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Author	Topic: The Happening

sean Standard Userer	What do people think of this James Newton Howard score? I was caught totally unawares browsing iTunes mindlessly just now and bought it on iTunes Plus (pending the slow arrival of Varése discs to Canada). Gave a few tracks a whirl, exchanged terse words with Jeron about it, and then listened to the "End Title Suite" and found myself impressed. Some nice Goldsmith-influenced action-writing in this piece! I'm enjoying it so far.
posted 06-03-2008 02:33 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	I've been really looking forward to this score ever since it was announced, and since I watched the Red Band trailer, I've been looking forward to the film too.
posted 06-03-2008 03:10 PM PT (US)

Jeron Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by sean: Gave a few tracks a whirl, exchanged terse words with Jeron about it, and then listened to the "End Title Suite" and found myself impressed. Some nice Goldsmith-influenced action-writing in this piece! I'm enjoying it so far. Well, you weren't impressed when we spoke... so I'm glad your opinion has changed. Looking forward to hearing this now.
posted 06-03-2008 03:28 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Yeah, Jeron, you'll get a real kick out of the final track. Gone through about half the album now and am thoroughly enjoying it. It isn't as thematically obvious as say Unbreakable or Signs, but it's just as well written and a bit more subtle (I would imagine more-so with what's going on on-screen).
posted 06-03-2008 03:41 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	Sean, you need to call me more :-P --Me [Message edited by Crono/Kyp on 06-03-2008]
posted 06-03-2008 08:06 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Originally posted by Crono/Kyp: Sean, you need to call me more :-P --Me Yeah, except Jeron cuts to the chase, while you just want to talk about John Powell's scores to Jumper and Robots and about how much you enjoy James Newton Howard "does Celtic" with Water Horse. Andrew, on the other hand, rapidly descends us to impersonating Brian Tyler, Michael Giacchino, and Hans Zimmer (who strangely sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger!)... And we also do "Jeron Moore: Media Ventures ENCOUNTERS" where he spots Klaus Badelt leaving-slash-speeding away from the MV parking lot on his motor cycle and Mel Wesson is lot attendant, wandering around with his tape recorded so he can add more sounds to The Dark Knight. And Michael: well, he's Australian, so he's drunk most of the time. [Message edited by sean on 06-03-2008]
posted 06-03-2008 09:04 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	Well, I do talk endlessly don't I?
posted 06-03-2008 09:09 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Crono/Kyp: Well, I do talk endlessly don't I? About Jumper, Robots, and Water Horse!
posted 06-03-2008 09:52 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	And Brian is always listening to Spirit, too!
posted 06-03-2008 10:08 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by nuts_score: *And Brian is always listening to Spirit, too!* Yeah, but it's the Bryan Adams part he loves!
posted 06-03-2008 10:15 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	:: cough ::
posted 06-03-2008 11:16 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Because Bryan Adams' name is "Bryan"? And Brian Costa's name is "Brian"? Now I see it!
posted 06-04-2008 09:10 AM PT (US)

Jeron Standard Userer	Good God. I can't wait for The Happening to arrive on my desk later today so I can actually get this thread back on topic with some insightful commentary on JNH's latest contribution to M. Night's movie.
posted 06-04-2008 10:13 AM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	That's what happens, Jeron. Brian posts and things turn into a sham of a mockery of a sham, etc.
posted 06-04-2008 11:34 AM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	Kind of like your mom? I listened to the clips...and was "eh." I'll see the movie. --Brian
posted 06-04-2008 01:16 PM PT (US)

Jeron Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Crono/Kyp: I listened to the clips...and was "eh." Kind of like Indy4?
posted 06-04-2008 04:08 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	No, I liked the clips from Indy.
posted 06-04-2008 04:09 PM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	I listened to the whole score today, and...... eh. My opinion may change, of course, but this may be the weakest Howard/Shyamalan collaboration yet. Don't get me wrong, it'll probably work brilliantly in the movie, but as a standalone listen it just didn't do much for me.
posted 06-04-2008 05:13 PM PT (US)

scoreguy16 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by NeoVoyager: I listened to the whole score today, and...... eh. My opinion may change, of course, but this may be the weakest Howard/Shyamalan collaboration yet. Don't get me wrong, it'll probably work brilliantly in the movie, but as a standalone listen it just didn't do much for me. Well that's dissapointing. I am very much so looking forward to both the movie and the score. But I am holding off on listening to the score until I actually see the movie.
posted 06-04-2008 06:44 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Please, Clayton, trust NeoVoyager, as he has not seen Indiana Jones or is not interested in it, completely trustworthy; he knows all of JNH. [Message edited by sean on 06-05-2008]
posted 06-05-2008 01:30 AM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	I listened to it 3 times today and was not that impressed. Like Neo said...I bet it works amazing in the film. I'm gonna give it a few more listens though. --Brian NP: Stepmom
posted 06-05-2008 02:55 AM PT (US)

