THE BAD ACT-ENING (thank you very much)

Rating: 3/10 (7 October 2008)

THE HAPPENING, the newest offering from writer/director M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN, starring MARK WAHLBERG and ZOOEY DESCHANEL, was a disappointment to me mainly for the acting which is downright horrendous. Thank you very much.
MARK WAHLBERG, who stars as Elliot Moore, turns in a childish act that really ruins a lot of the movie. He portrays a Science teacher in this movie but you're constantly thinking to yourself that he should of been one of his students. Come on Mark, you can do better and you have. Films such as BOOGIE NIGHTS and THE DEPARTED proved that. How am I suppose to take you seriously as a Science teacher and as a person trying to lead others to safety when your demeanor is so childlike? I think I'd rather take help from a blind man than you. Thank you very much.
ZOOEY DESCHANEL portrays MARK's wife Alma Moore and she seems so wide-eyed and dumbfounded in this movie that her performance is just plain dumb. She look's like she's lost in her own little world, not aware of the other actors/actresses around her. If I was the little girl (Jess)(portrayed by ASHLYN SANCHEZ) in this movie, I wouldn't of been sticking by her side. The first time she turned her back to me, I'd be taking off and running away from her as fast as I could. Thank you very much.
This movie could of been something, I think anyway, that could of been better if the acting wasn't so shoddy. BETTY BUCKLEY is nice as Mrs. Jones and JOHN LEGUIZAMO is okay as Julian but that is about it. Thank you very much.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN seems to be in a slump lately. Who knows? Maybe someday he will actually do another movie on par with THE SIXTH SENSE or SIGNS but this isn't it. Thank you very much.
The movie has a nice, creepy premise but I won't get into details here. Wouldn't want to ruin it for those who plan on watching it. Besides, you can easily read the full synopsis on THE HAPPENING IMDb title page. Thank you very much.
Creepy premise aside, and a nice opening, the movie goes down hill with the introduction of MARK WAHLBERG and even further down hill when ZOOEY DASCHANEL's lovely mug hits the screen. Thank you very much.