1999, 1 hr 45 min., Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material and violent images. Dir: M. Night Shyamalan. Cast: Bruce Willis (Dr. Malcolm Crowe), Haley Joel Osment (Cole Sear), Toni Collette (Lynn Sear), Olivia Williams (Anna Sear), Donnie Wahlberg (Vincent Gray).

"Fantastically creepy! One of year's best!" is how it would read were I quoted in one of The Sixth Sense's ads.

From the surreal opening credits, fading in the smoky white letters over a black background, the aura of this film is a little spooky and subtly intense.

According to our young protagonist, Cole Sear (Osment), when you get the shivers and feel the prickly things on the back of your neck, it is "them", the ghosts. But it is The Sixth Sense that gives you the chills at your local theater.

Unlike The Blair Witch Project, which I enjoyed for the psychological aspects, The Sixth Sense genuinely had me spooked. After seeing it yesterday afternoon, last night when I woke up a few times and felt a bit of a chill, I refused to open my eyes. It didn't help that during one 30-second spell I heard something fall off my desk or dresser or something, and had no idea why. And my thoughts referred back to the movie, so I wasn't going to dare open my eyes for fear of seeing something, anything that would make me wet my britches.

Now don't let me get you thinking that it's a truly dark film, as there are several bits of humor sprinkled about, namely with Dr. Crowe's (Willis) wit as an effort to connect with Cole. There are also some moments where Dr. Crowe, seeking to boost Cole's morale, helps to make fun of Cole's classmates, especially bully/snotty commercial actor Tommy Tammisimo.

The cast is top-notch, and the acting is unbelievably pure. Haley Joel Osment as Cole is unreal he does so well in this part. Compared to the other high-profile 10-year-old this summer, Jake Lloyd, Osment blows him out of the water. It's like comparing Jack Nicholson to Steve Guttenberg. I hope I don't have to point out who is the better of that pair, with apologies to Police Academy fanatics.

I have always been a Bruce Willis fan, despite the many naysayers in the press. He comes across as very personable, with a disarming wit and charm that separates him (for the better) from the likes of other brutish action heroes such as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I fell in love with Olivia Williams in Rushmore earlier this year, and maybe even more so here. Even though she doesn't have much to do besides looking depressed or drunk while showing plenty of cleavage, I'm hooked. She has a soft, freckled face that is very welcoming, with a smile that could soften the heart of Oscar the Grouch.

I took notice of the great shots and framing more in this film than in any other in recent history, because they added so much to the story. Taking place in the fall, the falling or fallen leaves seen scattered about, hearing their rustles gives more punch to the eeriness, as the characters stroll in their coats as a fresh autumn wind sweeps across the streets.

Mucho kudos goes out to the director, M. Night Shyamalan (what a great name for someone who made this film!), whom I've never heard of, but he did a phenomenal job. Checking his resume, he has only directed two other pictures, 1998's Wide Awake and the 1992 film Praying With Anger, neither of which I have heard of before.

Possible spoiler, so swipe below:

It was an unbelievably great touch when Cole's mom finally notices the photos of Cole on the wall, how she doesn't realize that the glints of light in every photo shows that Cole has been haunted from birth.

Speaking of the mom, I really liked Toni Collette. She evoked sympathy with her part as the loving and caring single parent who is given a child who has a gift that may not be a blessing.

The final half-hour is a resolution that fits; it worked because I don't know how better it could have ended. I'll give no spoilers, though, because you'll enjoy it more if you aren't looking for something to happen.

The pacing is slow and steady, not rushing any action or tidy revelations with a wham-bam Hollywood ending where the guy in the white hat rescues the girl and they live happily ever after. No, The Sixth Sense leaves you thinking, and having the heebie-jeebies.

Yes, this movie moved me at several points as well: during creepy scenes I laid back in my chair with my head sideways against the chair--if I was four years old again I would have had my head stuck in the bottom of the seat with my butt in the air like Dad says I used to do in such films. The movie also moved me emotionally, and during one potent scene involving the grandmother (you'll know) my eyes welled up with tears and if I was at home I may have let a few tears flow down my cheeks. But being that it was a public theater I had to hold back.

I really can't think of any faults, so GO SEE THE SIXTH SENSE.

The verdict: -- Bone-chilling heebie-jeebies all the way through and for days after. "One of year's best!"