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The JAWS Thread: "Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women!"

post #1 of 197
2/8/09 at 2:52am
Thread Starter 
Hey y'all, I'd been hoping someone would start a thread on this series, one of my most beloved of franchises.

To start:
Jaws: Probably my favorite film of all time. It's as near to perfect as a thriller can be, and with character writing and acting so perfectly archaetypic, yet fresh, that its stunning. As well, the effects and cinematography are beautiful (love that shooting star shot and the night attacks). And William's score? Pure orgasm.

Jaws 2: A really fun, entertaining sequel. They ripped the art out of the first one and instead delivered a solid craftsman-like follow-up that has more than its deserved number of memorable moments. Also the highest deathcount in the series.

Jaws 3-D: Bad but amusing, with a handful to cool moments, such as McCorkindale's grisly demise and the scene in which the shark swims in front of the reastaurant's glass window. Plus, gotta love when the shark "breaks" through the glass into the underwater observing room.

Jaws The Revenge: Bad, awful even, yet goofily endearing. Michael Caine uttering "bloody hell" after a close encounter was a classic in my home growing up. Plus it has Lance Guest killing a shark with a flashlight before hitting it with the mast of a ship. Then it explodes for some reason...

Comments, opinions, rants? Go flippin' nuts!
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post #2 of 197
2/8/09 at 2:55am
There are no sequels to Jaws. You must have come here from some alternate Jaws dimension.
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post #3 of 197
2/8/09 at 9:02am
I was too young to catch the original Jaws on the cinema - being born in 74.

My first introduction to it was on late night TV when i was about 8 where it scared the shit out of me (scared to take baths, get out of bed incase the shark was under my bed etc).

It wasn't until years later (probably in my early 20s) when i decided to watch it again and I liked how little the shark interested me but more that the characters did and their interplay. I think in the years that interveened between my first watching as a child then as an adult it was always a film about 'a shark' - now as an adult its a film about 'adults dealing with a shark'. It's at this point that I rewatched some more of Speilberg's blockbusters and realised that ET wasn't just about 'an alien' - it was about 'a kids relationship with an alien'.

Jaws 2 is quite good - I like the banter between the 70s kids.

Jaws 3 is pretty bad - I do like that shark swimming towards the glass window in all its jerky goodness.

Jaws 4 - with this the Jaws film where you could see the metal internal frame of the shark? I've seen two versions of this on TV - one where the shark explodes at the end, one where it's just impaled and dies.
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post #4 of 197
2/8/09 at 9:16am
There was an older thread where I mentioned that Jaws 2 wasn't the train-wreck I remembered it being. By no means a good film -- they should have not let the audience in on there actually being another shark so soon, so that Brody's mania is more ambiguous, but by this point, it was all about the shark. John Williams certainly didn't embarrass himself though.

I will not dignify Jaws 3-D and Jaws: The Revenge by speaking of them.
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post #5 of 197
2/8/09 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Abbott & Prospero View Post
There are no sequels to Jaws. You must have come here from some alternate Jaws dimension.
Quoted for truth....

There is just Jaws, a tight, superbly done thriller that defined the term blockbuster. It has a great script, direction, acting and set pieces along with that iconic score.

There are other films involving sharks, but they're not Jaws.
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post #6 of 197
2/8/09 at 3:41pm
Does anyone else giggle when the shark in Jaws is referred to as "Jaws"? As if that was the shark's name? That always cracks me up.
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post #7 of 197
2/8/09 at 3:44pm
When you strip it of all connotations, isn't Jaws really the stupidest name ever for a movie?
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post #8 of 197
2/8/09 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll View Post
Does anyone else giggle when the shark in Jaws is referred to as "Jaws"? As if that was the shark's name? That always cracks me up.
I'm sure Bruce wouldn't be happy about it.
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post #9 of 197
2/8/09 at 3:59pm
Hey, why all the hate for Jaws 3D? It had Lea Thompson in a swimsuit! Bess Armstrong in shorts! Dennis Quaid and Louis Gosset Jr. chewing scenery! A mess, yes, but a spectacular mess!
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post #10 of 197
2/8/09 at 4:14pm
I was singing "Show Me the Way to Go Home" in the shower this morning, then I found this thread on Chud. It's all connected!

"Here lies the body of old Mary Lee. Lived to the age of 103. Fifteen years she kept her virginity. Not a bad record for this vicinity."

