For starters, to make sure we’re all clear on this, I’m not a HUGE M. Night Shyamalan fan. I think that The Sixth Sense was a cinematic breakthrough in the way people think of psychological thrillers, and Unbreakable is a great movie, but I could really care less about the rest.  Yet, even though he has proven his directorial prowess time and time again (they’re not BAD movies, after all), all people expect from him is to be a one-trick pony.

This is a recent article about him from IMDb:

M. Night Shyamalan, the writer-director famous for ending his films with surprising twists has returned to the screen with The Happening. But those expecting to see his signature ending will likely be disappointed. As Elizabeth Weitzman writes in the New York Daily News, “The big twist is that… there’s no twist at all. None. Zip. Nada.” Several critics express disappointment that Shyamalan, after a series of blunders, has not made the kind of comeback they were hoping for. Claudia Puig in USA Today concludes her review by remarking, “Shyamalan’s work has been deteriorating since the stir he caused in 1999 with The Sixth Sense. … His last couple of movies — The Village and Lady in the Water — have been particular disappointments, and The Happening continues the trend.” Kyle Smith in the New York Post gives mostly two-word reviews for all of Shyamalan’s movies since The Sixth Sense: “Stupid ending, stupid ending, stupid ending and, in a change of pace with his last film, Lady in the Water, stupid all the way through.” Carina Chocano in the Los Angeles Times says that not all the blame should be laid at Shyamalan’s feet. Costar Mark Wahlberg, she writes, gives “one of the worst performances of his career.” But Manohla Dargis in the New York Times comments that the critics’ knives were sharpened for Shyamalan even before the movie was screened for them. As for herself, she considers the film, “a divertingly goofy thriller with an animistic bent, moments of shivery and twitchy suspense and a solid lead performance from Mark Wahlberg.” Likewise Glenn Whipp concludes in the Los Angeles Daily News that The Happening is “creepy, silly fun. And if it came from anyone else, it would be recognized as such. One thing is certain: The man hasn’t lost his ability to entertain.”

Why are all of these critics bitching that his other movies don’t have some kind of insane twist?  WHO CARES.  He was going to be damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.  I’d bet that, if he had come out with another movie with the same kind of twist, the same style of storytelling, people would have found excuse to complain about that as well.  Why don’t they just critique the movie for its own merit, without any regard for what came before it?  Were they entertained?  Or would they have been pissed if they’d paid $11 to see it in theaters?  M. Night should be allowed to tell any story he wishes, including ones with a straight-forward plotline.

Mark Wahlberg is a good actor and Shyamalan is a good director.  Don’t pay attention to the critics (I sure don’t!), and see the movie for yourself before you judge.

Rant over.

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The below subway advertisement was found at the 6th. Ave. 14th street subway station in New York City.

Ha!

From /film and Copyranter

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moviesonline got a new poster for M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening. Check it out below!

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Viral marketing is happening more and more recently, with almost every film having some here and there. The Dark Knight and Cloverfield viral campaigns stick out the most. Hancock has had some, as has Wanted. Now it appears M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening is getting in on the action..literally.

I have seen something like this before online, where a group of people get together in a public place and after a que they all freeze. They don’t move a muscles for 5 whole minutes and the look on the surrounding peoples faces is hilarious. The Happening have done something similar to this, as you can see below.

I think they should do this in every city! Although afterwards they should all take of their jackets and reveal The Happening shirts, so people know it is advertising for a movie and not the apocalypse.

Pretty cool viral marketing in my opinion. The movie is still expected to suck though, which is a shame.

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The trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening got me interested, and raised some questions. Why are all these people jump off buildings and stabbing themselves with pens? And why on earth is tough guy Mark Wahlberg crapping his pants? These questions still remain unanswered in light of some newly released images. However, a new question is raised. Why the hell have we been given a picture of M. Night Shyamalan? He’s the damn director! How pissed would Indiana Jones fans be if the first few images of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull were Steven Spielberg sat posing on a log?! I mean directors are cool, but I think people would rather some of the good stuff.

Check out the images below!

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From M. Night Shyamalan, director of The Sixth Sense, Signs and…Lady In The Water, comes The Happening. From the trailer things look interesting. People suddenly start to kill themselves left right and center, and Mark Wahlberg is there to see everything unfold and to save his family. This looks quite disturbing, so here’s hoping Shyamalan has finally returned to making great movies. His last one was Signs, and that had a few problems with it here and there. Here is The Happening…

Trailer Removed Due To Request From Fox

Update: A new trailer can be seen here

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Coming Soon got an exclusive first look at the poster for M. Night Shyamalan’s latest movie, The Happening.

Eh.

He’s been using catch phrases from his past, more successful movies for awhile now. I just don’t think it’s working for him. I haven’t liked one of his movies since Unbreakable. I haven’t even seen Lady in the Water.

However, word on this film is good, so maybe he can redeem himself with it. We’ll have to see.

As always, click to enlarge.

- Jeff Heimbuch

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