“Hold on, man. We don’t go anywhere with “scary,” “spooky,” “haunted,” or “forbidden” in the title.”
~From Scooby-Doo
My daughter sometimes says, “Am I?” instead of, “Right?.”
Example: I’m really good at making jokes, am I?
This habit has faded; now it’s nearly gone. I know she’s not your daughter, and so that’s probably pretty boring, but it’s relevant background so you know why I’m doing a post about, M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense.”
Last night at dinner…
Mia: I’m good at finishing all my dinner, am I?
Me: She hardly does that anymore. I guess we won’t know when it’s the last time until we remember later. Ramble, ramble, ramble…
Daisy begins to clear the table…
Me: I should do a post about “Am I.”
Daisy: A post about M. Night. Oh, I like that. You could talk about “The Sixth Sense,” and how it totally got you.
Me: I said, “Am I.” I could do a post about how I’m really gonna miss it once Mia never says it again.
Daisy: No words.
Me: What?
Daisy: It would be cute. For maybe a sentence. You should do a post about M. Night.
Upstairs, Writer Dad begins to write a post that is about neither “Am I” or M. Night…
Me: I hate this post.
Voice inside me: You should write about M. Night. You could make it kind of funny if you start the post at dinner and tell the story about how Mia sometimes says, “Am I.”
Me: That’s kind of a stretch.
Voice inside me: Well then hurry up, before you try their patience.
Onward.
It’s hard to believe that M. Night’s, “The Sixth Sense” came out almost ten years ago.
1999 is my favorite year for movies. Ever. I could spend a week writing about the movies that year and I’d only be starting a category.
Many of my favorite films came out in ’99. Back then, Daisy and I were heading to the theater at least once a week. I entered most movies with a bunch of background (anathema to a good time, I’ve since realized), so it was difficult to surprise me.
“The Sixth Sense” came from nowhere, and from no one in particular.
I’d seen the trailer (I used to gobble those like M&M’s), but didn’t think the movie looked particularly special.
Ooh, Bruce Willis is brooding… BOO!
I was in the theater, opening night, watching a movie that felt a bit like the Twilight Zone, and a little like Hitchcock.
Lots of red; I like. Wow, this kid’s super good. I knew he was going to say, “I see dead people,” and expected to see the fog to waft from his mouth, but the scene still gave me the chills.
I’m swimming through the third act, which is surprisingly sharp, and the movie starts beating with this quiet, confident pulse. Then, just before we fade to black, there’s that…
No way, you’ve gotta be kidding me, that didn’t just happen, because I always know the endings of movies and that wasn’t at all what I was expecting, and I think I need to go outside and buy myself another ticket so I can see the movie again, because I always know the endings of movies and that wasn’t at all what I was expecting….
moment.
I feel sorry for anyone who had that movie ruined for them, and bow to those who had it figured out.
I like M. Night. A lot. I hope he bounces back. I’ve rooted for him (I’m the guy who liked the Village), but found myself making excuses for “Lady in Water,” and I’ve heard the “Happening” was a train wreck.
Still, I don’t think the guy’s finished. I don’t even think he’s come close to his best movie.
He probably just needs to remember what it was like to be hungry.
What’s your favorite movie of 1999?
Writer Dad
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Magnolia! Wow, we COULD take movies for hours. I LOVED, LOVED, repeat LOVED Magnolia! I saw it in a theater, first show (noon) on opening day, to be specific. That movie is nothing short of magical from start to finish.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of buying a jumbo Diet Coke, not realizing how long the movie was. Without giving anything away, let’s just say I felt a lot like the kid on the game show.
Another great movie to add to your list, if you’ve not seen it yet – 1990′s Avalon.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Friday Funnies Sept. 12, 2008
Magnolia! Wow, we COULD take movies for hours. I LOVED, LOVED, repeat LOVED Magnolia! I saw it in a theater, first show (noon) on opening day, to be specific. That movie is nothing short of magical from start to finish.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of buying a jumbo Diet Coke, not realizing how long the movie was. Without giving anything away, let’s just say I felt a lot like the kid on the game show.
Another great movie to add to your list, if you’ve not seen it yet – 1990′s Avalon.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Friday Funnies Sept. 12, 2008
Obviously, I meant talk, not take. Should probably proofread my comments PRIOR to hitting “Submit”.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Friday Funnies Sept. 12, 2008
Obviously, I meant talk, not take. Should probably proofread my comments PRIOR to hitting “Submit”.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Friday Funnies Sept. 12, 2008
Hey WD, I’m a bit of a fan of M. Night’s stuff too, especially The Village, though don’t know movies well enough to be able to say which ones were in 1999 and which one was my favourite. Though I can certainly say movies around those years were more likely to be decent that the movies lately.
