Monsters Inc.

This June 20th marked the 39th anniversary of one of the most classic monster movies of all time. Based on an original novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws was a smash hit that briefly held the record of the world's highest-grossing film (Star Wars would claim the top spot just a few years later). With an Oscar-winning score, and one of the most famous film lines in Hollywood history ("You're gonna need a bigger boat"), this story of a great white shark terrorizing the tourists of Amity Island arguably invented the modern-day summer blockbuster.

But "Bruce" (the nickname given to the giant, animatronic shark used in shooting the film) was not the first great movie monster, and certainly not the last. Read on to see our top five picks of the film world's most famous -- and infamous -- movie monsters.


-- Request the film "Jaws" from the Catalog

-- Request the book "Jaws" from the Catalog



5. The Alien

Killer aliens have been a dime a dozen in Hollywood for decades, showing up in everything from The Avengers to Independence Day. But for the ultimate in alien monsters, the title character of director Ridley Scott's Alien series is surely in the top spot.

These monsters have a complex -- and completely horrifying -- growth cycle, implanting their eggs inside human hosts only to have their baby "chestbursters" live up to their names in gruesome and bloody film spectacle. Luckily, Sigourney Weaver's tough-as-nails Ellen Ripley is exactly the heroine needed to keep these Aliens, and their Queen, at bay.

Still, even with Ripley on the side of humanity, this is one movie monster you wouldn't want to meet!

-- Request "Alien" from the Catalog

-- Request "Aliens" from the Catalog

-- Request "Alien 3" from the Catalog

-- Request "Alien Resurrection" from the Catalog



4. Cujo

From artist Laz Marquez

He didn't start out a monster. Before being bitten by a rabid bat, Cujo was a sweet and good-natured St. Bernard, who wanted nothing more than to be a good dog and please his masters. Of course, it's precisely his gentle nature that makes Cujo's transformation from family friend to rabid beast so horrifying.

Both the film and the original Stephen King novel follow the story of Donna Trenton and her young son, Tad. Though Cujo is not the Trentons' dog, it is Donna and Tad who end up trapped in a stalled car, facing off against the now-monstrous Cujo. With no way out and no way to contact help, it becomes a race against time for Donna to get herself and her young son to safety. And if you think you know how the story ends, well ...

-- Request the book from the Catalog

-- Request the film from the Catalog



3. Gizmo

This cuddly little stuffed animal doesn't look deserving of a place on a list of classic monsters. But that's the thing about gremlins: if you want to keep them cute and cuddly, there's three very specific rules to follow. Don't get them wet, don't expose them to bright lights -- and, whatever you do, no matter how much they beg, never feed them after midnight.

But, of course, nobody wants a monster movie where everything goes according to plan. When young Billy Peltzer fails to follow the rules about his new pet, hilarity -- and horror -- promptly ensue. While it's a bit of family-friendly fare for older kids, this movie is notable for helping to bring about the classification of a new movie rating: PG-13.

-- Request "Gremlins" from the Catalog



2. King Kong

He's not completely monstrous -- maybe just a little misunderstood. Kong, a giant gorilla living a solitary life on a little-visited island, is captured by an ill-intentioned filmmaker who plans to bring Kong back to New York City and show him off as "the eighth wonder of the world."

This goes off about as well as can be expected, and the only thing which keeps Kong from bringing down the whole city is a squadron of fighter jets ... and Ann Darrow, the beautiful actress who Kong wants only to protect. The film ends with another line that lives on in movie history: "Oh, no, it wasn't the airplanes ... it was Beauty killed the Beast."

-- Request the classic film from the Catalog

-- Request the 1976 remake from the Catalog

-- Request the 2005 remake from the Catalog



1. Godzilla

With 28 films made by the Japanese production company Toho Studios (and several more American adaptations), Godzilla is arguably the most famous movie monster of all time. Originally appearing on the silver screen less than a decade after the World War II atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla himself served as a metaphor for the horrors of nuclear power. Awakened and fueled by nuclear energy, Godzilla had catastrophic effects on the cities he attacked.

At least, at first. As time went on, and Godzilla became embedded in the public consciousness, the character saw a shift -- changing from mindless monster to unlikely hero. These days, a Godzilla movie is more likely to show this dinosaur-like creature fighting off other monstrous "enemies" and saving the humans around him -- as can be seen in the new blockbuster film released this summer.

(And no, we don't speak of the 1998 Matthew Broderick film. We just don't.)

-- Request the original 1954 film from the Catalog

-- Request "Mothra vs. Godzilla" from the Catalog

-- Request "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" from the Catalog

-- Request  "Godzilla: Final Wars" from the Catalog

Listen to the classic "Jaws" theme here

-- Post by Ms. B 

We're All Chosen Ones

"Chosen Ones" are a dime a dozen. Be it Frodo Baggins, Luke Skywalker, or Harry Potter, the story of the unsuspecting everyman called to undergo a dangerous but world-altering quest is a familiar fantasy tale. It's a story we all seem to respond to on a human level, and so it's one that is told time and time again.

