Jaws

Watch a movie with a cinephile and you’re sure to have a moment where they point at the screen to say “Split diopter.” This infamous shot technique – done by adding a piece of half-convex glass to the film camera’s main lens – wasn’t invented by Steven Spielberg’s third feature film, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t learn about it from this beachy blockbuster. That’s only one iconic element of the 1975 summer shark tale, which celebrates 50 years of scaring swimmers at this screening presented by cult horror mag Fangoria. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… sorry, that’s Jaws 2 spoilers. – James Scott