Everything has already been said about Steven Spielberg's Jaws. It's a bonafide classic. It's my favourite movie ever. And, for a while, it was the biggest hit of all time. Jaws was based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name, and was actually optioned as a film before the book hit shelves. And while the basic plot of the book and movie are the same, the stories are quite different. Spielberg has said he felt the story, from a cinematic standpoint, was about three men who set out to kill a Great White that's been terrorizing the coastal town of Amity. About half the film's running time details this. While that does occur in the novel, it only makes up the final few chapters. A lot of the book has to do with small-town corruption, efforts to cover up the shark attacks, and an affair that transpires between Hooper and Brody's wife. Benchley's original script stuck pretty close to this, and it's no wonder Spielberg said "narp....

A lot of the films discussed during our Halloween Day By Day series were inspired by John Carpenter's Halloween. Given the title and setting of that movie, it's easy to understand why. Duh! But one mustn't forget that Steven Spielberg's Jaws touched off a whole wave of similar genre films in the 70s and early 80s. And, as with Halloween, most of these ripoffs just weren't as good.

Actor Dennis Hopper has been quoted as saying that 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' was without question the worst movie he was ever in, this coming from the guy who also starred in 'Super Mario Brothers', so that's saying something! Dennis Hopper has since passed on though, so at least this film is something he no longer has to think about--the rest of us, on the other hand...

My name is Brandon. I am 11 years old. Shawn is my dad. He asked me if I could review the movie I saw today. I went to see Godzilla with my friends. Here is my review. IT WAS .... It was really loud. But I like loud, because I have two smaller brothers who are noisy, which sometimes stops me from hearing shows or movies. There were parts that didn't make a lot of sense, until all the monsters started showing up, but when they showed up, it was really cool. The monsters looked so real, it was amazing. There were only two battles, but the end battle was amazing. I also didn't know Godzilla could blow fire. Mostly because I'm young and haven't seen any other Godzilla movies . My daddy is going to fix that, though.

Matt Bellamy and I took in Gareth Edwards ' Godzilla tonight -- flick got out mere moments ago to be exact. Being a couple of die hard Godzilla and monster movie fans, we thought we'd share a review of this much anticipated flick. We're gonna trade off thoughts without discussing what will be said in advance. I'm gonna let Matt start things off. And yes, we're aware of the mixed public reaction, for what that's worth. Because who cares what other people fucking think.

Silent Night director Steven C. Miller 's next effort, Under the Bed , hits North American theatres this summer. We've yet to see a preview from our side of the pond, but the French have provided us with a look . . . and it looks bon! Under the Bed is inspired by early Amblin scare pictures like Gremlins and Poltergeist. You know, when horror was fun and freaky at the same time? In fact the plot, about two brothers who do battle with a monster who lives -- you guessed it -- under the bed, sounds like something Steven Spielberg would have tackled back in the day. Shawn and I interviewed Steven (C. Miller) earlier this year, and this is a dude who knows and loves horror and movie making. His Silent Night is one of the best slasher films in recent memory, and we can't wait to review Under the Bed here in The Basement. Until then, check out this preview. Source: Steven C. Miller Related articles Warner Bros. Planning 'Gremlins' Reboot (Again) M...

It's been too damn long since we've had an edition of Trailer Rewind. So I thought it might be wise to take a look back  . . . way back, at one of classics of the action/adventure genre, a movie that gave adventure a name -- Indiana Jones . That's right: Raiders of the Lost Ark ! The trailer: They don't make trailers like this anymore; simple, exciting, tells you everything you need to know about the movie without giving the whole damn thing away. All you need is to see Harrison Ford and have the names Steven Spielberg and George Lucas thrown at you (back in 1982 that is) and audiences are good to go. Plenty of shots of old-school action too. I think that's the voice of William Conrad . Sold. Actually, I want to watch this mother again! Right now! The movie: Like anything needs to be said. This is the first, and in my opinion, best Indian Jones adventure, although I have much love for Temple of Doom and Last Crusade . The less said about Crystal Skull...

