the action
Thank God... an antidote to thought at last!

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West
Director: Wayne Kopping
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000SM7QTI
Release Date: 2007-09-11

Product Description

Obsession is a film about the threat of Radical Islam to Western civilization. Using unique footage from Arab television, it reveals an 'insider's view' of the hatred the Radicals are teaching, their incitement of global jihad, and their goal of world domination. The film also traces the parallels between the Nazi movement of World War II, the Radicals of today, and the Western world's response to both threats. Featuring interviews with Daniel Pipes, Steve Emerson, Alan Dershowitz, a former PLO terrorist, and a former Hitler Youth Commander

Customer Reviews:

A must-see.......2007-09-12

This eye opening film is essential for understanding the current global terrorist conflict that is plaguing almost every western country today. It does not claim that all Islam is a threat, only a small radical minority, which is still a threat that must be reckoned with.

What you don't know can kill you.......2007-09-11

Open up your history books and recall that before WWII broke out, British citizens were fed a sanitized version of Hitler. This was why they were asleep and why they failed to realize that Hitler was a massive threat. A few politicians realized what Hitler was up to, what it all meant, and what the inevitable future would bring. These politicians were ignored, and rather than stomping out the embers when they could barely start a fire, we were left with the holocaust, a massive world war, and millions dead across the globe.

What you don't know can kill you.

I watched this movie and I was surprised. I thought I knew what was happening in foreign muslim countries. I thought I was familiar with the extent of the indoctrination, the extent of the preaching of American and Israeli and Western hatred and the depth of these emotions. I was wrong. The problem is much, much more severe than you can imagine.

We are watching a movement, like the Fascist movement, like the Imperial Japan movement. We are watching it form, but we in America, like the people in Britain in the 1930's, the very people who can easily crush the embers, are not being told the full story. We are given a sanitized version. We do not understand the extent of the hatred, the violence, and the devotion of those who want to kill us.

We have a choice: stop our ears and ignore the signs of disaster, or take the threat seriously this time and prevent it from spreading into global conflict.

We already know what happens when we ignore serious threats--we have already paid the price in blood and treasure across the globe, and even here at home.

We must face the real threat, understand our enemy, and learn what drives them. We must hear their propaganda, hear their death chants, and feel the intensity of their hatred against us. We must learn why negotiation is impossible, and victory is the only choice. We must do this or face even more death.

Why We "Must" Fight.......2007-09-11

[[[[[[[The following is a freelance review I wrote of the film after viewing it in Los Angeles last year. Your feedback is welcome at Lhart50@yahoo.com or visit my blog at Choosingfreedom.Blogspot.com ]]]]]]]]]]]

Sometimes with all the political fallout of the Iraq debacle we lose site of what is at stake in the war on terror. Because the country is so divided over President Bush's ability to manage the war, the very real and serious problem of Islamic terror is often relegated to a foolish unimportance. As my brother-in-law told me the other night, "if Bush hadn't gone into Iraq we wouldn't be in this mess." On Wednesday, March 14, the West Valley Jewish Community Center presented "Obsession: Radical Islam's War on the West," sponsored by the West Hills Chabad. Like a clarion call this film reminds us of the clear and present danger that confronts Western Civilization . After the movie one of the primary speakers in the film, Noni Darwish discussed with the audience in detail her pro American/Israeli position to this war. This is a film that every American should see.

Darwish, the daughter of the Egyptian Fedayeen commander in Gaza during the 1950s, spoke about the madness that is gripping her people. You could not help but admire her courage and her recognition of righteousness against all odds. Ms. Darwish has a price on her head, so the security to get into this presentation was very strict. She doesn't waiver from her condemnation of the Arab world, her support for Israel or her love of democratic values. I have to admit, I was impressed. It's not every day that you meet an Arab national speak about her respect for the Jewish state. Perhaps reality is never far behind because as Ms. Darwish spoke you got the distinct impression that she was very alone in this commitment, disowned by her family, her country and the religion that totally dominated her life growing up.

Meeting and talking with a real live hero like Noni Darwish made the evening exciting but the film stands on its own merit as a glaring example of the utter hatred that much of the Arab world and large swaths of the rest of non Arab Islam feel toward the west. Thanks to Al-Jizeera and some other like minded Middle East media outlets there are mounds of written and video evidence to support the film's arguments.

The film argues that we are not taking this war seriously. Most of what is reported in the Arab world and in other places never seems to make it in the western media. Steven Emerson, a long time researcher of the Islamic threat said, "The amount of hate propaganda is far more extensive and pervasive than the attention that it receives in the western media." This has to stop. We need to begin to follow the Muslim press, listen to what they are saying, understand what they are implying with their statements and analyze more closely their intentions. The films ultimate message: We face disaster if we don't.

There is a violent movement to convert the entire world to Islam, to completely eliminate the Christian-Judeo world from the face of the Earth. Perceived western influences around the globe are targeted on a regular basis. Caroline Glick, a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy, makes the point that many countries in the world today have a problem with Islamic extremism on some level. And then to emphasize that statement the film shows a map of the world covered in red "X"s where Jihadis are on the rise, attacking, bombing and killing. As noted in one Palestinian children's textbook, "this religion (Islam) will destroy all other religions through the Islamic Jihad fighters."

Several of the speakers in the film kept reiterating the fact that the West is in denial of this problem. Even in a post 9-11 environment people do not want to admit that there is a growing malignancy on the planet bent on our destruction.