Hey WD, I’m a bit of a fan of M. Night’s stuff too, especially The Village, though don’t know movies well enough to be able to say which ones were in 1999 and which one was my favourite. Though I can certainly say movies around those years were more likely to be decent that the movies lately.
Dee: I’m very glad to have you. Stunning is the perfect adjective. Thank you.
Blogger Dad: P.T. Anderson is in my top five. The guy can make a movie. It is magical, nothing else like it. He said in an interview, about a year ago, that he didn’t think he’d ever be able to top it. That’s bullocks, I think. What did you think of “There Will be Blood?”
Benjamin: ’99 was so good, I don’t know if I could trim it down to ten, though after today, I’m kind of inspired to try.
Dee: I’m very glad to have you. Stunning is the perfect adjective. Thank you.
Blogger Dad: P.T. Anderson is in my top five. The guy can make a movie. It is magical, nothing else like it. He said in an interview, about a year ago, that he didn’t think he’d ever be able to top it. That’s bullocks, I think. What did you think of “There Will be Blood?”
Benjamin: ’99 was so good, I don’t know if I could trim it down to ten, though after today, I’m kind of inspired to try.
I love your post and I love M. Night.
I loved “Signs” – and every time I watch it, I like it more. I liked “Unbreakable”, even though I had to watch it twice to get it. I was the one person who liked “Lady and the Water” and “The Villiage”. And like you, I was so impressed when I realized he “got me” in “Sixth Sense” because I figure movies out, too.
Loved you “Am I?” tie in. My son used to say “next morning” in place of tomorrow. For example, “Are we going to school next morning?”
It was precious.
Glad Doggetts last blog post..Ray of light
I love your post and I love M. Night.
I loved “Signs” – and every time I watch it, I like it more. I liked “Unbreakable”, even though I had to watch it twice to get it. I was the one person who liked “Lady and the Water” and “The Villiage”. And like you, I was so impressed when I realized he “got me” in “Sixth Sense” because I figure movies out, too.
Loved you “Am I?” tie in. My son used to say “next morning” in place of tomorrow. For example, “Are we going to school next morning?”
It was precious.
Glad Doggetts last blog post..Ray of light
Sixth Sense was the only M. Night movie I’ve seen. I tend to stay away from scary/freaky movies. I watched so many as a teenager, and now I don’t like them much.
Hubby had seen the Sixth Sense at the movies, and he rented it for us one night. He said:”You’ll *never* guess the ending.” You see, it is almost a game for us. I have voraciously read books, and particularly loved mysteries all my life. Hubby gets very annoyed because either I give a way better twist to movies, or I guess those really weird endings. If the author/moviemaker puts a few hints along the way, anyone can guess. But, I have to admit, the Sixth Sense took longer to guess than a regular movie. It was brilliantly done. :)
Sixth Sense was the only M. Night movie I’ve seen. I tend to stay away from scary/freaky movies. I watched so many as a teenager, and now I don’t like them much.
Hubby had seen the Sixth Sense at the movies, and he rented it for us one night. He said:”You’ll *never* guess the ending.” You see, it is almost a game for us. I have voraciously read books, and particularly loved mysteries all my life. Hubby gets very annoyed because either I give a way better twist to movies, or I guess those really weird endings. If the author/moviemaker puts a few hints along the way, anyone can guess. But, I have to admit, the Sixth Sense took longer to guess than a regular movie. It was brilliantly done. :)
Writer Dad,
It took me a long time to figure out “the Sixth Sence.” I figures it out as soon as Rene Zallweiger said “You had me at hello.” No, wait, wrong movie…I had it figured out the first scene after the kid said “I see dead people,” and next scene, Bruce Willis was there. I made THAT mistake – whispered to my husband (“Bruce Willis is dead”). Somebody got the couch that night, and it wasn’t HIM!
Still, it was a good movie.
Rita
Writer Dad,
It took me a long time to figure out “the Sixth Sence.” I figures it out as soon as Rene Zallweiger said “You had me at hello.” No, wait, wrong movie…I had it figured out the first scene after the kid said “I see dead people,” and next scene, Bruce Willis was there. I made THAT mistake – whispered to my husband (“Bruce Willis is dead”). Somebody got the couch that night, and it wasn’t HIM!
Still, it was a good movie.
