“While pondering my afternoon, I remembered that the best solution to the “”I should watch an AFI but I dont know if Im in the right mindset”” conundrum is to watch one of the ones I’m fairly familiar with already. That way even if I space completely, I’ve seen it before and can prolly work out something to say here.
As mentioned on Twitter this movie has actually come up in conversation several times during the week, so it seemed the logical choice once I’d decided on a semi-repeat movie.
Really quick, just wanna take a moment to say how happy it makes me that this film made it to the AFI list, and that it got some good Oscar recognition back in its day. Sadly, it didnt actually win anything (American Beauty? WTF? You dont see that on any lists other than the worst of the Oscars lists), but the fact that it was up there is enough.
I still remember the first time I saw it. For a few weeks back in high school the library would show a movie on Thursday (and finish it on Friday) during lunch. The’d charge a buck for admission. The first one they showed was The Sixth Sense. Im also fairly sure that was the first DVD I ever saw. Sadly I was long spoilt for the film before seeing it, but at the time I didnt think it took away from the experience. Thinking about it now, I really do wish I coulda seen it without knowing what happens (I wont say just in case you’re the one person on the planet that doenst know). Its not something I woulda been able to fully appreciate then, but really could now.
I also have a greater appreciation for directors now, so this time around I was just eating up every last one of Shyamalan’s details. Even though his work has somewhat deteriorated over the years, he is still a cinematical genius. I’ve made it a point to see his movies as soon after their release as possible, hoping to make it without knowing the end. The only time I was successful was for The Village, and thats cause I went to an early show the day it opened, immediately running to the theater after class.
Was really struck by Haley Joel Osment’s performance this time as well. You’d never expect such a young’un to be so intense. Found this bit on IMDB trivia about him, that was kinda interesting. Gonna just copy/paste the whole thing:
“”Reputedly, Haley Joel Osment got the role of Cole Sear for one of three reasons: First, he was best for it. Second, he was the only boy at auditions who wore a tie. Third, M. Night Shyamalan was surprised when he asked Haley Joel Osment if he read his part. Osment replied, “”I read it three times last night.”” Shyamalan was impressed saying, “”Wow, you read your part three times?”” To which Osment replied, “”No, I read *the script* three times.””””
While we’re on the subject of trivia for the film, I remember seeing an interview with Osment way back when. Musta been on Leno or one of his counterparts. He was saying how it was always incredibly cold when they were filming, but the crew always had plenty of hot chocolate for him. He first thought they were just being really nice, but it turns out it was specifically to get that breath effect on screen.
Also just wanna go on record saying I love Donnie Wahlberg in this as well. I know he doesn’t do much, but what he does he does well. Enjoyed seeing Toni Collete as well, especially now that I know her as Tara (as in United States Of) and from Little Miss Sunshine. That final scene between her and Osment is just pure magic. And of course, this is also one of Bruce Willis’ all time best performances.
So um, yeah, I’d say this movie is a win”