Oh man, what has happened to M. Night Shyamalan? The Happening, his latest grand concept flick, is this week’s biggest new release on DVD and also the most reviled amongst users of Criticker. Maybe he should start making romantic comedies, just for a change of pace. Mercifully, there is better fare in stores today — two films that not too many users saw, but are good enough to officially recommend: Boy A, about a young ex-con, and The Visitor, about a professor who finds a couple living in his apartment.
The Happening - 312 Rankings - Average Tier 2.93
A paranoid thriller about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. The Happening @ Amazon
Paranoid Park - 158 Rankings - Average Tier 6.68
A teenage skateboarder’s life begins to fray after he is involved in the accidental death of a security guard. Paranoid Park @ Amazon
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan - 156 Rankings - Average Tier 3.06
A Mossad agent fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist. You Don’t Mess with the Zohan @ Amazon
Visitor, The - 54 Rankings - Average Tier 7.07
A college professor travels to New York to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment. Visitor, The @ Amazon
Boy A - 20 Rankings - Average Tier 7.00
The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child. Boy A @ Amazon
> Oh man, what has happened to M. Night Shyamalan?
Same thing that happened to Stephen King, the band Rush, and so many other artists: many such folks only have a limited number of good works in them, and once they run out it’s all downhill. Some of those poor schmucks only have three or two or just one inspired movie in them.