Why Is This Necessary?

For years I have been wanting to watch The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  I wanted to watch them all, back-to-back, on a cold blustery day.  Well, that didn't work out.  About a month and a half ago I noticed that the first movie in the trilogy was on instant Netflix.  It was a cold blustery day so I decided to watch it.  The other two had to be ordered through the DVD portion of Netflix.  Bummer.

I watched the second movie and then the third came and it sat on my kitchen counter for a good two weeks.  I finally decided I would just watch an hour every night until it was finished.  So, the other night I was lounging on the couch, enjoying Return of the King when it happened.  The thing I wasn't expecting.  The thing that always seems to pop up in fantasy movies.  Have you guessed what it is yet?  The scene where the MASSIVE spider comes in.  WHY?!  Why I ask you!  Why do fantasy movies always have to have a MASSIVE spider?!  Why?!  It is ridiculous and it creeps me out.  Big time.  I have major arachnophobia.  Okay, so my "problem" is a lot better than it used to be, but still.  Spiders scare the shit out of me.  The last thing I want to see in a decent movie is an enormous man-eating spider!  *Shudder*

Shelob

The Lord of the Rings isn't the only movie that I have had this problem with.  Harry Potter also had a man-eating spider.  No, wait.  That movie had hundreds of man-eating spiders.  I had to cover my eyes.  Yes, I covered my eyes even though I know they are not real and it is only a movie.  I covered my eyes the other night too.  But when Shelob (who names a spider?) stabbed Frodo in the stomach with her pointy thing my eyes were not covered.  I was frozen in a state of shock!  I sat there with my mouth dropped open and my eyes wide as she wrapped him in a web, preparing to eat him!  I couldn't believe it!  I thought he'd get away like the good character always does.  Granted, he did get away, but he suffered first!  Good grief!  I still can't believe it!  *Shudder*

Aragog (Yet another named man-eating spider)

 Just so you all know...it took a lot for me to find these pictures and post them.  I'm not gonna lie, my legs are all weak and shaky right now and I feel rather light headed.  Seriously.  *SHUDDER*  So, explain to me why fantasy authors feel the need to add these nasty creatures to their stories?  What is the point?  Can't they have a huge man-eating beetle?  I can handle beetles.  What about a walking stick?  Those might be close to crossing the line, but I can handle them better than spiders.  Okay, I have to go now.  I need to try to walk around...maybe go out and get some fresh air, although I will probably be scanning every surface thoroughly to make sure there aren't any eight legged bastards crawling around.  *Shudder*

Frodo: "What is this place?"
Gollum: "Master must go inside the tunnel."
Frodo: "Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to."


Frodo should've followed his instincts.  :)