Blood Lost. Life Found. Inspired by True Events

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson, Forrest Goodluck, Paul Anderson, Kristoffer Joner, Joshua Burge

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe... keep breathing." - Hugh Glass

Why watch this? This is a hyper-realistic account of perilous life in the pre-1850 American wilderness.

Plot Summary: During a fur-trapping expedition in the American wilderness of 1823, frontiersman Hugh Glass is brutally mauled by a bear and left for dead by a member of his team. Against all odds, Glass survives his injuries and battles the harsh winter environment in a harrowing journey to seek vengeance against those who abandoned him. His incredible struggle becomes a test of the human will to endure against unimaginable odds in the pursuit of justice.

Dad's Preview: Can you imagine the North American frontier before malls, Arby's and National Parks? It was a brutal existence, and inhabitants had to be able hunt, brave the elements and defend themselves - successfully. Life was, as they say, cheap. This incredible tale centers on a father's love, betrayal, murder and the quest for vengeance. It is essential viewing. That said, what you'll remember most is the harrowing bear attack.

Regency Enterprises; RatPac Ent., New Regency, Anonymous Content,
M Productions, Applan Way Prod.; 20th Century Fox

We defy you not to get a genuine case of the horrors when you see "The Black Scorpion"!

Starring: Richard Denning, Mara Corday, Carlos Rivas, Mario Navarro, Carlos Muzquiz, Pascual Garcia Pena, Fanny Schiller

DML Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ - average

"Ordinarily I've got nothing against moonlit nights, but I'll be glad to get by this one." - Hank Scott

Why watch this? You'll enjoy this creepy B-movie. It's better than most of its peers.

Plot Summary: A pair of geologists investigate a series of volcanic eruptions in Mexico. They discover that the eruptions have unearthed giant prehistoric scorpions that are attacking local people and livestock. The scientists and the military must work together to find a way to stop the monstrous creatures before they cause further destruction.

Dad's Preview: This early giant bug chiller's special effects were the product of Willis O'Brien (King Kong (1930)). Of course it's campy and the acting is average, but man, when these giant arachnids are on the prowl, your skin will crawl!

Jack Dietz, Frank Melford; Warner Bros.

They're Here...And They're Hungry

Starring: Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies, Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Barbara Steele

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"People eat fish, Grogan. Fish don't eat people." - Dumont

Why watch this? A swarm of frenzied fish with razor-sharp teeth... right up my alley.

Plot Summary: When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released from an abandoned military research facility into a summer resort's rivers, the local inhabitants and visitors to the resort become their next meals. An insurance investigator and her local guide must race to warn the people downstream about the danger. Their efforts are hampered by authorities who prioritize secrecy and economic interests over public safety.

Dad's Preview: At Lost River Lake, some teenagers go missing. It might have something to do with the military facility up-river. Ya think? Apparently they were experimenting on, you guessed it, piranhas. When a batch of those nasty little guppies get into the local river, we're gonna need a lot of body bags. This film is surprisingly well done thanks to director Joe Dante. There are some great jump scares, and lots of gore.

Piranha Productions; New World Pictures

You'll never know what bit you.

Starring: Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White, Tim Dixon, David James Lewis, Natassia Malthe, Mariska Hargitay

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Murders and rapes in the city, people bomb planes, can the police stop 'em? No! But feed one little cow to a crocodile..." - Mrs. Bickerman

Why watch this? This gigantic crocodile film is scary, gory and a whole lot of fun!

Plot Summary: When a scuba diver is violently attacked and killed in a remote Maine lake, a paleontologist, a game warden, and a local sheriff investigate the mysterious events. As they try to uncover the source of the danger, they encounter an eccentric millionaire obsessed with crocodiles and a cantankerous old woman who lives by the lake. Soon, they discover that a colossal, ancient predator is lurking in the depths, threatening everyone in the area, and they must figure out how to stop it.

Dad's Preview: Somehow, a monstrous crocodile finds its way into a lake, where it is being fed by a nice little old lady (wonderfully played by Bette White). However, she can't quite keep up with the ever-growing reptile's diet, so it starts gobbling up the locals. A superb cast, creative croc-effects, and some very funny dialogue, spice up this grisly creature feature.

