From M Night Shyamalan – who brought us “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs” – comes a new kind of thriller about an environmental nightmare that could potentially happen. It’s 8:33 a.m. in Central Park and during what would appear to be a normal rush hour, people suddenly freeze, babble in confused speech, and become disoriented before violently killing themselves. Down in Philadelphia, science teacher, Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) has learned that this air-born chemical toxin is fatal. Fellow Math Teacher (John Leguizamo) knows it’s headed their way and only wants to reunite with his wife and daughter. A somewhat incompetent movie – bad writing and bad directing – Wahlberg worries that he can’t play a science teacher since [in real life] he dropped out of high school. Truth is, that should be the least of the movies worries. Unfortunately Shymalan’s career takes a continued toxic turn going from his last flop “Lady in the Water,” to this. He’s been quoted as saying he thinks this is like “The Body Snatchers” – which might be true given its “C movie” 1950 appeal. He also said it’s like “The Birds.” He should be so lucky. Two and a half tiaras
