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Reviews
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Not exactly a horror movie, but suspenseful and well-acted.
I didn't know what to expect when my wife and I went to see this movie. I suppose we were sucked in by the whispering kid in the trailer like everyone else. I generally won't even bother watching horror movies, and fortunately, this is not a horror movie as I would define it. Suspense, yes...a bit shocking, yes. But there was a great deal of human emotion here. Willis was very good...but, admittedly, I usually like him. Clearly, however, this was a defining role for his capabilities beyond cynical action hero. Haley Joel Osment was stunning. I wonder what else this kid can do?!? The mom was strong, too. I liked the way it was filmed...it moved at a pace that held my interest but didn't drive the film forward. It left room for the story to unfold. This was one of the better movies I've ever seen. I would recommend it to almost anyone...and I have. But since people come at movies from different places, I don't say a lot about it ahead of time. This one could be too easily spoiled by trying to tell the story. Better to let people discover it for themselves. I am very interested in seeing future films from the writer/director.
The Natural (1984)
Absolute screen magic.
There is a certain class of film which transcends the common art and goes way beyond storytelling as well. This film is one of the handful that does it for me. Talk about your "suspension of disbelief"! This is just plain magic. Every actor is great (and I generally don't have much use for Glenn Close) and the entire texture of every image just feels so rich and full that it defies description. I think the world would be a better place if a couple of films of this caliber could be released each year. I NEVER buy films, but this is one of about 10 that I actually own a commercial copy of. Like a fine feast for most of your senses!
The Hiding Place (1975)
Beautiful story of true love and forgiveness.
I caught this movie again on cable over the weekend, 25 years after I first saw it in 1975. It was certainly interesting to view it at such drastically different points in my life. This is the powerful story of the family of Corrie Ten Boom, who died at age 91 in 1983. She and her family (Dutch watchmakers) hid Jews from the Nazis in an attic room over their home/shop during WWII. They were eventually caught and sent to Ravensbruck. But the story of who lives and who doesn't is overshadowed by the powerful lessons of love (both God's love for man and man's love for other men), and by the importance and power of forgiveness. It paints a stiking picture of Christ's concept of turning the other cheek. Julie Harris is great as Corrie sister Betsie, and I can't believe that Jeanette Clift (Corrie) never made another movie. She brought the character to life beautifully. Also stars legendary character actors Arthur O'Connell (his last film) and Eileen Heckart. Corrie Ten Boom herself makes an appearance at the end of the film. Made by World Wide Films (Billy Graham's film production company) with a haunting score by Tedd Smith.