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The National
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
As Jaws turns 50, the 10 scariest shark movies ever made
The scariest films tap into something primal. Shark attack movies may have begun with Jaws in 1975, but the genre endures because Jaws was merely the first to articulate a fear that nearly all of us have felt – the dread of what may be lurking below our feet in the watery depths below. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws' release today, here are some of the most terrifying films – in no particular order – that tap into the age-old dynamic of man versus shark. 47 Meters Down (2017) 47 Meters Down is directed by Johannes Roberts, and stars Mandy Moore and Claire Holt as sisters. The film follows the two as they go on a shark-cage diving expedition off the coast of Mexico. During the dive, the winch snaps and the cage drops 47 metres to the ocean floor. As the oxygen depletes and panic ensues, sharks begin to circle the cage. Made on a modest budget of $5 million, the film grossed more than $60 million in box-office returns. The small budget allowed for a larger focus on creating a suspenseful and toe-curling experience without the need for bombastic effects. Open Water (2003) In 1998, Tom and Eileen Lonergan went out with a scuba diving group on the Great Barrier Reef, only to be accidentally left behind. They were never seen again. Open Water, from director Chris Kentis, imagines what may have happened to them into one of the bleakest films of the century thus far. And while it does eventually build to violent confrontations with the ocean's apex predators, Open Wate r is at its most chilling in anticipation of that fateful event. And because it was made on a low-budget in pseudo-documentary style, it's impossible to divorce this film from the reality that inspired it. Jaws (1975) Director Steven Spielberg has made a plethora of masterpieces in his decades-long career, but even if he'd stopped after Jaws, his reputation would have been sealed. Jaws remains a masterclass in suspense filmmaking and the birth of the modern blockbuster, all with richly rendered characters. But what's most surprising is, even 50 years later, it's still deeply unnerving. A true classic – and should remain a film each generation discovers at a young age when they're ready for something scary. Dangerous Animals (2025) Written by Nick Lepard and directed by Sean Byrne, Dangerous Animals may have had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, but this is no highbrow art film. The film follows Hassie Harrison's Zephyr, an American surfer kidnapped by a shark-obsessed psychopath Bruce Tucker, played by Jai Courtney, who holds her captive aboard his trawler for ritualistic shark-feeding sessions. The movie may be the latest shark-based horror flick in a long line to deliver nautical scares, but many are calling it the best in years. Combining the fear of sharks with the demented mind of a serial killer, Dangerous Animals, now in cinemas, delivers a truly new experience to the subgenre. The Shallows (2016) Less is more. Rarely is that more clear than in director Jaume Collet-Serra's The Shallows. There are only two main characters to be found here – one is a medical student named Nancy Adams (Blake Lively), who goes out surfing and is stranded on a rock 180 metres from shore, and the other is a great white shark. In the film's pulse-pounding 86-minute runtime, Adams must find a way back to safety. Jaws 2 (1978) While it's often dismissed because of the greatness of its predecessor, Jaws 2 deserves a second look. Sure, it may not reach the heights of the first, but it's a cracking horror film in its own right – revealing the monster far earlier and upping the body count. Ultimately, Jaws 2 is more comparable to Halloween or Friday the 13th, only the shark is the slasher picking off the core characters one by one instead of Jason or Michael Myers. Give it a shot, and you'll find it's one of the most underrated fright flicks of the 1970s. Deep Blue Sea (1999) The sci-fi horror directed by Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin, who previously directed Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger may not be realistic, but it delivers the goods. Set in an isolated underwater research facility, the film follows a group of scientists who are genetically engineering mako sharks to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Things go horribly wrong when the sharks attain intelligence and turn on the scientists. Renowned for its fast-paced action, suspenseful atmosphere and surprising plot twists, Deep Blue Sea features a strong cast that includes Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J and Samuel L Jackson. The film has become a cult favourite for its mixture of CGI and animatronic effects, which were provided by Stan Winston Studios that previously worked on Jurassic Park and Aliens. The Reef (2010) Australian survival horror film The Reef is written, directed and produced by Andrew Traucki. The filmmaker specialises in survival thrillers, but this remains his best. Inspired by real-life events, the film follows five friends whose boat capsizes on the way to Indonesia after striking a coral reef, forcing them into shark-infested waters as they attempt a perilous swim to safety. The Reef is another stellar example of a shark attack film that delivers scares without a massive budget. Filmed on location in Queensland, the movie uses actual great white shark footage mixed with on-set scenes. If there is one true hidden gem to be discovered from this list, it's The Reef. Its sequel, however, is more of a mixed bag. Bait 3D (2012) While you may have to adjust your aesthetic expectations from Steven Spielberg to more of an old-school Roger Corman monster movie, Bait is an often-thrilling suspense film that follows a group of people who are being hunted by bloodthirsty great white shark while strapped in a grocery store during a freak tsunami. This is a good time if you don't set your expectations too high. Under Paris (2024) A global hit when it released on Netflix last summer, this French action-horror disaster film directed by Xavier Gens follows a grieving marine biologist who is compelled to face her tragic past to save Paris from a giant shark that appears in the Seine river. While it's more thrilling than scary, it does offer moments of claustrophobic tension that may have you gasping for air.
