The Last Shark (1981; Enzo Castellari)

This movie is such a blatant rip off of Jaws, that in Spain it is titled "Jaws III".



The reason I chose that specific cover is because I think it is amazing. Just look at how scary that is. I don't care how uninspired it is, sharks are scary. Needless to say for this movie, think Jaws. A shark attacks.

I just want to say that this movie even as a rough sailor with an accent and a mustache. Oh, and he is being hired by a clean shaven man who is cool headed. Oh, did I mention a skinny dipping girl? And the town doesn't want to close the beach to save money? And a buoy getting stuck on the shark. Sorry, where was I?

Oh yes, the camera. I like to think of that camera as simply... nope, don't have an analogy for it, it was just bad. Not bad in the sense that it was shakily unbearable, but simply as inspired and creative as the movie itself.

Okay, I just need to throw one last joke into this then I am done. I had this idea for a movie I want to make. It is about a guy named Michael Buyers. He goes around on Halloween and kills people in a white mask.

Anyway, no matter how hard I try to bury this film for being my Michael Buyers film, the subject matter is simply so rich (seeing as sharks are always scary) that you can't help but get sucked in anyway. No matter how bad the shark looks, or how silly the movie seems, you just have to love it for one reason or another. Does this mean I forgive the movie? No, not even close.

One part I want to mention about this film before I finish, simply to have something positive to throw out, is that the score is truly enjoyable. The potential for the music and "noises" as I like to call them is absolutely amazing, if only it had a proper script and flow of ideas to back it up.

Score: 2/5

Notes: Another film from my friends at wtfdvds.com

The Last Shark at wtfdvds.com/all-dvds-1/the-last-shark-1981-dvd-215.html

Camping del Terrore (1987; Ruggero Deodato)

"You know what I think about Democracy... let alone campers".

Yeah, that's right. That is a quote from this movie.


This is a slasher film, so what do you honestly want me to say? There are kids who go camping and get knifed.

Going into this, the first thoughts I had were as follows.

1. It is a Ruggero Deodato film, so I can expect some original kills, a decent to wonderful soundtrack, and some well executed camera work.

2. It is an 80's slasher, so some terrible acting, poor script work, and teenage nudity.

Can you guess how much of that was accurate? Yeah, all of it. We are treated to a delightful soundtrack that is truly leagues above the rest of the film. I mean seriously, I find a lot of his music to be absolutely amazing.

The kill scenes and the killer himself look fine, which helps lend a little credit to the awkward performances by the killee's. I can't really move around this review very much because it is almost like slashers have their own set of rules so nitpicking isn't going to get me very far. So instead of me trying anymore, I will just leave it as this.

This movie blends Deodato's style of film making with the genericism (that isn't even a word, I bet) of 80's slashers. In even shorter terms, this is the perfect film for any slasher fan or any Deodato fan.

Score: 3/5
or for Deodato/Slasher fans
Score: 4/5

Notes: This film represents my first review of a group of films I received from the wonderful chaps at wtfdvd's. Check them out at wtfdvds.com

To find this specific film go to wtfdvds.com/all-dvds-1/body-count-aka-camping-del-terrore-dvd-1545.html

TV Shows Pt. III

I have become extremely lazy and not reviewed anything for a long while as most of my time has been spent watching Six Feet Under through again. Another reason, as if the first wasn't enough, is that I have been waiting for some movies to come from my good friends at wtfdvds. So, just to show that I am not just neglecting this site on purpose, I will throw some more television shows out there.

1. Arrested Development (2003; Mitchell Hurwitz): This show came across as a fresh breath of air for awkward comedy. The genius behind a lot of the coincidences is just outstanding.


2. Monk (2002; Andy Breckman): This wonderfully enjoyable show, sort of like Shark, is a wonderful spin on a worn out piece of subject matter. This show began as a nod to Sherlock Holmes, but has grown so much in popularity that it has become it's own legend.



3. Psych (2006; Steve Franks): On the note of fresh spins on worn out subject matter, I bring you Psych. Like Monk, it began as new version of Sherlock Holmes. Differing from Monk however, it brings forth a younger cast with a whole different direction in it's comedy. It also brings forth a psychic element which only adds to the humor.


And that concludes this new post. My next one will (hopefully) be soon when I get my hands on my new DVD's.