The film is very clear not to condemn Islam as a religion and therefore claims that not all of the world's Muslims are the enemy. But, it is clear that the Jihadi movement is at present very large and is growing with each passing generation. There are many Islamic leaders calling for the deaths of Jews, the destruction of the United States, and the defeat of the west, all the while being cheered on by thousands of onlookers. There is no shortage of hatred in the Islamic world. The film implores us to recognize this threat and to begin to fight back in order to survive.

Most disturbing about this enemy is the chair squirming, undeniable connection of the Islamic Jihad movement to the rise of Nazism in Europe during the 1930's.The two historical periods are so closely correlated that it is hard to comprehend how we could have missed its growth. It is as if we were so busy reminding ourselves in the last sixty years that we would never again forget the past in Europe that we did not see it creeping up on us again in another part of the world. The film shows that 19th and early 20th century European anti-Semitism along with a remarkably similar ramp toward fascist ideology are alive and well and flourishing within the Muslim world. The only difference being in Europe it was based on politics and now it is based in religion.

One of the historical parallels to Nazism is the connection between the Mufti of Jerusalem and Adolph Hitler. As disturbing then as it is now the film describes and verifies that Hitler and the Mufti agreed that the extermination of the Jews was central to the War's aims. The Mufti, a radical fundamentalist in his own right, distinguished himself as one of the leaders who tried to prevent Jewish Zionism from establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine during that era. In exchange for his support Hitler promised him that would never happen.

In one especially chilling moment, Walid Shoebat, a reformed Palestinian terrorist and, who like Noni Darwish is shunned by his family, community and religion, explains the growth of Jihad as compared to the growth of Nazism. He says that Islamo fascism is far more dangerous than Nazism because of its religious components. Jihad makes war in the name of almighty God while Nazism made war for a man, Adoph Hitler. And, it exists in several countries not just one. Therefore, Shoebat concludes, that if we do not stop its rise we will be facing not one Nazi Germany but several.

The sole of Islam is at stake some western commentators have noted, indicating that the only way we can win this is for Islam itself to struggle with the question internally and repair it internally. In other words, we are your supporters but it is you who have to correct the problem. According to "Obsession," and confirmed by Noni Darwish, the struggle is already over, Islam has been stolen by the Jihadi movement. The enemy is getting stronger and the decent Muslim who wants to live his life like we live ours is growing ever weaker. In fact, one gets the sickening feeling that Noni Darwish, and the other Muslim commentators depicted in the film, which courageously stand against the Jihadi enterprise, are lone puppies in a sea of wolves.

The danger to all of us is clear. Either we begin to get serious about this problem and take positive steps to end it favorably or we are going to lose. The very existence of Western Civilization is at stake and all the freedoms that we developed, struggled with and refined over the last 2500 years are in danger of being forcibly replaced by something very different. We must recognize that to do nothing and to continue to live in denial of this growing problem is a huge mistake. Unless you are willing to accept that your grandchildren before the end of their lives will be bowing down to Mohammad five times a day I would suggest that you begin looking at our involvement in the Middle East as a matter of survival not as a political football to be argued as Republicans and Democrats. It is not too late but we need to begin now or face a global confrontation of such huge proportions that it will dwarf World War II by comparison. The choice is ours.

The minority among Muslims are taking the majority of the action.......2007-09-10

With the thwarted attacks in Germany this week, this documentary becomes even more timely and critical. Perhaps only a few percent of Muslims actively support jihad against the West? Possibly. Yet, that is many millions of people that demand submission to their religious creed. They are the ones who are actively recruiting, and converts get their particular take on the way of the Qu'ran. This "small minority" are those who threaten or accomplish violence against their critics. This "small minority" believes that death is a promotion, and that *your* death is a blessing. They have no motivation to negotiate, as their value system has nothing in common with that of people who would "discuss the situation."

I'm looking forward to the commercial release of this important film. I hope that they lose none of the impact of the pre-release version. If you watch it and find points that you disagree with, take it as a call to debate. Do the research and form educated opinions. Name calling adds nothing to the conversation, however. The jihadist movement plays squarely to the West's inclination toward tolerance. Tolerance of the intolerant is merely submission.

Thank God... an antidote to thought at last!.......2007-09-08

If you have a hankering for a good old fashioned mindless propaganda screed, this is the disc for you. It's already been thoroughly ridiculed for its ham-fisted scare tactics and factual inaccuracies. The intellectual bankruptcy of the dead-end, less-than-a-third of Americans who still swallow the neo-con con is on full display. It would be funny if it didn't turn your stomach. So when even Fox News isn't enough to suppress what remains of your analytical mind from honestly assessing the countless crimes of the current administration (which of course dwarf your pet/petty/invented crimes of the previous one), this deeply cynical, exploitative product should scare it back into submission, right quick.

Average customer rating:

Unique and refreshing, the type of film that keeps you guessing as well as entertained...
Memento is well thought out.
A Very Original and Highly Entertaining Piece of Cinema
Memento
Memento: My favorite film

Memento
Starring: Jr. Mark Boone , Russ Fega , Jorja Fox , Joe Pantoliano , and Stephen Tobolowsky
Director: Christopher Nolan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00003CXZ4
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com essential video

Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) and Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix) shine in this absolute stunner of a movie. Memento combines a bold, mind-bending script with compelling action and virtuoso performances. Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, hunting down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The problem is that "the incident" that robbed Leonard of his wife also stole his ability to make new memories. Unable to retain a location, a face, or a new clue on his own, Leonard continues his search with the help of notes, Polaroids, and even homemade tattoos for vital information.

