Really Awful Movies: Ep 286 – The Last Shark

On this week’s episode of the Really Awful Movies Podcast, The Last Shark! Also known as Great White, this is a poorly constructed bargain basement contractor version of Spielberg’s iconic Jaws. But hell, that’s not so bad…as eco-horror animal attack movies are among our absolute favorites to discuss.

This one has a town…and there’s an important windsurfing regatta that’s been put in jeopardy, thanks to the exploits of a fearsome predator of the deep.

And it’s up to the denizens of Port Harbour (yes, really) to take on the killer shark, and marshal their forces to liquidate the creature. Can they? Certainly, especially if they can employ the services of a low-rent Robert Shaw/Quint.

Starring the incomparable Vic Morrow, The Last Shark is directed by Enzo Castellari, and shows very few, if any, of the directorial flourishes of the masterful, incredible Jaws.

But really, does it matter? This one is so much fun, even if the shark looks like an inflatable clown punch-up doll more than a terrifying apex predator.

Clear the beaches! Grab a couple of beers, find a version of this shameless rip-off to watch (Universal took the producers to court the similarities to the Spielberg product are that obvious). And be sure to sign up to the podcast!

Really Awful Movies: Ep 285 – The Ritual

The Ritual is a UK lost-in-the-woods horror, set in Sweden and filmed in far cheaper Romania.

A group of laddish UK fellows are mulling over different vacation options while guzzling pints in a pub. They consider the usual suspects – Vegas, Amsterdam – and settle on hiking in Scandinavia.

Unfortunately, one member of the group, after a night of boozing, is victim to a convenience store robbery gone wrong. He’s murdered in cold blood.

The friends, in a tribute to the deceased, opt for the hiking / wilderness excursion. And boy was that a wrong move.

This week on the Really Awful Movies Podcast, we tackle this effort, and compare it with others of its ilk.

We discuss the Canadian backwoods horror, Rituals, as well as White Raven, and explore folk horror flicks like The Wicker Man.

The hosts also delve into what makes a good backwoods horror, characterization, the effectiveness of supernatural elements, bears, the Canadian wilderness, camping, Algonquin Park and much, much more!

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Really Awful Movies: Ep 284 – Kirk Hammett’s Horror collection

Kirk Hammett is best known, of course, as Metallica’s lead guitarist. However, fewer people know that the man has been collecting horror and sci fi memorabilia – posters, lobby cards, artwork – for nearly 30 years.

It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection is on at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

For genre fans, and especially for Universal horror fans, this is ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE stuff.

In particular, there’s a Swedish Metropolis poster that is a stunning, orange, art deco beauty. There’s a brimming with colour promotional piece for Invasion of the Saucer Men, that is literally out of this world. And perhaps the showstopper is a couple of gorgeous Bride of Frankenstein pieces.

But don’t take our word for it, go to the ROM and see the thing for yourself (bonus for you Metallica fans, there are examples of the guitarist’s horror-centric guitars on display too).

On this episode of the Really Awful Movies Podcast, we let someone else do the talking.

Tune in, and find out what makes collector Kirk Hammett tick.