Reviews

'The Truman Show' is a media satire, exploiting the fact that we watch too much TV and get too involved in the soap characters of our favourite programs. As well as bringing this message across, the director of this truly fantastic film, Peter Weir, of 'Witness' fame also manages suck the viewer in to Truman Burbank's world in superb fashion. Jim Carrey and Ed Harris shine as the star of the TV show and the creator of the show respectively; both worthy of Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Oscars without a doubt. The sheer originality of the film makes it stand out from the rest as one of the greatest films ever made. We find ourselves drawn towards Truman and his life and are all the time longing for the eventual climax of the film to occur. This climatic part of the film is surprisingly moving and makes you realise what a truly great film you are watching. It's one you will not stop talking about afterwards with the people you saw it with - the sign of a great film. No one has an excuse of not seeing it - it makes you think, question yourselves and your surroundings and marvel at its concept.

Seeing 'The Sixth Sense' for the first time is an unbelievable experience, but watching it for the second time is equally good. That is probably the greatest thing about the film: it is one that you can come back to, and appreciate just as much as the time before because of it's original concept. Haley Joel Osment will never give a better performance as he did in this film, despite his remarkably young age. The film by writer/director M. Night Shyamalan simply would not have worked if it wasn't for Osment's stunning performance. Bruce Willis, one of Hollywood's greatest actors gave a breathtaking performance, yet was still acted off the screen by the promising young actor. In gloomy Philadelphia, Shyamalan manages to bring across the fear and sheer horror that the film suggests with seamless ease and realism. He is sure to become one of the best Hollywood actors of his time if he continues to produce films as moving and technically brilliant as this. It should not be classified into a specific genre of film, but should be recognised as a film that combines the horror and the thriller genres to perfect effect. Shot with such originality and care, this is a film that everyone simply must see. Acted with such brilliance and scored so perfectly, 'The Sixth Sense' is a modern classic.

When I first saw the epic film 'Empire Of The Sun' by the inspirational director Steven Spielberg I became emotionally involved in the story and could not help but shed a tear for the truly remarkable piece of cinema. Christian Bale performs, without question, better than any other actor has in a Hollywood film that is twice his age. As he closes his eyes at the end of the film in one of the most moving scenes I can remember, you see what a simply fantastic job Spielberg has done to bring J. G Ballard's classic book to the screen. Not ever has a film been more inspirational to me whilst following my dream to become a director as this. At the end of it you feel you want to move people when making a film as much as you were moved by this one. Wonderfully acted, beautifully shot - no other film will ever compare to this.