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Recreational fishers back move to encourage investment in Queensland commercial seafood
Recreational fishers have backed a move to lift warnings that were stifling investment in commercial seafood operations, saying both sectors have been neglected. For more than a decade, every fishery in the state was subject to an investment warning that indicated regulation changes were on the cards that could affect the financial viability of businesses. But the Queensland government has removed them, effective immediately, saying 93 per cent of Queensland's fishing stocks had been identified as sustainable. David Trask, the president of the Queensland Game Fishing Association (QGFA), which represents 21 clubs and about 2,000 anglers, said all forms of fishing had been undervalued. "The QGFA is happy to support any initiative that the Queensland government wishes to implement that shines a welcome spotlight onto all things fishing," he said. The two industries have at times clashed over fish populations and the regulations imposed to improve them. But Mr Trask said both sectors had been pleading for more support and recognition for their economic contribution. "The QGFA supports appropriately adopted fish stock and fish monitoring and resultant bag limits that flow from proper scientific stock assessments," he said. "Not knee-jerk reactions as we have all been subjected to in the past." David Caracciolo founded the Mackay Fish Market on the Great Barrier Reef almost 30 years ago. He said why the warnings had been left in place for so long was a mystery. "It's just like buying a house knowing it's going to be demolished in three or four years' time," Mr Caracciolo said. "Why would you invest in an industry or a fishery if there's a warning saying not to?" Bundaberg seafood proprietor Paul Grunske said the warnings had caused uncertainty for fishing families and prevented new people from entering the industry. "Right across Queensland, people have been shying away from buying in or pursuing a career in fishing when there's an investment warning on a fishery," he said. "Nobody's got any confidence, so to hear that they're finally lifting these sorts of things can only be for the good." Mr Grunske hoped it was enough to encourage more people to enter the sector. "It'd be great … to see some young people coming through," he said. Mr Grunske hoped the amendment signalled the start of further reforms for the sector, including addressing closed fisheries. Scallop fisheries between Mackay and the Fraser Coast have been closed since 2021 after the spawning biomass dropped to 12 per cent. There had been promises of a reopening once levels reach 30 per cent, but it was uncertain when the target would be met. It forced Mr Grunske, who previously relied on local scallops, to import from Japan. "It has an effect on the broader community because we're not utilising our fisheries resource," he said. Independent seafood producer Sean McAtamney said the warnings had stifled the once-thriving Gulf fishing industry. He said the northern fishing and prawn industry's major ports in Karumba and Weipa were in steep decline, having lost more than half of their inshore fisheries in the past 18 months. "Some of these investment warnings have been in place since 1990, and the industry has always felt that it was completely unnecessary that they've been in place for so long," Mr McAtamney said. "I hope that we can use this in a positive way to encourage our fishing industry that there is some hope in their legacy. "Whether it be for their families or investors to come in and invest in our fishing industry and hopefully put some confidence back in, where we can start to see some growth." Mr McAtamney, who is also a spokesperson for the Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fisher Association, said the industry was working with the government to improve sustainability and policy. "If we don't start to underscore these proteins … mud crab, mackerel, staples of the fish and chip shop sector in Queensland … they're going to become unaffordable for the average person to be able to enjoy them," he said. He hoped it signalled the government was open to further discussion on other policies, like gill net bans. "We proudly go to work every night and day to produce this protein, and we certainly don't go to work on the basis that we want to see our fishery not sustainable and not have a future," he said. "I do hope that the current government remains open-minded to remaining flexible in terms of implementation of potentially reviewing some of those closures." In Mackay, Mr Caracciolo said, beyond the investment warnings, the gill net issue would also need to be addressed for more fishers to return to profitability. "I can't see anyone rushing to invest in the industry because, well, we've got no inshore fishery," he said. "I can't see it increasing a lot of effort into the industry, a lot of enthusiasm at all, or confidence because there's just not a lot there to get enthusiastic about."
