Let's Jaws For a Minute

As the seasons change irl, so do the seasons of LJFAM. This week we kick off a brand new season! This time around we are focused on the films that inspired Steven Spielberg. Many of these will be first time watches for your illustrious hosts, and all of them came out before 1970, so if you're watching along, this is a good way to get some early film education under your belt. Dedicated listeners will know the format of this season will mirror that of our other show, Let's Party with Marty. Now, without further ado, we present a rollicking high seas adventure that inspired our favorite guy, Captains Courageous!

On this very special episode of LJFAM, Sarah (and Thelma), are live in the field, speaking with Jon Fieldhouse, creator and steward of the full size Orca replica, Orca II. They talk about the legacy of the film, what led him to pursue such a lofty goal, the trials and tribulations of securing screen accurate (and in some cases screen used) props, and what fan reaction has been to stepping onto the iconic boat. Keep in mind that this was literally recorded ON Orca II, so there is a bit of an Attenborough quality to the recording.

It's time to wrap up Spielberg Season 2 with the man's deeply cynical alien invasion film War of the Worlds. Sarah and MJ discuss the movie as an allegory for 9/11, refute even more schmaltz claims, talk about if there is a defenitive pandemic movie, and yes, brush up against Spielberg's latest release, Disclosure Day.

We pull into the penultimate stop on our journey through the second act of Spielberg's career to talk about his slight, feel good film The Terminal. They discuss the post-9/11 optimism of the piece and its connection to post-WWII optimisim, whether or not Tom Hanks' accent is good, and Sarah admits her belief in an age old addage (at least in this circumstance).

This week, returning guest Rob Wallis joins us to talk about the only Spielberg/Di Caprio collaboration to date, Catch Me If You Can. They talk about the excellent 1960's production design, the loss of Leo's baby face, and refute accusations of Spielberg schmaltz (yet again).

This week, Sarah and MJ are joined by Missy Lonsinger to talk about Spielberg's sci-fi follow-up to A.I., Minority Report! They talk about how A.I. primed him to work in the cynical worlds created by Phillip K. Dick, the brief moment where Tom Cruise almost became a frequent Spielberg collaborator, and the beginning of the uglyfication of Spielberg's movies.

Hey! Did you know we have a Patreon page? Check out this free Patron episode in lieu of your normal episode while MJ is on vacation! If you like what you hear, maybe drop by and subscribe at patreon.com/jawforaminute. This month's Patron Episode takes us to Northern California (which, ironically, is where MJ is spending some of his vacation), to witness a small town terrorized by spiders in Amblin's 1990 film, Arachnophobia. They discuss the "good ole days" of cinema, practical effects, and discover some similarities between Arachnophobia and a certain movie about a certain shark (hint: it is not Shark Exorcist).

Schmaltzy garbage? Misunderstood masterpiece? Unsung prophet of the modern age? A.I. is an odd, divisive film in Spielberg's filmography, but Sarah and MJ are joined bye Kip Mooney to get to the bottom of it!

Spielberg Season 2 keeps chugging into Spielberg's final film of the 1990's (or 1900's), Saving Private Ryan. MJ and Sarah are joined by Nick Mear to talk about the reverence Spielberg is able to maintain for its subjects while also keeping things moving at a good pace, lots of behind the scenes magic, and whether accusations of Spielberg being "schmaltzy" are legitimate.

This week, Sarah and MJ talk about Spielberg's other 1997 film, Amistad. They discuss its odd placement in his filmography, the beginning of the "soft" look of his films, and the glorious wigs that dot the film.

This week, Sarah and MJ head to Site B to talk about the sequel to Jurassic Park! They talk about Spielberg's evolved mean streak, the fact that the film is his King Kong riff, and one of the most masterful sequences of Spielberg's career

Spielberg season 2 continues as Sarah and MJ discuss Spielberg's harrowing historical epic, Schindler's List

Spielberg Season 2 kicks off with a casual 3 hour chat about Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster effort, Jurassic Park! Sarah and MJ are joined by Harley Mumford to discuss the film's themes, how it fits in conversation with his other creature feature, the enduring legacy of the film, and why other blockbusters (even the other entries in the Jurassic franchise) aren't as effective at entertaining the masses.

The lost episode returns from the dead and is twice as nice! Sarah and MJ are joined by Nick Mear to re-record their lost Piranha 3D episode and decided to up the game by also watching its sequel, Piranha 3DD!

Sarah and MJ finally reach the end of Jaws ... a tumultuous journey that has proven one thing: the movie is a lot better than the book. They discuss the anti-climactic and unsatisfying end to the book, what the movie gets right in terms of pay-off, and whether they'll ever consider reading this book again...

This week, Sarah and MJ board the Orca as they round the corner into the home stretch of Peter Benchley's Jaws! They talk about how they picture the book versions of the characters, how they translate and chage to the film, and perk up once they get to read about everyone's favorite salty sea captain: Quint

Join Sarah & MJ as they get into chapters 8-10 of Jaws by Peter Benchley, covering a very saucy encounter between Ellen Brody and Hooper, what the book really is about, and the disappointing July 4th events. Quick heads up in case you usually listen in earshot of small children ... this episode is very NSFW!

This week, Sarah and MJ talk about chapters 6 and 7 of Jaws by Peter Benchley. They spend their time lauding the sassy mail woman in charge of who gets a mailbox and who doesn't, and attend an interminable dinner party.

This week we dive into the next two chapters of JAWS by Peter Benchley and uncover somethings we actually kinda like about the book. However, it's not all smooth sailing and you might need to get the thesaurus out for this one! Stay tuned right to the end of the episode for a special song sent in by listener Fredrik!

Summer Chompin' enters its final phase as Sarah and MJ talk about the first two chapters of Peter Benchley's Jaws!