Rita
OK, Sixth Sense was massively creepy in a way nobody had done for a long time, so props for that, but… the impossibility of the Willis and the kid going through that much stuff without even once somebody (like, um, I dunno, the kid’s mother?) saying, “Who the hell are you TALKING to?” kinda got to me.
I loved the Village and Lady in the Water. Especially Lady in the Water, because it was such a modern day myth. It was unapologetic and apocalyptic fantasy. Giamati was just freakin’ amazing.
I don’t think I’ll see Happening until it comes out on video, am I? :)
OK, Sixth Sense was massively creepy in a way nobody had done for a long time, so props for that, but… the impossibility of the Willis and the kid going through that much stuff without even once somebody (like, um, I dunno, the kid’s mother?) saying, “Who the hell are you TALKING to?” kinda got to me.
I loved the Village and Lady in the Water. Especially Lady in the Water, because it was such a modern day myth. It was unapologetic and apocalyptic fantasy. Giamati was just freakin’ amazing.
I don’t think I’ll see Happening until it comes out on video, am I? :)
Wham. I love that feeling you get when you suddenly put the puzzle together — and you’re right there feeling the full impact, just like the director planned. Powerful stuff.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..SIGN – The 4 Signs of a Strength
Wham. I love that feeling you get when you suddenly put the puzzle together — and you’re right there feeling the full impact, just like the director planned. Powerful stuff.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..SIGN – The 4 Signs of a Strength
Very good post. Some force pulled me to it…
I’m better for reading it, am I?
~ Jim
Very good post. Some force pulled me to it…
I’m better for reading it, am I?
~ Jim
Glad: Both of my children say, “Next day,” instead of tomorrow. I will be so sad when they stop.
Rosie: How about his other endings; did you guess those before you got there? Sixth Sense is the only time he got me.
Rita: No offense, but you deserved the couch for that one.
Michael: I hear what you’re saying about the Sixth Sense, but if you watch it closely, there are no mistakes. Bruce Willis is never around when anybody else is, he only catches the kid alone. It works well, because it’s unbelievably tight.
J.D.: I felt danced with.
Jim: Yes you are, and thanks for making me smile.
Glad: Both of my children say, “Next day,” instead of tomorrow. I will be so sad when they stop.
Rosie: How about his other endings; did you guess those before you got there? Sixth Sense is the only time he got me.
Rita: No offense, but you deserved the couch for that one.
Michael: I hear what you’re saying about the Sixth Sense, but if you watch it closely, there are no mistakes. Bruce Willis is never around when anybody else is, he only catches the kid alone. It works well, because it’s unbelievably tight.
J.D.: I felt danced with.
Jim: Yes you are, and thanks for making me smile.
@Writer Dad – Hmm… I’ll take your word for it. I only saw it once. I was really looking forward to The Happening: it looked sooo promising. I do take reviews into consideration, even though I tend to like films others don’t, and sometimes I like films because they’re bad… in the right way, like with the Resident Evil movies (I love those).
Michael Martines last blog post..Remarkablogger Manifesto: What Do You Stand For?
@Writer Dad – Hmm… I’ll take your word for it. I only saw it once. I was really looking forward to The Happening: it looked sooo promising. I do take reviews into consideration, even though I tend to like films others don’t, and sometimes I like films because they’re bad… in the right way, like with the Resident Evil movies (I love those).
Michael Martines last blog post..Remarkablogger Manifesto: What Do You Stand For?
Michael: That’s what makes the movie more than a gimmick. It has no seems. I only saw the first Resident Evil, but I agree, it was the perfect kind of bad. I liked when the laser beams chopped that guy into chunks.
Michael: That’s what makes the movie more than a gimmick. It has no seems. I only saw the first Resident Evil, but I agree, it was the perfect kind of bad. I liked when the laser beams chopped that guy into chunks.
How can you defend a man who made a movie where he himself played the Messiah?
M. Night is like the Billy Joel of movies.
How can you defend a man who made a movie where he himself played the Messiah?
M. Night is like the Billy Joel of movies.
Kittytown: When did he play the Messiah? Am I dim?
Kittytown: When did he play the Messiah? Am I dim?
Okay, not precisely the Messiah, but it was inferred. More like the literary John Connor. In Lady In The Water.
Okay, not precisely the Messiah, but it was inferred. More like the literary John Connor. In Lady In The Water.
KittyTown: Oh yeah. Totally remember. Why’d you watch Lady in Water. Didn’t you hate it ahead of time?
KittyTown: Oh yeah. Totally remember. Why’d you watch Lady in Water. Didn’t you hate it ahead of time?
Great post! First time here!
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