Latest news with #BrianTruitt
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Duhhh-nuh 🦈
Duhhh-nuh 🦈 Happy Friday!🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert. Today, Daily Briefing features a special guest! Let's close out the week with Friday's news: Even if you haven't seen it recently, you know 'Jaws' Hello! I'm Brian Truitt, USA TODAY movie critic and the guy behind the Watch Party newsletter. It's a big weekend for film lovers because Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" is turning 50, and from the infamous John Williams two-note musical theme to some gnarly shark attacks, it still holds up so many decades later. We're diving all in on that killer fish flick, with shark movie rankings, a look at the "Jaws" legacy and a rundown of the best summer blockbusters since 1975. 🦈 Here's why we never got over "Jaws." Should US go to war with Iran or support Israel from afar? President Donald Trump said there was a "substantial chance" of U.S. negotiations with Iran and that he would decide within two weeks whether diplomacy keeps America out of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. The possibility of direct U.S. involvement is a growing debate among elected leaders and American voters. Some in the Republican Party want limited involvement in the escalating conflict. Meanwhile, elected leaders from both parties are hoping to stop an all-out war. More news to know now What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here. Dodger Stadium becomes a ICE flashpoint The Los Angeles Dodgers say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were denied entry to the stadium grounds – while ICE says the agency was "never there" and the Department of Homeland Security claims the masked agents were with Customs and Border Patrol. The Dodgers were supposed to make an announcement about their "plans for assistance to immigrant communities" but club president Stan Kasten said the organization would be delaying an announcement after the federal agents showed up. The delay comes after protesters showed up at Dodger Stadium. Mega rocket explodes another SpaceX setback In what the company called "a major anomaly," SpaceX's Starship exploded late Wednesday, shooting a massive fireball and giant debris into the Texas night sky. The explosion is not the first for SpaceX and comes on the heels of a string of set backs for the 400-foot rocket system this year. Founder Elon Musk said via social media no hazards are posed to residents in the communities surrounding Brownsville, and initial inspection suggest the incident "is the first time ever for this design." The last Starship explosion was less than a month ago. Today's talkers The longest day of 2025 is here Summer has not even officially begun. The summer solstice will occur Friday at 10:42 p.m. ET and will be both the longest day and shortest night of 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will greet winter with its winter solstice. During the summer solstice, the tilt brings the Earth's northernmost point closer to the sun, resulting in more sunlight. The solstice itself only lasts moments, but is widely celebrated with festivals. Here's where you can snag solstice deals and free food to celebrate. Photo of the day: Celebrating freedom Americans across the country celebrated Juneteenth this week, commemorating the day the last group of enslaved African Americans were informed they were free.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The 50 biggest summer blockbusters ever, ranked (including 'Jaws')
The 50 biggest summer blockbusters ever, ranked (including 'Jaws') Show Caption Hide Caption These are the top 3 summer movie blockbusters of all time USA TODAY movie critic Brian Truitt breaks down the top summer blockbusters of all time. "Jaws" chewed up the box office 50 years ago, and Hollywood was never the same. The blockbuster was born that summer when Steven Spielberg's instantly classic shark movie took a bite out of pop culture and set the stage for the next five decades. Every summer since, film lovers have bought tickets, stood in lines, snapped up merch – we remember you fondly, Batmania! – and gone all in on the biggest movies, from "Star Wars" episodes and Marvel superhero flicks to animated family movies and so, so many sequels. That's 50 years, 50 blockbusters. So what's the greatest of them all? That's what we're here to find out, fam. In honor of the "Jaws" anniversary, we're ranking the biggest movies of summer (May through August) since 1975 according to Box Office Mojo, from worst to best. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox 50. 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' (2009) Dead last still seems too high for this dreck. The first "Transformers" sequel is infamous for being the one where a gigantic Decepticon has a wrecking ball for genitalia. Optimus Prime can't be that proud of this. 49. 'Spider-Man 3' (2007) After two great Tobey Maguire Spidey movies, the threequel nosedived with too many supervillains, a terrible plot and Peter Parker doing an evil dance – with hip thrusts! – to a funky James Brown jam. 48. 