In the UK its election time (again) and of course last year it was the Presidential election in the US. So, in this time of media savvy, truth-bending, baby-kissing, sharp-suited political types, who best to turn the Jaws spotlight on than Mayor Larry Vaughn?
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Even as a child, I never thought of Jaws as a horror film, but rather an drama. That's not to say that I didn't find it terrifying the first time I watched it (even in its edited-for-television version that was much less bloody and left out a couple of severed limbs). It's just that horror films lose their edge after their original viewing. Audiences know when the scares are coming, and in a genre reliant on catching you off guard, such movies have trouble living up to their original screenings. Jaws, on the other hand, is like a fine wine (or Clint Eastwood's directing). It improves with age.
Read MoreBond, James Bond. He gets the gadgets and the girls but the bad guys get the swanky lairs and deadly creatures that they use to despatch staff who have outlived their usefulness. That range of creatures includes everything from tarantulas to crocodiles, to piranhas and of course, sharks.
Read MoreJAWS, whilst having its light and humorous moments can’t exactly be referred to as being a (three) barrels of laughs, but being such an iconic cultural touchstone, not just classic film, has meant that it has long since been part of our subconscious. As such, over the years, that means that Jaws has been ripe for the comedy bullet, smile you son-of-a-bitch indeed.
The Keith and Paddy Picture Movie Show is the latest to spoof or pay comedy homage.
Read MoreMy "holy grail" is the stunt harness that Susan "Chrissie" Backlinie wore during the opening attack sequence. As you know a pair of blue jean shorts were altered and "brackets" were attached to each side.
Read MoreDon't worry, 'Bruce'hasn't taken over from the Easter bunny or chomped all your chocolates - he can't stay down with three Lindor bunnies in him! When we say Easter eggs we mean of the film variety, those little in jokes and references waiting to be hunted done. That's a relief as all of those yellow chicks would have been harbingers of dorsal fin-related doom.And the colour yellow is exactly where we start...
Read MoreThis book changed the game. Just when you thought there was nothing more to learn, see or read about the making of Jaws, Matt Taylor (with the help of Jim Beller) complied for the first time ever the behind-the-scenes photographs and stories of the Martha's Vineyard locals who worked as labourers and/or actors into a treasure trove of Jaws rarities. An absolute must have for any Jaws fans and filmmakers alike!
Read MoreWhat was it like working with Lorraine Gary?
She was lovely. I really only worked with her for a couple of weeks. Much of my time on the movie was spent alone in a big tank on the Universal lot. The exteriors were shot on location in Martha’s Vineyard for two weeks. So Lorraine and I spent quite a bit of time together, which helped with our short, but important on screen relationship.
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