Let me tell you the story of Duane Bradley and his siamese twin Belial. A deranged and deformed killer, with one massive hand, no legs and a strong resemblance to Krang from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After Duane and his brother are surgically separated their goal is to kill everyone involved with their separation. Hell there’s plenty of films with less plot!
Now, did I mention that the brothers are not only telepathic, but Belial seems to have telekinetic powers too. This is only speculation as towards the end of the film there are long shots of him with glowing red eyes just looking at things. This being, of course, the internationally known symbol for possessing telekinesis. See Carrie and tell me otherwise!
From the off this film has all the set ups of a classic era episode of Casualty, man leaves house, man hears bushes rustle, man sees shadowy figure…..DEAD! Repeat this with more elaborate setups and you have a film.
Much of the kills are done POV style, with a Belial’s grotesque claws ripping faces and taking names. With the poor victims being lovingly spattered with blood, and all getting to one up the next with an ever growing time spent on their chance to die. My personal favorite was the second death in the film as a Doctor screams for 30sec straight whilst being doused in fake blood.
The acting is straight from the mind of Garth Marenghi, even with the crash zooms, bouncy camera and sheer determination to have meaning or become art. Basket Case does have one of the best dream sequences ever committed to celluloid, and re-establishes the warning as to why men should not run naked.
When you cast this to one side, realize the film cost $35k to make, was made purely for the 42nd Street Cinema circuit then you kind of like the film a bit more. Watching the making of made me understand the notion behind the film. “lets just have some fun” was the tag line and everyone involved knew what they were doing, knew it was a bit poo and definitely knew they would have a short shelf life. To that I tip my hat and say well done. They made a film that is, at times, boring to watch on your lonesome. However if you are in a cinema full of like minded people or at a house showing round friends its amazing because its gloriously shit.
After writing this I’ve forgotten to mention the one thing in the film that made me laugh pepsi max out of my nose. At two points in the film Belial tears up a hotel room. Do they use a man in a suit? NO! Do they use specific people in make up? Stop motion is the key to unlocking Belial’s dementia, and it is done with style and grace….if style and grace means the exact opposite.
By Big Rich.
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