When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I can see the attempt to make this a 50's style film, but it doesn't work. Now I have seen movies of the 1950's including the nature on the rampage ones. This isn't that. There are many jokes throughout poking fun at 50's life, and that joke wears thin really quickly. The movie, simply, is too self aware to be a real throwback. Maybe I'm being too critical of the film but...it's a good attempt but just doesn't work. Stop trying too hard.

The main problem I have with these indie throwback tributes to the 1950s monster movie genre is that I'd much rather be watching one of the original productions rather than an indie with a struggling budget trying to do justice to the genre. That's the case with THE GIANT SPIDER, a virtual reworking of TARANTULA with some surprisingly decent, lo-fi special effects. The whole thing is shot in black and white and certainly looks the part, but the script is sub par and I found the forced humour to be unfunny; I'd much rather they simply played it straight.

I've been following Christopher R. Mihm's film career for a couple of years now, and The Giant Spider is easily the best, most accomplished film he's made. Mihm has made a career of mounting reverent homages to 50's horror/sci-fi films, and the polish of each of his films (this is his eighth!) grows with each film. The pacing, acting, special effects, directing, and technical achievement of The Giant Spider is pretty darn impressive for an independent film-maker - some stand out elements for me: The "spider" simply puts all other film beasties to shame - compare it directly with 1955's "Tarantula" and you can see how much better this one is filmed and presented. The puppetry is AMAZING! The close-up of the spider's face is really, really first rate. And the theme song has been stuck in my head for days! Love, love, love it. A film that made me laugh out loud several times (not AT it, WITH it), and left me with a great big smile. Perfect film for fans of the genre.

The is the 8th movie made my Christopher R. Mihm, all of which pay loving homage to those wonderful B 'monster' movies of the 1950's. Well, except one which is really a murder mystery. If you love watching Them or Robot Monster, seeing actors like John Agar and Richard Carlson on the screen, being amazed at the world of 50's style special effects (only better I think), you can't help but love Mr. Mihm's movies. The Giant Spider is his best one yet! There is drama, humor, action, love and thrills to satisfy all. It is obvious that everyone involved with the making of this movies truly loves what they are doing. Be prepared to laugh out loud, to cringe in 'fear', and to just enjoy a little over an hour of fun!!!!! This is a must see!