Best Cinematic 'Spider' Movie

[snyprrr]

I don't recall seeing a 'spider' movie that really worked for me. First, most all spider-movies use tarantulas, which, frankly, just aren't scary to me. Second, the SIZE of the creature is always off. Some thoughts:

1) Eight Legged Freaks: the SIZE of the critters is to my liking (I need spiders that are not TOO big, just big enough to really scare you), but, of course, the CGI hi-jinx ruin everything. I would rather they move a TINY bit slower.

2) Arachnophobia: again, it seems to use tarantulas, and the 'main' spider at the end has too much of a Schwarzenegger 'attitude'.

3)... can't think of any other CRUCIAL spider movies...



MY spider movie features a truly scary looking spider, much more 'wolfy' or 'recluse-y' than 'tarantula',... and the SIZE would be crucial. Perhaps the 'main' spider would be the size of a very large dog, but perhaps there would be lots of smaller spiders, about the size of a football.

I've had this idea since I used to write scripts as a child, and the one shot that everything revolves around is the sight of a closed door, with 'those' legs being seen in the space between the door and the floor. The other shot is of the legs coming over the back of a sofa. Frankly, it would be very interesting to see how much of the spider one could keep under wraps, meaning, how we could show the least and still receive total shock.

In a way, I'm reminded of Super 8. For a good part of the movie, the ID of the creature is very well concealed, making one think that it were a spider. Imagine my infinite disappointment at the creature's reveal. However, when I THOUGHT that the creature was a spider-like thing, I was hooked.

4) IT: I find this a terrible spider. The clown, of course, is classic, but the ending spider just has such a 'cosmic' feel to it that I just don't buy the chills.

5) Kingdom of the Spiders/Giant Spider Invasion: NOT AT ALL! (though, LOOOOOOOTS OF FUN!)


I recall a scene from John Barrymore's 'Jekyll/Hyde', where a big spider crawls up his bed and melts into his face. That's more of the kind of thing I like here.

Then there the Brazilian 'Coffin Joe' movies that actually torture people with real spiders, but this is not what I'm looking for, however...

I find one of the most incredible images would be of a witch giving 'birth' to thousands of spiders. I think this was in some movie, but I don't know if it's been pulled off for maximum effect.


Anyhow, do we have anyone who has obsessed about this as I have? Any ideas about the perfect spider movie?

[DavidW]

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

My favorite is Kingdom of the Spiders because Shatner rocks.   I haven't watched Arachnophobia since I was a kid,  but you're right snips tarantulas are not that scary.  My environment science teacher had a pet tarantula.  I held it in my hand and petted it once.

[drogulus]

     This one is from 1955

     Tarantula

     http://www.youtube.com/v/PIgU22nr2wg

[Bogey]

How about the cut scene from the original Kong movie....

Also, Dr. No, but that was merely a cameo.

But a movie that features Spiders....I am with drogulus.
.

[DieNacht]

Somehow never forgot this very short scene from




(sorry, no copy)

"The Thief From Bagdad" (1924), starring Douglas Fairbanks. The spider, though, is more like a jumping pile of pipe cleaners.

[Josquin des Prez]

One thing i've always wondered is why film makers always use tarantulas, which as far as spiders go are not that scary. Not compared to horrible creatures like the Sidney funnel web:



Which also happens to be the most venomous spider in the world, along with the Brazilian wandering spider. This is the stuff nightmares are made of, tarantulas almost look cute by comparison.

[snyprrr]

One thing i've always wondered is why film makers always use tarantulas, which as far as spiders go are not that scary. Not compared to horrible creatures like the Sidney funnel web:



Which also happens to be the most venomous spider in the world, along with the Brazilian wandering spider. This is the stuff nightmares are made of, tarantulas almost look cute by comparison.

Exactly

[snyprrr]

How about the cut scene from the original Kong movie....

Also, Dr. No, but that was merely a cameo.

But a movie that features Spiders....I am with drogulus.
.

Right,... but actually, the bugs in the new one were right up my alley,... brrr, THAT's creey!



TARANTULA is like Miracle on 34th St for me,... it's just one of those classic afternoon movies I love.

Somehow never forgot this very short scene from




(sorry, no copy)

"The Thief From Bagdad" (1924), starring Douglas Fairbanks. The spider, though, is more like a jumping pile of pipe cleaners.

I remember that from my waaay youth,... oh, wait, I'm thinking of the later TOB, with Shamu, or whatever his name was.

[Bogey]

One thing i've always wondered is why film makers always use tarantulas,

Perception is where it is at.  (See Madonna half time show.)  Also, the tarantulas have a strong position in the Actors' Guild.

[Josquin des Prez]

Tarantulas are such vain prima donnas too!

My father used to have one as a pet. We used to feed it crickets, but since we were too lazy to go to the store for fresh crickets (plus they were so cheap it was almost ridiculous to make the trip just to buy a few of them), that we would buy ridiculous amounts and then ended up putting food in there for the crickets. The tarantula must have felt like it had died and woke up in heaven, or made victim of some absurd cosmic joke.

[snyprrr]

Tarantulas are such vain prima donnas too!

My father used to have one as a pet. We used to feed it crickets, but since we were too lazy to go to the store for fresh crickets (plus they were so cheap it was almost ridiculous to make the trip just to buy a few of them), that we would buy ridiculous amounts and then ended up putting food in there for the crickets. The tarantula must have felt like it had died and woke up in heaven, or made victim of some absurd cosmic joke.

Absolutely beautiful creatures,... haha, The Giant Gay Spider Invasion, haha!!


After seeing Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, we rigged a beetle with yarn and... yes, the tarantula was NOT happy with the 'flying' prey!

[drogulus]

One thing i've always wondered is why film makers always use tarantulas, which as far as spiders go are not that scary. 

Perception is where it is at.  (See Madonna half time show.)  Also, the tarantulas have a strong position in the Actors' Guild.

     That's it, tarantulas are photogenic and fairly easy to work with.

[mc ukrneal]

I've had to read this thread with my hand blocking most of the screen. I see any of these in the 'wild', and I'm squishing them with something that allows me to keep my distance! OR I'm getting the heck out of there! Either works for me...

[TheGSMoeller]

. [asin]B00000F4MA[/asin]


Here's my choice for cinematic "spider". 

[Bogey]

Well, if we are talking about the ones without 8 legs:

[DavidW]

Here's my choice for cinematic "spider". 

Haha I thought of that too!

[snyprrr]

. [asin]B00000F4MA[/asin]


Here's my choice for cinematic "spider". 

Did I miss a Cronenberg film??? Whaaat??? Must check!!!

[TheGSMoeller]

Did I miss a Cronenberg film??? Whaaat??? Must check!!!

Do so, very good film. Especially if you're a fan of Cronenberg's work.

[DavidW]

Yup very intense... I should watch it again!

[TheGSMoeller]

Yup very intense... I should watch it again!

Nice "Scanners" avatar, David.