On this day, 35 years ago, Jaws was released. Obviously, it became what we now mockingly refer to as a "game changer". Whether or not it was responsible form a move away from the more substantive fare America was producing during the era to the corporatization of high concept with four quadrant pre-marketing cache bullshit that (mostly) passes for Summer films these days is a conversation for another day (though, I vehemently disagree with Jaws or Star Wars' culpability if you're asking). Instead let's celebrate Jaws, the enduring classic film that shows how to do grand entertainment right.
Since I still have yet to start the Psycho series of reviews, I will pass on the opportunity to review or rewatch the sequels at this time, maybe in 5 years, besides, they mostly blow.
Here are my other Jaws related articles from the archives:
Trailer of the Moment: Jaws (and a whole lot of blabber about the 2007 summer movie season)
Things I Just Noticed: Jaws (a currently one time feature which netted my first anonymous rude comment from a total stranger)
Death's Going to Need a Bigger Boat (my tribute post to Roy Scheider upon his passing, though I spend more time discussing Sorcerer than Jaws)
Books Read in 2009 (which includes a small review of the Jaws series retrospective: Just When You Thought It Was Safe: A Jaws Companion by Patrick Jankiewcz)
On this day let's look at 24 Frames that I selected from Jaws. Which was directed by Steven (Sugarland Express) Spielberg and Bill Butler was the cinematographer.
That shot of Quint with the sea to his back is just beautiful, still my all time favorite movie.
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