Sharknado 3 (7/22/2015)

Starring Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, David Hasselhoff and Bo Derek

Directed By: Anthony C. Ferrante

To say this movie is campy would be the understatement of the decade.

The entire East Coast comes under threat when shark-infused storms wreak havoc on Washington, D.C., and Orlando. That’s all the synopsis I’m going to give.

Todd’s Word: First of all don’t try to tell me that you are not familiar with the Sharknado films. The first made-for-TV-movie almost broke the internet two years ago and there is no sign of this phenomena stalling anytime soon.

Jonathan’s Word: These films are hilarious B-movies, and that’s exactly how audiences need to approach these films… knowing they are intentionally absurd. I was in a hotel room last week and happened to land on Sharknado 3 just as it was beginning. It was so ridiculous… I couldn’t stop watching it!

Todd’s Word: I’m not sure I feel the same. As I watched the third installment with my 14-year-old son, I tried to find the line between the purposely bad and the actually bad. That was easier said than done.

Jonathan’s Word: It was intentionally bad.

Todd’s Word: Well, director Anthony C. Ferrante and writer Thunder Levin (real name) are quiet possibly my least favorite people in Hollywood…and I realize the Kardashians still live there. I mean if you are going to make an intentionally bad C-movie…can you throw in a couple laughs?

Jonathan’s Word: Wait… you mean… you didn’t laugh when the sharks went into space?

Todd’s Word: Not really. And the destruction of Washington, D.C. (complete with a shark landing in the lap of President Lincoln) and the James Bond-ish opening were not funny.

Jonathan’s Word: I laughed when the shark landed on Lincoln’s lap.

Todd’s Word: Well, many audiences obviously do find the films entertaining, so the movie makers brought more of the same. Ian Ziering returns as the chainsaw-wielding hero, along with Tara Reid as his formerly estranged wife, now with bionic hand and pregnant with their second child. Seriously, I’m not making this up. Cassie Scerbo is also back and she’s gone from a bartender to a shark-tracking road warrior, complete with the post apocalyptic wardrobe. And she has Frankie Muniz as her love struck sidekick.

Jonathan’s Word: Yeah, the cast is pretty forgettable… and not without the proverbial low cut tops for the eye-candy effect. But the cameos are often pretty funny.

Todd’s Word: Sure, this time they have Bo Derek as Reid’s mother and David Hasselhoff as Ziering’s father, both of whom are famous for running on a beach…but somehow recreating and combining those scenes was too much for this film.

Jonathan’s Word: Quite a list of cameos, actually.

Todd’s Word: Yeah… a pretty long and bizarre list, from the cast of Today to real life politicians Sharknado 3 definitely brought the “star power.” You’ll also see Jackie Collins, Lorenzo Lamas, Lou Ferrigno, Anthony Weiner, Jerry Springer, George R.R. Martin, Penn & Teller, Mark Cuban as the president of the United States, and Ann Coulter as the vice president. Clearly the end is near.

Jonathan’s Word: And plenty of product placements to add to the cheese factor!

Todd’s Word: I realize my words of warning are rather pointless to many. I know it’s on your DVR and I know many of you are going to watch it. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. But just for the record…this movie (whether on purpose or by accident) is bad…”Coaster” bad.

Jonathan’s Word: And I say it is purposely bad, and worth the rent!

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, although for some reason, Ian and Cassie emerge from a crashed plane in just their underwear.

The language is mild but there is a ridiculous amount of people who die from bloody CGI shark attacks.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What would you say motivates Fin to save the world from the sharks?


2. What motivates you to do the right thing?

Read Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.


3. Who motivates you to do good?


4. Who can you motivate?