Collider: "10 Greatest Monster Movies of the Last 25 Years"

Above, Cloverfield was one of the last movies I took my late mother to see.

Alright, monster fans. There have been many monster movie in the theaters (and on cable, satellite home video) over the past 25 years. 

Some are lauded as near-masterpieces and some derided as steaming piles of excrement. 

Collider has posted what they consider to be the "10 Greatest Monster Movies of the Last 25 Years, Ranked".

They begin with:

Some will hear the term "monster movie" and immediately think of a black and white King Kong, where the ape scales the side of the Empire State Building, or Godzilla, where the kaiju rises from the ocean. Although those iconic creatures are some of the most well-known examples, countless movies in the modern age use monsters as the star attraction. Industry-leading filmmakers are using original monster creations to explore topics such as governmental oppression and the brutality of war.

From horror to sci-fi to family movies, monsters are running all over modern films, snatching box office victories and proving there’s still life left in the genre. The following films are the greatest monster movies of the last 25 years, ranked by their use of monsters big and small and their lasting appeal to moviegoers. It’s important to note that the concept of monsters is open for interpretation, so even though the list could include vampires, werewolves, or personal injury lawyers, this list will stick to creatures that defy easy categorization.

For those of you who are Godzilla fans, Godzilla Minus One made the list. 

To see the 10 greatest monster movies list, go here.

Classic Monsters Exhibits #4

Since Halloween is only two days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.

Above, portrait of Kong at the Art of Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Godzilla at Art of Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Alien at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Robby the Robot at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The 15 Best Kaiju Films Ranked

Above, Godzilla peers over a building in the Shinjuku section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to imagine in this day (with all the video technology we have) and age that some people have never seen a giant monster movie, but there are still some out there who haven't.

If anyone who has never seen a daikaiju eiga (giant monster movie) and wants to get started with a list of "essential" kaiju films to watch and begin their "study", the following could be just what the doctor ordered.

Slash Film has a list of 15 "best" kaiju films ranked. They aren't the "best" as far as film quality goes, but these are films that run the gamut from the deadly serious to wacky silliness. 

They begin their list with:

With their memorable roars and towering heights, kaiju (aka giant monsters) continue to have an endearing impact on cinema. Whether it be their silly theatrical presentations or their terrifying on-screen personas, kaiju are among the most unique pop culture creatures to ever exist. From "King Kong" to the immortal "Godzilla," every one of these massive movie stars has not only inspired kids' imaginations, but also spurred great filmmakers to tell their stories in the most fascinating of ways.

However, the question remains: Which among the plethora of kaiju movies is the best of the best? That's harder to define than Godzilla's actual height. But, while it would take forever to examine every one of the great giant monster movies, the picks on this list continue to excite fans both young and young at heart. No matter where you are in your kaiju journey, these movies deserve some giant-sized respect.

Above, yours truly with Godzilla himself, Haruo Nakajima, in 2013. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

To see the list, go here.