Fox 2000 Pictures, Phoenix Pictures; 20th Century Fox

The dream vacation is about to become a nightmare.

Starring: Damian Walshe-Howling, Zoe Naylor, Gyton Grantley, Adrienne Pickering, Mark Simpson, Kieran Darcy-Smith

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"You look like a seal in that. Sharks love seals." - Warren

Why watch this? Another great film example of "you don't want to be stranded on the sea".

Plot Summary: Five friends embark on a sailing trip to Indonesia when their boat capsizes after hitting a reef. Stranded in the open ocean, they face a harrowing decision: swim to a distant, unseen island or remain clinging to the wreckage. As they attempt to reach land, the group finds themselves relentlessly stalked by a great white shark, turning their desperate journey into a terrifying fight for survival.

Dad's Preview: Similar to Open Water (2003), this well-done Australian film is about four friends who venture to scuba dive off the coast of the Great Barrier reef... then their boat capsizes. You can imagine what happens. Every second of this movie is unnerving. And it's based on a true story. Yikes!

Atlas Entertainment; Lightning Entertainment

Eight legs, two fangs and an attitude.

Starring: Jeff Daniels, Julian Sands, John Goodman, Harley Jane Kozak, Stuart Pankin, Brian McNamara, Henry Jones, Peter Jason

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Come on, let's go find that spider. And let's find your mom to take care of that spider. Honey, we're in the living room. We need you to kill a spider." - Dr. Ross Jennings

Why watch this? Man... spiders. Everything about them is creepy - Their webs. Their eyes. Ewwww!

Plot Summary: A dangerous spider from South America is accidentally brought to a small town and mates with a local spider, leading to an infestation of venomous offspring. As residents fall victim to the deadly bites, the local doctor and a pest exterminator must team up to find the source of the infestation and eliminate the threat.

Dad's Preview: This is a very good film features a group of super-aggressive, deadly-poisonous spiders that decide they've had enough of mankind. These pesky eight-leggers basically take over a small farm, and it's up to the flick's cast to defeat them. This romp wisely does not take itself too seriously. There are some laughs, but it's also very creepy, as we await the next attack (and privately question how these coordinated arachnids got to be so intelligent!).

Hollywood Pictures, Amblin Ent., Tangled Web Productions;
Buena Vista Pictures Distributing

What was once in the deep is now in the shallows

Starring: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Brett Cullen, Angelo Josue Lozano Corzo, Sedona Legge, Pablo Calva, Deigo Espejel, Janelle Bailey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"That's a terrible way to say thank you." - Nancy, to the gull, Sully, at it bites her finger

Why watch this? Unlucky is the surfer who becomes the sole target of an apex predator.

Plot Summary: After the recent loss of her mother, Nancy, a medical student, travels to a secluded beach for some solace and to surf in a spot her mother once visited. While surfing, she is attacked by a great white shark and finds herself stranded on a small rock formation, wounded and only 200 yards from the shore. Nancy must use her wits and limited resources to survive the shark's relentless attacks and find a way back to safety.

Dad's Preview: In films of this ilk, it's always a bad idea when an adventurous young person to decide to take off, tell no one and venture to a secluded place to do x. In this case, "x" is ocean surf. Our heroine, Nancy, is catching some waves when a giant shark targets her. She briefly escapes to a rock 200 yards from shore. So begins a game of survival for the young med student. The tide is coming in, so the rock will be underwater soon. It's harrowing, but she's intelligent and resourceful. Can she survive?

Columbia Pics, Weimaraner Republic Pics, Ombra Films;
Sony Pictures Releasing

Survive.

Starring: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Roop, Eric Balfour, Nicholas Campbell

"You know we'll be lucky to see anything bigger than a chipmunk, right?" - Alex

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

Why watch this? Several bad decisions lure a couple deep into bear country. Not good.

