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Check out these Updates from Armchair Commentary for August 22, 2010.

Movie Monsters We Love August 22, 2010 Seems like only yesterday, but it was 35 years ago this summer that moviegoers were bitten by Jaws. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the great white menace tore up the box office to the tune of $470 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, and spawned sequels (Jaws 2, Jaws 3). As Piranha 3D strikes some summertime mayhem, we thought it would be nice to give a nod to movie monsters of yore (hello Godzilla, King Kong), notably in the Nature-Run-Amok department. Because we all know that couldn't happen in real life. Right? Mothra (1961): Not content to just chomp holes in sweaters, this giant winged monster terrorizes the citizens of Tokyo. Comic actor Frankie Sakai and Hiroshi Koizumi, veteran of several Godzilla flicks, star in this must-see movie for vintage monster fans. Willard (1971): Rat becomes man's best friend in this creep show starring Bruce Davison as the Pied Piper of Rodents. The 1972 sequel, Ben, featured more rat-boy mayhem and an awesome title song by Michael Jackson. Crispin Glover was perfectly cast in the 2003 remake of Willard. Night of the Lepus (1972): Awww, who doesn't love a little bunny rabbit? When an experimental hormone tested on one of these little cuties turns it into a supersized man-eater, a new breed of badass bunny is born. Stuart Whitman, DeForest Kelley, Janet Leigh and Rory Calhoun star in this drive-in camp classic. Frogs (1972): Good, corny fun meshed with a little suspense in a film that will have you wondering how a little frog could wreak havoc on humanity. Well, part of the answer is there's strength in numbers. Starring Ray Milland, Sam Elliott and Joan Van Ark. Watch the trailer here. Cujo (1983):  A good-natured Saint Bernard goes berserk after being bit by a rabid bat and turns on his loving owners (Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro). Although the special effects aren't  slick by today's standards, there's solid suspense in the final minutes of this film based on a Stephen King novel. Arachnophobia (1990): A deadly tarantula spawns a new breed of killer spider in this thriller that will have you putting your feet up on the furniture – just in case. Jeff Daniels and John Goodman star. Anaconda (1993): A documentary film crew (Eric Stolz, Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez) has their Amazon River trip hijacked by a nutty hunter (Jon Voight) and a battle with an enormous snake ensues. The CGI is A+ in this film. Hollywood knows we all have our phobias and whether yours flies, swims, slithers or just walks on four legs, Piranha 3D reminds us to stay out of the deep end. Watch the trailer here. --Francine

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