Killer sharks have had their day at the box office, and now it looks like they’ll have their night with the oddly titled “Shark Night 3D” (isn’t an entire Shark Week enough?). It all started with “Jaws,” of course, which spawned bad sequels, bad shark rip-offs, and a bunch of other movies featuring aquatic terrors. Nature swam amok quite often in the wake of Spielberg’s masterpiece, and here’s five that are particularly memorable (for better or worse).
“Orca” (1977)
Richard Harris battles a righteously angered orca who seeks revenge for the death of his mate and his unborn child, whose fetus spectacularly splatters all over Harris’s boat. Inexplicably carrying a great score from Ennio Morricone, “Orca” is unbelievably silly, yet somehow alluring in its absurdity. At one point, the title character manages to cause massive explosions on a dock just to lure Harris out for a confrontation. Awesome stuff, really. Also of note: a killer whale decimates a shark early in the film in an obvious potshot at “Jaws,” which would return the favor in its first sequel, which featured the rotted corpse of an orca washed up on a beach.
“Tentacles” (1977)
Notorious Italian producer/director Ovidio G. Assonitis wanted in on the action, and he somehow convinced John Huston, Shelley Winters, and Henry Fonda to star in this disaster. Somehow, an evil corporation manages to pollute the water, which results in a giant octopus terrorizing the seas. Interestingly enough, the climax features orca whales, which perhaps cements their place on the silver pedestal of aquatic terror. “Tentacles” is fairly awful, but Assonitis isn’t the only familiar cult name to blame: the film actually secured theatrical distribution thanks to Samuel Z. Arkoff and American International Pictures.
“Piranha” (1978)
Speaking of which, there was no way Arkoff cohort Roger Corman wouldn’t cash in on the “Jaws” craze, so we got this great creature feature romp that’s probably exactly what you expect from “The King of the Bs.” Starring classic horror alums Kevin McCarthy, Dick Miller, Barbara Steele and a young Joe Dante (“Gremlins,” “The Howling”) behind the camera, this one mixes grisly effects with laughs to create a good old fashioned monster movie. Random “Jaws” interplay features one of the characters playing an arcade game bearing the name of Spielberg’s film. I can only assume it wasn’t as awesome as the old Nintendo “Jaws” game. Bonus fact: the aforementioned Assonitis came on board for “Piranha 2: The Spawning,” the feature film debut of James Cameron.
“Crocodile” (1980)
If you thought the Italians could take something you love and really twist it into something cheap and malformed, you should see what Thailand did to the “Jaws” formula. This one features a couple of widowed guys plotting revenge against the title character who ate their families; they eventually end up hiring a grizzled fisherman (the requisite Quint character, of course). Absurdly dubbed, cheaply lit, and barely edited, “Crocodile” is supremely bad and should only be watched if you love killer crocs or cinematic incoherence.
“Lake Placid” (1999)
On the other hand, “Lake Placid” is a legitimately fine film featuring a gigantic crocodile terrorizing a small Maine town. Like so many of these, it too oddly features a great cast that can boast the likes of Bridget Fonda (following in her grandfather’s footsteps on this list), Bill Pullman, Oliver Platt, and Betty White. Everyone enjoying the latter’s recent career resurgence is finally in on the secret we learned a decade ago while watching “Lake Placid”: Betty White is wickedly funny, especially when she’s foul-mouthed and sassy. She’s a highlight of a film that feels like a throwback to classic monster movies, not unlike “Piranha.” Perhaps that’s ultimate proof that these things are at their best when they aren’t taking themselves seriously.
Heading to the movies? Get an instant mobile coupon to use at select theaters for free popcorn!