A Return to Salem's Lot

Director: Larry Cohen

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093855

Review: A reasonably solid idea to begin with that descends into bizarre non-sequiters and meandering plotting.

Watch it if: You want to see something that feels like it was made up as they went along, for better or worse.

And if you liked: Return of the Living Dead, Children of the Corn, Near Dark

The Reef

Director: Andrew Traucki

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1320291

Review: Reasonably competently made but is really just one dial of fear turned to different levels throughout without any real sense of tension.

Watch it if: You have the patience for a repetitive survival movie.

And if you liked: 47 Meters Down, Open Water

Cruel Jaws

Director: Bruno Mattei

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112747

Review: Borderline unwatchable in its inept and amateurish construction with no real sense of peril or character.

Watch it if: You think a few enjoyable hammy lines to hold an entire film together.

And if you liked: Sleepaway Camp, Jaws 3D

Malignant

Director: James Wan

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3811906

Review: Fully in control and knowing of what level its operating on with some absolutely nutty ideas and sequences that culminate in a full thrillride by the end.

Watch it if: You enjoy something that revels in insane bonkers fun.

And if you liked: The House of the Devil, Sinister, Insidious

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9376612

Review: Fun and light on its feet with an ability to feel fresh and exciting even when traversing familiar beats.

Watch it if: You're interested in the expansion of this genre and universe.

And if you liked: Black Panther, Iron Man

Check this out: Shang-Chi

Piranha

Director: Joe Dante

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078087

Review: Odd and meandering but not without it's idiosyncratic charm.

Watch it if: You want something that's a clear Jaws rip while still bringing its own strange voice to the mix.

And if you liked: Jaws, Orca, The Burning

Orca

Director: Michael Anderson

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076504

Review: Loses its tension about halfway but comes up with some of the stranger ideas you could see in a film of this genre.

Watch it if: You want to see the weird places an animal film can go.

And if you liked: Jurassic Park, Jaws

Death Rider in the House of Vampires

Director: Glenn Danzig

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11505680

Review: Baffling and bizarre in its choices with no real sense of what it's trying to do or say.

Watch it if: You're fascinated by the character of Glenn Danzig.

And if you liked: Verotika, From Dusk Till Dawn