Latest news with #StevenSpielberg
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
First official Jaws documentary to examine film's impact 50 years on
The first authorised Jaws documentary is to examine the film's impact on the perception of sharks to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary. Jaws At 50: The Definitive Inside Story will feature interviews with director Steven Spielberg, Ian Shaw, the son of Robert Shaw – who played professional shark hunter Quint, and Lorraine Gary who played Ellen Brody, along with other cast members, when it airs on National Geographic and Disney+. Advertisement The 90-minute documentary will also feature home videos and rare outtakes from Spielberg and writer Peter Benchley's personal archives, and a behind the scenes look at the making of the movie, including its malfunctioning animatronic shark and Spielberg's fears the film would end his career. The feature will also look at the wave of shark fear from the public following the movie's release, and will look at the novel which started the story through interviews with Benchley's wife, ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley and their children. Famous fans including JJ Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro and Robert Zemeckis will also speak about the film along with marine experts. Jaws At 50: The Definitive Inside Story will be directed by Laurent Bouzereau, and will be produced by Spielberg's Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. Advertisement The documentary will be released on July 11 (Universal Studios/PA) The documentary frames Jaws, released in 1975, as the 'first summer blockbuster', with the movie being the highest-grossing picture of all time until the release of Star Wars two years later. Jaws tells the story of a man-eating shark, named Bruce by the film's crew, that attacks beachgoers at a resort town on Amity Island, and the attempts of police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and professional shark hunter Quint (Shaw) to hunt it down. The film, based on the 1974 novel by Benchley, was followed by three sequels, and has inspired theme park rides at the Universal Studios theme parks as well as video games. The documentary will premiere on July 11th at 8pm on National Geographic and will stream the same day on Disney+. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Watch nailbiting moment enormous 20ft shark stalks human prey in terrifying Jaws-like scene…before boat makes hasty exit
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the nerve-racking moment a huge 20ft shark emerges from the water before stalking a tiny boat - bringing to mind classic thriller Jaws. Tense footage showed the humongous beast lurking behind the small vessel in a pond on Block Island as it came dangerously close to two passengers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 This is the moment a shark came dangerously close to a boat Credit: Instagram/Atlantic Shark Institute 3 Two passengers sped away from the 20ft beast Credit: Instagram/Atlantic Shark Institute 3 The video was captured in Rhode Island by local Jen Seebeck who was eating at the Dead Eye Dicks restaurant by Great Salt Pond when she spotted the enormous dorsal, The Atlantic Shark Institute reported. The boat was seen slowly drifting towards the edge of the lake, while two dark shapes appeared to rise from the water. The two fins could easily have been mistaken for two separate sharks, due to the distance between the pair. But shockingly, they were actually part of the same beast - representing the top fin and tail of the 20ft predator. The boat carrying two passengers then started to speed away, possibly following the crew's sudden realisation. The nailbiting scene has sparked comparisons to the classic film Jaws - which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One person even referenced Steven Spielberg's shark thriller in the video, as they shouted: 'There's a shark in the pond!' It is currently unclear what exact species the nimble shark captured in the footage is. The Atlantic Shark Institute said: "Sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking. 'Hopefully this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!' Huge 12 meter basking shark spotted off the beaches of Marbella Block Island has recently been named one of the 10 best summer destinations in the United States, according to USA Today. It comes after another enormous shark was spotted dangerously near a beach in a popular Spanish tourist spot. A viral video showed the colossal beast skulking around the waters just off the coast of Marbella. And earlier this month, the biggest shark ever tagged by researchers was spotted prowling up the US east coast. Known as "The Contender", the massive white shark was seen skulking around the North Carolina coast. The behemoth was previously seen following the Gulf Stream south near Florida. Weighing 1,600 pounds, the beast was first tagged on January 17 this year about 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia border. It was the largest ever shark tagged by research group OCEARCH in the area.
