Benjamin's Stash: Video Pick of the Week

      Hello, readers. It's the final recommended viewing pick for October, and I decided to go with a pick that leans more toward fun than outright scary. It's a shame that when it first came out, this film performed poorly at the box office. Since its release though, it has developed quite a cult status.

      While committing an act of infidelity, local car deal Grant Grant (Michael Rooker) stumbles upon a parasite infested meteor in the woods. Infected with one of the parasites, Grant begins to experience some physical changes that worries his wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks). Since he refuses to visit the doctor, Starla goes to local sheriff Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion) - her childhood crush - for help. He assures her that what her husband is going through can't be too bad, but as Grant's "condition" worsens, it could spell big trouble for the town of Wheelsy, South Carolina.

      The 80's were as infested with a number of "B-movie" gore films, some good and some complete garbage, as this film is with its parasites. Slither is a self-aware, competently directed, and surprisingly well-acted ode to those B-movies of the past that's just as funny as it is bloody. Nathan Fillion, who has that "everyman" quality about him, fits the role of the local sheriff who saves the day that we've seen a million times before and after this very well. Michael Rooker had already established himself as a character actor long before we got to know him as Merle Dixon in TV's The Walking Dead, and it's almost cliche to see him play those seedy types of characters, but dammit if he doesn't play 'em well. Gregg Henry has some great comical moments as the town's foulmouthed mayor, and this was actually the first film that introduced me to Elizabeth Banks. Writer/director James Gunn's background in Troma Entertainment (best known for the cult-film The Toxic Avenger) prior to this film makes him a perfect fit for this type of film. He knows how a B-movie should be made. The characters are lively, the makeup and creature effects are fantastic and despite the fact that I maybe would've liked a bit more wit thrown in with the sight gags, it's still an entertaining time. At just around 90 minutes, Gunn keeps the film's pace at just the right speed. It's not perfect, but it sure is fun. I kept the plot to a minimum 'cause like last week's pick, The Descent, certain moments with this film are much more rewarding when you find them out on your own. I'll just say the clip I posted above isn't even the best death scene.