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' (1999) So many fans flocked to theaters for the first "Star Wars" in 16 years only to be met by midi-chlorians, Jar Jar Binks and a clunky plot. That said, the whole trade negotiations thing seems strangely timely now. 47. 'Iron Man 3' (2013) Good news: It wasn't "Iron Man 2." Bad news: It wasn't "Iron Man." There's only so much Robert Downey Jr., Ben Kingsley criminally underutilized as a living, breathing plot twist, and a whole platoon of armored suits can do. 46. 'Rambo: First Blood Part II' (1985) Sylvester Stallone's thoughtful and complex "First Blood" was followed up by perhaps the most macho, gung-ho, mindless action-fest of the 1980s – which is saying something. 45. 'Shrek 2' (2004) A definite letdown after the first "Shrek," the sequel was an excuse to bring in a cavalcade of supporting characters. Introducing Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots was one of the best moves ever, however. 44. 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' (2006) Yes, you are seeing a pattern developing – a first great movie, followed by a not-so-great movie. Not as electric a quest as the original "Pirates," "Dead Man's Chest" does deliver Bill Nighy as octopus-y crab dude Davy Jones. 43. 'Mission: Impossible II' (2000) Tom Cruise's "Mission" franchise sets a high bar for action, so it's head-scratching that the worst one winds up here. John Woo is the master, though he's off his game here, thanks to melodrama and excessive slo-mo. 42. 'The Amityville Horror' (1979) Hindsight is 20/20, but it's wild that this somehow outgrossed "Rocky II," "Apocalypse Now," "Moonraker" and "Alien." Young couple buys a house that turns out to be a haunting hotbed of creepy flies and evil spirits. 41. 'Beverly Hills Cop II' (1987) Eddie Murphy's Detroit cop Axel Foley returns to help his SoCal buds to take down shady criminals. An action comedy with an overload of action and not much comedy, it's a waste of Murphy's charismatic antics. 40. 'Jurassic World' (2015) Between epic throwdowns among dino species and Chris Pratt zooming through the jungle with his ride-or-die crew of velociraptors, this thing's trying way too hard to live up to Steven Spielberg's first "Jurassic Park." 39. 'Finding Dory' (2016) The sequel featuring Ellen DeGeneres' forgetful fish lacks the joy of undersea exploration and big heart of "Finding Nemo," yet "Dory" came hard when adding to its aquarium of guest stars (Idris Elba as a sleepy sea lion). 38. 'Black Widow' (2021) Scarlett Johansson's Avenger has her backstory explored and reconnects with her adoptive family. It's just a pretty good Marvel outing but introduced Florence Pugh and scene-stealing David Harbour to the MCU. 37. 'Batman Forever' (1995) The first post-Tim Burton Bat-flick has a bad rap for going full camp rather than keeping with the grittiness. But come on, Jim Carrey's Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones' Two-Face are out of their minds enough to be enjoyable. 36. 'The Lion King' (2019) Disney's "live action" remake brings the star power. Donald Glover as Simba! Beyoncé as Nala! The CGI animal characters are fairly dazzling to watch singing those old songs. The story, though? Same as it ever was. 35. 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith' (2005) "Sith" is the prequel trilogy that feels most like the original movies, the kind of dark episode that screams for a new hope down the line. Anakin and Obi-Wan's lightsaber brawl is an all-timer just for sheer brutality. 34. 'Toy Story 3' (2010) The most harrowing of all "Toy Story" movies. The gang is in existential crisis mode when they get thrown into a donation box and face their own mortality at a day care run by a sadistic teddy bear. It is, as the kids say, a lot. 33. 'Incredibles 2' (2018) The sequel to Pixar's greatest hit misses the scrappy charm and rousing attitude of the original. This time around, the superpowered clan struggle through personal issues while also working on getting some PR going. Top 3 scary moments in 'Jaws' 'Jaws' turns 50 this summer and USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt celebrates with his favorite bloody moments. 32. 'Tenet' (2020) Christopher Nolan's puzzle box of a thriller stars John David Washington and Robert Pattinson as secret agents who have to use time inversion to save the world. Still not sure what time inversion is but, man, it looks cool. 31. 'Wonder Woman' (2017) In the World War II adventure, the stirring sight of Gal Gadot's superhero walking across No Man's Land by herself, bullets bouncing off her bracelets and shield, is etched into cinema history. 30. 'Inside Out 2' (2024) We're not all teens hitting puberty, but we can understand the extra emotions involved in this clever Pixar sequel. There's something universally so relatable in watching a frazzle-haired Anxiety totally get in the way of inner Joy. 29. 