Jump to content

Draft:Playing with Sharks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Playing with Sharks
Directed bySally Aitken[1][2]
Written bySally Aitken[2]
Produced byBettina Dalton[1]
CinematographyRon Taylor[1]
Edited byAdrian Rostirolla[1]
Production
companies
WildBear Entertainment[2]
Dogwoof[2]
Distributed byMadman Entertainment (Australia)[3][4]
National Geographic Documentary Films
Dogwoof[5][4]
Disney+ (International)
Release dates
  • January 29, 2021 (2021-01-29) (Sundance Film Festival)
  • June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17) (Australia)
  • July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23) (Disney+)
Running time
95 minutes[5]
CountryAustralia[1]
LanguageEnglish[1]
Box office$62,415[6]

Playing with Sharks is a 2021 Australian documentary film, directed and written by Sally Aitken. The film explores the life of Valerie Taylor, an woman who is is notable for filming sharks.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, and was released in Australia through an limited theatrical release on June 17, 2021, and was later added to Disney+ on July 23, 2021.

Synopsis

[edit]

The extraordinary life story of pioneering scuba diver, Valerie Taylor, a fearless marine maverick whose passion for sharks knows no bounds – even when there should be.

— WildBear Entertainment[4]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 45 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "A fascinating tribute to a pioneer as well as an engrossing act of environmental advocacy, Playing with Sharks makes up in enjoyment what it lacks in depth."[7] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 78 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[8] Alonso Duralde of TheWrap wrote in his review "A front-row look at an extraordinary life".[9] Randy Myers of San Jose Mercury News reviewed the film, stating "Taylor's tireless commitment to [her] cause and her love for what the seas offer are inspiring for young and old alike".[10] Writing for Common Sense Media, Sabrina McFarland stated "Playing with Sharks not only offers an informative, eye-opening viewing experience for kids and families, but also the chance to participate in engaging deep-dive discussions about Taylor's exceptional life journey".[11] Phil Villarreal of ABC Tuscon gave the film a positive review, writing "An illuminating film that's well worth the deep dive".[12] John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal wrote in his review "Playing With Sharks has its visual thrills but also tells one good story after another, not only about making movies and flirting with death but about the nature of the fish and the steely character of the movie's human subject".[13] Natalia Winkelman of The New York Times, however, gave the film a mixed review, writing "Are we meant to recoil from sharks or care for them? Likely some of both, but the documentary comes out looking unsure".[14] Anne Brodie of What She Said stated in her review "A fascinating ecological and moral study".[15]

Box office

[edit]

The film made $29,549 in its opening weekend on 64 screens. It made $62,415 in it's entire limited run.[6]

Release

[edit]

Playing with Sharks held its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 29, 2021.[16] On February 2, 2021, National Geographic Documentary Films picked up the distribution rights to the film.[2] The film was released in Australia through an limited theatrical release on June 17, 2021, by Madman Entertainment.[3] The film was released to Disney+ on July 23, 2021.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "PLAYING WITH SHARKS - Doclands". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "'Playing With Sharks' Documentary Acquired By Nat Geo At Sundance". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "WildBear consolidates global standing following 'Playing with Sharks' success - IF Magazine". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Playing With Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story - WildBear Entertainment". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Playing with Sharks: capturing the enduring legacy of Valerie Taylor". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story (2021) - Financial Information". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Playing With Sharks | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  8. ^ "Playing with Sharks Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  9. ^ Duralde, Alonso (2021-07-23). "'Playing With Sharks' Film Review: Valerie Taylor Champions the Ocean's Most Misunderstood Denizens". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  10. ^ Correspondent, Randy Myers | (2021-07-28). "New movies: 'Stillwater' is not what you think, but it's great". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2024-10-20. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ Movie & TV reviews for parents. "Playing with Sharks Movie Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  12. ^ "Engaging doc 'Playing with Sharks' sinks its teeth into a fascinating life". web.archive.org. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  13. ^ Anderson, John (July 23, 2021). "'Playing With Sharks' Review: A Makeover for Man-Eaters - WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  14. ^ Winkelman, Natalia (July 23, 2021). "'Playing With Sharks' Review: Intrepid Journeys Undersea - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  15. ^ Brodie, Anne (2021-07-23). "Timely and Powerful Indigenous Films, Celebrating Geraldine Chaplin, Royal Wedding Redux and Tantoo Cardinal!". What She Said. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  16. ^ "2021 Sundance Film Festival: Full Program Announced - sundance.org". 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  17. ^ Chitwood, Adam (2021-06-30). "Here's What's New on Disney+ in July 2021". Collider. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Playing_with_Sharks&oldid=1252306821"