The Shallows Trailer (2016)

Trailer for The Shallows, starring Blake Lively.

In the taut thriller The Shallows, Nancy (Blake Lively) is surfing alone on a secluded beach when she is attacked by a great white shark and stranded just a short distance from shore. Though she is only 200 yards from her survival, getting there proves the ultimate contest of wills. It’s Jaws for a new generation.

Originally titled In the Deep, The Shallows initially had Louis Leterrier (The Transporter) on to helm. The director bounced, however, after learning that the initial budget was going to be cut. With the film spending most of its time with a single actress, Blake Lively, its hard to imagine that much of the budget went to finding a cast.

Having lived in Santa Barbara off the cliffs for four years and then eight years and going in Newport Beach, I have no issue admitting that I don't like going into the ocean. Sure, I'll go in far enough to where my feet can still touch the sand, but that is it. I'm usually back out after I've cooled off or relieved myself, if you get my drift. The warm sand and sun is perfectly fine for me.

The Shallows trailer reminds me of all my concerns and is sure to create the next generation of moviegoers who can't figure out why they are not exactly comfortable when floating around in open water. The film looks like it can be pretty thrilling and awesome, with its ability to push the sense of not knowing what's around or under you; save for a big-ass great white shark of course.

The whole idea of having sanctuary only a couple hundred yards away is also brilliant. As all of us know who've ever swam such a distance in the ocean, that stretch of water might not look far, but it feels about a mile once you start swimming; and that's not factoring in a bleeding leg or the risk of hitting sharp rock or coral along the way.

My only concern is the film's running time. Like Cast Away, some solo-cast movies can run on far too long. The Shallows looks like a perfect 75-80 minute film. Anything longer might be testing the patience of its audience.