Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica

by Susan Snyder

Five decades ago, Jaws scared the swimsuits off of us and lit the fuse for a beloved little horror movie sub-genre called Sharksploitation. From the blatant rip-offs of the 1970s to the CGI assault of modern movies, shark movies are going strong and still satiating our appetite for toothy carnage.

With her education as a marine biologist and her experience diving with sharks, Susan brings her distinct perspective to 85 of Sharkploitation's most notorious, ridiculous and sometimes pointless contributions to film. Don't let her fool you though. This is really a tongue-in-cheek love letter to shark cinema... the good, the bad and the "so bad it's good".

In this all-teeth-no-bones collection of reviews, interviews, essays, rants and even some poetry, Susan dissects the genre as a whole and explores everything she loves, and hates, about Sharksploitation movies.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2021

Reviews

[Horror Bookworm Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror Bookworm Reviews...
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/

A shark is bizarrely transformed into a death machine called Roboshark. A vengeful shark seizes a house and terrorizes a sheriff and his son. An ultimate showdown occurs when two titans encounter each other...Sharktopus vs Whalewolf. Welcome to Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica, an entertaining handbook commemorating the evolution of shark films. This extensive masterpiece of informative commentary begins with the one-and-only Jaws then focuses on the blatant rip-offs, coattail riders and successfully replicated movies.

In the tradition of Joe Bob Briggs and Grady Hendrix, author Susan Snyder has made her own imprint in the horror community by navigating a humorous informative tour of sharksploitation films. By using her extensive knowledge, Snyder reviews and provides commentary on low budget gems with a profound passion. With categories such as, Two For One: The “Versus” Movies, Rip Offs and Fins In Funnels...breaking down unique gore filled cinematic delights turn into a one of a kind jawsome reading experience.

The approach in which a clever tongue-in-cheek Susan Snyder dissects and rationalizes each film is something to witness. The quick-wit and sheer randomness of her annotations makes each synopsis the star of this underwater encounter spectacular. Her clichés and playful musings are guaranteed to put a smile on your face if not an outright burst of laughter. This makes each and every review worth experiencing.

After reading Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica, I actively sought out several of these efforts of ingenuity in an attempt to embrace the oddness and cheesiness of what it has to offer. I suppose there’s worse addictions in life but consider my new obsession a testimony to the literary talent performed by Susan Snyder...you Evil Temptress. This 5 star nonfiction pleasure has become a top read of mine for 2021, and will be yours too if given the chance.

[Richard Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to Follow

[Christina Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this excited to learn more about sharks! Susan Snyder is a marine biologist and surely would have some great insight right? She’s got some insight alright, into some of the worst movies ever made about sharks.

The Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica is essentially a guide to movies about sharks and how they’ve evolved (haha) as technology has progressed. I had no idea how many movies out there ripped off Jaws! She goes into this along with reviewing each movie she watched; the good, the bad, and completely awful.

I decided to give the Sharknado movies a go based on this book. I watched movies 1-3 and I just can’t watch anymore. My husband entered the room about halfway through movie 1 and said I’ve lost brain cells for watching the movie! It’s so bad that it’s funny.

Susan gives us reviews of several other shark movies I’d never heard of. There are a few I’d like to find because of her hilarious reviews. She is candid with her readers and doesn’t mind making fun of herself while reviewing the movies. She incorporates her outrageous sense of humor and has fun with this. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Dakota Dawe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever looked through all the horror movies on all streaming platforms and noticed the absurd amount of Shark movies. You may think to yourself, “there’s just too many to choose from, and half of them look like they were chewed up and spit out by the not-so-friendly fish that star in them”. Well now with Encyclopedia Sharksploitanica, you can read reviews on 85 different sharksploitation movies and find out which are the good, the bad, and the so-bad-it’s-good.

Filled with tons of humor, commentary, interviews, and of course, reviews, Encyclopedia Sharkploitanica aims to guide you through the world of Shark films while keeping you chuckling the whole way through. Never have I enjoyed myself reading reviews as much as I had with this book. Funnily enough, I’m now realizing I’m reviewing a bunch of reviews, which is insanely meta.

If you have a love of cheesy horror movies, sharks, or need a good laugh, let Susan Snyder tell you all about the plethora of Shark related creature features that streaming services have to offer. Who knows, you may find your next favorite movie!

[Lucas Mangum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan watches all the bad shark movies so we don't have to, and she's damn funny to boot!

[Moaner Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, credit where credit is due: This is the first text I have come across that is more informative than Michael Gingold’s “Shark Movie Mania” (A book from the Rue Morgue Library series), and I do not say that lightly. As someone who pens the occasional movie review, let me just say that those who purchase this text should also check out the author’s blog, Sharksploitation Sunday (https://sharksploitationsunday.com/). For the horror community, Snyder performs an intrepid public service of doing something even the bravest critics cringe at: Watching badly-made films so that others won’t have to. The contents of the book afford Sharksploitation horror fans the opportunity to compile a comprehensive ‘To-Watch’ list. Furthermore, literature on horror movies featuring sharks is painfully scant. This book shines as an invaluable desk reference for creators. Directors, screenwriters and authors who are thinking about dipping their toes into the world of Sharksploitation will have a bevy of plot ideas - and failed plot ideas - for shark tales.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never has a book been more written for me than this one. If you know me, then you know that I LOVE bad shark films. I will defend 6 Headed Shark Attack with my life. I cried at Shark Side of the Moon (the ending!!!). My letterboxed account is literally just sharksploitation (among such classics as Meth Gator, VelociPastor, and Birdemic, for a palette cleanser). This book was made for me. (And yes, I have autism, why do you ask?)

I had FUN!!! I found some new films to watch, and even though I disagreed with some of Snyder’s reviews of ones I’ve seen this was just plain enjoyable to read. I need a volume two, and I need it to include Bikini Shark and Malibu Shark Attack. I just know she’ll have a field day with those.

4.5 sharks out of 5 (the .5 is a mermaids purse, we don’t harm sharks over here) 🦈

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a blast!!! I definitely added some movies to my watch list after reading this. If you have any interest in exploring the crazy world of Sharksplotation, this is the book for you. Susan does an amazing job telling us about them, adding in some fun snark, and taking the bullet for us by watching some real duds.

[Patrick Rahall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book about sharks I've ever read. Susan Snyder's commentary, sharp wit, and scientific expertise set this book apart from any other you'll read about the Sharksploitation genre. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Encyclopedia of Sharksploitation

First off, I have to say, I loved this book! Susan Snyder does a wonderful job creating safe, jovial reviews of different shark movies throughout history that I love, many I love to hate. I don’t have to actually swim with the sharks but I’m not tortured to death by watching all those movies.
Some movies did not really make blockbuster status but are still quintessential to this time honored obsession with a "man eating machine." These little gems are pure bliss. I tried to watch just one and all the eye rolling during the movie just made me dizzy. I'm not saying I wouldn't want to watch them but some were too over the top and I just didn't have it in me to continue.
So thank you Susan for expericing all those movies you have endured for my benefit! I Hope there was enough beer for the duration. I really did enjoy this lovely book. It made me want to go back and watch the beast that started it all, you know the "big guy." Needless to say I didn't want all those nightmares. I love scary movies but shark movies always freak me out. I highly recommend this masterpiece!