But despite so many fantasy stories centering on an "everyman" -- that is, a character that theoretically represents all of us -- the role is rarely filled by a woman. So when you're a girl like me, who loves the fantasy genre, finding a rare female "Chosen One" who's every bit as complex, layered, and downright fun as her male counterparts is kind of a big deal.

Hence, Buffy Summers.

She's made of pure Awesome.

The television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer first premiered 17 years ago this week. In the first episode, we're introduced to Buffy Summers, who is the Slayer -- a girl destined to fight vampires, demons, and the other evil creatures that prey on the unsuspecting humans of the world. Armed with super-strength, inhuman reflexes, and a whole lot of wooden stakes, Buffy and her friends spent seven seasons fighting the forces of darkness, while also trying to navigator the even-more-treacherous waters of adolescence. (It's a toss-up which was the tougher job.)

Read any list of kick-butt female characters, and Buffy invariably merits a spot on the list -- as well she should. There are few female heroes as tough, layered, and inspiring as Buffy Summers. Emphasis, in fact, on "inspiring." So in honor of her 17th anniversary, let's take a look at just five of the ways that Buffy shows us gals that we can all be Chosen Ones:



-- She's just an ordinary girl.

She's got ONE quick little errand to run before the Spring Fling dance.

Okay, so she happens to be the one girl in her generation destined by fate to slay vampires. But she's still your typical teenager: trying out for the cheerleading squad, hanging out with her friends at the local club, checking out the latest fashions, pouring over homework assignments.

And, vampires aside, she's got all the usual teen trials and tribulations to deal with, too: school, parents, troublesome boyfriends, snotty cliques, and grown-ups who just don't understand.

Series creator Joss Whedon always intended to make Buffy the Vampire Slayer a metaphor for high school. (Sunnydale High is positioned right atop the gates of Hell -- what high school student can't relate to that?) So it makes sense that the story's hero would have the same interests, problems, and character growth that every teenager must go through. But it's precisely her ordinary problems that make Buffy all the more relatable -- and all the more inspiring.

-- She is, no doubt about it, kick-ass.

Maybe they can let her turn her homework in late, just this one time.

An argument's been made (and it's not without merit) that Buffy Summers is a superhero -- and as such, she's even got the superpowers. She's been supernaturally gifted with super-strength and super-reflexes, making her job as a Slayer just a bit easier. Of course, even with those abilities, she still has to train like any other athlete (or vampire slayer) to keep her abilities sharp and her power focused. 

The origin of Buffy's character is an ironic twist on the horror-film trope of the evil monster and the helpless girl. Buffy turns that cliché on its head through sheer force of will and strength -- and, of course, Buffy's power is not merely physical. She is the gold standard of a strong female character: courageous, resourceful, determined, and, in many ways, resolutely optimistic. She's also got flaws to battle through, the same as anyone else -- which makes it all the more rewarding when she overcomes them. In the process, she's a reminder to her female fans that we can be just as tough and strong when we need to be. 

-- She surrounds herself with great friends.

High school: the toughest years of your life with or without vampires.

Buffy starts off the first season of her show at a brand-new high school. Once there, she's quickly given the opportunity to choose a new group of friends: the cliquey popular girls, led by queen bee Cordelia Chase; or the resident "nerds," Xander and Willow.

For Buffy, it's a no-brainer: she'll take the kind and good-hearted nerds over the "mean girls" any day. It kicks off a theme that continues throughout the show's run, as Buffy continues to recruit further allies: Angel, Oz, Tara, Anya, Dawn, and even Cordelia herself (the "queen bee" eventually comes around). As the seasons progress, Buffy continues to beat the odds as one of the longest-living Slayers of all time, and the reason is simple: she doesn't fight her battles alone. She has her friends. It makes for the perfect reminder that good friends can make you stronger.



-- She knows the importance of knowledge.

Buffy and her right-hand Librarian, Giles.

The librarian at Sunnydale High, Mr. Giles, has a most unusual part-time job: he's a Watcher. That is, he's the official mentor to the Slayer, on hand to help Buffy train, fight, and, most of all, learn everything she needs to know to do her job.

So it's fitting that Buffy and her pals spend so much time in the Sunnydale High library. Understanding the importance of the old saying "know thy enemy," the gang can often be found researching the best methods to put a stop to whatever monster the Hellmouth may be throwing their way that week.

While Buffy's super-strength and fighting abilities are clearly an invaluable tool in her vampire throw-downs, there's no getting around the fact that another of her best weapons is knowledge itself. Without the research, demon slaying would be a whole lot harder. (But, of course, we all already know about the importance of libraries!)



-- She's not just an ordinary girl.

Like all great heroes, though, it's not her superpowers or her destiny that make Buffy special. It's because of the choices she makes: to stand by her friends, to fight for something important, to help the people who need it. She's a hero not because of her talents, but because of what she chooses to use them for -- and that's the kind of hero that any gal (or guy!) can aspire to be.

Brava, Buffy Summers.

In closing: click here to view the YouTube video, "Buffy vs Edward" -- 

a truly delightful fan-made Buffy/Twilight mash-up.

