I always find something redeeming in the films of M Night Shymalan.  A movie baring his name at the very least feels distinct. I refuse to crucify him for trying. I just wish he would succeed more, as it is getting increasingly hard to defend his films against the pitchfork-wielding masses calling for his head.

 For a movie called The Happening, his latest film is pretty much a non-event. The bottomline is nothing much actually happens. There are comedic moments followed by brutal violence in which the comedy is not particularly funny, and the violence not particularly disturbing. Worst of all, nothing is engaging or frightening or interesting, it just sort of sags with each half thought.

Speaking of Wahlberg, he, John  Leguizamo and the adorable Zooey Deschanel (who was so good as Kat on Weeds) seem to have been coached into Kubrickian weirdoes or perhaps to believe they are in a Calvin Klein Obsession TV spot. Not stitled perse, but strange, off-putting, irregular. It’s hard to say if they were miscast because the tone is so unreadable. I think they can act…question mark.

 I’m angry that people are rushing to the gates to use their get out of jail free cards on M Night for this one, mostly because I think he can do better and one’s devotion should be better invested in higher yield stock.