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Sixth Sense charms Directors Guild

Arthur J Pais

The Sixth Sense certainly did not make into the 10 Best Films of the Year list of most critics. It failed to win Golden Globe awards in the supporting actor and screenplay categories last month.

But the movie, which has grossed about $ 600 million worldwide (with at least $ 50 million more to come) and is now the 11th most popular film of all time, surprised many people when it fetched a Directors Guild of America nomination.

Now Entertainment Weekly and several other publications say they expect Manoj 'Night' Shyamalan, 29, to get an Oscar nomination.

"A few weeks ago it looked like he won't have a ghost of a chance at the Oscar nominations," says film-writer and documentary film-maker Suprotim Bose.

"But suddenly he is hot." The movie could get three nominations: best picture or best director; best screenplay; and best supporting actor. The Oscar nominations are due in about two weeks.

Shyamalan says he was "shocked" at the DGA nomination.

He had never even thought he would get nominated, he said.

"To be honored by my peers like this," he told Variety, a Hollywood trade publication, "is certainly the greatest honor I have ever received. And I love the company I am in."

Shyamalan will compete with a slew of heavyweights and two directors newer to the business than him. His competitors for the nominations are Chris Mendes, whose American Beauty is considered a safe bet at the Oscars; Frank Darabont, who directed The Green Mile, starring Tom Hanks; Michael Mann, the maker of The Insider, and Spike Jonze who helmed the offbeat Being John Malkovich.

Mendes and Mann are considered heavyweights.American Beauty, a huge critical success, has grossed an impressive $ 70 million in America while The Insider, a hard-hitting drama against the tobacco industry, has made a meager $ 25 million.

The Green Mile has made about $ 110 million.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Sixth Sense Wins People's Choice Award
Desi director makes history in three continents

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