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Happy 50th birthday, “Jaws”! You’re still looking good and still freaking people out.
Steven Spielberg’s killer shark movie celebrates a big anniversary today, and if there’s going to be a party, it might as well be a Watch Party. It’s time to revisit that classic in a major way, plus reconnect with another throwback: “28 Years Later” is here to continue the post-apocalyptic carnage that started in 2002’s “28 Days Later.” And for youngsters, plus those who can’t handle rage-filled ghouls or deadly fish, Pixar’s “Elio” takes audience to space for a tale of a lonely boy meeting his new alien bestie.
Now on to the good stuff:
Celebrate 50 years of shark-chomping cinema with Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’
When it comes to Hollywood, there was everything before the first time John Williams’ two-note theme hit and then everything after that great white went to town on the populace of Amity Island. “Jaws” was the original blockbuster, which captured the public’s mind and sent people flocking to theaters to see it for themselves. My bud Marco della Cava wrote a piece about how Spielberg’s classic scared folks senseless and some still are not over it, while I went ahead and ranked the biggest blockbusters of every summer since 1975. (So “Jaws” gets some serious competition from the likes of not one, not two but five “Star Wars” movies, plus some Batman flicks and “The Avengers.”)
And we’re not scared. We’ve dove in on all things “Jaws,” from shark movie rankings, 50 facts you need to know about the movie, star Richard Dreyfuss’ memories of making the film and a look at how “Jaws” paved the way for every blockbuster that came afterward. And if you need to watch or revisit “Jaws” and its three sequels – the second one’s not terrible! – they’re all streaming on Peacock, FYI.
Revisit the post-apocalyptic world of ’28 Days Later’ with ’28 Years Later’
Zombie movies and TV shows wouldn’t have reached the popularity they’ve had over the past 25 years were it not for the success of “28 Days Later.” Ironically, the victims of a rage virus in the U.K. have been called “fast zombies” for their sprinting abilities rather than usual undead lumbering, though director Danny Boyle doesn’t love the “z” word. But I am happy to report that the new sequel “28 Years Later” is meaty indeed, a revisit to that post-apocalyptic world almost three decades later where the infected have evolved and so has the movie’s thematic depth.
I talked with Boyle and writer Alex Garland, the original “28 Days” creators back for the follow-up, about how the sequel echoes the original movie and introduces interesting new characters like Ralphie Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson. Because he covers himself in iodine, this guy “looks very strange and lives surrounded by bones,” Garland says, “but actually turns out to be completely compassionate and reasonable, counter to your expectations.”
Have your heart warmed by Pixar’s sci-fi adventure ‘Elio’
If your family’s not into hungry sharks or not-really-zombies, perhaps Pixar’s new sci-fi adventure is more their speed. A lonely 11-year-old boy named Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) has had it with Earth and wants to be abducted by aliens. He gets his wish and is introduced to a wide variety of strange creatures who all think he’s the leader of the planet. Like other Pixar jams, friendship is at its center – Elio becomes BFFs with the blobby Glorgon – but it also tackles loneliness. Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña, who voices Elio’s aunt, told me about how when she’s had tough moments in her life, she’s reached out to others in the arts. “I was able to realize that, one, I wasn’t alone,” she says. “And two, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“Elio” is a sweet, thoughtful homage to a lot of kid-centric 1980s sci-fi movies, though it’s pretty middling for a Pixar outing – which, given the animation’s storied history, is not too shabby. I’ve updated our Pixar movie rankings to show how “Elio” stacks up against the studio’s best.
Even more goodness to check out!
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I have seen the new racing flick “F1: The Movie” and, fam, Brad Pitt is in his element with what’s essentially “Top Gun” on wheels. (More on that film next week!)
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“The Gilded Age” is back, baby! Here’s a list of what other streaming TV shows premiere or return this weekend.
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Rising star Mason Thames talks about those dragon-riding scenes in “How to Train Your Dragon” and teases his role in a Green Day movie.
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“Bride Hard” co-stars – and aca-awesome “Pitch Perfect” castmates – Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp spill on their wedding-day fiascos.
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If you’ve been following the parade of “Hunger Games” casting news, “Sunrise on the Reaping” added two new big names to the mix – including an eight-time Oscar nominee.
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Here’s a piece for anyone wondering about the differences between Amazon’s new “We Were Liars” series and the original book. (Spoilers ahoy!)
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email btruitt@usatoday.com and follow me on the socials: I’m @briantruitt on Bluesky, Instagram and Threads.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to watch: ‘Jaws’ at 50, ’28 Years Later,’ ‘Elio’
