Surprisingly fun and highly laughable, the reunion of veterans Goldie Hawn (Death Becomes Her) and Steve Martin (Father Of The Bride) brings this delightable comedy about a couple facing their MLC (Mid-life crisis) when their children are all grown-up and moves away. The 2 experienced actors send us on an unimaginably wacky ride from Ohio to New York. Their not-so-common encounters include a group sharing session with sex-addicts, having sex in front of the mayor, being put behind bars, chased by horses and a dog, seducing a man for free room service... This romantic comedy is simple and truthful, unpretentious and funny. If you enjoyed the duo's '92 hit HouseSitters, you should fine this 90 minutes movie as enjoyable. Watch out for the expectedly hilarious John Cleese (A Fish Called Wanda) in drag: the icing on the cake.


THE SIXTH SENSE

'The Sixth Sense' is the third film in the last 3 years to have grossed over US$20 million at each of its 3 weeks of release. This thriller marks Bruce Willis' first critically acclaimed work and showcases the talent of the 11 year-old lead, Haley Joel Osment (Forrest Gump Junior). The latter plays Cole Sear, a boy coping with the ability to see the dead and receiving help from a child psychiatrist. This sleek film, with its queer blend of human drama, suspense and horror succeeds in sustaining the high evoked right from the beginning. The muted lighting and grainy filters used in this stylish film are reminiscent of the classic 'The Exorcist' while the haunting scenes cleverly shadow Stanley Kubrick's 1980 hit 'The Shining'. The original plot, toying with the audience's assumptions, coupled with the outstanding cast ensemble promise a movie experience long begotten in a theatre.

The film has a beautiful theme layered with a great plot and equally gripping subplots. If you are wondering how effectively a subplot can blend into the whole picture and even overtakes the main story, you must not miss The Sixth Sense. I promise you'll go whoa... when the credits roll. I could go on and on but I guess three words sum up best: money back guarantee.


RUNAWAY BRIDE

Julia Roberts is the queen of Hollywood and she is most deserving of this honour. Her candid laughter, flawless smile, sculptered features and natural flair for comedy are perhaps the reasons why Runaway Bride was not released into oblivion. Of course, her reunion with Richard Gere and that potent chemistry... blows your brains out. This clever mirror of the mega hit Pretty Woman share multiple parallels inserted for fans of the 1990 hit. Unfortunately, the film did not take off as well as anticipated. The jokes are occasional and the storyline could have been much tighter. Almost predictable and maybe too conventional. This film may have raked in over US$100 million in 4 weeks but over 50% of the gross should be credited to the leads alone.

With due recognition to the supporting cast (especially Joan Cusack of In And Out), this movie is very much an excuse to watch the sparks fly between the all too compatible couple. With 5 weddings and 4 runaways, this romantic comedy is highly watchable, don't get me wrong there. Feel-good and fresh with the story set almost entirely in a cosy American town. Horses, fields, brown stores and dusty streets, Runaway is anti-gloss and al-natural. With a beautiful country soundtrack and a perfect ending, you shouldn't miss this one if the idea of fated lovers living together happily ever after doesn't repel you. Julia is enough reason to pay for the ticket- hurry!

THE RING

This Japanese horror flick is so effective in employing all the right techniques in creating suspense and fright that it really thrills. There are moments you feel yourself pressing against the chair and others when you almost feel your heartbeat stopping in apprehension. The silent pauses, camera shots from the victim's back, the swift editing and the haunting soundtrack promises to make even a cynic's money worth. TV and telephone- the screenplay is clever in using these modern needs as tools of prey. With a lot of potential to be a highly gruesome and even occultic film, The Ring does not succumb to these cliches. Instead, it relies on its increasingly effective plot and a good pace with just the right amount of visuals at the right time. If you prefer to keep your dark lonely nights comforting, I would strongly recommend that you stay away from this sick film. For 100 minutes of scare, you may get a whole lot more than you pay for.


DEEP BLUE SEA

Jaws returns with better effects and more action. Deep Blue Sea is shallow in plot, knee-deep in realism but deep in action. Discovering that shark brain cells do not deteriorate with age, a scientist in a laboratory research plant out in the middle of an ocean is experimenting with genetically engineered sharks to cure human Alzheimer's disease. When these instinctive hunters grow sharper and more cunning, the plant personnels find themselves at the bottom of the food-chain in a blown-up facility out at sea.

The set feels like a cross between the labyrinth in Alien Resurrection and the pod in Sphere. Thankfully, Deep is more exciting than both. Sadly, the obvious flaw in continuity and not-so-real computer generated sharks may have hurt the film more than it seemed. That aside, the engaging plot developments and unpredictablity is most welcoming. A little gore, some good scares, many invigorating chase scenes and much good ol' fashion action are exactly what you'll get in the 90 minutes. If you're in for some adrenaline rush, a fan of action flicks with killer-creatures or simply a Jaws follower, why not give this a shot?


THE HAUNTING