'Men in Black' (1997) Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones' buddy-cop vibe is on point in this goofy sci-fi action comedy, with Smith as the suave and cocky rookie and Jones as the deadpan veteran. (Extra points for Big Willie's kicky title theme song.) 28. 'Ghost' (1990) A romantically supernatural palate cleanser among superhero adventures and macho fantasies – with the most sensuous pottery-making session you'll ever witness between Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. 27. 'Shrek' (2001) The original "Shrek" is downright hilarious poking fun at Disney and princess stories, and the buddy pairing of Mike Myers' grumpy ogre and Eddie Murphy's chatty donkey remains inspired genius. 26. 'The Omen' (1976) The horror movie wasn't the first in the creepy-kid genre, yet it's certainly one of the best and most infamous. Gregory Peck plays a diplomat who secretly adopts a baby who turns out to be the son of Satan. Oops. 25. 'Superman II' (1981) Even though "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was a summer release that ruled the rest of the year, the Man of Steel sequel was also a phenomenon. And that's because even when you take away Christopher Reeve's superpowers, that dude doesn't lose a lick of heroism. 24. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' (2011) Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, for all the magical marbles. You'll be psyched to watch this epic throwdown, plus a huge Battle of Hogwarts that's like "Avengers: Endgame" for kids with magic wands. 23. 'Finding Nemo' (2003) You, too, will be overly invested in the emotional lives of fish thanks to this heartwarming Pixar film. Albert Brooks upped his status among youngsters as an overprotective clownfish dad who desperately searches for his son. 22. 'Batman Returns' (1992) The art deco sequel/Christmas movie pits the Caped Crusader against the nightmarishly freaky Penguin and the fierce, leather-clad Catwoman. If you didn't meow when Michelle Pfeiffer showed up back in the day, you weren't living. 21. 'Armageddon' (1998) Sometimes an action movie is so proudly nuts that you just let the bonkers-ness wash over you. Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck are oil-drilling roughnecks who have to nuke an asteroid before it can wipe out humanity. Sure! 20. 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991) Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been better than as a reprogrammed hero T-800, and Robert Patrick's liquid-metal villain exudes unfeeling menace. Come for the special-effects bonanza, stay for a most epic thumbs-up. 19. 'Independence Day' (1996) Space invaders blow up the White House in an all-out assault on Earth, and Will Smith's hotshot pilot and Jeff Goldblum's brainiac scientist are among those who fight back with fervor. It's a B-movie with A-level excitement. 18. 'Grease' (1978) For musical-theater types, this is the one that you want. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sang and danced their way into America's hearts with a movie musical that features the least-dangerous high school gangs ever. 17. 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022) Tom Cruise absolutely cooks returning to his most iconic role (sorry, Ethan Hunt) alongside young Hollywood's finest ('sup, Glen Powell!), with more quality man hugs and go-for-broke macho attitude. 16. 'Spider-Man' (2002) Who cares if Tobey Maguire was 26 playing a wall-crawling teen with superpowers? Watching his Peter Parker learn to swing through New York City as Spidey gave comic-book fans life years before the MCU. 15. 'Barbie' (2023) Barbie Land. Barbie having an existential crisis. "I'm Just Ken." The Mojo Dojo Casa House. The patriarchy (ick). That feminist meta pop-culture moment everyone loved. All of that's Kenough to make a modern classic. 14. 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988) Cameos aplenty (Mickey Mouse! Bugs Bunny! Droppy Dog!) pepper the main plot of wacky Roger Rabbit being framed for murder and needing to team up with 'toon-hating private eye Eddie Valiant (a great Bob Hoskins). 13. 'The Lion King' (1994) The Disney classic gave children a taste of Shakespearean drama, whether they knew it or not, sprinkled with zesty Elton John tunes. An instant phenomenon as resonant as James Earl Jones' deep Mufasa voice. 12. 'The Avengers' (2012) Super-friends team up, navigate friction and save New York City from an alien invasion. It's the moment when the Marvel Cinematic Universe became an undeniable force and laid a spectacular Hulk smash on pop culture. 11. 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982) Still the best thing that ever happened for Reese's Pieces. Steven Spielberg's heartwarming fantasy followed a boy (Henry Thomas) who befriends a stranded alien trying to get home. The definition of an all-ages picture. 10. 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014) "The Avengers" was an easy home run. Marvel's more impressive big swing was getting audiences to fall in love with a talking raccoon, a tree and their motley crew of space misfits. Say it with me: We. Are. Groot. 