Tentacles (1977)

[Dr. Whom]

Jaws, but with a giant octopus, except that the inclusion of the marine biologist with his special bond with the orcas, who eventually kill the octopus, makes it an unexpected precursor of Jurassic World.

This could have been a perfectly adequate creature movie, but it is let down in the execution. If there is ever an award for most stilted dialogue, this is a serious contender. The story advances by leaps and bounds, entire plot lines are left hanging, characters appear out of nowhere (usually to be eaten by the octopus shortly after)....
This is most clear in the climactic scene, where the octopus chomps down on a sailing race for kids. On paper, this must have looked promising: intersperse shots of the mayhem on the water with shots of the adults on the shore enjoying themselves, while a lone character (played by Shelley Winters) is the only one to realise that something has gone horribly wrong. As it is, we get a confused jumble of random shots without any suspense whatsoever.
Which brings me to the most damning aspect of the movie: what passes for action are just shots of an octopus and of people looking scared at the camera. I can imagine that someone had an epiphany after watching Jaws and thought: this is a great way of making monster movies on the cheap. Simply never show anything. How they managed to get John Huston, Shelley Winters, Henry Fonda and Bo Hopkins on board, is anyone's guess.

The version I saw on Youtube had Japanese subtitles, which, given the title, didn't surprise me in the least. It must have been a bitter disappointment to many a Japanese, though.

[RCMerchant]

I seen that one! Pretty stupid.
For more late 70's John Huston junk- check out the BERMUDA TRIANGLE (1978)!

[zombie no.one]

basically agree with your criticisms but I'll add that STUPID sound effect that kept playing through the movie, and the constant bizarre freeze-framing of the screen which actually looked like an error... took me 3 or 4 attempts to make it through this one but I got there eventually. not proud

[Allhallowsday]

What a cast!!  What a turd!  What a bore! 

 

[Dr. Whom]

basically agree with your criticisms but I'll add that STUPID sound effect that kept playing through the movie

Ah yes, the octopus theme tune that played whenever there was an attack. I suppose they had to something to let the public know the octopus was doing all this. It surely wasn't visible on screen.
In fact, my original review was longer, but I cut it down to show the movie some mercy.

[Dr. Whom]

What a cast!!  What a turd!  What a bore! 

 

That poster is far better than the movie.

[Alex]

What a cast!!  What a turd!  What a bore! 

 

That poster is far better than the movie.

True dat.

[Allhallowsday]

What a cast!!  What a turd!  What a bore! 
 

That poster is far better than the movie.

Damn straight.