Wide Awake (1998)

Perfectly adorable

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

That's why I love Shyamalan productions! "Wide Awake" tells a beautiful story about a young boy who tries to find God after his grandfather dies. It's nice to notice that Shyamalan likes to involve faith and religion in his pictures, mostly gathered with an atheist vain, and that's maybe what I liked the most about this film. Joshua is an obedient and affectionate child that asks himself all the time if there is a god or no, which is an idea that probably inspired 2001's "Artificial Intelligence: AI" and 2002's "Signs". It's refreshing to re-notice how strong Shyamalan's power of direction is, considering he's able to make profound sentimental scenes without trying too hard. The scenes in which Joshua talks to his grandfather are touching and soo beautiful to see that I asked myself "Why didn't I see this before?". I dare to confess I find Joseph Cross' acting even BETTER than Haley Joel Osment's in "The Sixth Sense"-- and so is the story. GREAT hidden gem, give it a chance!

One of the things they never mention in flight school is being trapped in a hotel with crummy cable. Being bored enough to watch terrible films on the premium channel in your room is dangerous to your mental health. If you liked "They Shoot Horses Don't They" or think Kafka is good for few laughs, this will be right up your alley. Otherwise, if you are stuck in a hotel with this film on... go ride up and down in the elevator and listen to the musac.. it's more enjoyable.Odds are you will probably not make it through the first 3 to 5 minutes. The opening sequence pretty well sets the pace for Rod Serlings coming of age in the twilight zone. This was one of those films, that they make fun of in other films. Remember when on I Love Lucy she wrote her novel, and it was finally published.. in a text book on writing under the chapter "don't let this happen to you"...well... here it is on film. This should be in text books of young film makers... don't let this happen to YOU. My advice, run away, watch the foreign language channel, you might learn something, the PBS auction is more entertaining. BOMBS AWAY !

I truly enjoyed this little sleeper of a film. I had never heard of it and fell upon it by chance. It's completely unlike the other films I've seen by M. Night Shyamalan in that it's not caught up in the supernatural or science fiction. I think it really show just what a great film maker he is. Made in 1998 it was just before his big stuff hit the screens. It's just a simple story of a young boy searching for God after his Grandfather dies and in the process finding himself awakening to what's going on in life as well as restoring his faith. A pretty good cast all around, and all basically in supporting roles for the young actor Joseph Cross carries the film. I don't know why it kept such a low profile.

I caught this unique, heartwarming film on cable in one of those "there is nothing on television" moments. I did not expect to fall in love with this beautiful story of a young boy in search of God. It deals with themes such as family, faith, and acceptance. What started out as a "kid" movie ended up in being a movie for people of all ages. It even made me kind of like Denis Leary. Look for a good performance by Robbert Loggia as the grandfather. If you've ever had or wished for a special relationship with a grandparent, watch this movie. You'll laugh, cry, and it might make a believer out of you.