How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)

Director:

Bob Dolman

Writers (WGA):

Bob Dolman (screenplay)
Thomas Rockwell (novel)

Release Date:

25 August 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

New town. New friends. New menu.

Plot:

During the first day of his new school year, a fifth grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class. |

Plot Keywords:

Microwave Oven | New School | Bully | Child | School

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Luke Benward	...	Billy
Hallie Kate Eisenberg	...	Erika
Adam Hicks	...	Joe
Austin Rogers	...	Adam
Alexander Gould	...	Twitch
Ryan Malgarini	...	Benjy
Philip Bolden	...	Bradley (as Philip Daniel Bolden)
Clint Howard	...	Uncle Ed
Ty Panitz	...	Woody
James Rebhorn	...	Boiler Head
Thomas Cavanagh	...	Dad
Kimberly Williams-Paisley	...	Mom
Andrew Gillingham	...	Techno Mouth
Blake Garrett	...	Plug
Alexander Agate	...	Donny

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild bullying and some crude humor.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Malaysia:(Banned) | Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | USA:PG (certificate #42231) | Finland:K-7 | Argentina:Atp | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Gran Via

Trivia:

Hallie Kate Eisenberg had to learn archery before filming began.

Goofs:

Continuity: As the principal is introducing him to his class, Billy Forrester's name appears on the blackboard behind him before he writes it there.

Quotes:

Twitch: You guys, you just can't steal everything.

Movie Connections:

Version of How to Eat Fried Worms (1985) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Tide Is High

Good Family Film - with slime!

It started out slow after an excellent animated intro, as the director had a bunch of characters and school setting to develop. Once the bet is on, though, the movie picks up the pace as it's a race against time to see if a certain number of worms can be eaten by 7 pm. We had a good opportunity on the way home to discuss some things with our son: bullies, helping others, mind over matter when you don't want to do something.

Of special note is the girl who played Erica (Erk): Hallie Kate Eisenberg. The director kinda sneaks her in unexpectedly, and when she is on-screen she is captivating. She's one of those "Hey, she looks familiar" faces, and then I remembered that she was the little girl that Pepsi featured about 8 years ago. She was also in "Paulie", that movie about the parrot who tries to find his way home.

Ms. Eisenberg made many TV and movie appearances in '99-00, but then was not seen much for the next few years. She's now 14 and is growing up to be a beautiful woman. Her smile really warms up the screen. If she can get some more good roles she could have as good a career (or better?) than Haley Joel Osment, another three named kid actor, but hopefully without some of the problems that Osment has been in lately.

Anywhozitz, according to my 8 y.o. son, who just finished reading the story, the film did not seem to follow the book all that well, but was entertaining none the less. The ending of the film seemed like a big setup for some sequels (How to Eat Boiled Slugs? Escargot Kid's Style?), which might not be such a bad thing. It was nice to take the family to a movie and not have to worry about language, violence or sex scenes.

One other good aspect of the movie was the respect/fear engendered by the principal Mr. Burdock (Boilerplate). Movies nowadays tend to show adult authority figures as buffoons. While he has one particular goofy scene, he ruled the school with a firm hand. It was also nice to see Andrea Martin getting some work.