9. 'Jurassic Park' (1993) Kids have always been fascinated by dinosaurs. Steven Spielberg just happened to put that wonder on-screen. Like Laura Dern and Sam Neill, our jaws drop when we see their majesty set to a stirring John Williams theme. 8. 'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' (1983) Yes, the one with the Ewoks is the best "Star Wars" trilogy closer. It's a satisfying conclusion that shows how weird this galaxy truly is, and also an emotional finale of a father finding redemption through his son. 7. 'Top Gun' (1986) "I'll be your wingman anytime." The fact that Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer's rival hotshots can be friends means there's hope for all of us. As Maverick, cockiness just drips off Cruise at all times, even in beach volleyball. 6. 'Batman' (1989) Tim Burton's stylish, striking and slightly gonzo take on the Dark Knight defined the hero for a generation. Michael Keaton brings enough madness that you think, yeah, this guy definitely dresses up as a bat to fight crime. 5. 'Jaws' (1975) The world wasn't ready for Steven Spielberg's scary story of a beach town beset by a killer great white. It's both a shark-fueled fright fest and an introspective quest for three men hunting a fish who all need a victory. 4. 'Star Wars' (1977) The original "Star Wars" captured hearts and minds with a farm boy, a rogue smuggler and a feisty princess taking on a far-reaching Empire. And Darth Vader is just the right foil for these underdogs. 3. 'The Dark Knight' (2008) Christian Bale's indefatigable Batman matches wits with Heath Ledger's chaotic, unpredictable Joker in Christopher Nolan's intoxicating, powerhouse affair about the fine line between good and evil. 2. 'Ghostbusters' (1984) Mixing adult comedy with kid-friendly shenanigans, ghostly mayhem and even a little thoughtful spirituality ensues when four guys protect Manhattan from being toasted by an ancient demon and a kaiju-sized marshmallow guy. 1. 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) From the opening battle on an ice planet to that truth-bomb cliffhanger, there are no false notes in the "Star Wars" sequel. Yoda teaches the life lesson, "Do or do not, there is no try." And this blockbuster succeeded in taking a nifty sci-fi fairy tale with Arthurian overtones and creating something magnificent and unforgettable.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
My husband wrote 'Jaws.' We need to better protect the oceans he loved.
My husband wrote 'Jaws.' We need to better protect the oceans he loved. | Opinion It is almost quaint that in the 1970s, when 'Jaws' hit movie theaters, people considered sharks our greatest ocean threat. Today, our oceans face many urgent challenges. Show Caption Hide Caption Top 3 scary moments in 'Jaws' 'Jaws' turns 50 this summer and USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt celebrates with his favorite bloody moments. When my late husband, Peter Benchley, and I celebrated our 40th anniversary, I had one wish: to go cage diving with great white sharks. After decades of ocean expeditions together, I'd often been the last one in the water − if I made it in at all. This time, I wanted to come face-to-face with the animals we now know are critical to ocean health. June 20 marks the 50th anniversary of when "Jaws" − the blockbuster film based on Peter's bestselling novel − first hit the big screen. What began as a fictional thriller about a coastal town became a cultural phenomenon. It thrilled audiences. It scared them, too. But it also sparked something else: fascination and wonder. In the years after "Jaws," Peter received thousands of letters from people all over the world. Students, teachers, divers and future marine biologists − they were all curious about sharks and the ocean. Many wanted to be like Matt Hooper, the young ichthyologist played by Richard Dreyfuss in the movie. 'Jaws' helped spur conservation research This curiosity opened the door for shark and ocean conservation research, which has transformed our understanding of the ocean. We joined scientists on ocean expeditions and saw the damage firsthand: shark finning, plastic pollution, dying reefs. We have learned that more than 100 million sharks are killed each year to keep up with demand for shark fin soup in China and across Asia. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationists and powerful public awareness campaigns, demand for shark fins has declined. The 'Jaws' effect: 'Jaws' scared swimmers out of the ocean 50 years ago. Here's what you didn't know about the shark saga. It is almost quaint that in the 1970s, people considered sharks our greatest ocean threat. Today, the ocean faces many urgent challenges. Climate change. Overfishing. Illegal and unregulated fishing. Deep-sea mining. Plastics. Offshore drilling. Warming and acidifying oceans. These aren't science fiction − they're happening now. