MMM: Sixth Sense vs. The Field

After two consecutive blowouts and a bevy of readers who hadn’t seen either of last week’s movies, I’m beginning to realize that framing these match-ups isn’t as simple as one would think.  Finding movies that are similar in some way is simple enough, but are they equally matched?  Moreover, are they films that most people have seen? 

Take this week’s selection for example.  A wise and Ironic Mom from north of the border suggested The Sixth Sense as a natural follow up to last week’s article about my family’s insistence on exposing me to dead people.  I agree with her.  But what movie best matches up against M. Night Shyamalan’s best work?

So committed am I to you, dear reader, that I actually pondered this quandary while soaking in a hot tub somewhere outside of Cincinnati this weekend.  See how much I care?  I’ve spent much of my life in hot water, figuratively and literally, and do some of my best thinking there.  One of the problems is that I’ve seen so many movies that it’s hard to judge what the average person has or has not viewed. 

My first thought was to go with Signs which I apparently like way more than most people.  That would pit two Shyamalan flicks against each other but might get lopsided.  Longtime friend WD suggested Ghost with Swayze and Demi.  That’s a strong pick, but I just don’t know.  Finally, multiple people said Beetlejuice was the way to go if you’re looking for the ghost with the most.  The presence of Winona Ryder alone makes that one a classic.  What’s a hot tub soaking blogger to do?

The solution came to me as I watched two jockeys fighting after this weekend’s Breeders Cup.  First of all, thank you for that.  So enjoyable.  Then I realized that in horse racing there’s often a heavy favorite and you can just bet the rest of the field.  That means you take any other horse to win, no matter which one, as long as it isn’t the favorite. 

So as we put away the ghost stories of Halloween for another year, let’s give a nod to the horsies.  The favorite this week is The Sixth Sense, but you have to decide if you would take that over a very strong field of Signs, Ghost, or Beetlejuice.  I really don’t know what to expect.  Take it from someone who actually has seen dead people since he was a child, no matter what you select we won’t be able to make little men with whips fight again. 

UPDATE: Well, this one has gone back and forth and keeps pulling back even! I’ll leave the poll open to see if the deadlock will break.

The Monday Movie Match-up features films that somehow share a common thread.  Cast your vote anyway you like.  Don’t worry if you’ve seen the movies or not cause in a true democracy you only need a pulse to participate.  Love to hear why you picked what you picked though.