Slither

(2006) ***1/2

An asteroid hurtles toward the sleepy town of Wheelsy. The small core of matter that survives the earth's atmosphere cracks open, and a slimy blob creeps out. Unfortunately for local citizen Grant Grant, he is the first to find this thing, which promptly barbs him in the chest. Other than some blood here and there, and a blank stare, the initial changes in Grant are limited to a ravenous hunger for meat and a new approach to lovemaking. Soon enough, however, he begins to transform into a slimy, blobby, pimply, tentacle-y thing. This transformation inevitably has an impact on his marriage and on the other townsfolk.

This movie showed up on HBO tonight just I was ready to watch another horror movie, so I took advantage. Many of the regular thonners have seen Slither, with somewhat differing opinions. My take is right about in the middle. The movie was violent, bloody, and often funny; the special effects are good and original and plenty disgusting. I don't think it has the overall quality required to become a favorite horror-comedy, but Slither is certainly gory, nauseating fun.