Piranha • The Next Reel

Roger Corman’s always made profitable films, and sometimes that meant stealing some ideas from current releases to capitalize on the similarities. That’s certainly the case with the film he produced that ripped off Steven Spielberg’s Jaws: Joe Dante’s Piranha. Often, these films fell into legal issues, but with this film, Spielberg himself gave it his blessing and Universal stopped its injunctions. With that, we’re able to enjoy and talk about one of Dante’s early films. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Aquatic Killers series with Dante’s 1978 film Piranha. We talk about the nature of rip-offs and how this one feels like it’s a bit more than just a rip-off. We chat about the nature of Dante’s comedy and horror, particularly how it pairs with the script by none other than John Sayles. We look at the story and chat about the tropes it contains but also how much fun it is. We touch on some of the actors and why they work well in this film. We laugh at a story Andy shares about watching it with his 10-year-old son. And we revel in the greatness that is Pino Donaggio’s score. It’s not a great film but it’s a ton of fun. We have a great time chatting about it, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • HuluScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible