Jaws

Summer blockbusters were never the same after Jaws. That’s because they actually didn’t exist before Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thriller. The landmark film changed the movie biz after its release hipped studios to the idea of saving their biggest release for the hottest season. (It also forever changed the way we hear impending doom: da dunt…da dunt…da dunt.)

Other than dollars, Jaws also raked in a good amount of bejeezuses (because it scared them out of everybody). Inspired by the 1914 Jersey Shore shark attacks, the flick chronicles the fight against a Great White shark that puts a damper on everybody’s vacation. This makes for plenty of armrest-clenching moments that have aged perfectly and definitely are meant to be seen on the big screen. Don’t let another summer go by without seeing the film that changed movies forever. As its tagline said: “See it…before you go swimming.” Da dunt…da dunt…11:55 p.m. today and tomorrow. River Oaks Theatre, 2009 West Gray. For information, call 713-866-8881 or visit www.landmarktheatres.com. $6 to $9.

Fri., July 18, 11:55 p.m.; Sat., July 19, 11:55 p.m., 2008

This article appears in Jul 17-23, 2008.