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Pixar's ELIO Film Takes Inspiration From E.T., CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, and THE THING — GeekTyrant
Pixar is no stranger to pulling emotional strings and breaking visual ground, but with Elio , the studio is doing something a little more unexpected. Yeah, it's a heartfelt story about an outsider kid getting swept up in an intergalactic misadventure. But, behind the vibrant animation and charming alien creatures, the film actually borrows visual inspiration from film such as Steven Spielberg's E.T. , Close Encounters of The Third Kind , and John Carpenter's The Thing . During an early press day for Elio , directors Domee Shi ( Turning Red ) and Madeline Sharafian revealed they didn't just look to Spielberg's warm-and-fuzzy side for reference. They also went to the dark corners of sci-fi cinema, pulling in vibes from Ridley Scott's Alien and The Thing . Sharafian said: 'I was really excited to partner with our DPs, Derrick Williams and Jordan Rempel on diving into the aesthetics of the Spielbergian sci-fi movies, like E.T., Close Encounters, and some of the more kind of scary ones like Alien and The Thing. 'We watched them with a fine-tooth comb for the visual look, which gave Jordan a lot to work with. So we made these sort of darker, deeper shadows.' While no one's getting devoured by a shape-shifting monster here, the influence is clear in Elio's atmosphere. From the footage we've seen in the trailers, you can spot the soft, misty glow of nighttime light sources—something Sharafian was especially happy about about. 'One of my favorite things is atmosphere, where sometimes you'll watch a Spielberg movie and there's like mist in the room and you're like, 'Why is there mist in Elliot's bedroom? I don't understand.' 'There's something about that, that dreaminess, got us really excited, and it's about the way that you feel, not about what's real in a movie. That's what excites me about animation, and I'm really happy with the way things turned out. That was really fun to nerd out about.' But beyond the mist and moody lighting, the filmmakers pushed for a truly cinematic look, even using virtual anamorphic lenses in the animated production. Sharafian explained: 'We shot the film with an anamorphic lens, which I know it's an animated movie, but we use real cameras the same way a live-action film would. 'So you'll see little touches of that. There's a red ring around a light that might be shining right at you. This is all for the film geeks.' This could very well be one of the studios more aesthetically ambitious films, and it opens in theaters on June 20, 2025. Via: /Film
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
A Definitive ‘Jaws' Documentary Is Coming Very Soon—Here's the Trailer
In the history of movies, only a select few have had an impact like Jaws. Impact that doesn't just reverberate through film history, but culture at large. Jaws supercharged the careers of iconic director Steven Spielberg, composer John Williams, and others, giving us so much magic in the decades that followed. It changed the way Hollywood made and marketed movies and inspired an entire new generation to make movies themselves. Plus, who hasn't had the movie on their mind as they tiptoe into the ocean? All of that and so much more promise to be part of a brand new documentary coming this summer, and it's completely official. Directed by Spielberg's longtime collaborator Laurent Bouzereau (Music by John Williams, Timeless Heroes), the 90-minute documentary is called Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story. It's premiering on July 10 on National Geographic as part of Sharkfest and will debut the next day on Disney+, Hulu, and Nat Geo. Spielberg's Amblin Documentaries produced it in conjunction with Wendy Benchley, a renowned shark and ocean advocate, who also happened to be married to the late, great, author of Jaws, Peter Benchley. In addition to Spielberg and Benchley, the film promises a who's who of people who worked on the film (such as Williams; cast members Jonathan Filley, Lorraine Gray, and Jeffrey Voorhees; Ian Shaw, the son of the late Robert Shaw; screenwriter Carl Gottlieb; and others), as well as a laundry list of superfans. Among those are J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, and Robert Zemeckis, to name a few. Here's the trailer for the documentary, which not only teases that we'll get to see a lot of fantastic footage from the actual production of the film, but also Spielberg diving deeper than ever before into his feelings about it. If you've seen any of Bouzereau's other films with Spielberg connections, such as his documentaries on Harrison Ford and John Williams, you know he has an incredible ability to be honest about the subjects, but also remind you why you care about them in the first place. And if you haven't seen those, watch them ASAP. We can't wait to see how that carries over to Jaws, one of the most important movies in history. Here's the awesome poster for the doc.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Bigger Boat, Bigger Legacy! National Geographic Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Blockbuster Film Jaws With the Only Authorized Documentary, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY, Featuring Exclusive New Interviews With Director Steven Spielberg
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic's SHARKFEST wouldn't exist without the film that changed cinema - and our relationship with sharks - forever: 'Jaws.' This summer, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean's most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau ('Faye,' 'Music by John Williams'), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on the ultimate deep dive, from Peter Benchley's bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is 'Jaws' and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of 'Jaws' - but not until now. JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this summer's only authorized documentary on the making of 'Jaws,' with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he has maintained for the last 50 years. The documentary premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. This definitive account offers an unfiltered look at the chaos and creativity behind the making of 'Jaws,' featuring never-before-seen footage from Spielberg's and Benchley's personal archives, including home videos and rare outtakes. Through candid new reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears the film would end his career. The documentary also reexamines the infamous 'Jaws effect' - the wave of shark fear it unleashed - and reframes it as a legacy of awe, curiosity and enduring respect for the ocean's top predator. Complemented by brand-new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers and shark advocates, JAWS @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first summer blockbuster. In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew - including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams - and a who's who of modern filmmakers and superfans - including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more - reflect on how 'Jaws' shaped their work and the cinematic landscape. Alongside cast and crew, the film also features heartfelt insights from Peter Benchley's wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley; and his brother, Nat Benchley, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the bestselling novel that started it all. But JAWS @ 50 is more than a behind-the-scenes doc; it's a celebration of a legacy that fueled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers and ocean defenders. Through thoughtful conversations with leading marine advocates and scientists - including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others - the documentary explores how 'Jaws' reshaped our relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts that continue today. For National Geographic, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY is produced by Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. For Amblin Documentaries, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are producers. For Nedland Films, Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith are producers, with Bouzereau also directing. Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling executive produce the documentary. And, for National Geographic, Tracy Rudolph Jackson and Ted Duvall executive produce. About National Geographic Content Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content's award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo, Oscar-nominated films Sugarcane, Fire of Love and Bobi Wine: The People's President, Emmy® Award-winning franchise 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, Emmy® Award-winning series Animals Up Close, series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, Life Below Zero, and Secrets of the Whales, in addition to multiple National Magazine Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Webby wins. Visit and or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit. About Amblin Documentaries Amblin Documentaries is a division of Amblin Partners, a content creation company led by Steven Spielberg. Presidents, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey oversee all development, production, and programming for Amblin Documentaries. In addition to its award-winning, culture-defining work in the scripted space through Amblin Television, Amblin Documentaries is a producer of renowned documentary features and series such as the film 'Good Night Oppy' for Prime Video – which was nominated for seven Prime Time and News and Documentary Emmys, the Emmy-winning series 'Five Came Back' for Netflix, and 'Laurel Canyon – A Place in Time' – which received three Emmy nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for its portrayal of the music scene in LA's Laurel Canyon in the 60's and 70's. Most recently, Amblin Documentaries produced 'Life on Our Planet,' 'Encounters,' and 'Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul' for Netflix as well as 'San Francisco Sound' for MGM+. Upcoming projects from Amblin Documentaries include 'Faye,' based on the life and career of Faye Dunaway, which premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, 'Bodyguard of Lies,' with the Washington Post & Alex Gibney, 'Wild, Wild Space,' with HyperObject Industries & ZPZ, and, in partnership with Imagine Entertainment, a documentary on the life and work of legendary composer John Williams. Amblin Documentaries also produced 'Strokes of Genius' – the double-Emmy nominated film about the epic rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal; and 'The Contender' – in which Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard give 16 young boxing hopefuls a shot at the big time, and which received two Emmy nominations. Other unscripted Amblin Documentaries productions include 'Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy' and HBO's 'Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind' and 'Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas. About Nedland Films / Laurent Bouzereau (Director/Producer), and Markus Keith (Producer) Laurent Bouzereau is an award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author. His films, which he co-produced with his partner Markus Keith through their production company Nedland Films, include the feature documentary Faye about legendary actress Faye Dunaway for HBO/Amblin, the award-winning documentary Music by John Williams, produced by Steven Spielberg and Amblin/Imagine, the Disney+/Lucasfilm documentary Timeless Heroes on Harrison Ford, the HBO feature documentaries Mama's Boy, based on the best-selling memoir by Dustin Lance Black, and Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, as well as the acclaimed Netflix series Five Came Back (with an Emmy winning narration by Meryl Streep), executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Amblin. Bouzereau is the author of several books on cinema, including Spielberg: The First Ten Years (2023) and The De Palma Decade (2024). About Wendy Benchley Wendy Benchley is a renowned global voice for protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. As a scuba diver, she has witnessed dramatic changes to our ocean's wildlife and habitats; this has motivated her vigorous efforts to help shape smarter, stronger environmental and marine policies with government officials, NGOs, and other civic leaders. Based in Washington, D.C., Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community and supports many of the world's leading ocean & environmental philanthropies. She plays a prominent leadership role and is actively involved, as a Board member, in WildAid's highly effective and widely respected global work that reduces the demand for illegal wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horn, and shark fin. She is a Board Member of Beneath the Waves and Blue Frontier Campaign. She is also a Trustee on EDF's Advisory Board. About Laura A. Bowling Laura is a branding and strategic communications executive who has successfully led interdisciplinary creative teams for 25 years, delivering award-winning campaigns across all media platforms from corporate and nonprofit arenas. Laura has worked with some of the world's most successful companies and prestigious brands, including Procter & Gamble, Ogilvy (N.Y.C.), The Walt Disney Company, and Conservation International, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer. Laura has a deep passion for protecting the environment and social causes. She oversees a successful consulting business, based in Carmel, California, that focuses on branding, strategic communications, and development for nonprofits. She has worked closely with Wendy Benchley on all aspects of branding for the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards and on Wendy's public speaking and ocean advocacy events, publications, and press.
