Spring Break Shark Attack

Last updated

Spring Break Shark Attack
Spring Break Shark Attack premiere poster.jpg
premiere poster
Directed by Paul Shapiro
Written byJames LaRosa
Based onstory by J.J. Jamieson
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Brierley
Edited byMicky Blythe
Music by Danny Lux
Production
companies
Distributed by CBS Television Network
Release date
  • 20 March 2005 (2005-03-20)(United States)
Running time
88 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • South Africa
LanguageEnglish

Spring Break Shark Attack is a 2005 joint South African/American made-for-TV thriller film. It was the brainchild of executive producer J.J. Jamieson, who wrote the initial story and sold it to CBS. The teleplay was written by James LaRosa and directed by Paul Shapiro. The film stars Shannon Lucio, Riley Smith, and Justin Baldoni, with Kathy Baker and Bryan Brown. [1] [2] [3] After television release in the United States, [4] the film had a limited non-US theatrical release, before going to DVD.

Contents

Plot

During spring break, when a pack of tiger sharks begins a feeding frenzy on partying teen-aged bathers, the only safe place is up on the beach far from the water. Fighting for survival, a group of young people must attempt to outsmart nature's perfect predator.

Danielle (Shannon Lucio) is a teen-aged girl who, against her father's wishes, heads to Florida for spring break. Rather than the truth, she tells her parents that she is going to spend the time working with Habitat For Humanity, but she instead meets up with two girlfriends who have rented a beach house at Seagull Beach, Florida, for a week, fully intent on having a good time. As she explores the beach area, she meets the creepy J.T. (Justin Baldoni), who sees her as only a spring break sexual conquest. She also meets local charter boat owner Shane Jones (Riley Smith), and decides she likes him. J.T. is willing to do anything to achieve his goal of sex with Danielle, and so charters the boat that Shane and his mother (Kathy Baker) have been hiring out to tourists. When everyone is out at sea they learn that the waters are becoming infested with an increasing number of tiger sharks. Danielle's marine biologist brother, Charlie (Wayne Thornley) just happens to also be doing research on an artificial reef in the same location, and must determine how best to save his sister and warn others.

Cast

Critical response

The Washington Post offered that Spring Break Shark Attack was "a true dream title" for something viewers might expect to watch on late night Cinemax or on USA Network in prime time, or find in a list of direct-to-video losers. They also offered that even with the ridiculous title, the film's "scary parts really are scary, enough so that little kids should be sent to their rooms." [1] Visual effects were approved, in that when a partly chewed victim washes up on the beach, it actually looked like a partially eaten shark victim, rather than something sanitized for television. They felt the film "works on its own frankly silly, fitfully gripping level" if one has "two hours to kill and a harmless lust for artificial blood." [1]

DVD Talk spoke toward the film being a drama about teens who look older than they're supposed to who have "to deal with their relationships and romantic encounters and all the melodrama that accompanies that type of material" and described it as "basically Beverly Hills 90210 with sharks." [2] They felt the film had an issue with the sharks themselves being used at first so infrequently that the final 20 minutes of the film become makes "up for lost time by throwing in sharks by the hundreds." [2] While the anticipated underwater photography is limited, there "are a couple of decent shark/kill scenes and a corpse or two that washes up on the beach, but nothing interesting enough to really stand out or make the film more any more enjoyable." [2] The film's cinematography is decent and the film looks nice, and while no performance is particularly bad, no one stands out either. The film thus becomes the "very embodiment of mediocrity, resulting in boredom – the biggest sin a movie can commit." [2] The film's very few appreciated moments do not act to save the film. [2]

Dread Central found the film to be "two hours of mildly laughable, suspense-free entertainment," [3] where CBS's attempt to create a nature gone amok genre failed in its purpose. [3]

Marissa Piazzola of Huffington Post listed the film among the "Top 8 Teen Movies About Spring Break!" [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>From Justin to Kelly</i> 2003 film by Robert Iscove

From Justin to Kelly is a 2003 American musical romantic comedy film, written by Kim Fuller and directed by Robert Iscove. The movie features Kelly Clarkson, the winner of the first season of American Idol, and Justin Guarini, the runner-up. A critical and commercial failure, the film received the Golden Raspberry Award for "Worst 'Musical' of Our First 25 Years" in 2005. It has gained a reputation as one of the worst movies ever made.

