You’d think a flop is when a movie is released and no one shows up to see it. But when it comes to “The Happening”, the new M. Night Shyamalan movie, this one looks like it’s an a-priori bomb. Case in point: the Israeli release - out today, 24 hours before the north American roll-out. I, a Tel Aviv film geek, have practically nowhere to see the movie. At least, not a place with adequate screening conditions and hours. The movie gas all but been buried.

It seems international exhibitors regard this one as DOA. “The Happening” is opening today in Israel but in Tel Aviv it will roll out without critic screenings, almost zero billboards and is booked on only one screen. It’s booked in the second smallest auditorium in the biggest multiplex in the city, for only 2 shows on opening day, both of them early evening shows (the youngster hours, for a film classified as 16 here). Meaning, if I read the signs properly, that they know no one will show up, and they’ll try to make sure it happens.