Dinoshark

Been waiting for this for a while but if I wanna look at a Shark movie this week, why not go to the legendary B-Movie icon himself Roger Corman? I’m surprised I haven’t got to him sooner and he is pretty much already talked about by many critics and fans. Whether it’s the original Little Shops of Horrors or the much-overlooked Flesh for Frankenstein, he is the guy that inspired many including Lloyd Kaufman, Sam Raimi and even Uwe Boll if you wanna make a stretch out of it. He’s a well-established director, writer and producer and is still working to this day. So for a guy being involved in over 400 credits and counting, not bad for a guy who once appeared in an episode of Beverly Hills 90210.

And today’s subject Dinoshark is somewhat a spin-off sequel to 2004’s Dinocroc which I admittedly don’t have but upon watching it, I don’t think it’s needed since there’s hardly any connection other than the similar title. And the movie is from the director of Dinocroc himself, Kevin O’Neill who made two Sharktopus sequels and is a Visual Effects Supervisor on several films. I would bring what kind but I think this is the 100th article I wrote that involves a director whose previous work was doing visual and special effects stuff so can we get somebody whose body of work was directing music videos instead? No? Alright? I do also mention that this movie is  a remake of 1979 film Up From The Depths which I also don’t have but it is notable for one of the earliest roles of the late, great R. Lee Ermey so if you wanna see what he’s like before Full Metal Jacket, this movie might be essential unless his role is small and not foul-mouthed… okay, that might be a case.

After ice has broken off in Alaska caused a prehistoric dinoshark to be revived, the thing is travelling to Puerto Vallarta as we meet Trace McGraw (Eric Balfour) who returned to his hometown and to work for his friend. He meets up his old friends and also a new one, Carol Brubaker (Iva Hasperger). But as Trace’s childhood friend Rita (Christina Nicole) died from a dinoshark. Trace became angry about who’s the killer and along with Carol and Trace’s friend Luis (Aarón Díaz), they discover it is no ordinary shark. So Trace wants it death before more havoc ensues while Carol tries to find famed scientist Dr Steve Reeves (Roger Corman) to know how to stop the beast.

Honestly, this film is not much needed beyond the synopsis. If anything, it is just a typical cheesy Shark movie but with one unique difference so there is that. I do admit that there are moments and interesting points about the film like Roger Corman being a supporting character instead of a cameo or bit role. The movie is indeed worth watching if you happen to see it on television but other than that, only if you’re a Roger Corman or Shark Attack Movie completists. Although, there is one interesting sidenote to this, this is the only movie to be featured as extensive behind-the-scenes material in Corman’s World which documents Roger’s film career. There’s few scenes about the making of Dinoshark including a short interview from Eric Balfour and would serve as a special feature. In fact, the documentary is worth checking out more so than this movie.

So yeah, Dinoshark is okay as a schlocky movie and nothing else but that’s all there is. Well, seeing as this year is near its end, I guess it is best to jump back to telly so later this week, I gonna look at some Jeff Fahey television stuff again.