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. This National Ocean Month, I hope scientists, activists, policymakers, legislators and state, local and federal leaders − and ocean lovers everywhere − will join this year's Peter Benchley Ocean Award winners and step up to support legislation to protect marine areas. Say no to expanded offshore drilling. Defend special places like sanctuaries and monuments. Choose sustainable seafood. Donate to conservation organizations. Volunteer for a beach cleanup. Visit your local aquarium and learn what's at stake. John Kerry and David Cameron: Help us protect oceans from climate change, pollution, overfishing | Opinion We still have much to learn about our oceans The ocean covers about 71% of our planet, yet we've explored only a tiny fraction of it. The vast majority of this enormous blue underworld is yet to be revealed. Each year, scientists discover new species − recently, a new species of guitar shark, for example. We could lose the opportunity to make such discoveries if we don't act quickly. As police chief Brody (Roy Scheider) famously said in "Jaws," "We're gonna need a bigger boat.' "Jaws" brought sharks and the ocean into the public imagination. Let's use this moment to protect it. We need all hands, working together, to fend off interests that would use the ocean to extract resources, threaten biodiversity and sacrifice cherished marine life. Wendy Benchley is an award-winning ocean advocate and scuba diver. She is cofounder of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, serves on the boards of WildAid and Blue Frontier and is an advisory trustee for the Environmental Defense Fund.
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How 'Jaws' fans can celebrate 50th anniversary at Universal Studios Hollywood, Florida
How 'Jaws' fans can celebrate 50th anniversary at Universal Studios Hollywood, Florida Show Caption Hide Caption Top 3 scary moments in 'Jaws' 'Jaws' turns 50 this summer and USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt celebrates with his favorite bloody moments. Universal Studios Hollywood features a "Jaws" encounter on the Studio Tour, along with photo opportunities and themed dining at Amity Island Cafe. Universal Studios Florida no longer has the Jaws ride, but offers photo opportunities with "Jaws"-themed props and limited-time snacks. Both parks celebrate the film's 50th anniversary with special events and entertainment, including a "Jaws"-themed parade and nighttime show. It's been 50 years since 'Jaws' first terrorized a generation of moviegoers. Nowadays, fans are more likely to squeal with delight than fear over the beloved Universal franchise, which still has an entire Amity Village at Universal Studios Japan. But fans don't have to go that far to celebrate the film's golden anniversary this summer. Here's what to do at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Do they still have Jaws at Universal Studios Hollywood? Yes. There's still a Jaws encounter on the World-Famous Studio Tour. (Tip: Sit to the right of the tram for the best view.) The tour is available all year long, but guests may notice a 'Jaws' addition to the Hollywood sign replica this summer. As part of Universal Studios Hollywood's Mega Movie Summer through Aug. 10, guests can also snap photos with the park's hanging shark, which has been brought back for an anniversary photo opp, along with a new meet-and-greet with Captain Quint and Chief Brody. Guests can find these outside the WaterWorld attraction. The California park has also temporarily transformed its quick-service Hollywood & Dine restaurant into Amity Island Cafe. Its 'Jaws'-inspired menu includes a lobster roll, a vegan crab cake sandwich and an oversized donut that looks like a lifesaver. From 'Jaws' to 'The Meg': Ranking the 10 best shark movies of all time Is Jaws still at Universal Studios Florida? Universal Orlando Resort's Jaws ride retired in 2012. However, its hanging shark is still displayed year-round. In honor of the film's 50th anniversary, Universal Studios Florida has also brought out two additional photo opps tied to the former attraction: one is its original billboard; the other looks like one of the boats from the ride, being chased by a shark. Guests will find these in the park's San Francisco area through July 6, along with limited-time "Jaws"-themed snacks. Each night until Aug. 24, guests can catch CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, on the park's waterfront before closing. The nighttime show features dancing fountains, projections, and music from some of Universal's most iconic films, including 'Jaws.' Pending weather, each day through Nov. 13, guests can also catch the Universal Mega Movie Parade, which features live characters, floats and Easter eggs from various Universal films, including 'Jaws.' Dates are subject to change. Guests should check Universal Orlando's free app for the latest updates.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
50 years ago, ‘Jaws' scared us senseless. We never got over it.
