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We recently celebrated the first official day of summer, and for many Americans that means the unrestrained start of beach (or lake) season. But is this the right time to brave the crowds? Will there be crowds? If your heart says “sun, sand and water” but your head says “social distancing,” here are a few select films to make you feel better about being firmly planted on your couch rather than at sea. Blame it on thalassophobia – fear of the open water!
Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Schieder and Robert Shaw in “Jaws” (Universal Pictures photo)
“Jaws” (1975) – The Steven Spielberg classic is THE iconic summer blockbuster. A 25-foot, 3-ton great white shark terrorizes the shoreline of Amity Island, just as its residents are in full Fourth of July preparations. Roy Schieder as police chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint and Richard Dreyfuss as oceanographer Matt Hooper square off against a giant mechanical shark that felt so real, it is still a relevant reference today.
“Lake Placid” (1999) – Thought you were safe at the lake? Nuh-uh. Game officer Jack Wells (Bill Pullman) and paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) investigate a suspicious scuba-diving death with one big clue: a very large, possibly prehistoric tooth. The cast of characters includes Oliver Platt as a wise-cracking mythology expert and Brendan Gleeson as the bloodthirsty sheriff. And who can forget national treasure Betty White as Mrs. Bickerman, whose croc-enabling eccentricities spawned (pun intended) a series of follow-up films.
“47 Meters Down” (2017) – What’s better than a relaxing, sun-filled vacation South of the Border? How about intentionally submerging oneself in the ocean in the middle of shark town with a limited supply of oxygen? Super fun, sign me up! For sisters Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore), this is what vacation looks like, but when the cord tethering their protective diving cage to the boat snaps and the cage goes plunging to the ocean floor, things get real. The sisters must contend with great white sharks circling, and it’s terrifying.
“The Shallows” (2016) – A riveting performance from Blake Lively as Nancy, who seeks out the perfect secluded cove to surf without knowing it’s already been claimed by a vicious shark. After she’s attacked and wounded, left stranded on a rocky outcrop, she will have to use every wit and grit to outlast the great white and get back to shore.
“Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954) – Be careful what you look for. You might find it! An Amazonian expedition by geologist Dr. Carl Maia (Antonio Moreno) finds an interesting fossil of what might be an evolutionary link between man and sea creature. He enlists Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) and the lovely Kay (Julie Adams) to come to Brazil for a second expedition. The crew get more than they bargained for when out of the depths pops the living link itself.
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© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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