Wednesday, October 19, 2011

My Favorite Monsters....

by Amber Leigh Williams


Okay, it's getting on toward Halloween and I just have to get something out of my system. So here goes....


*sigh* Sorry. I simply cannot properly prep for Halloween without doing the Monster Mash.

Today I want to continue the ghoulish October theme by counting down my favorite team of monsters! The truth is I don't like to be scared out of my skin so I'm not talking the really scary monsters like Freddy Krueger or that crazy kraken thing in the more recent Clash of the Titans. I prefer my monsters more, well...cuddly and furry....


#7 - Merrie Melodies' Rudolph
He's more furry than cuddly, but still - who can forget the classic 1946 Bugs Bunny cartoon "Hair-Raising Hare" with the big hairy orange monster in white sneakers? It isn't known to many people that this tough guy later became known fondly as "Rudolph" and then even later - continuing the cuddly and furry theme - "Gossamer." Above all others, this is the Looney Tunes episode that stands out most in my childhood, particularly the scene in which Bugs gives Rudolph a manicure, complete with mouse traps. Did anyone else want to give ol' Gossamer a hug when he ran screaming away from our clever wabbit?



#6 - Monsters, Inc's Michael "Mike" Wazowski
This might or might not be the Pixar junkie inside me talking, but there was nothing more funny in 2001 than Billy Crystal's green, one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. His harassed, fast-talking character was so lovable, in fact, that Disney decided to include him in hilarious follow-up cameos in the movies Finding Nemo, Cars, WALL-E, and Toy Story 3 as well. Great news to Mike Wazowski fans everywhere: it was announced recently that a Monsters, Inc. prequel is in the works with Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi all reprising their roles. (And yes, that noise you just heard was yours truly squeeeing....)



#5 - Hellboy's "Red"
A must-watch on Halloween is Guillermo del Toro's 2004 adaptation of comic book hero Hellboy, played by Ron Perlman. There are many things I love about Hellboy (or, as his on-again off-again girlfriend Liz likes to call him, "Red") such as his love for fuzzy kittens...his sarcastic quips...but most of all his drive to be one of the good guys despite the fact that he was built to be bad - very, very bad. Maybe it's simply his devotion to Liz that I find irresistible, but Red is one monster I dare anyone not to like. And speaking of sequels, the third Hellboy movie is in early planning stages. Can't wait to see how Red and Liz are faring with twins :)



#4 - Predator's Predator
While all the other romance fans were going to see the latest Twilight film in theaters, this nerd was going to see the new Predator movie.... This will probably be the scariest monster on our list. I never would have thought I would enjoy watching Predator, but the epiphany came during one of the many movie nights me and my future husband enjoyed during our eight-month courtship. (By the way, if you're looking for excuses to cuddle, a Predator movie is definitely recommended!) I have to say, though, that I much prefer this bad boy with his helmet on.








#3- Star Wars' Chewbecca
Okay, technically he's a Wookiee - but c'mon you gotta love him! Not only does Chewie co-pilot the fastest spaceship in the galaxy alongside Han Solo, he was named one of the "Greatest Sidekicks" in film history by Entertainment Weekly. (Yep, there goes that nerd alert again.) As it happens, Han and Chewie's relationship is one of my personal favorite bromances in the entertainment industry. Little known fact about Chewie: his full name is derived from the Russian and Ukrainian word for "dog," which is fitting considering that George Lucas's inspiration for the character was his own dog sitting up in the passenger seat of his car.


#2 - The Vampire Diaries' Damon 
He's not furry, but he's incredibly cuddly! I only recently admitted to my obsession with The Vampire Diaries television show and it all revolves around actor Ian Somerhalder and his delicious portrayal of vampire Damon Salvatore. Here's another bad boy doing good things.... When we first meet Damon, he's the deadly antithesis of his good brother, Stefan. Of course, the series plot slowly but surely turns all that on its head and, with the motivation of his love for heroine Elena in the driver's seat, he's fighting those vampire tendencies for the greater good. He's also by far the *ahem* sexiest monster on the list and could be beaten by only one other monster/hero.... 


#1 - Disney's Beast
He was the first Disney prince to bicker with his heroine onscreen, but since he's cursed to be big and hairy for a lifetime it's easy to forgive him. Beauty and the Beast is still one of my favorite fairytales. It really put to rest all that stereotypical rich and handsome hero business. The beast might just be Disney's lone antihero, a character catalogue that I find just as enticing as the romantic plotline. Funnily enough, in Disney's adaptation, the Beast doesn't have a real name. Would it perhaps be a bit too analytical to call him Prince Harry? :)


The fun continues here with you! Who did I leave off my list? Who is your favorite monster and why? (And apologies for getting the Monster Mash stuck in anyone's head!)


12 comments:

Brenda Whiteside said...

You listed two of my favorites. Chewbecca and Hellboy. Hellboy cracks me up!

Barbara Edwards said...

I can't hink this early in the day. After my second cup of coffee, I hope to recall another favorite monster. this list is great.
Barbara

Alison Henderson said...

The Pixar Monsters are my absolute faves!!

Patg said...

Actually, your list suggests non-human over monster. And being familiar with thousands of those from fiction, it would be a long, long list to add favorites.
Predator is one of my all time favs.
Take a look at Barlowe's Guide To Extra-Terrestrials.
Patg
www.patgulley.com

Cynthia DiFilippo Elomaa said...

Chewbacca is # one with me! :-)

Jannine Gallant said...

Another Chewy fan here, but what about King Kong? Okay, technicall maybe he's an ape. But in my book, anything that big qualifies as a monster!

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Brenda, Hellboy cracks me up too! :)

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Barbara, hope the coffee vibes are kicking in for your day! I know it's still too early for me to do any critical thinking, lol

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Alison, Monsters Inc is my favorite Pixar movie, by far. My sister can do the BEST impression of Roz. It's hysterical!

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Patg - I suppose I've used the word "monster" loosely here, both literally and metaphorically. Thank you for the suggestion!

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Cynthia, you can't possibly go wrong with Chewie! How many monsters do we know who can call up Harrison Ford on a whim? :)

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Jannine, I love King Kong - and he's definitely a runner-up! I'm with you - anything big qualifies :)