This week on Shelf Criticism, we’re trekking deep into the wilderness to examine Grizzly (1976), a film that asks, “What if Jaws, but with a bear?” and answers with a bazooka.

Yes, this unabashed Jaws ripoff swaps the ocean for a national park, a great white for a 2,000-pound prehistoric grizzly, and Quint’s boat for a helicopter that a bear literally swats out of the sky. And somehow, Grizzly still tries to play it straight.

Join Stephen as he breaks down the many, many, many similarities between Spielberg’s classic and this landlocked imitation, marvels at the campy absurdity, and shares some truly ridiculous behind-the-scenes trivia—including how our terrifying monster, Teddy the bear, was really just hoping for a marshmallow.

Plus, in Shelfless Endeavors, Stephen finally made it back to the theater to check out Wolf Man, a film with solid acting, fantastic sound design, and a whole lot of underlighting (because apparently, seeing what’s happening in a horror movie is out of fashion).

So, grab your bear spray—or maybe a bazooka—and join us1 for another episode of Shelf Criticism!

This week on Shelf Criticism, we’re diving headfirst into Alexandre Aja’s 2010 remake of Piranha. It’s a film that combines blood-soaked carnage, 3-D spectacle, and a surprising amount of social commentary—if you know where to look.

Stephen explores how Piranha 3D critiques the exploitative culture of Girls Gone Wild while also indulging in the same excesses it mocks. From the over-the-top gore to its biting satire of voyeurism, this film is as paradoxical as it is entertaining. Along the way, we’ll dig into the film’s connections to Joe Dante’s 1978 original, its deliberate parody of Spring Break debauchery, and the deeper meanings lurking beneath the surface.

Plus, we’ll talk about propeller girl, Derrick Jones’s sleazy empire, and why Steven R. McQueen is cool by default—hint: it’s all in the DNA.

Whether you’re here for the piranhas, the parody, or just the chaos, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in now to see where Piranha 3D lands on the Shelf.

This week on Shelf Criticism, we’re tearing down the backroads of Southern-fried chaos with Barry Battles’ 2012 neo ... pseudo ... quasi-exploitation flick The Baytown Outlaws. It’s got outlaw brothers, ridiculous gangs, Billy Bob Thornton being menacing, and Eva Longoria playing against type—but does it live up to its grindhouse ambitions, or does it stall out in the dust?

Stephen dives into the film’s messy blend of action and exploitation, its flirtation with problematic imagery, and the fine line it walks between being wild fun and just plain off the rails. From Confederate flags to questionable gang portrayals, this one gets complicated—but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of gunfights and mayhem to unpack.

Plus, Stephen reflects on his own connection to the film, chats about how it almost flirts with greatness, and of course, makes the final call on where this chaotic ride lands on the Shelf.

Strap in, folks. Next stop: The Baytown Outlaws.

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