Reviews: Big Bad Beast

Grizzly
Dir. William Girdler

Grizzly is this great little low budget killer bear movie from 1976. Based in a National Forest, it pits campers and forest rangers against a 18-foot tall killer grizzly. The movie has some definite flaws and the acting is sometimes terrible and the bear is mostly a fact bear claw swinging at peoples faces and guts, But there's a soft spot in my heart for a movie i can just kick back and not think about. The climax is less then great and you can tell its just a 'Jaws' rip off, but who cares, call some friends over, have some beers and watch a fake claw rip up some helpless campers.   3/5





Razorback
Dir. Russell Mulcahy

Film in 1984 in the Australian Outback, a large killer Razorback has been terrorizing the locals. Much like Jaws director Russell Mulcahy had trouble with his large killer animal robot, sadly he had more of a challenge concealing his monster and making it work for the movie instead of against it. Where Spielbreg could hide his monster under water there are only some many places to hid a giant pig. That being said the movie is still fantastic, the Australian Outback is full of atmosphere and almost seems other worldly in parts, the use of lights and color really make for some great shots. The acting is good, sometimes stale but still passable. The crotchety old bastard that's been hunting the beast since it killed his grandchild is great. The ending falls a little short from the rest of the movie and feels rushed. but still I think this movie is great.   3.5/5



Jaws
Dir. Steven Spielbreg

What can you say about jaws, its at the top of most peoples "best horror lists" it ushered in main stream horror and summer block busters. Jaws is awesome. That's it. Filmed in 1975 Jaws is set in a small tourist town of Amity Island where a killer great white shark has started to kill some silly humans. The real meat of the story isn't until the hunt when Sheriff Brody, Shark Hunter Quint, and oceanographer Hooper go out to hunt this giant killer shark, songs are sung, alcohol is drank, cages go in water, giant shark sinks boat then explodes. What more can you ask for.

4/5