Hey, folks- Mike S popping in to drop the down low on some cool " Star Wars " news.  Now, we already know that Disney bought the rights to the " Star Wars " franchise, right?  Right. We ALSO know that Disney has said that they will be producing three more movies in the series, right?  Right. Now, the news you may not have heard yet: JJ Abrams has been brought on board to direct the first of the new movies. That's right. The man that helped to bring " Star Trek " to a brand new -- and exciting, beginning will hopefully bring the same excitement, enthusiasm, and skill to the new " Star Wars " film. Originally, Abrams declined the position when first approached, but Kathleen Kennedy ( Lucasfilm Chief), was ultimately able to bring him to the table and take the job. As fanboys of both " Star Trek " and Star Wars ", we're glad. Lucasfilm spokeswoman Lynne Hale, declined to discuss the deal, and plans for the mo...

Basement contributor Matt Bellamy has taken it upon himself to watch and review at least one horror movie a day for the month of October . . . because he's awesome that way! Tonight, Bellamy reminds us why it's still not safe to go back in the water. I had a discussion with a co-worker awhile back about whether or not Jaws is actually a horror movie, he did not think so but I absolutely believe it is--can you think of another film that caused as ma ny phobias? Since it came out in 1975, many people have been terrified of both the water and, of course, sharks. You can't tell me there's never been an occasion where, for example, you've been in murky, deep water, you can't see the bottom and that infamous 'daaaaa na" theme pops in your head! If fear like that isn't horrifying then I don't know what is. Aside from this being one of the most truly scary horror movies e...

Basement contributor Matt Bellamy has taken it upon himself to watch and review at least one horror movie a day for the month of October . . . because he's awesome that way! Today Bellamy reminds us that it knows what scares you! Whether or not it's the greatest haunted house movie ever made is definitely up for debate but it sure is my favourite one. What doesn't this movie have!?! Creepy kids? Check. Evil clowns? Check. Possessed trees? Oh yeah. Zelda Rubenstein? 10-4! It's still a freaky movie to this day but it's so well made and so appealing we all keep coming back to it, even when we know what's waiting for us. Directed by Tobe Hooper (or was it...?) and produced by Steven Spielberg, I think the main goal here was to make the family believable and relatable so that we can put ourselves in their shoes which only leads to amped up scares and chills. My favourite moment in the film? When that o...

We're not much for sentimentality here in The Basement, but there's moments in this trailer for Steven Spielberg's War Horse that give me chills. It might be John Williams's score or the beautiful images, but that old Spielberg magic is in every frame. This is a boy-and-his-horse story set against the backdrop of the First World War. And although it's not the kind of thing we'd ever review on our show, the beauty of this trailer deserves to be shared. That and I have a feeling the wife and I will be seeing this one, as she loves horses and all. War Horse is due out this Christmas.

It's a rare thing in this age of mindless reboots, remakes, sequels and adaptations that an original film comes out of Hollywood. And even rarer still for it to carry the pedigree of J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. This is writer/director Abrams's loving tribute to the escapist movies he grew up with and, as it turns out, the kind I grew up with too. Super 8 is fun, scary, exciting, moving, funny and just gruesome enough. There isn't one scene or moment that doesn't work. It's not a kids' movie, but it happens to be about kids, and because of that Super 8 will appeal to 10-year-olds and the 10-year-old inside of you. It's a rare film that should entertain anyone. A Good from The Basement for me.

Not a lot of the young 'uns out there will know who Tintin is, but those of us who grew up during the 1980s will fondly remember the boy reporter who often found himself in the midst of rip-snorting adventure tales. Now director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson have brought Herge's classic character to life via motion-capture animation. And they've recruited the voice talents of Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig and Simon Pegg to help do so. I don't like motion capture but I do dig what I see here. That probably has more to do with seeing characters I loved from my childhood on the big screen than it does of my anticipation for the final product. I will see The Adventures of Tintin at some point, because that's the kind of cat I am, but part of me would still prefer a live-action Tintin movie. Until then, groove on the trailer below. The film hits theatres in time for Christmas.

It's with sad news that The Basement reports British actor Pete Postlethwaite died of cancer Sunday. He was 64. Postlethwaite appeared in more than 100 films during his 35-year career, most notably In the Name of the Father with Daniel Day Lewis, The Usual Suspects, and The Lost World. He had a big year in 2010, with prominent roles in Clash of the Titans, The Town and Inception. He is survived by his wife, a son an daughter and was hailed by Steven Spielberg as "The best actor in the world." Amen, Steve.