50 years ago, 'Jaws' scared us senseless. We never got over it. Show Caption Hide Caption Top 3 scary moments in 'Jaws' 'Jaws' turns 50 this summer and USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt celebrates with his favorite bloody moments. Name that theme song: Dunnn-dun. Dunnn-dun. Dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun. Who are we kidding? That terrifying two-note John Williams creation of course conjures the opening shark strike in 'Jaws,' which turns 50 on June 20. That's a half-century of scaring the bejesus out of generations of movie- and beachgoers. Five decades of us all scanning the horizon for fins while Hollywood thrashes about trying to replicate Steven Spielberg's blockbuster, from 'Shark Week' to 'The Meg.' Full confession: Seeing 'Jaws' kept me not only out of the ocean for years but also out of a pool. I've even heard of people who were scared to get into a bathtub. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Irrational? Sure. Uncommon? Not really. That was the revelation provided by a deep dive into the realm of 'Jaws' fanatics, many of whom have long gotten over their fear of open water and swapped it for a churning mania for the movie. The terror roars back this summer, with "Jaws" and its three (admittedly lesser) sequels airing on Peacock starting June 15, and NBC's three-hour presentation of the original film on June 20, featuring an introduction from Spielberg. There's also a big screen re-release on Aug. 29. Is 'Jaws' the scariest film of all time? Watch it once or hundreds of times and the scare seems fresh every time, says Dawn Keetley, editor of the journal Horror Studies and professor of English and film at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. "Spielberg presents this shark as a pure animal force that we run into at our peril," Keeltey says. She notes that "Jaws" starts out a pure horror film, then morphs into a perilous and tense buddy film when the three protagonists head off in a boat in search of the beast that haunts them. "Sharks stand in perfectly for wild nature that's at the edge of where humans can go, and as humans, we always push at the border," she says. "Sharks mark where we can't go very easily, maybe where we shouldn't go. To the dangerous and the forbidden." Don't be scared of sharks − 'more people die from taking selfies' Among the first moviegoers to be frightened by "Jaws" was Christopher Shaw Meyers, nephew of Robert Shaw, who memorably played doomed shark hunter Quint. "While I'd read the book (by Peter Benchley), oh, my God, was it terrifying,' he says. Meyers was a senior in high school when he joined his mother, Joanna, Shaw's sister, in a darkened Philadelphia movie house crammed with theater owners who were considering showing the film. His favorite part? The haunting soliloquy by his uncle, who explains his hatred of sharks after they ripped apart fellow servicemen on a sinking Navy ship. In defense of Carcharodon carcharias (aka, the great white), sharks aren't looking for humans. 'More people die from taking selfies than from sharks,' says Taylor Chapple, co-director of the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State University. 'But it's the uncertainty of it. The fear of the unknown. You think maybe there's a shark down there.' 'Jaws' tapped into that very primordial fear, which is chillingly encapsulated by Quint's famous USS Indianapolis speech: 'So, eleven hundred men went into the water. Three hundred and sixteen men come out, and the sharks took the rest.' 'The story is that the speech was very long, and Robert asked Steven if he could cut it back,' says Meyers, author of 'Robert Shaw: An Actor's Life on the Set of 'Jaws' and Beyond.' When the actor delivered his version, 'there was dead silence in the room, and Steven said, 'We have our picture.' ' For Steven Spielberg, 'Jaws' was both his 'origin story' and almost his career killer That moment of glee was rare for Spielberg, who at 27 was helming a movie based on a bestselling novel. Studio executives wanted not only a hit, but they wanted it fast. Spielberg, who had made 'Duel' and 'The Sugarland Express,' feared the swift end of a promising career. He was over budget, shooting on open water and dealing with a mechanical shark nicknamed Bruce (after his lawyer) that kept malfunctioning. (Shaw's son, Ian, played his father in a Broadway show he co-wrote about the 'Jaws' debacle called 'The Shark Is Broken.') The degree to which 'Jaws' traumatized its young director is evident in 'Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story,' a National Geographic documentary airing July 11 on Hulu and Disney+. Spielberg sat for director and friend Laurent Bouzereau and confessed: 'There was nothing fun about making 'Jaws.' ' In the documentary, Spielberg relates that long after the problematic 1974 shoot was over and the 1975 movie was a box-office smash, he had nightmares about the experience. He found solace in sneaking into Universal Studios theme park and curling up on the leather bench inside the Orca, the boat used for much of the shoot. 