San Francisco United Film Festival 2009

Fatz Geronimo. Mitzi Mozzarella. Billy Bob (no, not Thornton). You won’t hear about the tumultuous times of these fallen stars or their powerful fan base on VH1’s Behind the Music. Which is kind of surprising actually, because the background story here is every bit as enthralling as that of Journey or Quiet Riot. Consisting entirely of animatronic robots, The Rock-afire Explosion dazzled (and in some cases, frightened) children across America at pre-Chuck E. Cheese child-tainment chain, Showbiz Pizza. For those of us that don’t recall the ‘Biz (or haven’t caught the circulating Rock-afire YouTube videos), director Brett Whitcomb’s touching doc serves up a nostalgic slice from a parallel 80’s universe, focusing primarily on the lives of Rock-afire inventor Aaron Fechter, and the Rock-afire’s biggest fan, Chris Thrash. If you love films about robots, obsessive fans and/or obscure 80s pop culture, you’re in for an absolute treat. Completely devoid of irony or condescension, Rock-afire is a colorful celebration of passionate, dedicated fandom in the unlikeliest of places. Nerd pride, represent! *Recently appeared on the Carson Daly show.

According to the American Film Institute, Jaws ranks among the fifty greatest movies of all time and the second greatest thriller ever (Behind Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho ). After three decades, the film continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. It’s become an entertainment mainstay, a timeless classic in a world of fad filmmaking. The movie’s legacy is undeniable and virtually unmatched: It jump- started the summer blockbuster phenomenon, not to mention the illustrious career of one Hollywood’s most influential directors, Steven Spielberg. Jaws was a thoroughly groundbreaking film in every way imaginable. It had a tremendous impact on the way movies are made, marketed and merchandised and spawned a pop cultural fascination with sharks. And, perhaps most notably, the film generated a visceral fear of swimming that continues to afflict multitudes to this day. Though scores of pictures have been made attempting to capitalize on the “man vs. nature” genre so brilliantly defined by Jaws , none have even remotely approximated its impact. It remains solidly among the top box office grossers of all time, and is televised frequently - its unrivaled shelf-life allowing it to be discovered and adored by new generations of fans. In fact, some of today’s hottest directors and writers have cited Jaws as their inspiration for pursuing a career in film. But the movie's influence didn't stop at the entertainment industry. Numerous marine biologists and shark researchers have attested that their early fascination with Jaws ignited a lifelong dedication to their chosen field. It can also be said that the initial phenomenon of the film (and original novel) was a significant catalyst for public awareness of sharks, leading to the eventual advancement of shark science and conservation. Narrated by Chief Martin Brody himself, Roy Scheider, this feature- length documentary focuses squarely on the many ways Jaws has helped to shape these elements of popular culture. Interviews with the cast and crew, contemporary filmmakers, and scientists whose careers have been duly influenced by the movie, will give the viewer some insight as to why Jaws has earned a well-deserved place among the greatest classics Hollywood has ever produced. The Shark is Still Working aims to be the ultimate retrospective on Jaws .