THE HAPPENING/THE LAST AIRBENDER (EXCLUSIVE SERIES)

THE HAPPENING

Initial release date: June 13, 2008

Studios: 20th Century Fox/Dune Entertainment/Spyglass Entertainment/Blinding Edge Pictures

Tagline: We've Sensed It. We've See The Signs. Now ... It's Happening.

Plot: An apocalyptic threat to humanity arrives out of the clear blue sky with a series of violent, inexplicable deaths spreading across the country. The cause of the terrifying phenomenon remains unknown, prompting science teacher Elliot Moore, his wife Alma and his colleague Julian to try to elude the invisible killer in Pennsylvania's farmland. Soon it becomes clear that no one is safe.

Cast

Mark Wahlberg - Elliot Moore

Zooey Deschanel - Alma Moore

John Leguizamo - Julian

Ashleyn Sanchez - Jess

Betty Buckley - Mrs. Jones

Spencer Breslin - Josh

Robert Bailey Jr. - Jared

Frank Collison - Nursery Owner

Jeremy Strong - Private Asher

Alan Ruck - Principal

Writer/director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rated R for violent and frightening images (91 minutes)

A few nights ago, I had the chance to check out both 'The Happening' and 'The Last Airbender.' Before I watched them, I read online that they were two of the worst movies in Shyamalan's filmography. And, those mixed reactions to the movies were right! First, let's start with 'The Happening.'

'The Happening' really reminds me of a typical "B" movie oe something you would see on the Syfy Channel. The "tense" moments that are spposed to be tense, but are far from it. The acting isn't that great and some of the scenes can be unintentionally funny at times. One of those scenes is when Mark Wahlberg tries talking to a plant.

Now, the premise of the movie is kinda cool and intriguing. Too bad the movie isn't cool and intriguing.

And, now it's time to move on to 'The Last Airbender,' which will be quick!

The entire movie is really bland and I can see why fans of the series didn't like this film adaptation. Even the action scenes are bland. In fact, I couln't really get through the entire movie (which is extremely rare). Usually, I can push through a bad movie. But, not this time lol...

Here are some interesting, fun facts that are better than the movie for 'The Happening':

• The movie was shot completely in sequence.

• Shyamalan wrote the screenplay with Mark Wahlberg in mind.

• Shyamalan's first R-rated movie.

• During pre-production, Shyamalan described the film as a paranoia movie from the 1960s along the lines of 'The Birds' and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.'

• Following the critical/commercial failure of 'Lady in the Water', Shyamalan struggled to sell his next speculative script entitled 'The Green Effect.' By January 2007, it was reported that several studios had received the screenplay, but none expressed interest enough to purchase it.

• As a result, Shyamalan began taking notes and collecting ideas from meetings and re-wrote the script. In March 2007, 20th Century Fox purchased the script.

• Grossed $64.5 million domestically, $98 million internationally, $163.4 million worldwide.

THE LAST AIRBENDER

Initial release date: July 2, 2010

Studios: Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies/Blinding Edge Pictures

Tagline: Four nations, one destiny

Plot: The four nations of Air, Water, Earth and Fire lived in harmony until the Fire Nation declared war. A century later, there is still no end in sight to the destruction, then, an Avatar named Aang discovers that he has the power to control the four elements. He joins forces with Katara, a Waterbender, and her brother, Sooka, to restore balance and harmony to their world.

Cast

Noah Ringer - Aang

Dev Patel - Prince Zuko

Nicola Peltz Bedham - Katara

Jackson Rathbone - Sokka

Shaun Toub - Uncle Iroh

Aasif Mandvi - Commander Zhao

Cliff Curtis - Fire Lord Ozai

Seychelle Gabriel - Princess Yue

Francis Guinan - Master Pakku

Damon Gupton - Monk Gyatso

Writer/Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rated PG for fantasy action violence (103 minutes)

Here are some interesting, fun tidbits for 'The Last Airbender':

• The movie was intended to the first part of a trilogy, with the next 2 movies being based on books two and three. While the movie ultimately made a modest profit at the box office, about $150 million was spent on production with another $130 million spent on marketing, which would bring a total of $280 million spent on one movie. Therefore, 'The Last Airbender' didn't gross enough to have Paramount green-light the next 2 sequels. However, a live action remake series of the original animated show is in development for Netflix.

• In the original show, Sokka is a comic relief character. However, no comedy from the Sokka in the movie, which garnered significant criticism.

• Actor Dev Patel expressed dissatisfaction with the final product.

• The movie's failure may be attributed to the fact that extensive changes were made in order to rush it into production and be converted to 3D in time for a blockbuster release.

• On January 8, 2007, Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies announced that they had signed Shyamalan to write, direct and produce a live action adaptation of the series.

• During production, the name 'Avatar' was removed from the title to avoid confusion with a little film called 'Avatar.'

• The casting of white actors in the East Asian and Inuit-influenced Avatar universe, as well as the fact that the casting of the heroes and villains seemed to be racially backward from the show, triggered negative reactions from fans marked by accusations of racism and various protests.

https://youtu.be/WdoiHMCVqMQ