Arachnophobia (1990)
The tagline for this film was “Eight legs, two fangs and an attitude”. I would consider this a comedy horror type film; it is real light on the horror, with more comedy…but still can be enjoyed as a family film.
Frank Marshall directed this one; Al Williams and Don Jakoby created the story, with Wesley Strick and Don Jakoby writing the screenplay. It is basically about spiders so; if you happen to have Arachnophobia, then this might not be the film for you. On the other hand, it might help you deal with your phobia and help overcome it.
The lead character in this story is Dr. Ross Jennings who is played by Jeff Daniels. This is one of his better performances on screen. His wife is played by Harley Jane Kozak who I remember as Dr. Suzanne Carter from Necessary Roughness (1991) co-starring Scott Bakula which was a football comedy movie.
You might also recognize John Goodman playing a smaller role in this as Delbert McClintock who is an exterminator. Julian Sands probably best known from Warlock (1989) plays Doctor James Atherton in this film, and is quite convincing. A much heavier Stuart Pankin plays Sheriff Lloyd Parsons.
I hardly recognize him now after he lost those extra pounds good for him. His performance in this was notable and one of his better roles. Brian McNamara plays the role of Chris Collins in this and is the assistant to Doctor James Atherton. Mark L. Taylor plays Jerry Manley a journalist, Henry Jones is Doctor Sam Metcalf, Peter Jason is Henry Beechwood, James Handy is Milton Briggs, Roy Brocksmith plays Irv Kendall, Kathy Kinney is Blaire Kendall, Mary Carver is Margaret Hollins, Garette Ratliff Henson is Tommy Jennings, Marlene Katz is Shelley Jennings.
The story is about a deadly spider that stalls away inside a coffin that was shipped back to the United States and ends up in Canaima, California where the story unfolds. People start to disappear; and at first the cause is unclear until more people keep dying and an investigation takes place which leads to the discovery of the Venezuelan spider.
The venom this thing has is very deadly, and basically instantly kills anyone who crosses paths with this nasty little creature. But things get worse for the community, as the spider starts to breed with domestic spiders in the area. Watch out! This is creepy entertainment that will give you a true sense of what it means to have Arachnophobia.