ABC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Dr Ann's Secret Lives uncovers wildlife mysteries this July
Watch a first-look clip here ABC's beloved nature nerd, Dr Ann Jones gets up close with some elusive and sometimes dangerous wildlife in the new 6-part series Dr Ann's Secret Lives. The new series is set to premiere Tuesday 15 July at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. Across the immersive series, Dr Ann steps into the field alongside scientists as they uncover the secrets of how these remarkable creatures adapt, survive, and thrive in their environments. From dense rainforests to remote coastal regions, each episode offers a rare and intimate look at one animal. On the Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Dr Ann comes face-to face with a heavily pregnant bull shark, and in the Pilbara, WA, she goes fishing for deadly, mysterious sea snakes. In the steamy heart of Borneo's jungle Dr Ann looks for wild orangutans; and in the Dampier Archipelago, WA, she meets three species of turtle. In Moreton Bay, QLD, Dr Ann helps catch a dugong for an onboard health check, and along the edge of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo, she hunts for one of the weirdest mammals on the planet, the scaly, labrador-sized pangolin. Dr Ann's infectious enthusiasm and deep respect for nature provides a unique perspective. Blending scientific inquiry with heartfelt storytelling, this series offers an intimate look into the challenges and triumphs of wildlife research. Always free and Always entertaining, discover more enlightening and inspiring science programs on ABC iview now. Production Credits: An ABC Production. Producers: Anthony Barwell, Suzanna Vuletich, Sophie Walsh, Rainer Kelly. Series Producer: Elle Gibbons. Executive Producer: Penny Palmer. ABC Head of Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones.
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- News.com.au
Man who climbed up ropes of cruise ship in Sydney Harbour fined $4000 over ‘really stupid' stunt
A man who climbed up the ropes of a cruise ship on Sydney Harbour in a self-proclaimed 'really stupid' stunt has been fined $4000. George Frederick Carr, 29, climbed up the ropes of the Carnival Adventure cruise ship at the overseas passenger terminal at The Rocks in Sydney on May 17. Video of Carr's bizarre climb was widely shared on social media last month, capturing him hanging upside down as he made his way up the ropes. However his adventure was short-lived, with police called to the scene about 3pm. Footage showed a police boat below as the man stood on the ropes before he was lowered down and escorted away by officers. Carr pleaded guilty in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday morning to charges of enter cleared zone when not screened and cleared, and enter landside and waterside restricted zones when not authorised. Magistrate Elizabeth Bushby had to take a moment to look up the unusual offences before sentencing. 'I'm gonna have to look this up because this is not an event that commonly comes before court,' she said. Representing himself, Carr then told the court that he'd climbed the rope to do a 'stunt', believing the cruise ship was bound for Europe when it was due to depart on a nine-day round trip to the Great Barrier Reef. 'I just thought I'd climb the rope and get in through the latch,' Carr told the court. 'But I didn't get inside the boat and they lowered the rope and they caught me.' He told Ms Bushby that he had been 'really stupid'. However, Ms Bushby told him the offences were 'more than a stunt', with the clear zones of the harbour in place to protect the community and species in the area. She also pointed to the large number of resources that were taken up trying to 'prevent (Mr Carr) from following through with (his) plan'. Ms Bushby accepted that it was a 'spontaneous' offence, but it's nature was 'unexplained'. Emphasising the importance of deterring others from committing similar offences, Ms Bushby handed down two $1250 fines for each of the two charges related to entering a cleared zone and entering a landside restricted zone. A further $1500 fine was also handed down for the charge relating to entering the waterside restricted zone. Ms Bushby told the court that the third offence was 'objectively more serious' than the others. 'That matter is an objectively more serious example of the offences in your conduct when you were in that zone and the resources that were taken up,' she told the court.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Pressure is your friend': Jockey Cejay Graham's tip to conjure 2025 Stradbroke Handicap fairytale with The Inflictor
