Commentary

Top 10 Movie Monsters

I have something a bit different to offer you today. Instead of talking about the federal government’s latest takeover a debt-riddled American corporate dinosaur; I decided to turn my attention to something more amusing. (Video after jump.) I’ve decided to create a list of my favorite movie monsters.

First, a little background information: I’ve been a fan of monster movies since my days watching “Monster Week” on ABC’s “The 4:30 Movie,” which, I believe, was a community service offering by the television network designed to keep disgruntled children from setting fires and slashing tires. When I was old enough to sneak into “R” rated movies, I was immediately drawn to films like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Exorcist.” As I “matured” (a decades long process that is far from over), I learned to draw cartoons. Many of these ink and paper creations feature monsters, aliens and assorted psychopaths (also categorized as monsters). So, devising a list of my own seems to be a worthwhile exercise – I like to think of it as a journey of self-exploration.

Before I share my list with you, I would like you to see a few top 10 lists that I discovered on the web. The first, which includes an entertaining video, comes from Cinemassacre. The second is the work of Mark Monahan, of the U.K’s Telegraph, and the third comes from a poll conducted by Media Psychology Lab at California State in Los Angeles.

Cinemassacre’s Top 10 Giant Movie Monsters (WARNING: Contains a sprinkling of foul language):

10.Tadpole Thing (The Host – 2006)
9. The Kraken (Clash of the Titans – 1981)
8. Brontosaurus (From the Lost World – 1925)
7. Reptilicus (Reptilicus – 1961)
6. Stay Puff (Ghostbusters – 1984)
5. The Beast (The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms – 1953)
4. Gamera (Series 1965-2006)
3. Godzilla (Series 1954-2004)
2. King Kong (1933)
1. The Giant Claw (1957)

“The top ten movie monsters,” from Mark Monahan:

10. Sil (Species, 1995)
9. Nomak (Blade II, 2002)
8. The Tyrannosaurus Rex (Jurassic Park, 1996)
7. The id-monster (Forbidden Planet, 1956)
6. The Rabbit (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975)
5. The Werewolf (An American Werewolf in London, 1981)
4. The Thing (The Thing, 1982)
3. King Kong (King Kong, 1933, 2005)
2. Medusa (Clash of the Titans, 1981)
1. The Alien (Alien, 1979)

Media Psychology Lab’s 2001 poll:

10. The Alien (Alien – 1979)
9. Jason (Friday the 13th – 1980)
8. Hannibal Lector (The Silence of the Lambs – 1991)
7. Michael Meyers (Halloween – 1978)
6. Chucky (Child’s Play – 1988)
5. King Kong (King Kong (1933)
4. Godzilla (Godzilla King of the Monsters – 1954)
3. Frankenstein (Frankenstein – 1931)
2. Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street – 1984)
1. Dracula (Dracula – 1933)

My Top 10 movie monsters:

10. Medusa (Clash of the Titans, 1981)
9. The Kraken (Clash of the Titans – 1981)
8. The Tyrannosaurus Rex (Jurassic Park, 1996)
7. Godzilla (Series 1954-2004)
6. The id-monster (Forbidden Planet, 1956)
5. The Werewolf (An American Werewolf in London, 1981)
4. The Predator (Predator, 1987)
3. The Thing (The Thing, 1982)
2. The Alien (Alien, 1979)
1. Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street – 1984)

As you may notice, my list focuses on the truly creepy creations dreamed up by those with more disturbing childhoods than mine. As for my top pick, Freddie scared the crap out of me; I couldn’t sleep for days after being scarred by that film (the ending was truly nightmarish). And, some of you may question why I have so few giant monsters on my list. I can explain this by the fact that you can run and hide from them. Godzilla made it for his ability to breath fire, the Tyrannosaurus Rex for his intelligence and persistence, and the Kraken for his (its?) overall ghoulish appearance. Please leave lists of your own in the comment section.

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