365 Movies Day #156 "Slither"

Funny horror films rock. And when I think funny horror, James Gunn's "Slither" is near the top of the list. I first saw this film in a tent in Afghanistan. Me and my crew laughed our butts off at this film. I expected a dumb horror movie and got one of the funniest films I had seen in a long time...mixed in with some pretty twisted and disgusting crap.

You may know Gunn's writing work more than his directing efforts with sripts for the "Dawn of the Dead" remake and the live action "Scooby Doo" films, which were actually pretty decent. He's also directed some hilarious internet stuff like "PG Porn" and got his start at Troma writing and directing "Tromeo and Juliet". He's entertaining as hell and tends to work with some fantastic folks, many of which made it into this film. His latest film "Super" (which I still have not seen yet) received some very positive attention.

"Slither" stars Nathan Fillion (the baddest of the Brown Coats) as local Sheriff Bill Pardy. When classic 50s alien mind possessing slugs start turning the residents into grotesque horrors everything goes to hell in a handbasket in a way that will keep you cringing and laughing till the end of the film. Fillion has done a lot of great work from his hit series "Castle" to the epic, though short lived, "Firefly" and even appearing in Gunn's "PG Porn" spots and Whedon's "Dr. Horrible" web series. You probably DON'T remember seeing him as Private Ryan's brother in "Saving Private Ryan" or the tiny role of the priest in "Dracula 2000" (which also featured Gerard Butler as Dracula in one of his earliest roles). He's another actor that is always a joy to watch and I hope Whedon can get him involved with "The Avengers" somewhere.

The town's mayor is flawlessy played by another fun actor to watch, Gregg Henry. Henry always brings something special to his roles. One of my favorites was his character Val Resnick opposite Mel Gibson in the wonderful film "Payback". Gregg is no stranger to Fillion either having worked on both "Castle" and "Firefly" with him. He's also done about every TV show since 1976.

The female lead in the story is played by the lovely and talented Elizabeth Banks ("Scrubs", "30 Rock", "40 Year Old Virgin"). Her love interest turned embodiment of the alien invasion is played by Michael Rooker. Gunn can really pick them. Rooker just impresses the hell out of me. I can't wait to see him again on "Walking Dead" (you know it's coming) and he's done fantastic work on films like "Days of Thunder", "JFK" and "8 Men Out". You can also catch him on Gunn's "Super". Jenna Fischer ("The Office" is in there too (Gunn's ex-wife) along with appearances by Gunn and Troma God Lloyd Kaufman.

I can't wait to catch "Super" and if you're looking for more badass films by Gunn, this is definitely a shining star.

SLITHER ON IMDB