Disaster on the High Sea!

The Films: Titanic, U-571, The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Jaws

Nary a video library would be complete without the requisite collection of PERIOD DISASTER FILMS with a focus on water-related catastrophe. Sit back, relax, shovel the chum, and enjoy the misery of others forced to confront their worst fears and inadequacies in times of stress.

Viewing order importance: Suggested as above; it’s really nice to follow the intended period progression of the films. Have some respect.

Titanic: The mother of all water disasters can be upstaged by nothing....other than Leo Dicaprio's fierce, undying love. The force of the love vapors emanating from his “passion” are strong enough to both sink, and raise, ships. An entertaining disaster film effectively ruined by the horrendously predictable boy-meets-girl story. But…that sweaty hand print on the window of the car during the beautiful, intensely meaningful love-making of Jack and Rose really does "get me every time." If you know what I mean.
But James Cameron got his in the end.
Literally.

U-571: "His body is gonna save our lives," drawls master and commander Matthew McConaughey, as he shoots Jon Bon Jovi out of a missile tube into the North Atlantic. Under McConaughey’s skillful guidance, we finally get to see Bill Paxton die. And Tom Guiry. And a bunch of Nazi jerk-offs. And pretty much the rest of the crew. Harvey Keitel gets really sweaty, but survives, one of the most un-exciting Submarine disaster movies of all time.

Poseidon Adventure: It must be stated that the Curator loves Gene Hackman, especially the 1970's, tight-shirted, intense Gene as unconventional preacher. The ill-fated boat tips over when a "rouge wave" hits right as the ball drops. Thankfully it stays afloat long enough for a 2 hour action-dramedy to ensue. Complete with plenty of angry, red-faced confrontation between Ernest Borgnine and Gene, who eventually gives his own life to save a young Pamela Sue Martin. The early years of Dynasty would never have been the same without her, had she not survived the Poseidon Adventure. God bless you and your sacrifice Gene!

Jaws: It is really a shame that Roy Scheider hasn’t been around much these days. (though according to IMDB he never really left.) The New Jersey native is perfectly matched against an ultra-killer shark. It may seem at first that the 2 foes have too much in common to really hate each other: smooth white skin, winning smiles, an impeccable sense of style, and top notch scoring in the sack. But if there is anything we have learned from Dollar Video History, there can only be one hot shot in a given 2 hour time slot. Sorry Jawsie, you're going down. Smile you son of a bitch!