{2jtab: Movie Review}

Dinoshark - Blu-ray Review

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2 stars

To say that the Roger Corman-produced Dinoshark is a bit of letdown is an understatement.  While it is refreshing to know that Corman is back doing what he does best with B-movies, this one is simply a dull excursion into dangerously familiar shark-infested waters.  Where Sharktopus played for laughs, Dinoshark seems content to play for thrills, yet those thrills don’t translate too well in light of the HD format.  Never dark enough or funny enough, Dinoshark exists as a castaway – hopelessly adrift without reason – in the Jaws knockoff waters of B-movies.

Updating Corman’s own Up from the Depths storyline, Dinoshark indicates that the melting of the polar ice caps has released an archaic form of life – a massively-sized dinoshark – that eventually, some three years later, travels to Mexico to gobble up some tourists (in some pretty hysterical kill-shots) and taunt scientists with its steely-knived teeth and fancy fins.  Starring Eric Balfour, Iva Hasperger, and Aaron Diaz, Dinoshark floats by on its chintzy effects and over-the-top acting and, with a meaty role for Roger Corman himself, it’s hard for B-movie lovers to pass up.

Unfortunately, the elements that could save this film from the boring version of itself would be all the content a made-for-television movie can’t have: gratuitous nudity and excessive violence.  This thing is as anemic as British Literature.  There really is no tension created for our “heroes” throughout the narrative.  With little to take our minds off the fact that nothing is happening in between all the hysterical dinoshark attacks, the film sinks into a mindless rooting for the bad guys.  The “heroes” only directive is to kill this dinoshark.  Its body is essentially armor and that makes for some complications, but not anything a well-armed police squad can’t handle (or so it seems).

Dinoshark - Blu-ray Review

Directed by Kevin O’Neill, Dinoshark – originally made in 2010 - should keep those audience members in-tunes with B-movie mayhem in their seats and away from the fast-forward button on their remotes, but it certainly won’t satisfy the appetites of those wanting exploitation cinema.  It’s a tad under-cooked in the effects department (which, for a B-movie, is certainly not a killer), but its actors are too sure of their game to get the hint that maybe they shouldn’t be trying so hard to sell the idea of a dinoshark and just enjoy the ride.  Oscar gold won’t bait this fish.

It might not have the goods of classic Corman, but Dinoshark does deliver a pint-sized version of what went before in the land of B-movies.

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{2jtab: Film Details}

Dinoshark - Blu-ray ReviewMPAA Rating: This title has not been rated by the MPAA.
Director
: Kevin O'Neill
Writer: Frances Doel, Guy Prevost
Cast:
Roger Corman; Eric Balfour; Humberto Busto; Richard Miller
Genre
: Sci-Fi
Tagline:
Fear what's just below the surface.
Memorable Movie Quote: "That's your killer. A 150 million year old shark. And it's hungry. "
Distributor:
Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date:
March 13, 2010
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
April 26, 2011

Synopsis: Step aside Sharktopus, there's a new mutant in the ocean and it's a prehistoric killing machine that's had thousands of years to build up an appetite. Freed from its glacial prison by a sudden climate shift, the Antarctic nightmare quickly makes its way down to Mexico, where the crowded beaches are a virtual buffet for a starving sea monster. As the scenic sands run red with blood and terrified beachcombers flee for their lives, fearless captain Trace (Eric Balfour) and headstrong Marin biologist Carol (Iva Hasperger) quickly realize that the culprit is a creature that could eat Jaws for breakfast. Now, in order to defeat the beast and make the beaches safe again, Trace and Carol will need the help of the world's one and only Dinoshark specialist (Roger Corman). But the closer the trio gets to the dreaded Dinoshark, the more they risk becoming its next meal.

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{2jtab: Blu-ray Review}

Dinoshark - Blu-ray Review

Component Grades
Movie
 
Blu-ray Disc
2 stars
 
3 Stars
     
Blu-ray Experience
2.5 stars

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review:

Available on Blu-ray - April 26, 2011
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles
: English; Spanish
Audio:
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Discs: 25GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)
Playback: Region A (B, C untested)

Anchor Bay presents a pretty sharp-looking 1080p/AVC transfer.  The colors are bold and festive throughout and the black levels are consistent to never be unnatural.  There are many sun-drenched exterior shots and the level of sunlight and natural lighting is consistent.  The sound is mixed in 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and provides a good level of atmosphere.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Once again, Roger and Julie Corman provide the commentary for the film.  Excellent, soft-spoken and direct, Corman explains what goes into making these B-movies.  Accompanied by the director, Kevin O’Neill, this is must-hear commentary for those interested in one day making a film.  Lots of good stuff here about the making of the film and filmmaking in general.

Special Features:

  • With only a trailer for the film as its sole offering, the special features – excluding the commentary from Corman and company, fail to impress.

{2jtab: Trailer}

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