Movie Review: "How to Eat Fried Worms"

   I have to say, I considered calling this review, "You've Got to Be Kidding Me . . . " because that's what I think every time my kids watch this movie on our cable channels.  And unfortunately for Mom, the premium channels seem to think it's great to play it over and over this holiday vacation!

   I have not read the book by Thomas Rockwell, so I won't be addressing that in this review.  But I can say that it is not one I plan to read, now that I have seen this film.  It is every bit as disgusting as the name implies.  The saving grace is that other than the worm-eating issue, it is a good story about the nature of kids, including friends and bullies.  I think kids can relate to the themes going on here, but it's definitely making my stomach turn!

    Billy (Luke Benward) is the new kid at school.  He misses his old friends and finds himself facing off against the school bully and his cronies on the first day in his new town.  Joe, the tough kid, is played by Adam Hicks.  He tries to torture the new boy by filling his thermos with live worms.  But when Billy pours out this wiggly surprise at the cafeteria table, Joe gives him a hard time and he tosses a worm at Joe.  He plays it tough and brags that he eats worms all the time!

   Soon Joe bets Billy that he can't eat 10 worms in one day.  And worse yet, Benjy (Ryan Malgarini) gets to play chef, preparing each worm however he pleases!  Billy has to decide if he's up to the challenge.  Will be back out of the bet, or can he save face in front of the other boys in the neighborhood?

   This film is also the first time I've seen Hallie Kate Eisenberg in a while.  You remember her -- big black curls, deep adorable dimples?  She once did the deep-voiced Pepsi commercials, and  starred in Millenium Man with Robin Williams, among other projects.  She plays Erika, a girl in the class who befriends Billy.

   Not for those with weak stomachs, or pregnant moms like me who get queasy just thinking about the film's title . . . . but kids will enjoy the gross-out factor, plus the social situations they can relate to.  And it might remind parents that being a kid isn't always that easy!