Because of his condition, Leonard essentially lives his life in short, present-tense segments, with no clear idea of what's just happened to him. That's where Memento gets really interesting; the story begins at the end, and the movie jumps backward in 10-minute segments. The suspense of the movie lies not in discovering what happens, but in finding out why it happened. Amazingly, the movie achieves edge-of-your-seat excitement even as it moves backward in time, and it keeps the mind hopping as cause and effect are pieced together.

Pearce captures Leonard perfectly, conveying both the tragic romance of his quest and his wry humor in dealing with his condition. He is bolstered by several excellent supporting players, and the movie is all but stolen from him by Pantoliano, who delivers an amazing performance as Teddy, the guy who may or may not be on his side. Memento has an intriguing structure and even meditations on the nature of perception and meaning of life if you go looking for them, but it also functions just as well as a completely absorbing thriller. It's rare to find a movie this exciting with so much intelligence behind it. --Ali Davis

Customer Reviews:

Unique and refreshing, the type of film that keeps you guessing as well as entertained..........2007-09-17

`Memento' is probably one of the only films that must be watched from beginning to end, no if ands or buts, in order for it to be even enjoyed. I mean this with all sincerity, if you miss the first thirty seconds you're screwed. That said, when caught from the very beginning `Memento' is also one of the most enjoyable and richly rewarding films to be watched. It's a true stunner of a film, from plot to execution, and is one that will instigate lots of post-watching conversations. The acting is top-notch, especially from the likes of Guy Pearce (looking like a scraggly Brad Pitt covered in interesting tattoos) who just blew me away here. I've never really been a fan of Pearce. In `L.A. Confidential' I felt he was the weakest link and pretty much everything else I see him in I just don't feel him, but here he just soars. The direction of the film is a thing of beauty really, and Christopher Nolan has pretty much established himself as one of our greatest new-wave directors. He truly gets into his material and delivers this masterful story in a very unique way which proves to be the grandest embellishment.

The film centers around Leonard Shelby, a man who's lost his wife to rape and murder and in the process lost his mind. He has set out to find the man who did this and punish him. The movie opens with him killing a man named Teddy. This is the end of the film, or I should say the end of the story. Teddy is, for the sake of discussion, the man who raped and murdered Leonard's wife. The film them jumps back in ten minute segments until we get to the beginning of the film, or should I say the beginning of the story, where we uncover who Leonard came to this conclusion. What makes this direction so interesting is that the film gives you just enough information to keep you guessing. It tells you just a little bit and then takes you back and fills you in, leaving new doors open for interpretation before taking you back again and filling you in. It's truly a masterpiece of a film and executed so well it's a real shame the academy snubbed Nolan his directing nomination.

Like I mentioned, Pearce is a spectacle in this film, but there are two other performances within `Memento' that deserve attention. For one we have Carrie-Anne Moss' who plays a barmaid who is helping Leonard for reasons yet to be uncovered. Is she really concerned with Leonard's plight or is she using him for her own selfish gain? Moss surprised me here because I'm really not familiar with her work aside from `The Matrix' and a film like `The Matrix' doesn't really allow the actors to shine, but here she delves into the meat of her character and delivers a great performance. The real star though, the actor that outshines them all, is Joe Pantoliano of `The Sopranos' fame (yes, that's Ralph). As Teddy Joe is spot on and delivers an exciting, fresh and completely absorbing performance. It's funny because my wife and I are HUGE `Sopranos' buffs and when we saw `Ralph' we just about died (since his character was one we loathed from start to his finish) but here he completely sheds his `Sopranos' persona and delivers a separate performance altogether and it paid off wonderfully for him.

`Memento' is a film for the ages. It's one of those movies that may not be your cup of tea, and for that I understand, but really, there isn't much to dislike with this film (that is if you catch it from the start). There are so many films where one is advised to sit back and turn your mind off but here I'm telling you to sit up and turn your mind on because `Memento' is the type of film that will keep you thinking, keep you guessing, and in the process keep you completely entertained. The end, or should I say the beginning, plays out in a wonderfully inventive way that is unexpected yet ultimately rewarding. It packs a huge `wow' factor and I just love that about this film. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoilt he surprise, but just be aware that it's not what you'd expect, and that's a beautiful thing!

Memento is well thought out........2007-09-14

Rarely have I watched a film that demanded that I pay such rapt attention to detail. Its series of segments, progressively reveal more of what happened but in backwards order. I had to expend a lot of mental energy comparing the events in each segment and piecing together what I thought actually happened. This method of filming alone is challenging but especially so given the main character's mental limitations. It is worth energy to figure out though!

For those who don't know, "Memento" is a story of a man who loses his wife in a rape attack inside their home, pledging that he will track down a murderer for revenge and peace of mind. The main problem is that Lenny (Guy Peirce), after the attack, was left with a problem in that he cannot retain any long term memories. Well that's one brief summary of how to look at it, but there are others. Indeed this film is excellent and played with my emotions, emotions of sympathy, anger and questioning my own morals and judgments. Peirce is exceptional as the lead, and the characters that come into contact with him also give fine performances (notably Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano). Focusing on the problem of losing a memory after approximately 15 minutes, we begin to appreciate just how frustrating Lennys plight is.

