YOUTUBE REVIEW: Don't Look In The Basement

DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (Youtube)

RATED: R

RATING: ***/*****

SYNOPSIS: (Via IMDB) Nurse Charlotte Beale arrives at the isolated Stephens Sanitarium to work, only to learn that Dr. Stephens was murdered by one of the patients and his successor, Dr. Geraldine Masters, is not very eager to take on new staff. Charlotte finds her job maddeningly hard as the patients torment and harass her at every turn, and she soon learns why Dr. Masters is so eager to keep outsiders out.

THE PRO'S: VERY eerie, some actually good performances, oozes cheesy 70s fun, likable lead characters.

THE CON'S:  Other performances are hit-or-miss, hasn't aged well, opening is cringe-worthy

THE REVIEW:

Now, this is one I've meant to look at for a while. And though it's not my favorite 70s movie like I thought it might be, it definitely was a boat-load of fun, and definitely worth a look. If only to see one of the creepiest premises I've ever seen play out.

The movie follows Charolette Beale, who arrives at Stephen's Sanitorium following the accidental death of the head doctor. Put to work as a nurse, she soon learns the patients run free, and becomes at-odds with new head doctor Geraldine Masters. What Charolette doesn't realize however, is the pressure of the new job is the least of her worries as the chaos surrounding the asylum begins to escalate.

On the surface, DLITB is just your run of the mill 70s grindhouse film. But while it is in a lot of ways, the movie also has a lot going for it. Mainly, its awesome atmosphere. Though the opening is really, really silly and off-putting the rest of the movie is the opposite. From the title card to end the movie creates a sense of dread and tension that simply is unsettling and disturbing. And I found myself very much on edge throughout. 

What's more, the characters within the movie are so much fun. With Masters, Charolette, and Sam (a labotomy patient with the mind of a child) all being well-acted, written, and their portrayals very solid. While a lot of the other actors are hit-or-miss, in the case of these three, they carry the movie excellently. And while most other actors don't do a very good job, I have to say, each character has a very distinct voice. And while it is very cheesy sometimes, each is just likable and crazy enough for me to  enjoy them.

The story itself is cheesy seventies fun, it's nothing deep, but it is scary. And for that matter, the movie has a plethora of twists to keep things interesting, and the viewer on their toes. The only thing I do want to add here is that many aspects of the film's story show it hasn't aged well, sadly. And though it is still fun to watch, some things just wouldn't sit right in present day, and therefore the movie is best viewed as a period piece.

The last thing of note to say is that I really enjoyed this movie, like I really, really enjoyed it. And if nothing else, I recommend it to horror fans because it's just a movie that you can really get into. It's equal parts funny (for the wrong reasons) and scary enough that it makes for a fun popcorn flick on a quiet night.

And so....

IN CONCLUSION:

Don't Look in the Basement is A LOT of fun. It's a very flawed movie, but its atmosphere and likability both character and story-wise saves it from being anything "bad". If you're into fun, cheesy, sometimes eerie old horror movies, give it a look. And if you like this one, a sequel is on the way from the original director's son, later this year!

3 OUT OF 5 STARS
RECOMMENDED

 YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE NOW BY CLICKING THE PLAYER BELLOW: