Welcome back to Crouch Cinema Corner as we kick off Season Two and dive headfirst into the wild waters of James Cameron’s very first feature film Piranha 2: The Spawning. Before the blockbusters, the Oscars, and the billion-dollar blue aliens, there was this chaotic 1982 creature feature about flying killer fish, sunken ships, and some truly questionable dubbing.

We explore Cameron’s early filmmaking roots, from his time learning under B-movie legend Roger Corman to being thrown into this Italian production where he barely spoke the language. Along the way, we discuss the film’s surprisingly competent underwater shots, its hilariously dubbed performances, and those unmistakable glimpses of the ambitious filmmaker Cameron would become.

There are laughs, nostalgic nods, and plenty of appreciation for Lance Henriksen’s scene-stealing performance as we chart the humble (and very fishy) beginnings of one of cinema’s biggest directors. It’s a messy, fascinating start to our James Cameron journey and the perfect way to launch a new season of Crouch Cinema Corner.