Pressure is your friend. Young jockey Cejay Graham has those words ringing in her ears as she prepares for the 'pinch myself moment' of riding in her first Stradbroke Handicap. The words were delivered by Graham's mentor, trainer Kelly Schweida, after the young jockey came from Port Macquarie on the New South Wales mid-coast to be Schweida's apprentice in the big smoke in Brisbane a couple of years ago. And never have they been more fitting as Graham, 26, prepares to ride Queensland fairytale horse The Inflictor in Saturday's $3m Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. 'The best bit of advice Kelly has given me was that pressure is your friend,' Graham said. 'You've got to absorb the pressure and embrace it. 'That's one thing he said to me that really stuck, because coming from a few knock-backs early in my riding career I wasn't initially too confident with some things and he just said 'don't let the pressure get to you'. 'If you don't have pressure, you probably aren't going really good, are you? 'So when you put it like that, you want the pressure, don't you? 'It is a pretty cool saying that is stuck in my head.' • J-Mac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid Graham might hail from New South Wales, but she now considers herself as Queensland as the Great Barrier Reef. And that's just as well because a lot of Queensland will be supporting her – and the remarkable story of The Inflictor and his 60-year-old truck driving hobby trainer Craig Cousins – in the Stradbroke. 🎥 | Truck driver and hobby trainer Craig Cousins chats to @bendorries76 about his fairytale Stradbroke Handicap contender The Inflictor. STORY: — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 4, 2025 The Inflictor is the home-bred hero who qualified for the Stradbroke by winning the ballot exempt race of The Gateway at Eagle Farm last December. Graham rode the four-year-old gelding to win that day and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. She is pinching herself that she has a chance to ride him to glory in the Stradbroke, in a race which will be her fourth career Group 1 ride. Racenet's @bendorries76 was at Breakfast With The Stars at Eagle Farm this morning as Stradbroke Handicap contenders strutted their stuff. Here's The Inflictor with Cejay Graham in the saddle ... and you can read more about the fairytale galloper here ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 9, 2025 'Craig was pretty adamant he wanted to stick with me straight after The Gateway, so it's great that he has done that and its fantastic to be given the opportunity,' Graham said. 'It's real pinch myself kind of stuff. 'I think there will be a lot of Queenslanders cheering for us on the day. 'I've done a lot of work with him behind the scenes, I definitely know the horse inside and out. 'He is tough when he leads, but he doesn't have to lead. 'I think he's got a great chance. "He said, 'don’t worry about mine, yours is a genuine chance'." Larrikin trainer Craig Cousins has extra confidence in his Stradbroke horse The Inflictor after a chance encounter with Chris Waller. @bendorries76 @Racing_QLD — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 4, 2025 'And I've really got to thank Kelly (Schweida) for his support as I wouldn't have got the gig riding up in Brisbane without him. 'And if it wasn't for his continued support coming out of my apprenticeship, I might have struggled a bit. 'He has backed me 100 per cent and I owe him everything.'