The film is beautifully shot and the editing and photography is even better. The best part: the film starts at the end and works it way to a middle point. That's because when the film comes to its end you really don't know if it's the beginning since you don't know what Leonard (Guy Pierce) did before arriving at an isolated place. This film can really be seen as reminiscent of the film style of Film Noir. It uses black and white scenes to give that off as well as the characters in the film constantly sucking Leonard further down into this world where he has no idea who and what to believe, including himself and the things he's done. Not only that but all the characters, yes even Leonard who is our protagonist, has a dark side of human nature to them. And that's what Film Noir is, exposing the dark side of human nature. The film has such a great Psychological deepness and by all means breaks the conventional art that goes into filmmaking. It really was a shame this film wasn't nominated for best picture. It greatly deserved that award and Nolan greatly deserved best director for it. Bottom line: Flat-out brilliant film-making and story-telling. One of the best films I've ever seen. I don't throw high ratings around but this one deserves 5 stars.

A Very Original and Highly Entertaining Piece of Cinema.......2007-09-07

Christopher Nolan has amazed me with every movie he releases. From Following to The Prestige but Memento stands out as my favorite. Why? It's not only one of the most original movies in a long time. It's one of the best movies of the 2000's.

Memento is the story of a man trying to find out who killed his wife, although he has more obstacles to face than your average revenge character does. He has a problem with his memory. He can't make new memories and can't retain anything for too long of a time.

This movie is extremely engaging. You don't want to miss a single moment of this film. It's quite good too. The story, although it seems to be told backwards, is actually told in a different non-linear way. It jumps from place to place, although it's still easy to follow. This isn't your normal blockbuster entertainment flick. It's deep.

The Limited Edition DVD release is one of the best releases of all time. It is loaded to the brim with special features. Includind an excellent audio commentary from Christopher Nolan, plenty of features, a trailer, making of featurettes, and some amazing hidden features including a chance to watch the movie chronologically. I haven't yet tried this but it's definitely worth it to better understand the entire movie.

This is a definite Must Have. A thoroughly engaging movie and a DVD that gives it due respect.

Memento.......2007-09-05

My daughter brought this over for us to watch one afternoon. The movie didn't quite click. However we discussed the possible plots of the movie for over an hour. We looked on the main page and found the extra "hints" at the bottom right. Suddenly the whole movie made sense. There were still some items to discuss, but we thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the discussion.

However, it's not the type of movie a person can pick up on a whim and not expect to spend some time really thinking about it. I had been warned.

I'm going to have to watch it another few times!

Memento: My favorite film.......2007-09-05

In this movie, which runs backwards, Guy Pearce stars as Leonard (a man suffering with short term memory loss). Leonard is in search of his wife's killer, but because of his memory loss, Leonard has to rely completely on his notes (which he tatoos on his body).

This movie has everything: interesting characters, great thought provoking plot, and emotional background music ambiance. The best part is that the ending isn't clear cut. Everytime I watch this movie I noticed something new and draw a new conclusion as to what is really going on. This movie leaves me with many questions, but they can all be answered by watching the movie again. However, once one question is answered, others spring up, and that is the true beauty of this film.

I also reccomend Nolan's other film Insomnia. Guy Pearce has also done a few interesting films (Ravenous and The Count of Monte Cristo). both are fantastic

The Number 23 (Unrated Infinifilm Edition)

Average customer rating:

Great movie, it will keep you interested
Intriguing Story
A slow start to a boring film...(How bizarre! The letters to the title of my review add up to 23!!)
edge of your seat
Thankfully I only rented it...

The Number 23 (Unrated Infinifilm Edition)
Starring: Jim Carrey , Virginia Madsen , Logan Lerman , Danny Huston , and Lynn Collins
Director: Joel Schumacher
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000OYC7BW
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com

Jim Carrey as a schizophrenic murderer isn't convincing, in this melodramatic film about a man obsessed by the Number 23. Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, St. Elmo's Fire) has unintentionally managed to make a comedy of horrors that really is quite humorous in parts. Walter Sparrow (Carrey) becomes engrossed in a homespun novel about Detective Fingerling, whose life degrades into mayhem because of his obsession with 23's esoteric numerical puzzles. Sparrow's preoccupation with the book follows his botched attempt to catch a nasty dog that bites him, leading one to believe that Sparrow's contraction of rabies might be the cause for his mental degradation. As the story progresses, Sparrow retreats further into Fingerling's world, rife with suicidal sexpots and hardboiled detective sleuthing. His wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), also plays Fingerling's girlfriend, sex-crazed Fabrizia, who taunts Fingerling until he stabs her. Back in reality, Walter aims to solve the unresolved crimes in the book, taking it as a murderer's diary rather than as an imagined work. The story is half-baked, though Carrey's portrayal of a mentally disturbed person is what makes The Number 23 comedic. Long, contemplative stares, and over-dramatized acting renders Sparrow a clichéd character, rather than one odd enough to engage viewers. For a better version of almost the exact plot but with a terrorist's twist, see Thr3e instead. --Trinie Dalton

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, it will keep you interested.......2007-09-16

More so then none, The Number 23 is a psychological thriller. I'm not normally into these types of movies, but this one kept my attention throughout the entire movie. Jim Carrey did an awesome job in the movie. If your into these types of movies, get this one - it will definitely keep your attention.

Intriguing Story.......2007-09-12

I found this to be a very intriguing and entertaining movie, and I think Jim Carrey did very well in the role, despite the fact that it was such a departure from what he normally does. Generally speaking, I think that this movie would appeal to many booklovers. I saw The Number 23 in the theater and have since gladly added it to my DVD collection.