Jeron Standard Userer	I enjoyed it enough. It's super-subdued and probably the least melodic of all of his scores for M. Night, but hey -- there are some shining moments. More atmospheric than anything. The disc was worth its price alone simply for the End Title Suite.
posted 06-05-2008 10:00 AM PT (US)

NeoVoyager Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by sean: *Please, Clayton, trust NeoVoyager, as he has not seen Indiana Jones* or is not interested in it, completely trustworthy; he knows all of JNH.** Uh, what are you trying to say here, Sean? That my lack of interest in Indiana Jones has a bearing on my opinion of a new score from one of my favorite current composers? I honestly can't tell if this is mockery or not. (And I certainly don't know all of James Newton Howard; I do know all his Shyamalan collaborations well, though. ) I'm going to give this score another listen today and see what I think.
posted 06-05-2008 03:05 PM PT (US)

Donovan448 Standard Userer	I haven't listened to the score as of yet, but I will listen to it on a promotional site, especially since I don't plan on seeing this ridiculous movie that seems to be another "END OF THE WORLD" movie -- a plot that is overused.
posted 06-05-2008 04:43 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Donovan448: I haven't listened to the score as of yet, but I will listen to it on a promotional site, especially since I don't plan on seeing this ridiculous movie that seems to be another "END OF THE WORLD" movie -- a plot that is overused. Right. "END OF THE WORLD" plots really should be reserved for a time when the "END OF THE WORLD" is imminent. Much more topical that way...
posted 06-05-2008 10:31 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	Saw the film today. The music stands out during the main titles, the 'Be With You' scene, and the end titles - but little else. Having said that, it contributes greatly to many disturbing scenes.
posted 06-10-2008 04:08 PM PT (US)

Kris Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Camillu: Saw the film today. How was the film? Another disappointing Signs/The Village or another great 6th Sense/Unbreakable?
posted 06-11-2008 02:46 AM PT (US)

Demetris Christodoulides Standard Userer	The happening is an excellent horror/thriller score, great comeback for an incredibly able composer. http://moviemusic.com/comments.asp?mm=happening&author=2373
posted 06-11-2008 07:31 AM PT (US)

scoreguy16 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Camillu: Saw the film today. The music stands out during the main titles, the 'Be With You' scene, and the end titles - but little else. Having said that, it contributes greatly to many disturbing scenes. Absolutely. I saw this last night (worst movie going experience to date), and the score serves the film well. There were a few cello-solo moments that stood out in the movie (including the tracks you mentioned) but for the most part the score stays in the background. As for the film... Don't read this if you haven't seen it or care about stuff being spoiled. Like pretty much every M. Night Shyamalan movie, the dialogue was odd. And because it's odd, you need actors that are unexpected. And that made me really like Mark Whalberg in this. I thought he was the perfect choice along with Zooey Deschanel. I kind of get the feeling Shyamalan liked her blue eyes as they were everywhere. John Liguizamo... That man needs to be in more dramas like this. He was perfect and I wish he had a larger roll. A little side note, when other people saw this, was it in 2.35:1 (scope)? Because when I saw Lady In The Water, that was also scope and then on home video it was flat. With this movie, I could see the tops and bottoms of the screen were getting cut off and it was clearly supposed to be a flat (1.85) image. Subtitles were getting cut off, people's heads were getting cut off, the Fox logo was almost missing the whole thing at the bottom... terrible...
posted 06-15-2008 10:20 AM PT (US)

