We saw Steven Spielberg’s new autobiographical film, The Fablemans over the weekend. I was twelve and had just moved back when Jaws, his first blockbuster came out, and like pretty much everyone who has seen it, that music by John Williams became part of our family lexicon. One of us would swim sideways underwater in the pool with one arm bent to stick out of the water like a shark’s fin while another sibling would hum the “Do do…do do…dododododododo” theme to terrorize the third sibling.
What a wonderful article about two absolute geniuses in their respective arts. Mr. Spielberg's movies have touched many lives. For me, it was Jaws first, after seeing the movie with my best friend, Mike Ferguson, while staying at his family's "Shore house" in Stone Harbor, we went to see Jaws, after the movie, as two pumped teenagers we decided to go swimming in the ocean. While in the deeper water, Mike suddenly disappears in the darkness, at first I figured he was messing with me but I could not get the visions of that shark out of my head. Just as I began to feel the first pangs of a growing panic, and was just about to strike out for shore my right leg was grabbed and I felt sharpness beginning to pierce my skin as the pressure quickly strengthened, then suddenly I was yanked underwater like a fishing bobber being hit by a large-mouth Bass. I was suddenly gripped by a terror so strong that I completely froze for a brief second, seeing nothing but a sheet of bright white light and hearing my heart pounding like a bass drum in my ears. Then, I was released, I really do not remember swimming back to the beach, or walking out of the water. The next thing I remember was Mike by my side laughing his arse off at what he had perceived as the best practical joke of all time. After breathing deeply and calming myself down and realizing that my harrowing brush with the digestive system of a great white shark had all be the brain-child of my best friend, and brother from another mother, I was able to see the humor and forgive Mike for giving me the scare of a lifetime. HOWEVER, there were repercussions for the both of us, for me, I have never again gone into the ocean deeper than maybe 2 or 3 feet of water as once I can no longer see the bottom my anxiety begins to ramp up and I am out of the water in a flash. For Mike, well that is a story for a different time, I will just say it has to do with a letter he received at his father's house from Playgirl Magazine regarding his recent submission. A very official looking letter, that was received and opened by his father. Karma is a bit*h isn't it?
Great Article, Ms. Darer thank you for your insight and the memories that were brought to mind.
What a wonderful article about two absolute geniuses in their respective arts. Mr. Spielberg's movies have touched many lives. For me, it was Jaws first, after seeing the movie with my best friend, Mike Ferguson, while staying at his family's "Shore house" in Stone Harbor, we went to see Jaws, after the movie, as two pumped teenagers we decided to go swimming in the ocean. While in the deeper water, Mike suddenly disappears in the darkness, at first I figured he was messing with me but I could not get the visions of that shark out of my head. Just as I began to feel the first pangs of a growing panic, and was just about to strike out for shore my right leg was grabbed and I felt sharpness beginning to pierce my skin as the pressure quickly strengthened, then suddenly I was yanked underwater like a fishing bobber being hit by a large-mouth Bass. I was suddenly gripped by a terror so strong that I completely froze for a brief second, seeing nothing but a sheet of bright white light and hearing my heart pounding like a bass drum in my ears. Then, I was released, I really do not remember swimming back to the beach, or walking out of the water. The next thing I remember was Mike by my side laughing his arse off at what he had perceived as the best practical joke of all time. After breathing deeply and calming myself down and realizing that my harrowing brush with the digestive system of a great white shark had all be the brain-child of my best friend, and brother from another mother, I was able to see the humor and forgive Mike for giving me the scare of a lifetime. HOWEVER, there were repercussions for the both of us, for me, I have never again gone into the ocean deeper than maybe 2 or 3 feet of water as once I can no longer see the bottom my anxiety begins to ramp up and I am out of the water in a flash. For Mike, well that is a story for a different time, I will just say it has to do with a letter he received at his father's house from Playgirl Magazine regarding his recent submission. A very official looking letter, that was received and opened by his father. Karma is a bit*h isn't it?
Great Article, Ms. Darer thank you for your insight and the memories that were brought to mind.