Monster movies have been a staple of the Hollywood film scene since at least the early 1920's when audiences were thrilled with The Lost World, a tale of battling dinosaurs. Monsters have always managed to capture our imaginations, impressing us with their ferocity and sending chills down our spine as they wreak damage across the big screen chomping on buildings and trampling people as if it were all in good fun, like a sordid sports competition. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes; they may be furry and somewhat cute, they may have humanoid features, or they may be ten feet tall with giant, swinging tails. The sky is the limit when it comes to these nightmarish creatures. Here is a list of five of the most impressive modern movie monsters.
Gremlins: These furry little creatures are darling things before they convert into vicious, destructive eating machines. Called mogwai, which supposedly translates into ghost or demon in Cantonese, the original gremlin is purchased as a gift in a store in Chinatown. The shop owner warns that the mogwai is not to touch water nor sunlight, and it can't be fed after midnight. Of course, these rules are broken, and the mogwai turns into a hideous gremlin. Released in 1984, Gremlins was a huge commercial success. You can usually catch this film via satellite TV as Halloween approaches.
28 days Later: Directed by Danny Boyle of Trainspotting fame, 28 Days is a post-apocalyptic science fiction, horror film. It tells the tale of a world infected by rage, converting anyone in its path into a vicious flesh-eating zombie. These creatures are voracious and unthinking. They will rip you into shreds in two seconds. 28 Days was filmed entirely in HD and is recognized for its breathtaking images of a deserted London. Critics described the film as a stylistic tour de force, and it has become a classic in the zombie genre.
Alien: This 1979 film, which spawned the Alien franchise, introduced audiences to the creepy ET who stalks and kills humans with wanton violence. This alien is one mean creature. Its long, thin limbs and huge oblong head send a chill down your spine. The movie won awards for its visual effects and direction. Critics praised it and many claim it is one of the best sci-fi movies around.
Tremors: Tremors is an over the top monster comedy. In it, a small town in Nevada, called Perfection, ironically enough, must fight against subterranean worm-creatures called 'graboids'. These graboids leap through the dirt to feed on whatever is moving up above. They are fast learners and it takes the whole town to defeat them. This film is best viewed in HD.
The Host: This South Korean film may be lesser known, but it's still well worth the watch. It's a great combination of comedy, horror and drama. The monster gets its fair share of screen time; we can see it tearing up the beach, swimming in the river, and swinging from the bridge. Although the creature is somewhat small, in comparison with other famous monsters, it is quite acrobatic and quick on its feet. The film is quirky and touching and shouldn't be missed.
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