THE HAPPENING

M. Night Shymalan's latest has been getting ripped apart by critics. It's not a classic M. Night film, but it's his style and writing that still makes it interesting. The beginning of the movie starts off with a bang and is very chilling! He builds suspense with the best of them. He's right up there with Hitchcock, but then he kinda twirls out of control in the second half. He sets up a very good and scary premise, but he doesn't quite know how to finish it. His movies are all about the characters and their relationships with each other over the gore or the fake scare. His screenplays tend to be written with a little different language than most and for that it seems a little wierd, but thinking back on all of his films, they are all like that and it's just his style. There is no crazy flip twisted ending here either. The climax that he does give you is a little lacking in film terms, but there is an ending and a little monolague at the end that tries to give answers, but fails. This was a very promising start and a decent enough of a finish to recommend it to you. If you enjoy his films, than give this a shot and you'll proabably have a '''what" reaction to it when it's over. That's what his films do. He doesn't make films by the book or the normal formula and that is why I still think he's one of the best film makers out there today. No matter what any critics or A.D.D. audiences think. This film is an aquired taste and belongs in his catalog of films to date. Not his best but not his worst. A new take on a different kind of horror film.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Let me just say that I really enjoyed Ang Lee's version. The style, drama, and the little action it had. That being said, it lacked a good villian and a great climax. I would've loved to mix the two together, but hopefully they release Edward Norton's cut of "The Incredible Hulk" on dvd.

This new version acts like the other one doesn't even exist. The opening credits basically tell you what Ang Lee took hours to tell you, but in a montage way. This was an entertaining telling of the Hulk and it has enough character and drma to hold my attention without it being too stupid. Each scene is there to move you towards the next action scene. I just never really feel for Bruce Banner, but I did enjoy the Hulk smashing shit up. The ending is a cool fight scene, but with no substance or leaving me wanting more. It's no "Iron Man", but it entertains and that's half the battle. I'd definatley give this movie a try if you want to see a summer smashing.

THE EYE

Another Japenese thriller re-make. I've been dissappointed in all of them, except with "The Ring". Fortuneately this follows that pattern more than the other films from Japan. There were some creepy parts in this film that surprised me. They stick to the formula that worked for "The Ring" and that's also its downfall. Nothing new, but atleast they stuck with something that works. It's almost like watching the same movie, but with just a different gimmick. No video tape, but this time there is an eye transplant and Jessica Alba can see what her donor saw. Which is some supernatural events that lead her to find her donor and her whole back story. Sound familiar yet? She finds that she needs to finish something for her and that's where the movie turns from a super natural thriller to your straight ahead thriller. Then you know exactly what's going to happen and it does. Not as good as the Ring, but had some entertainment value. Better than any other Japenese import of late, but that's not really saying much.

SEMI-PRO

Will Ferrell is a hit or miss type of guy. I think he does better with somebody to play off of. He's great with little doses of himself. I hated Blades of Glory when he was really the only guy to focus on and it was too over the top. I expected the same from "Semi- Pro" and it surprised me a little. It wasn't terrible like it's predecesor, but it still lacked what an "old school" or "Talladega Nights" had. It's humor relied on vulgarity and that's really what made me laugh the most, but it shows the lack of skill involved in the film. No great laughs or thrills, only Will Ferrell and that's simply not enough. I'd say that this is a step in the right direction, but I hope his next movie is leaps and bounds better. I'd rent this, but it's not a classic "Will Ferrell" movie. I'm hoping his next venture in "Step Brothers"is.