A slow start to a boring film...(How bizarre! The letters to the title of my review add up to 23!!).......2007-09-08

Unfortunately once again the modern era of complicated movies with twisted endings delivers another disappointing film. I was really geared up for this one when I saw the trailer but this film nearly lost me at the 45 minute mark. I'm glad in a way I decided to stick it out to the end because the film does get a little more interesting from the half way mark to the end, but it's a shame we have to sit through the first 45 minutes to get there. Of course this film does appeal to a certain genre of people out there who do have a fascination with the number 23, Jim Carrey being one of them in real life from when he was a younger man. I think it's only those people who will really benefit from this film.

edge of your seat.......2007-09-06

Great movie--kind you can't miss a second of or you get lost with the plot. I thought Jim Carey did a fine job acting--I like him better to tell the truth when he is not doing comedy. A thinkers movie---but the kind that doesn't leave you hanging in the ending--it gives you an ending.

Thankfully I only rented it..........2007-09-04

Having missed this film in the theaters, I rented it hoping it would be another "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". However, what I found was quite different....a great idea for a movie that is simply poorly executed.

I wouldn't say the film is necessarily predictable, but it certainly wasn't engaging. Granted, I'm not much of a Jim Carrey fan, but to his credit, he has pulled off some great acting roles in "The Truman Show" and the aforementioned "Spotless Mind". Through most of the film, Mr. Carrey's acting was simply hollow - there was no real passion. In other parts, I felt he was over acting, perhaps to drive the plot. At no point in the film did I buy into the story, despite having such a strong cast and director, and at no point did I feel one way or the other about any of the characters....The ending felt rushed, and was somewhat unfulfilling...basically it felt as though the movie consisted of empty calories...cheese whiz for the big screen.

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this film for even a rental.

Average customer rating:

Touching
I'd just like to add...
Amazing
Truly beautiful in an alarmingly tragic way...
It's in the bag.

American Beauty (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Annette Bening , Thora Birch , Chris Cooper , Peter Gallagher , and Sam Robards
Director: Sam Mendes
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CWL6
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Amazon.com essential video

From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves with a mesmerizing confidence and acuity epitomized by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine of the story, and his very first lines hook us with their teasing fatalism--like Sunset Boulevard's Joe Gillis, Burnham tells us his story from beyond the grave.

It's an audacious start for a film that justifies that audacity. Weaving social satire, domestic tragedy, and whodunit into a single package, Alan Ball's first theatrical script dares to blur generic lines and keep us off balance, winking seamlessly from dark, scabrous comedy to deeply moving drama. The Burnham family joins the cinematic short list of great dysfunctional American families, as Lester is pitted against his manic, materialistic realtor wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening, making the most of a mostly unsympathetic role) and his sullen, contemptuous teenaged daughter, Jane (Thora Birch, utterly convincing in her edgy balance of self-absorption and wistful longing). Into their lives come two catalytic outsiders. A young cheerleader (Mena Suvari) jolts Lester into a sexual epiphany that blooms into a second adolescence. And an eerily calm young neighbor (Wes Bentley) transforms both Lester and Jane with his canny influence.

Credit another big-screen newcomer, English theatrical director Sam Mendes, with expertly juggling these potentially disjunctive elements into a superb ensemble piece that achieves a stylized pace without lapsing into transparent self-indulgence. Mendes has shrewdly insured his success with a solid crew of stage veterans, yet he's also made an inspired discovery in Bentley, whose Ricky Fitts becomes a fulcrum for both plot and theme. Cinematographer Conrad Hall's sumptuous visual design further elevates the film, infusing the beige interiors of the Burnhams' lives with vivid bursts of deep crimson, the color of roses--and of blood. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Touching.......2007-09-07

American Beauty is a spectacular movie of hope and life that has captured the hearts of so many people. Sam Mendes, the director, and Alan Ball, the screenwriter, both succeed in displaying the lonely life of Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man who takes a closer look at the world he lives in, and progresses on a journey to get his life back. The beginning tone of the movie is dull and uninspiring as Lester Burnham embarks on another boring day. He is seen as a prisoner looking out onto a world of beauty, a world that he once knew. He seems to be trapped behind bars everywhere he goes.

Sam Mendes was born in Reading, England in 1965. American Beauty was his first feature film in 1999 and it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He is now happily married to actress Kate Winslet. They have one child.

In the beginning of the movie during Lester's monologue, the audience finds out he is going to die, but at this point he seems already dead. His life is lonely and he has a low and tense relationship with his wife and daughter. Every aspect of this broken family is distant and isolated. Colors are dark and dull except for the red roses that so regularly appear throughout the course of the movie. The roses in the movie represent fantasy and life. The life of a rose depicts the direction of the movie and also the life of Lester. A rose begins as only a seed, waiting to be nurtured and cared for. It then transforms into a bud after it has grown and grown, and is only seconds away from blooming into the next phase - the American beauty. After the rose has had its beauty, it dies, satisfied and fulfilled because not only did it live, it lived a life of beauty.

Throughout the course of the movie and the introduction of all the characters, one specific character stands out more than any. Ricky, a teenage kid and the Burnham's new neighbor, brings light and beauty to the suburban family. He influences every character, directly and/or indirectly, and shows them how beautiful life really is. Lester begins to break free from his life of imprisonment and manages to live life without a care in the world. At one point Lester states, "I'm just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose." This movie illustrates that there are always preconceived notions about people and life, but in reality, there is usually a lot more going on. People are always searching for meaning in their lives, and Lester Burnham finds that meaning... that beauty.

