Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) Southern living is a way of life. People like to fish. That's good. But when a storm happens, some things aren't what it's like there. Lightning struck the ground. What harm does it cause? Plenty! The man selling worms became the victim of his own business. Unknown to him, the worms he's been gathering has become carnivorous. The baits becomes the predators. When the sun goes down, the locals become dinner for these worms. While the non-local tries his best to help out, knowing that the worms only attack at night. When the house scene where the worms attacked, I thought all the people were finished by the worms. It turned out that the sister found a hiding place where the worms couldn't penetrate. When the power company fixed the power, things are back to normal . With worms, I would expect giant sized earthworms. Perhaps, the night crawlers are the perfect example. May have been a mixture of worms. A cult classic, worth the watch. 2 out of 5 stars.

Michael_Elliott 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.

Bezenby 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!

Chase_Witherspoon The population of a backwoods community is overcome by worms, after they're agitated by the effects of currents following an electrical storm. Local girl (Pearcy, like an earthenware pot, she's fiery with good old fashioned charm) finds herself at the centre of the strange phenomenon, battling jealous suitors, sleazy law enforcement and oodles and oodles of worm noodles. Her new boyfriend (the amiable if painfully nerdy Scardino) making his first visit to the boondocks, gets a little extra 'something' in his milkshake, then realises that local yokel (an unnerving portrayal by the unknown actor Dow) has the hots for his girl. If looks could kill, the worms would be the least of his worries.Sharp, witty and scary, "Squirm" will make you do just that – there's a tongue-in-cheek script, pleasant scenery and some fantastic (and gory) special effects. Extreme close-up shots of feeding worms, mandibles protracted, is cleverly overlaid with an almost primeval scream that will leave you writhing in discomfort. The cast, whilst mostly obscure, are well led by director Lieberman and deliver their witty dialogue with consummate precision.Pearcy is an unconventionally beautiful yet spirited heroine, whereas Scardino, whilst undeniably assertive, isn't the epitome of alpha masculinity (note his bare-chested warrior turn). It's a case of Scardino being the brains, Pearcy the brawn, which makes for a neat stereotype twist. Dependable supporting actor Peter MacLean is perfectly cast as the womanizing local sheriff, his silver tongued, velvet baritone and virile male gaze creating a memorable creepy cop villain. And finally, Higgins is a quintessential ugly duckling, in an odd but likable characterisation as Pearcy's maturing sister, keen not to miss out on any of the action.Lieberman has done an outstanding job with apparently limited resources; hip, funny and suspenseful, "Squirm" is a highly astute little shocker full of surprises that goes well beyond expectations, and shouldn't fail to impress.