From the Catalog:

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season one [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season two [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season three [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season four [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season five [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season six [DVD]

- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season seven [DVD]


- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- the Season Eight Graphic Novel series

- Other Buffy Graphic Novels

-- Post by Ms. B

Summertime @ the Movies

With summer vacation -- and Summer Reading -- both quickly approaching, that means we're already firmly entrenched in another annual tradition: the blockbuster movie season.

While there's plenty of money-making movies that come to theaters in the "off-seasons" (Avatar and Titanic are the only movies to ever cross the $2 billion box office mark, and they were both December releases), summer remains the season for big action, big special-effects efforts to crowd into theaters and attempt to win over their audiences.  

With the latest entries in the Iron Man, Star Trek, and Fast and the Furious franchises already in theaters, it's shaping up to be a summer filled with superheroes, sci-fi, and high-action blockbuster fun at its best. So while you're waiting for your personally most-hotly-anticipated theater release (or if you've already seen it at the theater), check out our Top Ten list of summer blockbuster classics. (All free and available on DVD @ your library, of course!)

Tracy's Picks:

-- Star Wars (1977)

As you know from earlier posts, this is one of my favorite films of all time. And, for me, it defined the summer of 1977. This swashbuckler disguised as a space opera had it all -- adventure, comedy, heartbreak, and even a hint of romance. 

-- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford created another iconic character in archeologist Indiana Jones. This adventure takes us all over the world in the 1930s, as Indy tries to stop the Nazis from discovering the Ark of the Covenant. Along the way, Indy meets old friends -- and an old flame.



-- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Who wouldn’t identify with this adorable little alien who only wants to go home? With help from Elliot and his friends, E.T. manages to be reunited with his ship after some (slightly) scary encounters with the government.

-- Blade Runner (1982)

The dystopian future of Blade Runners is a very dark and scary place to live. Androids have been created to work off-planet, but now some of them are rebelling. A former police officer (Harrison Ford again) must find, and kill, these replicants.



-- Ghostbusters (1984)

Who you gonna call? Three parapsychologists hope that you call them when you encounter a ghost, that’s who! They are hired to remove a ghost from a New York penthouse. The ghost takes the physical shape of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and leaves a lasting impression on the citizens of New York City.



Ms. B's Picks:

-- Batman (1989)

Look, let me be honest: I don't really like this movie. (Quite a hard thing for a die-hard Batman fan like myself to admit!) Michael Keaton's Batman suit makes him move like he's wearing a snowsuit, Jack Nicholson forgoes the roll of the Joker in order to simply play Jack Nicholson, and Tim Burton's Gotham City is more Alice in Wonderland than gothic New York. Yet I appreciate this quirky, box-office-smashing flick for putting Batman back squarely in the public's eye. Without Michael Keaton, there would have been no Christian Bale.

-- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Okay, so there's some kid in this movie, alongside some "Governator" or some such. But let's be honest: the real star of the Terminator movies is Sarah Connor, action heroine extraordinaire. Alongside Sigourney Weaver's kick-butt Ellen Ripley (from Ridley Scott's Alien movies), Sarah Connor is the female action hero done right. She was an ordinary young waitress until the events of the first Terminator movie swept her up into a world of killer androids, time travel, and an A.I. intelligence bent on wiping out the future of the human race ... once it's been invented. (Time travel complicates everything.)



-- Independence Day (1996)

There are two types of aliens in sci-fi stories: the good ones and the bad ones. The aliens of Independence Day definitely fall into the latter category. Showing up one July 2nd, an attack force of visiting aliens promptly begin their attack on Earth, bent on wiping out the humans to take the planet's resources for themselves. Serious subject matter, when you put it that way -- but the summary belies the high-action, high-humor fun that is really what the movie is all about. Watch it for the third act, when Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum band together to save the day with a recovered alien ship and Jeff's trusty Macbook. (It's exactly as much goofy fun as it sounds.)

-- Men in Black (1997)

Independence Day may be fun, but I generally prefer my sci-fi movies to have a little more finesse than that. "Finesse" may not be a word that would most obviously apply to a film like Men in Black, but it's important to take a look at what the movie actually does. Poking fun at sci-fi tropes, conspiracy lore, and life in a big city, Men in Black was, at its premiere, that wholly unusual phenomenon: a truly original Hollywood film. The MIB is the government organization in charge of all the aliens currently living out their lives on planet Earth. Just one hitch: none of the Earthings can know they're there. The bizarrely-awesome comedy that plays out in this story is absolutely not to be missed.

-- The Mummy (1999)

If not for this movie, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. This Indiana Jones-style throwback adventure/horror flick became such a favorite of mine that it inspired my interest in two very different areas. This fun, 1920s-set film is technically a rebooted remake of the Boris Karloff classic, but with its tongue set very firmly in cheek. When a group of adventurers inadvertently disturb the tomb of a cursed Egyptian mummy ... well, you know the rest. Aside from piquing my interest in Egyptian mythology, my admiration for the story's main character inspired me in a different way. The true heroine of the story?  Evelyn Carnahan ... a librarian. Who wouldn't want a job like Evy's?