American Beauty is a movie that will surely touch the lives of anyone who should watch it. It is a film that can be viewed by both young and old and never cease to send a beautiful message.

I'd just like to add..........2007-08-19

...a small ending to Gary F. Taylor "GFT"'s review by telling that a very significant thing is (like in real life) that the only decent and nice guy is the one who gets killed. Of course, American people seem to think that getting rid of those who make life miserable for those around them would not be compatible with 'Beauty' as they see it. Cast and crew are perfect.

Amazing.......2007-08-17

twisted but amazing the whole time your excpecting somthing only to realize what you think youve vigured out isent what it seems at all!

Truly beautiful in an alarmingly tragic way..........2007-08-02

Standing tall as one of my all time favorite films and one of the most deserved Best Picture wins of all time, `American Beauty' never loses its impression on me. I'm forever in awe at its overall magnitude; its presence that is so overwhelmingly absorbing. From Kevin Spacey's fantastic Oscar winning performance to each and every supporting player the cast is golden and the charisma and chemistry is dynamic and ultimately unrivaled. What makes `American Beauty' so enthralling and captivating to me is the sheer relatable atmosphere and utter honesty that it portrays. This is a life not unlike our own, with the same dilemmas and controversies, the same dreams and ambitions and no matter how perfect we think we have things there is always something missing, and sooner or later we're going to have to make a change in order to find our center. Brilliantly, and I mean that with every fiber of the words very meaning, `American Beauty' fleshes out that very innate desire.

The film follows Lester Burnham as he goes through his mid-life crisis, realizing that his wife doesn't love him anymore, his daughter finds him creepy and uninteresting, his job infuriates him; basically that his life in general is far from what he wants it to be. Through a catalog of events he begins to make serious changes, starting with his growing infatuation with his daughters cheerleading friend Angela. He begins to work out more, eat better and enjoy a little recreational drug provided by his neighbor's son Ricky. He quits his job and starts up working at the local burger joint where he can slack off and live life a teenager. He buys the ridiculously expensive sports car because he wants to and develops an attitude that repels those around him intent on dragging him down. In essence Lester becomes the man that everyman wishes he could become but lacks the `balls' to do it himself. Lester is everyman, just pushed to the limit of what any man can take.

But this film is far more than just about a single man and his crisis. Lester's wife Caroline is also going through a bit of a mid-lifer herself. She's finally come to the realization that she is more than Lester will ever be and she wants, no she needs someone that's a better fit for her. Lester proves himself a constant embarrassment to her, and his newfound identity is making it difficult for her to function in their life together. Lester's daughter Jane is pulling away from her parents due to their apparent insanity. She can't take them anymore, her mothers constant bickering and hysterics, her father's pedophilic lust for her best friend and sudden `cool guy' syndrome. She distances herself from Angela and forms a closer connection with her neighbor Ricky, a boy who opens her eyes to the real beauty that surrounds her.

But both Ricky and Angela themselves offer insight into the growing pandemic surrounding the American public as a whole. The film effortlessly exposes the common issues that are present in almost every home and exist within almost every human being. Ricky exists in a household run with a cold fist by his father. His every move is scrutinized and so he acts out in rebellion by living his life the exact opposite of his father's wishes, albeit behind his back. Angela is the classic case of girl-hates-self, girl-needs-attention but here she feeds off her characters energy, and most of all Spacey's energy and helps create a character that is in the end so touching and so real. Her final confrontation with Jane and Ricky is so heartbreaking and her feeling of rejection from Lester is so real. I actually was moved by her character almost as much as Spacey's.

The entire cast, not just Spacey, pull out all the stops here. Annette Bening is flawless as Lester's controlling and hysterical wife (and I mean hysterical in both of its forms, both hilarious when needed and outrageously dramatic when needed). Thora Birch is also dynamic as Jane, and Wes Bently brilliantly captures his characters unique outlook at adolescence. Mena Suvari though really stood out for me as Angela, as did Chris Cooper who plays the domineering and controlling father effortlessly. Peter Gallagher also develops a nice supporting character, although he comes off more as a cameo, and that's hard for me to acknowledge since under normal circumstances I find him nauseating. Here though he is fantastic, both charming and endearing while equally repulsive and condescending. How he manages to pull that off is beyond me. Each and every actor here benefits greatly from the brilliant script, that's for sure.

So, in closing, `American Beauty' is everything that is beautiful about American cinema. It's engrossing, entertaining, refreshing but most of all moving and emotionally investing. I often battle my feelings about Spacey's win only because the competition that year was so steep and I feel Crowe gave the performance of a career, but every time I watch this brilliant film I'm reminded of why he deserved his win. He was so invested, so grounded in Lester that he created one of the most likable sinners of all time, a man who we grew to love and embrace despite his faults. `American Beauty' will always be one of the most deserving Oscar winners to date and will be remembered every time we look in the mirror.

It's in the bag. .......2007-08-01

Suburban angst turns funny then tragic. We should all reach the spiritual level Kevin Spacey's Lester Burnham reaches in his last hours.
The kid with the video camera becomes a surprising focal point thanks to a superb acting performance by Wes Bentley. The kid and his recording of the floating plastic bag hold the key to the spiritual treasure of "American Beauty."
This first-time collaboration of director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Alan Ball is a prime example of what Hollywood could deliver more of if the studio executives ever got their heads out of the sequels and the comic books. I'm convinced there are other fine scripts floating around waiting for the will and the daring to produce them.

