Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
origin of the film reviewed so you can check your player for compatibility. You may
also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to
review. All the reviews here have been reviewed either by myself or my current movie
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New reviews are normally placed here once a week, check my front page for under 'Castle
Dracula Updates' to see what latest movie reviews have been placed.
- Basket Case - US DVD -
It’s easy to make a shocking film. It’s even easier to make a gross film. But
to make an outrageously dark and gory film that is moving as well, now that’s
laying claim to something. Very few films have been able to do the things that
'Basket Case' has done. To say it changed the face of horror would be cutting
it a bit thick but only barely. Director Frank Henenlotter reshaped the dark
comedy with his auspicious debut. He painted an odd image of New York and the
sinister side of brotherly love.
'Duane' (Kevin Van Hentenryck in a terrifically innocent performance) is the
innocuous looking young man wandering the streets of New York with a rather
large basket. He checks into the Hotel Broslin, which mostly houses the near
homeless and the already nuts. 'Duane' manages to make friends with one of the
more normal tenants played by Beverly Bonner (a Henenlotter regular). We know
something lurks in the basket when 'Duane' feeds it several burgers as it shakes
in glory. But what lies inside and why it’s pissed off is the secret 'Duane'
carries around like a monkey on his back. There’s not much of a secret here.
We all know it’s 'Duane’s' deformed brother, 'Belial' and we also know he has
a penchant for blood. He’s angry that he’s not like 'Duane,' not realizing that
'Duane' is also longing to feel normal. When he meets Terri Susan Smith (who
wears a very big wig), things fall apart for him and his brother as sibling
rivalry takes a most ugly turn.
A classic in every sense of the word, 'Basket Case' had a small but memorable
stint in movie theaters across America in 1981. Joe Bob Briggs even voted it
the best film of the year. It spawned two genius sequels and began the wonderfully
deranged career of Frank Henenlotter who later went on to bring us 'Frankenhooker'
and the near perfect 'Brain Damage.' 'Basket Case' also captured New York at
its sleaziest. Times Square is packed with dealers and freaks. 'Duane' watches
Kung Fu in an old grindhouse theater. The Hotel Broslin is full of characters
so real you can almost smell the alcohol and sweat. Since then New York has been
cleaned up and sterilized. A true time capsule of a period now lost to us, for
me 'Basket Case' has become so much more than a low rent B movie. Apparently
'Something Weird Video' felt as strongly about this film as I did. They released
a kickass DVD with enough extras to make any savvy shopper happy. Besides the
beautiful (full frame) transfer, the disc includes an extraordinarily entertaining
commentary with Henenlotter, Bonner and producer Edgar Ievins. Outtakes, trailers,
a featurette, interviews, TV and radio spots litter this wonderful package. But
the icing on the cake is a splendid showcase of clips from Bonner’s cable access
show called 'Beverly Bonner’s Laugh Track.' She seems just as wacky as her character.
She’s pretty cheesy but it’s contagious and you’ll find yourself caught up in
her demented humor. A welcome extra. Finally a disc worth every penny!
Reviewed By Amanda By Night
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