Anybody read the book? Hooper sleeps with Brody's wife in it. (Spoiler)
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post #11 of 197
2/8/09 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_Lohan View Post
Anybody read the book? Hooper sleeps with Brody's wife in it. (Spoiler)
I recall reading the book for a "fiction to film" class in college. The book is pretty bad. Isn't the mafia involved as well? I remember them pressuring the mayor to keep the beaches open so he could repay his debt to the mob or some horseshit.
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post #12 of 197
2/8/09 at 4:30pm
Yeah, "Jaws" is one of those rare examples where the movie is better than the book.
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post #13 of 197
2/8/09 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll View Post
Does anyone else giggle when the shark in Jaws is referred to as "Jaws"? As if that was the shark's name? That always cracks me up.
I don't remember that particular scene. At one point in the film is it? I do recall though as a kid that everyone would often refer to the shark as that.
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post #14 of 197
2/8/09 at 7:33pm
It's not in the film, Jim.

Ripoll is talking about when people do it IRL.
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post #15 of 197
2/8/09 at 7:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Abbott & Prospero View Post
There are no sequels to Jaws. You must have come here from some alternate Jaws dimension.
See also Rocky, although I will allow for an exemption on the last one.

Ripoll's comment reminds me of an old Simpsons episode where Bart stays up all night watching movies. He also says "This is the part where Die Hard runs across glass".

I never did see the fourth Jaws film that doesn't exist. I actually saw the third one in a theater, although not in 3D, which made it look even more retarded than it already is. Jaws 2 is just bad. Having it happen in the same place, and with Roy Scheider to boot, is just weak. The best thing to come out of Jaws: The Revenge was a Richard Jeni stand-up routine.

This shouldn't even be discussed as a franchise. It devalues a brilliant film.
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post #16 of 197
2/8/09 at 7:52pm
I remember watching that 4th movie (that shall not be named). My brother and I heard it was terrible, and as I was working in a theater at the time, we decided to see it.

I don't know why or how we came up with the idea to sit in the front row (since the theater was obviously empty) but sitting right at eye level with the water sure made it more immersive. It was fun, but of course the most fun was laughing and commenting on how terrible it was.

SCREAMING, EXPLODING SHARK!
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post #17 of 197
2/8/09 at 8:09pm
The shark screams?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised when a shark that can anticipate travel plans and get there ahead of you can scream. But still.
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post #18 of 197
2/8/09 at 8:12pm
Greg, if a third sequel to Jaws actually existed it might look and sound something like this awful fan film I found on the you tubes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4RnS8iegb0
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post #19 of 197
2/8/09 at 8:15pm
Fucking wow.

Good thing that movie never happened. The stupidity of the shark roaring is almost surpassed by the incredible dumbfuckery of somebody having a flashback to events they didn't see.
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post #20 of 197
2/8/09 at 8:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
The best thing to come out of Jaws: The Revenge was a Richard Jeni stand-up routine.
Love that routine.
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post #21 of 197
2/8/09 at 9:48pm
I've always loved how the beginning of Jaws starts out like a slasher movie, and is reminiscent of the opening to Friday The 13th.
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post #22 of 197
2/8/09 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rando View Post
I recall reading the book for a "fiction to film" class in college. The book is pretty bad. Isn't the mafia involved as well? I remember them pressuring the mayor to keep the beaches open so he could repay his debt to the mob or some horseshit.
Yeah, that's the backstory for the mayor. Also, Hooper has an affair with Mrs. Brody and later gets killed by the shark. And the shark hunt is a series of trips -- they go out and come back several times, rather than going out once like in the film.

Really, the movie is better in every conceivable way.
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post #23 of 197
2/8/09 at 9:55pm
The Simon McCorkindale' death scene in JAWS 3 still sticks in my mind for me. Talk about Shark digestion.

Loved playing the JAWS 3D handheld game. Scorred lots of points and hours on it. The game still holds up well even to day.
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post #24 of 197
2/8/09 at 10:05pm
Jaws is brilliant, no doubt.

I'll even give this to Jaws 2, I don't think it's bad at all. Long and poorly paced, yeah. But when the shark's around, it's a pretty exciting movie. That being said, I agree with what was said above regarding Brody's mania - The film would've been much, much more interesting if the filmmakers had kept the audience in the dark about whether or not the shark was really around.