Average customer rating:

Christopher Guest's Take On Dog Shows
Truly a Funny Movie
Best in Show
Jennifer Coolidge steals the show!
Something for everyone, even if you have two left feet.

Best in Show
Starring: Carrie Aizley , Lewis Arquette , Bob Balaban , Jehshua Barnes , and Jay Brazeau
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ALS0
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Amazon.com

Christopher Guest, the man behind Waiting for Guffman, turns his comic eye on another little world that takes itself a bit too seriously: the world of competitive dog shows. Best in Show follows a clutch of dog owners as they prepare and preen their dogs to win a national competition. They include the yuppie pair (Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock) who fear they've traumatized their Weimaraner by having sex in front of him; a suburban husband and wife (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) with a terrier and a long history of previous lovers on the wife's part; the Southern owner of a bloodhound (Guest himself) with aspirations as a ventriloquist; and many more. Following the same "mockumentary" format of Spinal Tap and Guffman, Best in Show takes in some of the dog show officials, the manager of a nearby hotel that allows dogs to stay there, and the commentators of the competition (a particularly knockout comic turn by Fred Willard as an oafish announcer). The movie manages to paint an affectionate portrait of its quirky characters without ever losing sight of the ridiculousness of their obsessive world. Almost all of the scenes were created through improvisation. While lacking the overall focus of a written script, Best in Show captures hilarious and absurd aspects of human behavior that could never be written down. The movie's success is a testament to both the talent of the actors and Guest's discerning eye. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Christopher Guest's Take On Dog Shows.......2007-09-07

Best In Show features Christopher Guest's group of misfits reuniting for another go around. This time, they're spoofing dog shows, and they a pretty good job of it too.

It's dog shows, dog shows, dog shows, and the twisted owners that put these dogs through this hassle. One of the better comedies of the decade.

Featuring a commentary from Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, the DVD is one to have. A few featurettes and additional scenes round out this wonderful release.

Definitely recommended.

Truly a Funny Movie.......2007-08-12

This is a really fun movie and funny too. You will not be disappointed.

Best in Show.......2007-07-18

Hilarious vignettes of various colorful dog show entrants and their pooches add up to one of the top comedies of the past ten years. Guest's send-up of various American types include a Southern rube and a gay couple, but the laughter is never mean-spirited. Willard's side-splitting turn as a clueless broadcast announcer is truly for the ages.

Jennifer Coolidge steals the show!.......2007-07-18

Many prefer "Waiting for Guffman," but this is the one I could watch over and over again. Just the sequences with Jennifer Coolidge alone are worth seeing this DVD for. Guest's character is a little annoying, but other than that, this one is a gem.

Something for everyone, even if you have two left feet........2007-07-13

A friend suggested this movie for me to watch on a long plane flight. What he didn't tell me was that the amount of laughter that I would generate would annoy the other passengers! If you love comedies this is for you, if you love animals, this is for you, if you want to kick back and have a good belly laugh, this is for you. The characters in this movie are hilarious and you could identify somewhat with them. Briefly, the film centers around people showing their dogs at a rather prestigious dog show and what happens is hysterical.

The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series)

Average customer rating:

so so bad
The Happy Quilter
Stay In School!!
Dark and disturbing and sincerely one of the very best...
A bit contrived, but riveting entertainment. A must-see, must own film!

The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series)
Starring: Firdous Bamji , Mischa Barton , Toni Collette , Janis Dardaris , and Glenn Fitzgerald
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004BZIY
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Amazon.com essential video

"I see dead people," whispers little Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), scared to affirm what is to him now a daily occurrence. This peaked 9-year old, already hypersensitive to begin with, is now being haunted by seemingly malevolent spirits. Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is trying to find out what's triggering Cole's visions, but what appears to be a psychological manifestation turns out to be frighteningly real. It might be enough to scare off a lesser man, but for Malcolm it's personal--several months before, he was accosted and shot by an unhinged patient, who then turned the gun on himself. Since then, Malcolm has been in turmoil--he and his wife (Olivia Williams) are barely speaking, and his life has taken an aimless turn. Having failed his loved ones and himself, he's not about to give up on Cole.

This third feature by M. Night Shyamalan sets itself up as a thriller, poised on the brink of delivering monstrous scares, but gradually evolves into more of a psychological drama with supernatural undertones. Many critics faulted the film for being mawkish and New Age-y, but no matter how you slice it, this is one mightily effective piece of filmmaking. The bare bones of the story are basic enough, but the moody atmosphere created by Shyamalan and cinematographer Tak Fujimoto made this one of the creepiest pictures of 1999, forsaking excessive gore for a sinisterly simple feeling of chilly otherworldliness. Willis is in his strong, silent type mode here, and gives the film wholly over to Osment, whose crumpled face and big eyes convey a child too wise for his years; his scenes with his mother (Toni Collette) are small, heartbreaking marvels. And even if you figure out the film's surprise ending, it packs an amazingly emotional wallop when it comes, and will have you racing to watch the movie again with a new perspective. You may be able to shake off the sentimentality of The Sixth Sense, but its craftsmanship and atmosphere will stay with you for days. --Mark Englehart

Description

Hollywood superstar Bruce Willis (ARMAGEDDON, THE SIEGE) brings a powerful presence to an edge-of-your-seat thriller from writer-director M. Night Shyamalan (Oscar(R)-nominee for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director) that critics are calling one of the greatest ghost stories ever filmed. When Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Willis), a distinguished child psychologist, meets Cole Sear (Oscar(R)-nominee Haley Joel Osment, Best Supporting Actor), a frightened, confused, eight-year-old, Dr. Crowe is completely unprepared to face the truth of what haunts Cole. With a riveting intensity you'll find thoroughly chilling, the discovery of Cole's incredible sixth sense leads them to mysterious places with unforgettable consequences!

