‘Slither’ (2006 theatrical release)

Directed by James Gunn 

Part fifties drive-in sci-fi, part eighties splatter comedy, ‘Slither’ is just a fun throwback to trash classics of the past.  A meteor crashes through earth’s atmosphere, bringing with it a killer space slug or something like that.  Grant Grant (Michael Rooker), who obviously has never seen ‘The Blob’, pokes the slug with a stick.  This results in the slug, which is apparently pretty smart as far as slugs go, taking over Grant’s body.  At first his wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks) doesn’t notice much difference, but when Grant starts developing a serious case of space acne and a taste for the neighborhood pets she begins to suspect something may be wrong and calls in sheriff Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion).  From this point on the movie is pretty much non-stop action, humor, and slime.   

‘Slither’ is a ‘B’ movie, so don’t go in expecting to be blown away by its originality or looking for deep meaningful themes.  The basic plot has been used a zillion times, but the combination of clever writing, good performances, and capable direction make it almost seem fresh.  I also want to give the filmmakers a big “thank you” for doing most of their effects using old school makeup, latex, and buckets full of real goop and only using CGI sparingly.  The Michael Rooker space slug is the best horror movie monster in ages, and a large part of that is because you can actually see a person acting beneath the monster.  You just don’t get that with computer generated creatures.  If you have fond memories of flicks like ‘Basket Case’, ‘Return of the Living Dead’, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, ‘Evil Dead 2’, and ‘Re-Animator’, I think you’ll probably enjoy ‘Slither’.  Don’t get me wrong, ‘Slither’ isn’t quite on the same level as those films, but it has the same spirit and it comes pretty close.  (Bob Ignizio)

‘V For Vendetta’ (2006, theatrical release)

Directed by James McTeigue 

In the not too distant future, England is once again a superpower, and a totalitarian religious dictatorship at that. Undesirable minorities have pretty much been done away with, and the rest of the population has long since decided that feeling "safe" is more important than being free. It's up to a masked vigilante/terrorist named "V" to remind his countrymen that those who would give up liberty in return for security deserve neither.

That's pretty much the plot of 'V For Vendetta', a highly entertaining and often subversive film directed by James McTeigue and based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. There is plenty of action in 'V For Vendeatta', but there's just as much intellectual as visceral stimulation to be had. The performances are excellent all around and first time director McTeigue does a fantastic job handling such a complex film.

For those of you who are fans of the original graphic novel, as I am, I think you'll be mostly satisfied. Things have been understandably updated (the original story took place in the then-future of 1997/98), some characters and plot elements have been left out, and unfortunately one very important part of Alan Moore's theme has been omitted. While the film does a great job getting across the idea that oppression should be overthrown, it doesn't really convey Moore's feelings about how simply destroying the old order isn't enough. In the graphic novel, it's clear that the V character believes in a kind of responsible anarchy, and also believes that achieving this goal won't be easy. The film adaptation seems content to just leave things at "rebellion is good".

On the plus side for fans of the original work, there are several scenes taken directly from the graphic novel, and despite the simplification of Moore's themes, much of the novel's spirit remains.

Personally, I just really enjoyed the hell out of this flick. I'm betting at the end of 2006, this one will still be at the top of my list for best movies of the year.  (Bob Ignizio)