Al Standard Userer	This was a weird on-off experience. I was completely in the story one minute and the next something pulls me back out - whether it be an odd line of forced-quirky dialogue or a strange performance of an otherwise normal line. I also noticed a few couples walked out of the movie during the Mrs. Jones sequence. But for everything that fell flat, something else would just click. I felt the same way about the score. The three-note danger motif got a little too overbearing too early, especially the train scene, but not long after, JNH delivers spot-on suspenseful and emotional underscore during the Princeton scene. And I agree about John Leguizamo. He gave the best performance in this. Wahlberg took some getting used to, but Deschanel was downright awkward--although the blue eyes were nice to look at. I think the script is smarter than most people will give it credit for, but the movie just isn't all that engaging.
posted 06-15-2008 12:36 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Anyone ever realized that Wahlberg works best when he plays big dumb idiots (Boogie Nights, Three Kings, The Departed)? I guess he should never really play outside his own emotions is what I'm trying to say. Anyone else also notice he's the only actor to successfully work with big dumb idiot David O. Russell twice?
posted 06-15-2008 12:55 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	I was very disappointed by the film. I thought the 2nd half lost steam, and the concept proved to be nothing more than just that - a cool concept. I thought Mark Wahlberg gave a poor performance, wearing the same expression he wore for Planet of the Apes, and not being very convincing at any point. Anyway, at least we got another JNH score, which is always a plus, and a great track - Be With You.
posted 06-15-2008 04:21 PM PT (US)

StarlessWinter Standard Userer	I saw the film today, and...um, yeah...it was really awkward. It was hard to imagine that Shyamalan could really take this film seriously (well, I guess that's debatable) and could especially praise Wahlberg's peformance. The acting was particularly cringe-worthy (the blame for which can no doubt be partially put upon the written dialogue itself). Wahlberg does little more than look scared and ask (along with every other character) "What is going on? What the hell is happening? What are we gonna do?" Deschanel is inconsistent and basically stares at things looking sad or frightened. The way in which characters behave is at first shocking, but it later becomes almost a parody of itself, and the shock value toward the end of the film feels forced. The film also feels like it's missing a third act or some sort of climax. And while the minimal humor is only sometimes funny, the film is often unintentionally comical, such as Elliot's random and panicky citation of the scientific method or unbelievable dialogue between the main actors and the extras when the tone is supposed to be sorrowful. (potential spoilers...) Other scenes just made me scratch my head: the characters predict that the deathly toxin is being given off by plants, yet they make no effort to evacuate the greenhouse in which they are standing. The strangest thing is that Shyamalan probably thinks he's making a glorious masterpiece of a comeback.
posted 06-15-2008 09:15 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Any truth to the rumor that apparently boom mikes can be spotted in the finale of the film? Haha, that Shyamalan, gets me every time!
posted 06-17-2008 09:40 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Haven't seen it yet. I probably won't, oh well. The score is less and less the more I listen to it.
posted 06-18-2008 12:59 AM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by nuts_score: Any truth to the rumor that apparently boom mikes can be spotted in the finale of the film? Haha, that Shyamalan, gets me every time! That wouldn't be the cinema where Sean works, I'm sure. He would know how to matte a film properly, surely.
posted 06-18-2008 01:19 AM PT (US)

John C Winfrey Standard Userer	You know, it seems that most of this directors films since Sixth Sense have been pretty much a big letdown. Although I do like some of Howards scores. J.
posted 06-29-2008 01:49 PM PT (US)

scoreguy16 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by John C Winfrey: You know, it seems that most of this directors films since Sixth Sense have been pretty much a big letdown. Although I do like some of Howards scores. J. Actually, the only one I've been let down by was The Happening. It seems more like people are going in expecting a twist, then whining when the twist happens because they don't like it, and completely ignoring the rest of the story that's been told.
posted 06-29-2008 02:02 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	You really liked Signs and The Village? After that double-team, I swore off Shyamalan films for good (though JNH kept me buying the scores). It seems, to me, that with The Sixth Sense, Shyamalan was all about marketing. Well, Disney was about the marketing of Shyamalan's film. I also can't help but place the praise upon producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy (a smart producing team that seems to have gotten worse in the recent millenium). They knew how to make The Sixth Sense work, and Shyamalan benifitted from having strong producers. With Unbreakable, I'm sure that Kennedy and Marshall backed off a bit, but still put their input through the door. With that, we got, IMHO, Shyamalan's most successful (and accessible) story. By the time that Signs happened, Kennedy and Marshall seemed to have given the whole kitchen sink to Shyamalan and he made a film that's filled with as many logical gaps and retardation than a post from Sean. They left for The Village but were replaced by Scott Rudin, who's usually a phenominal producer; so, I don't have anything left after that, because I can't get my head around the fact that Rudin produced The Village. Do you think he remembers?
posted 06-29-2008 08:40 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	For the life of me I can't see why THE VILLAGE is a bad film. It's a film that has some awkward elements. But hey, BATMAN BEGINS, FULL METAL JACKET and METROPOLIS have awkward elements, just to pick three enshrined classics.
posted 06-30-2008 12:16 AM PT (US)

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