Plot Summary: A city couple, Alex and Jenny, take a camping trip deep into the woods. Alex, who has hiked there once before, plans to propose to Jenny at a secluded lake he remembers. Against the ranger's warnings, they embark and soon find themselves lost. Alex can't find the lake, and the couple starts to spat. That night, a large, hungry black bear attacks their tent...

Dad's Preview: This is one tense, frantic film, whose mood grows more ominous by the minute. We know these two ill-prepared campers are going to face serious trouble. The thought of camping in woods, where bear frequent, gives me the creeps. 

Thomas Michael; IFC Midnight

From Stephen King's novel comes a chilling tale of
a quiet New England town and a horrible evil in the dead of summer

Starring: Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh-Kelly, Danny Pintauro, Ed Lauter, Christopher Stone, Kaiulai Lee, Billy Jayne, Mills Watson, Jerry Hardin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Who let the monster out of my closet? Who let the monster out of my closet?" - Tad Trenton

Why watch this? A pretty faithful film based on the Stephen King novel.

Plot Summary: Cujo, a once friendly St. Bernard, contracts rabies and, as his mind deteriorates, becomes a dangerous killer. A mother, Donna, and her young son, Tad, become trapped in their car while the rabid dog lurks outside, preventing their escape. She must find a way to protect her son and survive the terrifying ordeal.

Dad's Preview: When I saw this film for the first time, I was shaken. The idea, which is plausible, is terrifying. Dee Wallace is superb as a mother  battling the gory beast, doing everything she can think of to outwit the vicious carnivore, and save her son. This film is highly suspenseful at times. With regards to the dreadful Ford hatchbacks of the 1980's, this marks their greatest achievement in cinema history.

Taft Entertainment Co., Sunn Classic Pictures; Warner Bros.

The Sci-Fi Classic of the Atomic Age

Starring: James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, James Arness, Onslow Stevens, Sean McClory, Christian Drake

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We may be witnesses to a Biblical prophecy come true - 'And there shall be destruction and darkness come upon creation, and the beasts shall reign over the Earth." - Dr. Harold Medford

Why watch this? Sometimes, it feels wonderful to watch gigantic ants on a rampage!

Plot Summary: After investigating mysterious deaths and disappearances in the New Mexico desert, police Sgt. Ben Peterson teams up with FBI agent Robert Graham and myrmecologists Dr. Harold Medford and his daughter Dr. Pat Medford. They discover that gigantic, mutated ants are the cause of the havoc, having grown to enormous size due to atomic radiation.

Dad's Preview: In the wake of destruction wrought by the atomic bombs used in World War II, a series of horror films (many of them "B" grade) hit theaters showcasing the consequences of this horrifying science. Mutations and gigantic creatures packed movie screens. This film is one of the higher quality efforts. When the source of a series of mysterious deaths is finally discovered, it will take all the US Army can muster to somehow prevent the end of mankind as we know it! Gonna need a lot of bug spray!

Warner Bros.

In Nature, There Are Boundaries

Starring: Timothy Treadwell, Werner Herzog, Amie Huguenard, Carol Dexter, Val Dexter

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"What haunts me, is that in all the faces of all the bears that Treadwell ever filmed, I discover no kinship, no understanding, no mercy. I see only the overwhelming indifference of nature." - director Werner Herzog

Why watch this? ... to view an unsettling documentary about a man perilously obsessed with grizzly bears.

Plot Summary: This documentary by Werner Herzog explores the life of Timothy Treadwell, a dedicated wildlife enthusiast who spent thirteen summers living among grizzly bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park. Treadwell filmed his experiences, believing he had a special connection with the animals and was protecting them. The film explores Treadwell's unique perspective and his passionate advocacy for the bears, as well as the inherent dangers of his chosen lifestyle.

Dad's Preview: Werner Herzog's documentaries (and I hope this encourages you to explore more) are always multi-layered. Tim Treadwell was nature's cheerleader, a man deeply devoted to wildlife and, in particular, the study of grizzlies in the wild. Much of the film's footage was filmed by Treadwell himself. However, as time passes, we see him slip into an unnatural level of devotion to these dangerous beasts. He starts to think of himself as one of them, a part of their family...

Discovery Docs, Real Big Production; Lions Gate Films

Who will save you?

Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Michael E. Williamson
 

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Where's the boat. Daniel. Where's the boat?" - Susan

Why watch this? Next to Jaws (1975), this may be the most terrifying film about the ocean.

Plot Summary: Daniel and Susan are an American couple on a tropical scuba diving vacation. After enjoying their dive, they resurface to find their tour boat has mistakenly left them behind, adrift in the vast open sea. As hours turn into days, they face the growing dangers of the ocean, including sharks, while desperately hoping for rescue.

Dad's Preview: Shot like a home movie, this harrowing film centers on a couple on a scuba diving expedition. The dive itself is beautiful, but when they resurface, their boat is gone (we learn later because of a counting error). The couple quickly realizes that they are stranded at sea. Their situation moves from denial, to calm, to worried, to hysterical, as the minutes turn into hours. Then something below rubs up against a leg, and fins begin to criss-cross the surface. It is a simple premise, but the filmmakers successfully deliver a horror film with incredible dread.

Plunge Pictures LLC, Eastgate Pictures; Lions Gate Films

Big Jim Cole had come to the rim of Hell and nobody but nobody was going to push him over!

Starring: Clint Walker, Martha Hyer, Keenan Wynn, Jack Elam, Nancy Kulp, Leo Gordon, Ron Ely, Ellen Corby, Med Flory

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Adam's dead. Phil won't have a left arm, ever again. They got on old Satan's trail before we did. And he doubled back on 'em." - Jed Curry

Why watch this? Old Satan. This bear is seriously terrifying.

Plot Summary: Marshal "Big Jim" Cole retires from his dangerous life as a lawman to become a rancher in Wyoming, inheriting land. However, his plans are quickly disrupted by a covetous neighbor seeking to claim his property, an outlaw he previously imprisoned seeking revenge, and a vicious grizzly bear on a rampage. These threats force Cole and his family to fight for their survival and their new home.

Dad's Preview: A family of homesteaders set up their new ranch only to find the area is the feeding-ground of a nasty, rogue grizzly bear called "Old Satan". This film reminds me a lot of Old Yeller (1957) - it really is family-friendly fare. Plus, it features one of my favorite Western stars, the 6' 4", deep-voiced Clint Walker. Some scenes are scarier than expected, especially when the bear is after the young boy. As a young boy I was a glutton for intense films, and I was completely petrified of that killer grizzly!


Paramount Pictures

From the immortal adventure classic...of whaling men, their ships, and the sea!

Starring: Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, Leo Genn, Orson Welles, James Robertson Justice, Harry Andrews, Bernard Miles, Noel Purcell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The white whale tasks me; he heaps me. Yet he is but a mask. 'Tis the thing behind the mask I chiefly hate; the malignant thing that has plagued mankind since time began" - Captain Ahab

Why watch this? ... it steps out of the pages of the classic novel and splashes gloriously upon the big screen.

Plot Summary: Ishmael is a sailor who signs aboard the Pequod, a whaling ship bound for a perilous journey across the high seas. The ship is commanded by Captain Ahab, who is consumed by an intense desire for revenge against a legendary white whale known as Moby Dick, which was responsible for severing his leg. Ahab's relentless pursuit of this elusive creature jeopardizes the lives of his crew as his obsession overrides all other considerations.

Dad's Preview: This salty epic brings to life Herman Melville's epic sea tale of one man's deranged obsession. Stern-jawed Gregory Peck is the perfect Captain Ahab, a brutal man hell bent on killing the white whale, a beast that has caused him so much pain. Onward he pushes his crew! He will have his revenge, even if it kills everyone aboard his ship!

Moulin Productions; Warner Bros.

She Lives. Don't Move. Don't Breathe. There's Nowhere To Run. She Will Find You.

Starring: Robert Foxworth, Talia Shire, Armand Assante, Richard Dysart, Victoria Racimo, Charles H. Gray

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"The size of a dragon... And something about eyes, cat's eyes. And the old man, the Indian. Didn't he describe that creature as being a part of everything in God's creation?" - Dr. Robert Verne

Why watch this? ... to see if you are brave enough to endure the creature...

