Sadly Over-hyped

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Squirm (1976) *** (out of 4) A storm comes through and knocks various power lines down in the woods of Georgia. This electrical force is causing the worms in the ground to come up and before long they start attacking people. New Yorker Mick (Don Scardino) is visiting his girl Geri (Patricia Pearcy) and soon the two of them are trying to survive.Director Jeff Lieberman's SQUIRM is pure Southern drive-in horror that manages to work even though it has a rather silly story and very little of what you'd call a budget. The first time I watched this film I thought it was somewhat overrated because there's really not too much that happens throughout the running time. With the second viewing I really noticed a lot more things that I had overlooked and I really thought this was a rather well-made little film that accomplishes a lot considering the budget.I think what I enjoyed most this time around was the fact that the director perfectly captures the atmosphere of this small redneck town out in the middle of nowhere. The main star of this picture isn't the actors or the worms but instead it's the location, which is pure low-economy madness out where everyone knows everyone. I really loved that Lieberman was able to milk this Southern setting for everything that it was worth and you just really could feel the locations and their creepy nature. When the characters are out fishing you can just smell the stink. When they're walking through the woods you can just feel the sweat.Another plus is that some of the performances are actually pretty good. Scardino is really good in the role of the boyfriend. He perfectly fits that "city boy" images but at the same time he makes the character one you like and you really do feel as if he can turn into the hero. I also really liked R.A. Dow who plays one of the rednecks. You've also got Jean Sullivan turning in a fine if short performance and Peter MacLean is a blast as the Sheriff.The special effects are fairly good for what they are and the editing helps make several scenes quite effective including the notorious one with the worms digging into one man's face. SQUIRM isn't a masterpiece and there are certainly some flaws but there's no much going right here that you can't help but enjoy it.

When Seventies Elton John goes to visit his girl way down somewhere in Virginia, he's all expecting some passionate loving (wait, that doesn't sound like Elton John at all), but instead gets surrounded by pink, wriggling slimy things instead (that sounds more like Elton John).What's happened, right, is that there was some sort of storm and the some electricity hit the ground and then all these worms (who were residing in a worm farm) all went a bit mental and start chowing down on the locals, none of whom in the slightest belief Elton John's theories (or even like him in the least, especially that sheriff with the simply bizarre haircut. You know, it's one of those nature on the loose deals, only this one manages to pick a pretty harmless creature. It's far too slow as well, what with Elton and his girl doing exciting things like checking dental records, going fishing and trying to convince the sheriff that something's wrong over and over and over again.The video cover to this one scared that crap out of me when I was young (when video shops existed), but sadly it didn't live up to it all. The wormface bit was good though, but that's it!

After the incredible success of Jaws in 1975 "nature runs amok" flicks became real popular for the next decade or so; in fact, they're still being made. "Squirm" was released one year after "Jaws" in 1976.THE PLOT: A storm downs power lines in a small Georgia town, electrifying the wet mud and unleashing millions of 10-18 inch sand worms of the area. City slicker John Scardino (Mick) comes into town to visit redhead Patricia Pearcy (Geri), eldest daughter of widow Jean Sullivan. A slow-witted local hick (Roger) is attacked by the worms and goes mad as he aids the slimy creatures in their "attack" on the citizens. Supposedly based on an actual event that occurred September 29, 1975.The first time I saw "Squirm" I was about 13 or 14 years old and high as a kite (something I don't do anymore) and, man, it scared the you-know-what out of me! I was completely taken in by the story, the eerie mood and deep-South atmosphere. I was ENTRANCED. Seeing it again as an adult (and sober), it's understandably not as scary or captivating as when I first saw it, but that first viewing won my utmost and eternal respect."Squirm" was actually filmed in the deep South, in Port Wentworth, Georgia (just North of Savannah), and all the actors go overkill with the whole "Southern" bit, so the film definitely has a real authentic Southern feel.It's generally slow-paced but that's okay because it's only 92 minutes long. It has loads of atmosphere and a few really good frightening scenes, like when the worms attack Roger's face while fishing in a rowboat with Geri. The story is not campy at all; it's pretty much presented in all seriousness; and the acting by the main characters is believable and good (not so much with the peripheral characters). Roger will strike you as a highly likable genuine country boy before he goes looney.Because of all these factors I was able to get swept up in the story and take it seriously (at least as serious as such a story can be taken). It may not be an "A" class film like "Jaws" or "Orca" but it's certainly a worthwhile "B" film, that is, if you have an occasional taste for "nature runs amok" flicks. Don't listen to those that say this is a Grade "Z" film. It's not. This is a well-made "B" picture.How you will take a film like "Squirm" depends on your personality. Some will think it's unintentionally funny or cheesy, etc., while others will take it seriously (like me) and enjoy the eerie atmosphere, Southern locations and a few good frights.Make no mistake, for the type of film it is, "Squirm" is certainly worthy of 4-Stars (or at least 3-Stars). In fact, I'd give it 5-Stars but I'd feel too guilty about it.Check it out if it sounds like your cup of tea.GRADE: B

Welcome to Fly Creek, home of 50 Trillion worms (and an antique store) . Probably discouraged and depressed, these super-aggressive worms are stuck in Georgia, after all. Little Mick is about to find out first hand exactly how aggressive these guys can be. Mick has a crush on some girl, who, as you should be able to tell, is in no way, shape or form worth a trip to Georgia, especially all the way from New York City. Nonetheless, this hard-up-for-a-date, city-slicker makes his way, via bus, all the way down to sorry little Fly Creek. What the hell am I talking about? This little gipper should grab a hold of whatever he can get. So, this trip was definitely worth it, although Georgia still sucks (with the exception of Athens, of course). Not much time for Mick and Gerry to catch up, as the backwoods drama begins. Yesterday there was a terrible storm, knocking down the power lines, sending electricity into the ground, giving the local worms even more reason to despise their surroundings. So, yeah, now they're killing people. But Mick and Gerry are on to them, and also, Jethro Bodine's evil twin means business, as he has his sights set on Gerry, and he ain't givin' up without a fight. And if things couldn't get any worse, poor little Mick just got into the poison ivy. I hate you, Georgia.I gotta point out, for PG, this is one awesome, dare I say underrated B-movie. Squirm certainly moves at it's own little pace, yet never gets dull or slow, with just enough humor thrown in. No blood, no gore, not much killin', not much dyin', but Squirm possesses that rare B-charm, found in stuff like Blood Freak, and it's about as odd of a movie as it's rating allows it to be. Squirm also captures life in a very small, lifeless Southern town very accurately. Anyone who digs director, Lieberman should also dig Blue Sunshine. Although, Squirm is far superior. An all-around worthwhile B-movie experience. 8/10