Customer Reviews

Slither [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Leonard Maltin, as usual, doesn't know what he's talking about. "Perfect TV fare"? The Coen Brothers were nominated for Oscars by making films comparable to this one - a strange, quirky comedy with a twisted take on life. Characters are clueless, the misunderstand each other, they inadvertently cause the destruction of themselves and others, and it's all very, very funny. Peter Boyle is great in it, everyone is, from Louise Lasser to James Cahn to Sally Kellerman. Better yet, it also features Richard B. Schul, Alex Rocco and Alan Garfield - you can't miss! Ranks along with The Big Bus and Slapshot as one of the funniest comedies of the seventies, the most misunderstood and unfairly maligned decade of filmmaking in the histiory of American film and this, my dear friends, happens to be one of its classics.

Yes! I agree with the Coen Bros references. This is a wonderful film. The Time Out film guide rightly says that this film defines the term 'offbeat'. I found myself chuckling every few minutes. Caan was pumping out some true classics in his peak (71-74) and here you really appeaciate the nuances of the role. Look at the way he reacts to Kellerman's 'Crazy chick' - perfect! But the real star here is the writer W.D.Richter. I see from IMDB that he hasn't had a film out in over 5 years. Why? He's a bloody genius!

Although not a big fan of any of the main actors here, with the possible exception of Boyle, this is nevertheless a great screwball comedy. Fine comic plot involving the search for illicit money that works itself out perfectly, memorable comic characters, including eccentric subsidiary ones like Shull and Garfield, and just the exact right pace. An untrumpeted masterpiece. Truly memorable

When critics do their lists of the great screen couples, bet you ten-to-one they'll overlook this duo. James Caan and Sally Kellerman are a wild pair of would-bes: he's an ex-con, she's a sexy, daffy schizophrenic. Throw in Peter Boyle and Louise Lasser as a nutty pair of suburbanites who go along for the ride and you've got a comedy classic. Deadpan jokes, unforced direction, a wild chase scene. True genius!

Product was in good condition. Warner has done a great job in its restoration. Color was vivid and the quality was first rate. The film itself was not as funny, or as engaging as I remembered it. The story is rather airy to say the least and the ending is a real cop-out. A few amusing bits here and there, with Caan giving a good performance, but there actually needed to a plot here and when it comes right down to it, there was none. Overall though the Warner Brothers Archives is still a terrific product line that allows you to see films that otherwise are not available on DVD, so in that regards it was still a great purchase and I would suggest people shop for products in the Warner archives because it is a good service for film collectors.

Most people recognize James Caan from his role as Sonny in Godfather, and his films made in the 90's such as Misery and Honeymoon in Vegas. He has always been a charismatic actor, but his film roles have seemed to be few and far between. Here we have a young Caan as leading man in a film called Slither from 1973, not to be confused with the Slither of 2006 which was a cheesy horror film. As leading man Caan did an excellent job in Michael Mann's debut feature Thief, but other than that we haven't seen much from his younger days. This film really is hard to categorize, it starts out as kind of an action film which later turns into a mystery. Other notable actors include a young Peter Boyle, who was quite an excellent character actor, Sally Kellerman who was quite beautiful in this film (sans blonde hair as in MASH), and Allen Garfield who made quite a few appearances in 70's films. The story goes from the point where Caan who plays Dick Knipsia travels with fellow inmate Harry Moss to Moss's home after both were let out of prison. Upon arriving some strangers watching afar in a big black van attack both characters and shoot up Harry pretty bad. As his dying breath Harry tells Dick about a cache of money and who to contact in order to obtain this money. Knipsia must find Harry's old partner then find the money, which results into quite a road movie where Caan's character meets an assortment of very interesting characters. I absolutely love Sally Kellerman, her character is so eccentric. The viewer has two big questions lingering until the very end of the film, who are the killers and where is the money. This film is very strange, at times dark and at times funny, it is pretty much a hodge podge of the times. The 1970s was the greatest decade of film making in my opinion, there are just so many major and minor pictures that are so interesting. This film has great performances by all, but the story probably will not appeal to everyone. That being said i would recommend this film to any James Caan fan or Sally Kellerman fan. This film also has a nice appearance from Alex Rocco, a favorite character actor of mine memorable as Moe Greene from the Godfather. This dvd is a dvr from Warner Brothers, but it played fine on my blu ray player. The picture quality is excellent but the disc has absolutely no special features. This film isn't a classic but I would watch it anyday over all the mediocre films being put out now.

No, this movie has nothing to do with snakes. It does have James Caan as a just released from prison car thief getting involved with a hunt for money and running across an assorted variety of crazy characters in California. Richard B. Shull singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" really stuck in my mind. And dig that house explosion early in the film. Not a bad movie. Not a great movie. Something to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

if you like 1970`s movie`s,this is a top movie to have in your collection,dry humuor and great script,james caan does not know what`s going on and sally kellerman just plays a total nut,you get to know one charector for five minutes then he is blown up,should get anyone`s attention for wishing to see the rest of this flick,this is the best dvd copy,was hard to get before,only vhs,but now shown in all it`s glory,buy now.

"Slither" is the cinematic equivalent of fast food. It holds your interest but after it's over a sense of apathy falls over you. The problem here is W.D. Richter's oh so cutesy script. Richter is attempting something offbeat but it all seems so self conscious. Some of it works most of it doesn't. A game cast is on hand (James Caan, Peter Boyle, Sally Kellerman and numerous first rate character actors) but even they can't elevate this flick beyond the mundane. Check it out if you must but be forwarned about disappointment considering the talent on hand here.