As for other properties pertaining to JAWS, I only acknowledge this one:

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post #25 of 197
2/9/09 at 12:33am
I consider Jaws to be my favorite movie of all time, now I haven't seen Jaws 2 in years, but looking at this thread brought back memories of this scene -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjPDd3rhaHw

I kind of wish I stayed away, I'd rather not have remembered that. That scene seriously fucked me up as a kid. I probably saw it when I was like 6 or 7, and even now it is pretty disturbing. The nice girl we all root for selflessly jumps in to save the kid, and is eaten alive for her troubles. Fuck you, MPAA.
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post #26 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by capinkevey View Post
I consider Jaws to be my favorite movie of all time, now I haven't seen Jaws 2 in years, but looking at this thread brought back memories of this scene -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjPDd3rhaHw

I kind of wish I stayed away, I'd rather not have remembered that. That scene seriously fucked me up as a kid. I probably saw it when I was like 6 or 7, and even now it is pretty disturbing. The nice girl we all root for selflessly jumps in to save the kid, and is eaten alive for her troubles. Fuck you, MPAA.
I love the score during that scene! It's so bombastic and full of impending doom. But yeah, that moment in the movie terrified the shit out of me when I was a wee one.
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post #27 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Belmont View Post
Jaws is brilliant, no doubt.

I'll even give this to Jaws 2, I don't think it's bad at all. Long and poorly paced, yeah. But when the shark's around, it's a pretty exciting movie. That being said, I agree with what was said above regarding Brody's mania - The film would've been much, much more interesting if the filmmakers had kept the audience in the dark about whether or not the shark was really around.

As for other properties pertaining to JAWS, I only acknowledge this one:
I still play that game on a regular basis. It's the bee's knees.
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post #28 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:15am
Everybody knows the first Jaws is brilliant so no need to discuss what already is. Jaws 2 is a bit underrated though. It's pretty entertaining and William's score is different but unique. It had to be, the structure of the film is much different.

Jaws 3d is a piece of shit and I really can't find any enjoyment in it aside from the hilarious and terrible 3d shot of the sharking coming in through the glass.

Jaws: The Revenge....

Despite its silly plot, illogical flashbacks, fake looking shark... it's not as bad as Jaws 3d. The funny thing about this film is the acting is actually good. There's a good amount of drama in the film that I find endearing. It almost becomes less of a Jaws film. And there are a few good moments. But just like everyone else... the plot. WHY?! Just WHY?!

Best thing about the film though is Michael Small's score and rendition of the Jaws theme.
http://www.soundtrack.net/albums/database/?id=2428

And big mention on the scary banana boat scene.
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post #29 of 197
2/9/09 at 5:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carnotaur3
It's pretty entertaining and William's score is different but unique.
"Different but unique"?

You wrote Jaws 4, didn't you?
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post #30 of 197
2/9/09 at 6:27am
It's kind of sad that JAWS THE REVENGE was directed by the same man who directed the original TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE.
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post #31 of 197
2/9/09 at 6:32am
We live in a world where Robert Altman directed Popeye. You gotta roll with the punches.
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post #32 of 197
2/9/09 at 7:19am
Where Robert Altman aced Popeye, you mean.
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post #33 of 197
2/9/09 at 11:31am
Yeah, the book's awful. Mrs. Brody's annoying and shrill, and Hooper's pretty much an asshole who you actually are glad to see killed (Spielberg saved him in the film, but in the book, he dies in the cage). The mob stuff's stupid as well. There's a hilarious dinner party in the book that certainly wasn't meant to be funny. They excised all the crap from the book for the film. One of the best adaptations ever, actually - it's not often that films improve on their source, but JAWS sure did.
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post #34 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:01pm
People, people, people, there's actually a very good and plausible reason for the shark anticipating the Widow Brody's travel plans in Jaws: The Revenge and then beating her there. You see, the shark isn't an ordinary shark. It's actually been possessed by a Voodoo Shaman that is seeking revenge against the Brody clan. Hence, the subtitle.

No, seriously. It's in the novelization (which I read as a wee lad).
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post #35 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:08pm
And just what did the Brody clan do to piss off a voodoo shaman?
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post #36 of 197
2/9/09 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
And just what did the Brody clan do to piss off a voodoo shaman?
I cannot for the life of me remember. Also, Michael Caine's character was actually a British spy combating drug lords in the Caribbean.