'I underestimated how traumatic it was for Steven. But he never wanted to give up, and that's one lesson from 'Jaws': Don't give up," Bouzereau says. " 'Jaws' is his origin story. But in our interview, I could feel the weight of that experience still sitting with him.' Most 'Jaws' cast members were Martha's Vineyard locals, who still have stories to tell For all the hardship of making the movie, 'Jaws' bit the culture hard and never let go. Helped by a PG rating that admitted many youngsters who had no idea of the horror in store, the movie raked in $1.5 billion, adjusted for inflation. Matt Taylor summered on Martha's Vineyard as a kid, and at age 7 in 1979, he was deemed old enough to see 'Jaws.' Four years on, the line for the film still snaked around the block. 'It was probably one of the most exciting movie events of my life. My heart was pounding out of my chest,' he says. 'I love the water, but when I go in, I still have to face the horizon.' Taylor's love of 'Jaws' eventually led him to compile photographs and memorabilia collected by locals during the shoot into the book 'Jaws: Memories From Martha's Vineyard,' which is being re-released this summer. One of the crucial ingredients of 'Jaws' is the preponderance of islanders who had parts in the movie, which featured fewer than 10 Hollywood actors, including Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody and Richard Dreyfuss as shark expert Matt Hooper. Those non-actors lent a realism that shooting on a Hollywood lot with seasoned stars cannot replicate. Many of them still participate in "Jaws" meet-and-mingle events. For a long time, the islanders kept their memories of 'Jaws' to themselves, 'but it seems to me like the Vineyard has reacted to its own fame in the past decade or so,' says Taylor, himself a local now. 'These days there's 'Jaws' merchandise in every shop, 'Jaws'-themed food dishes, 'Jaws' tours of the island, and of course those locals who were in it who share their stories.' From fests to homemade 'Jaws' remakes, fans can't get enough of their favorite film Stephen Duncan trekked from Los Angeles to Martha's Vineyard for the first JawsFest in 2005, but he's not sure he'll be able to return this year, instead perhaps taking in a 'Jaws: The Exhibition' display at LA's Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. 'They've gotten wise, and it's gotten expensive" to attend the Martha's Vineyard confab, says Duncan, who works in the title insurance business but also runs a website dedicated to his passion for 'Jaws.' 'I've seen the movie maybe 300 times, enough so that if you said a line, I could say the next one,' he says. Well, here's an easy one: 'That's a 20-footer,' Hooper gasps as the great white swims past the Orca. 'Twenty-five. Three tons of him,' Quint adds. You know what's next − a catchphrase repurposed endlessly since 1975. Says a shell-shocked Brody: 'You're gonna need a bigger boat.' Such inspired dialogue (Scheider improvised the line) coupled with Spielberg's Hitchcockian use of point of view – in that opening shark attack, we never see a shark – is what keeps 'Jaws' fresh half a century on, says Ross Williams, who started the U.K. site The Daily Jaws. 'I saw it with my mum when I was 5, and it's been my favorite movie ever since,' he says. In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Williams invited fans to co-create the "Jaws WeMake," a "Jaws" tribute of sorts featuring a pastiche of animation, Lego figures and home movie shoots of classic scenes. Fans from more than 200 countries contributed. 'In 1975, people thought they were watching a 'shark movie,' and they were,' he says. 'But 50 years on, we realize 'Jaws' is about family, home, duty, politics, the class system, the past, healing from trauma and so much more.' For Williams, all of life seems to be captured in the oversized mandibles of Spielberg's enduring cinematic masterpiece. 'Like all classics,' he says, ' 'Jaws' is the movie that keeps on giving.'