Customer Reviews:

so so bad.......2007-08-26

It was always a complete mystery to me what people saw in this movie. Why it caught on in terms of popularity across the United States back in the late 90's is totally beyond me. When I first watched this movie, the first thing that went through my mind was "Oh no, this movie is going to kill the horror genre". Luckily not every single horror movie ripped off the ideas of this film to make the entire genre worthless (unlike say, Van Halen, whose influence made listening to guitar solos in a rock song a chore from that point on, but that's a different subject for a different time).

I was never *ever* scared while watching the Sixth Sense. Not even once. Nothing even came close to giving me goosebumps. Everything came across so ordinary, almost like a dream from a childs point of view. No, not a nightmare- just a regular dream. I was completely unsatisfied with the acting as well. The little boy from Thunder Alley was the worst possible choice- he wasn't convincing at all. I didn't feel his emotions (which were overbearingly exaggerated most of the time). The whole "I see dead people" thing was about the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Watching him walk around and say things like "There's a dead guy over there" didn't have me convinced a dead spirit was around him at all. Guess what everyone? There's a dead guy standing next to me while I type this review for amazon. I'm scared, shaking and very nervous right now. Are you scared? Of course not.

Going to high school when this movie came out, I can't believe so many of my classmates were scared of this story and actually went around saying the new hot expression "I see dead people". How horrible. Then again, maybe they were making fun of it. I hope so.

I have nothing good to say about the Sixth Sense. It was boring, predictable, lacked suspense, and was just a horrible film overall.

The Happy Quilter.......2007-08-23

This is a great movie, very well done--you get drawn into these characters' lives. I have watched it several times and discover something new each time. Bruce Willis gave a brilliant performance as the psychiatrist. If you enjoyed Patrick Swayze in Ghost, you will also love this movie. It deals with the supernatural in a profound and touching manner.

Stay In School!!.......2007-08-21

This boy does not like school. He looks like he was eating sour noodles, and wants to act but not in the play. Lucky for Bruce Willes to come along and help!! Mr. Wills tryes to tell him why schooling is important, but the boy is scaring - he looks like he is in an acting class pretend at least three times! The main learning of the movie is that the boy is sad because his pictures have balls of light in them. The mother sees the balls of light and the scaredeness so she can help. They decide to stay in school for the boy's best health, and he becomes popular again!!! I think it's a good message about learning and being friendships, and scary, but not too much, except for Mr. Wills. He is mad at his wife because he died - a tricky surprise!!! She is sleeping and her heat is broken, then Mr. Bruce cries and gives her a blanket. I liked that part. I say walk don't run to see, and save a star for going to school!!!

Dark and disturbing and sincerely one of the very best..........2007-07-27

The greatest thing about `The Sixth Sense' is that to this date it has yet to be topped, not even by its director. Film and film and film again and yet nothing comes close to that bone-chilling feeling one gets every time they hear those four famous words uttered...

"I see dead people."

M. Night Shyamalan made a household name for himself no matter how difficult the pronunciation with this `Grade-A' supernatural thriller about a young boy troubled by his unique gift. The film opens with a tragic event involving Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who has just received an award in his honor. But before the celebrations can truly begin he's confronted by an ex-patient of his who it seems Crowe was never able to help. The aftershocks of that evening ring throughout the remainder of the film as Crowe's relationship with his wife becomes more and more strained. But as that relationship slowly dies he forms a bond with his new patient Cole Sear. Cole has a problem that is presents itself almost too familiar with Crowe. It appears that Cole can communicate with the dead.

Both Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment are outstanding in this brilliant film. Some have claimed Willis to be too reserved and reclusive and thus leaving the entire film on the shoulders of the very capable Osment, but in my eyes both of these actors contribute exactly what they needed in order to make this film work. Willis wears the confusion of his situation on his face with earnest honesty and that adds layers to his character. Osment shines so brightly here and should have walked away with the Oscar that night, but alas, he'll have his day again I'm sure. He gives Cole so much charm and charisma. He's able to create a believable nine-year-old boy without playing the complexity of his character down at all. He adds so much believable maturity. It's truly astounding to watch.

The star of this film though is Shyamalan who instills a deep-rooted fear into the audience from the very beginning. It's this very asset that sets `The Sixth Sense' apart from all the Hollywood cheap imitations that seemed to swarm the theaters shortly after `The Sixth Sense' made a killing and set the bar. Sure, there are a few that followed that were worth the price of admission (the Nicole Kidman vehicle `The Others' was one of them), but for the most part nothing since has even touched the surface of the effortless brilliance that was and is `The Sixth Sense'. The lighting, the music, the atmosphere, set designs, script and acting all add so much originality and suspense to this one of a kind experience.

There's hardly a fault to be found with this multi-Academy Award nominated film. The entire cast (I should make mention of the amazing Toni Collette who is just fascinating as Cole's frustrated mother) delivers down to the bone and makes this a film to watch again and again and again.

A bit