Basket Case

M. Western

at 10:08 pm

With a charmingly origonal plot this flick stands out in a genre that seems to be in fashion at the moment with hoards of recent releases; the comedy/horror.

Bieng an early example of such a hybrid film, this boasts a brilliant story that could easily stand strong amongst todays films if it was to be produced now and on many occasions i have thought weather this film would be a prime candidate for a Remake. Yet on further thinking i come to see that, besides its lovely story, this films extremely low budget and general cheesyness is what gives this movie its infamous cult charm. Boasting an array of TERRIBLE actors, cheap special effects (including the hilarious deformed siamese twin), bad dubbing, abysmal use of microphones, tonnes of makeup and the most fake plastic smiles you will ever see, the movie draws you in from the beggining.

The film is, however, set out very well, seeing the flash backs of the events before and after the seperation of the two brothers nearer the end of the film and the well hidden appearence of the monstrous deformed brother adds tension of as to what he will eventually look like; My personal response was to laugh.

Although this film is clearly MEANT to come through as a funny film at times, many of the scenes that you may find yourself throwing tears at were probably never meant to offer any comical value. Probably the best example of a scene of the film like this is the part where the mutant brother trashes a room which includes demeted shrieks, awful special effects and bad acting galore!

A note to many fans of the Tartan grindhouse label or this particular genre, DO NOT BUY THIS FILM IF ALL YOUR INTERESTED IN IS GORE, as the film really isnt particulary gory or bloody. Granted; it has its scenes of violence at times but nothing memorable, this film does what it does best which is to shock you with its budget reather than its quantitys of blood and guts.

I would reccomend this film to lovers of badly made films (ultra low budget flicks from the late 70’s and early 80’s such as The Zombie Dead), completists of horror who can look past the budget of a film without thnking twice and see into the heart of a movie, and finally the people who are fanatics of general cinema and maybe have a gradually increasing collection of films by the Tartan label of this genre.

Rating: 3 / 5

Anonymous

at 11:35 pm

Frank Henenlotter’s BASKET CASE is a truly disturbing masterpiece. It deals with a frustrated character Belial who is the deformed twin of Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hwentenryck). The film itself is at times deeply emotional. As you feel sorry for Belial. The fact that he doesn’t have much of a life. And also the fact that he wants to be loved, but can’t. That does touch on some society issues. So as that as an example this movie has an intelligent plot.

Henenlotter’s bizzare atmosphere and original scare tactics make this movie also. He is honest in these outragous scenes of sex and violence which fit the movies character. Although at times the gore is quite graphic and the effects are dated it still has this effect thar grips the viewer. Overall an excellent movie which has its own points to say on family and emotions.
Rating: 4 / 5