<i>Zombi 2</i> 1979 film directed by Lucio Fulci

Zombi 2 is a 1979 Italian zombie film directed by Lucio Fulci. It was adapted from an original screenplay by Dardano Sacchetti to serve as a sequel to George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978), which was released in Italy under the title Zombi. It stars Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, and Richard Johnson, and features a score by frequent Fulci collaborator Fabio Frizzi. Frizzi's score has been released independently of the film, and he has performed it live on tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Panabaker</span> American actress (born 1987)

Danielle Nicole Panabaker is an American actress. She began acting as a teenager and came to prominence for her roles in the Disney films Stuck in the Suburbs (2004), Sky High (2005) and Read It and Weep (2006), and in the HBO miniseries Empire Falls (2005). She won three Young Artist Awards: for guest-starring in an episode of the legal drama television series The Guardian (2004), for her lead role in the TV film Searching for David's Heart (2005) and for her ensemble performance in the family comedy film Yours, Mine & Ours (2005).

<i>The New Guy</i> 2002 teen comedy film directed by Ed Decter

The New Guy is a 2002 American teen comedy film directed by Ed Decter, written by David Kendall and starring DJ Qualls and Eliza Dushku.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gidget</span> Fictional character

Gidget is a fictional character created by author Frederick Kohner in his 1957 novel, Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas. The novel follows the adventures of a teenage girl and her surfing friends on the beach in Malibu. The name Gidget is a portmanteau of "girl" and "midget". Following the novel's publication, the character appeared in several films, television series, and television movies.

<i>The Fog</i> (2005 film) 2005 film by Rupert Wainwright

The Fog is a 2005 supernatural horror film directed by Rupert Wainwright and starring Tom Welling, Selma Blair, and Maggie Grace. It is a remake of John Carpenter's 1980 film of the same name and was produced by Carpenter and Debra Hill who co-wrote the original film.

<i>The Glass House</i> (2001 film) Film by Daniel Sackheim

The Glass House is a 2001 American psychological mystery thriller film directed by Daniel Sackheim and written by Wesley Strick. The film stars Leelee Sobieski, Diane Lane, Stellan Skarsgård, and Bruce Dern with supporting roles by Kathy Baker, Trevor Morgan, and Chris Noth. It tells the story of two siblings who go to live with friends of their parents as the oldest of the siblings starts to get suspicious of the family friends' patriarch.

<i>Crowned and Dangerous</i> American TV series or program

Crowned and Dangerous is a 1997 American made-for-TV film based on a true story and starred Yasmine Bleeth, Cassidy Rae, George Eads, Jill Clayburgh and Gates McFadden. The film premiered on September 21, 1997 on ABC.

<i>Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat</i> 1989 film

Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat is a 1989 American Western comedy horror film directed by Anthony Hickox and starring David Carradine, Bruce Campbell, Morgan Brittany, and Deborah Foreman. It was written by Hickox and John Burgess.

<i>The Haunting of Molly Hartley</i> 2008 American film

The Haunting of Molly Hartley is a 2008 American supernatural horror film written by John Travis and Rebecca Sonnenshine and directed by Mickey Liddell. The film, starring Haley Bennett, Chace Crawford, AnnaLynne McCord, and Jake Weber, was panned by critics but was a mild commercial success, grossing $15.4 million against a $5 million budget.

<i>Home and Away: Romances</i> Season of television series

Home and Away: Romances is an exclusive-to-DVD special of Australia's most popular soap Home and Away. It was released on 2 November 2005 and unlike it previous two DVD releases, Secrets and the City and Hearts Divided which only contained three episodes each, this release is completely different, this takes a look back at all the classic Home and Away relationships over the past 17 years of the show from 1988 to 2005. It is hosted by Home and Away star Beau Brady and has everything from first meetings to good and bad dates, first kisses to love triangles and proposals to happy endings. The DVD also contains the movie length pilot episode, which is a rare chance for fans to go back to where it all began.