Also, in trying to figure out why the Voodoo Shaman was so mad, I found this awesome quote from Michael Caine about whether he'd seen the film: "I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific."
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post #37 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
We live in a world where Robert Altman directed Popeye. You gotta roll with the punches.
POPEYE is a misunderstood masterpiece. No, really. I swear. And the goofy octopus in it is far more threatening than the roaring Universal Studios Tour shark they pulled out of storage for JAWS THE REVENGE.
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post #38 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:39pm
You want more fun trivia about J:TR?

Michael Caine was not able to accept his academy award for Hannah and Her Sisters because he was filming this turd.

Also, one must never forget his magic Quick-dry clothes.

He lands his plane next to the ship, and as everyone on the ship is yelling for him to be careful and what-not, the shark jumps out and eats his plane. (Yes, eats.) As everyone is in major sadness that Sir Micheal is fun food, he surprisingly climbs on board the ship, IN COMPLETELY DRY CLOTHES.
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post #39 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:39pm
Popeye may be the most well-cast film ever made.
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post #40 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg David View Post
"Different but unique"?

You wrote Jaws 4, didn't you?
Are your reading skills out of whack today, Greg? I'm pretty sure that comment was directed at Jaws 2. And the "different but unique" was referencing the score.

But yes, I wrote Jaws 4. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?
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post #41 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carnotaur3 View Post
Are your reading skills out of whack today, Greg? I'm pretty sure that comment was directed at Jaws 2. And the "different but unique" was referencing the score.

But yes, I wrote Jaws 4. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?
Um, he was commenting on your writing skills ("different but unique" is like saying "gigantic but huge") but now you've added proof that you ain't that wicked a reader either.
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post #42 of 197
2/9/09 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattioli View Post
Also, in trying to figure out why the Voodoo Shaman was so mad, I found this awesome quote from Michael Caine about whether he'd seen the film: "I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific."
That's glorious.
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post #43 of 197
2/9/09 at 3:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Litmus Configuration View Post
Um, he was commenting on your writing skills ("different but unique" is like saying "gigantic but huge") but now you've added proof that you ain't that wicked a reader either.
I guess so. I've been outed. In truth, I just wasn't thinking about what I was saying.
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post #44 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:15pm
Happens to all of us. Everyone hop into the shark cage for a group hug.
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post #45 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
I find it hilarious that, for Louis Gossett Jr, Jaws 3-D was the best choice to follow-up to his Oscar-winning performance in Officer & A Gentleman.
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post #46 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:24pm
Quint's going around the boat singing "Spanish Ladies" is one of my all time favorite film bits.
The First is a masterpiece. The second is an OK thriller. The other two belong in movie hell.
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post #47 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:31pm
I had the distinct pleasure of showing 'Jaws' to my wife a few years ago. For some reason, she had NEVER SEEN it all the way through, ever. Watching the movie through her fresh eyes was a fantastic experience.

I mentioned this in another thread a year or so ago, but I worked at a health club that had a Summer showing of 'Jaws' in their indoor pool. They covered the windows and projected the film on a large screen. Kids were in the pool on inner tubes watching the film while the lifeguards watched. Those kids had a blast.
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post #48 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:37pm
I wonder how long it will be before the inevitable remake/reboot/re-envisioning/re-quel. Of course, this time the studio will take a longer term franchise view, so at the end of the first new film, a beaten and bruised Quint (played by Russell Crowe) can look warily at newly-heroic Brody (played by Adrian Brody) as a thousand dorsal fins swim off into a stormy, blood red horizon, and growl, "The war between man and shark has begun, Chief." Brody will nod silently and then, as the JAWS theme is finally heard for the first time in the reboot, will say with profound gravitas, "I know."

DUHN-DUHN DUHN-DUHN DUHN-DUHN...
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post #49 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll View Post
Does anyone else giggle when the shark in Jaws is referred to as "Jaws"? As if that was the shark's name? That always cracks me up.
"This is the part where Die Hard jumps through the window!"


I've seen Jaws in some really strange places ... I saw it during it's first run, a re-release, on my father's ship when he was in the Navy*, and a "lock in" at a youth center (they put a sheet over the fence so we could watch in while swimming in the pool), etc. I saw the very beginning of it on it's first television broadcast, which was the same night my family was leaving America to fly to my dad's overseas assignment.

*Now that I think about it, I also saw the Jaws knock-off Tentacles on that same ship.
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post #50 of 197
2/9/09 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Litmus Configuration View Post
I wonder how long it will be before the inevitable remake/reboot/re-envisioning/re-quel.
Shutupshutupshutup, they'll hear you!
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