Plot Summary: This horror film follows an environmental agent and his wife to a logging operation in Maine where a dispute has arisen between the company and a local Native American tribe. They investigate accusations that the paper mill is poisoning the environment and discover a horrifying truth lurking in the wilderness. Soon, they become entangled in a terrifying fight for survival against something terribly dangerous.

Dad's Preview: This film is special to me because my best friend, David, narrated the entire plot to me late one night when sleeping over. I was terrified and could not wait to see it. He was right, because this film is really scary, especially the night scenes, where the monster is lurking in the forest, just out of sight. It may seem campy now, but I still can't watch it at night alone without all the lights on!

Robert L. Rosen; Paramount Pictures

Let the squashing begin!

Starring: David Arquette, Kari Wuhrer, Scott Terra, Scarlett Johansson, Leon Rippy, Rick Overton, Doug E. Doug, Matt Czuchry, Eileen Ryan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"No one's going to believe me, cause I'm a kid, and they never listen to kids." - Mike

Why watch this? The idea of giant spiders is horrifying, yet, it's also really cool!

Plot Summary: A small Arizona mining town faces a horrifying threat after a chemical spill leads to an infestation of mutated, gigantic spiders. Returning home after a decade, ordinary guy Chris McCormick joins forces with the town's foxy sheriff, Sam Parker, to rally the eccentric townsfolk against the monstrous arachnids. The residents must overcome their differences and battle the eight-legged beasts to keep from being devoured.

Dad's Preview: Don't let your spider phobia keep you away from this treasure. It's the perfect blend of old-school sci-fi campiness, humor and ground-breaking CGI. The film really does not take itself too seriously and that makes it work. Did I say there are giant spiders everywhere? Well, there are. All shapes, categories and sizes, just doing what spiders do, except now, humans are on the menu. This monster/comedy/action/horror/thriller is a lot of fun, and it's the film that launched Scarlett Johansson's career!

Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Ent., Electric Ent.; Warner Bros.

Live or Die on This Day

Starring: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, Nonso Anozie, James Badge Dale

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"A job at the end of the world. A salaried killer for a big petroleum company. I don't know why I did half the things I've done, but I know this is where I belong, surrounded by my own. Ex-cons, fugitives, drifters, assholes. Men unfit for mankind." - Ottway

Why watch this? It's bleak and cold... hungry wolves are tracking plane crash survivors... but then again, they have Liam Neeson.

Plot Summary: A group of oil workers find themselves stranded in the treacherous Alaskan wilderness after a devastating plane crash. Led by a skilled huntsman, the surviving men must battle the harsh elements and a relentless pack of territorial uber-wolves stalking their every move. As they fight for survival against overwhelming odds, the men are forced to confront not only the primal forces of nature but also their own fears and vulnerabilities.

Dad's Preview: I was not prepared for such a great film. The surly Neeson portrays Ottway, an introvert whose job is to hunt and kill massive Arctic wolves who harass and attack oilfield workers. On a flight back home, his plane crashes into the chilling forest a few hundred miles from anything. A few men survive, but they are now being hunted by the hungry pack. This is a brutal battle for survival as the desperate men try to make it back to civilization.

LD Ent., Scott Free Productions, 1984 Private Defense Contractors;
Open Road Films

They Were Fighting Over A Woman When The Plane Went Down. Now, Their Only Chance For Survival Is Each Other.

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau, Elle Macpherson, L.Q. Jones, Kathleen Wilhoite, David Lindstedt, Mark Kiely, Eli Gabay, Bart the Bear

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We're all put to the test... but it never comes in the form or at the point we would prefer, does it?" - Charles Morse

Why watch this? Hopkins surprises as the unlikely protagonist, and that bear... Damn!

Plot Summary: A wealthy businessman and a photographer find themselves stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. They must rely on their wits and their unlikely partnership to survive the harsh environment and a relentless Kodiak bear stalking them. As they battle the elements and the beast, their strained relationship and underlying tensions threaten to unravel their chances of making it out alive.

