Blu-ray Review – Sharksploitation

“Sharksploitation” is a documentary from director Stephen Scarlata, who endeavors to explore a subgenre that kicked off 50 years ago with the release of the 1975 classic, “Jaws.” Sure, sharks have been featured in movies for a lot longer than that, but the Universal Pictures blockbuster inspired a ravenous need to replicate such jaw-dropping box office success, putting producers to work coming up with ways to make their own horror offerings highlighting the dangers of the deep. It’s a topic of cinematic history that’s potentially fascinating, especially when comparing the fantasy of horror and the reality of marine life, and Scarlata provides some appreciation for the history of exploitation and conservation. “Sharksploitation” isn’t a critical creation, going the back rub route as it tries to celebrate all forms of shark-based cinema, which has its limitations. However, for those in the mood for something light and undemanding, Scarlata tries to throw a party here, finding a few pockets of moviemaking history to explore. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com