<i>Malibu Shark Attack</i> Canadian TV series or program

Malibu Shark Attack is a 2009 TV film, directed by David Lister and produced for the Syfy channel. It is the 19th film in the Maneater Series. The film was released on DVD on August 16, 2011.

<i>Shark Attack 3</i> 2002 American film

Shark Attack 3: Megalodon is the second sequel to Shark Attack, released in 2002 direct-to-video. The film is notable for featuring John Barrowman, who later found fame in popular shows such as Doctor Who and Torchwood. Barrowman has said in an interview on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross that he only did the film for the money, and was rather embarrassed when a clip from the film was shown. Actress Jenny McShane from the first Shark Attack film has a starring role, albeit as a completely different character.

<i>The Age of Adaline</i> 2015 American film by Lee Toland Krieger

The Age of Adaline is a 2015 American romantic fantasy film directed by Lee Toland Krieger and written by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz. The film stars Blake Lively as Adaline, with Michiel Huisman, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn. Narrated by Hugh Ross, the story follows Adaline Bowman, a young woman who stops aging following an accident at the age of 29.

<i>The Shallows</i> (film) 2016 film by Jaume Collet-Serra

The Shallows is a 2016 American survival horror thriller film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, written by Anthony Jaswinski and starring Blake Lively. In the film, medical student Nancy Adams gets stranded 200 yards (180 m) from shore and must use her wits and determination to survive a great white shark attack. Principal photography began in October 2015 in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

<i>Sharkansas Womens Prison Massacre</i> 2016 American film

Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre is a 2016 American science fiction action horror film directed by Jim Wynorski and starring Dominique Swain and Traci Lords. It was released direct-to-DVD in the U.S. on May 3, 2016.

<i>Five Feet Apart</i> 2019 film by Justin Baldoni

Five Feet Apart is a 2019 American romantic drama film directed by Justin Baldoni and written by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis. The film was inspired by Claire Wineland, who suffered from cystic fibrosis. Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse play two young patients with cystic fibrosis who try to have a relationship despite being forced to stay six feet apart from each other. The film was released in the United States on March 15, 2019 by CBS Films via Lionsgate. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $92 million worldwide.

<i>The Wilds</i> (TV series) American drama television series

The Wilds is an American drama television series created by Sarah Streicher for Amazon Prime Video. The series revolves around a group of teenage girls who are left stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, but are unaware they are the subjects of a social experiment. The cast features Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause, Mia Healey, Helena Howard, Erana James, Sarah Pidgeon, David Sullivan, Troy Winbush, and Rachel Griffiths. The first season was released on Amazon Prime Video on December 11, 2020, and received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances, writing, and plot. In December 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on May 6, 2022. In July 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<i>Clouds</i> (2020 film) 2020 film by Justin Baldoni

Clouds is a 2020 American biographical romantic musical drama teen film directed and produced by Justin Baldoni and written by Kara Holden from a story by Holden, Patrick Kopka, and Casey La Scala. It is based upon the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech. The film stars Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Neve Campbell, Tom Everett Scott, and Lil Rel Howery, and tells the story of Zach Sobiech, a teenager from Minnesota who has osteosarcoma, and decides to follow his dream of becoming a musician after finding out he is dying.

Maneater is a 2022 American horror thriller film directed by Justin Lee, starring Nicky Whelan, Shane West, Trace Adkins, Branscombe Richmond and Jeff Fahey.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tom Shales (19 March 2005). "Cue the Shark Music and Prepare to Be Scared". Washington Post . Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jane, Ian (27 February 2006). "DVD review: Spring Break Shark Attack". DVD Talk . Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Condit, Jon (22 March 2006). "Spring Break Shark Attack (2005)". Dread Central . Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. Oldenburg, Ann (3 March 2005). "After 'The O.C.,' is it safe to get back in the water?". USA Today . Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  5. Piazzola, Marissa (27 March 2012). "Spring Breakers: Top 8 Teen Movies About Spring Break!". Huffington Post . Retrieved 17 February 2015.
Additional sources for use