Dad's Preview: This film has a lot going on: breathtaking scenery, survival, infidelity, betrayal, and huge, hungry Kodiak bear (the amazing Bart). The fun part of this adventure is the way it pits men against the elements. Who possesses wits, patience, skills and stamina to stay alive in a wilderness. Then the bear finds their scent, and starts stalking them - the thought of that is beyond terrifying. Surviving the bear becomes priority one.

Art Linson Productions; 20th Century Fox

The year is 1766... The hunt for a killer has begun

Starring: Samuel Le Bihan, Vincent Cassel, Émilie Dequenne, Monica Bellucci, Mark Dacascos, Jérémie Renier, Jean Yanne, Édith Scob

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Lies appear true when dressed in Latin." - Gregoire De Fronsac

Why watch this? It's a wonderfully dark French take on the werewolf legend.

Plot Summary: In 18th-century France, a military officer and his Iroquois companion investigate a series of brutal killings attributed to a mysterious beast in the province of Gévaudan. As they investigate, they discover that the creature is no ordinary animal and a larger conspiracy may be at play.

Dad's Preview: This French film exudes "atmosphere". It's creepy, sexy and surreal. A mysterious, vicious creature is terrorizing 18th century France. The plot is loosely based on the true story of the Beast of Gévaudan. The film is historically inaccurate, but, just let that go. In this case, I am perfectly fine with a Hawaiian actor (who plays "The Chairman" on Food Network's Iron Chef America) portraying a Native American scout who demonstrates incredible martial arts abilities. It's engrossing as the two hunters search for the beast, and the film's ending is... Wow!

StudioCanal, Davis Films, Eskwad; Metropolitan Filmexport

Suspense and shock beyond anything you have seen or imagined!

Starring: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, Veronica Cartwright, Ethel Griffies, Charles McGraw, Lonny Chapman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?" – Mrs. Bundy

Why watch this? The idea of peaceful birds, turning on man, is literally terrifying.

Plot Summary: A wealthy San Francisco socialite follows a handsome lawyer to a small coastal town. The two connect, yet upon her arrival, the local bird population begins behaving strangely and attacking people. As the attacks escalate and become more violent, the residents must fight for survival against the inexplicable avian threat.

Dad's Preview: Hitchcock was the master of suspense. Every frame of his movie builds on something with an eventual payoff. I love this film because it has some horrifying moments. Hitch wonderfully utilizes lulls. There is a nice, long build-up to the first attack. Then for no reason, the birds stop. This gives the audience a chance to catch their breath. Then comes the next build-up. I think the birds are more terrifying when they are sitting still, on the jungle gym, on the roof, in the drive way. Looking... Planning... Waiting...

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions; Universal Pictures

The nation's #1 best-selling novel is now the year's most terrifying movie.

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Carl Gottlieb, Lee Fierro

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #1 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Jaws

"Well, this is not a boating accident! It wasn't any propeller, it wasn't any coral reef, and it wasn't Jack the Ripper! It was a shark." – Matt Hooper after examining the remains of Chrissie Watkins

Why watch this? It's Dad's top film, numero uno. It's ignited the love of film within a curious 10-year-old.

Plot Summary: Chief Martin Brody, new to the small island community of Amity, faces a terrifying challenge when a massive great white shark begins attacking beachgoers during the peak summer tourist season. Despite Brody’s efforts to close the beaches, the town's mayor, fearing economic repercussions, prioritizes tourism over safety. As the attacks escalate, Brody teams up with an expert marine biologist and a seasoned shark hunter to track and kill the formidable creature.

Dad's Preview: Jaws was the first major film from a young director named Steven Spielberg. It is adapted from Peter Benchley's bestselling book about a hungry great white shark dining on bathers off the New England coast. There is suspense at every turn thanks to deft direction and an incredible Oscar-winning, John Williams soundtrack. There's drama, dread, and some of the best jump-scares on film. The film perfectly captured the novel's mood, and added its own levels of character development, humor and bloody terror. After this movie, which stayed in theaters for OVER A YEAR, folks would start using the term "Summer Blockbuster".

Zanuck/Brown Company; Universal Pictures