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Overall Rating : 5.5/10
Directed By : Shayne Worcester
Kyle Rankin
Mary Skinner
Muriel Kenderdine
Paul Drinan
Scott Carson
Supplied By : The Asylum
Film Reviewed By : Rick Blalock
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| PLOT This psychological thriller follows Alec Clark, an ignored and ineffectual dishwasher who lives alone with his senile grandmother. He is set up on a disasterous mercy date with his headstrong co-worker, Kate. In a moment of emotional and mental confusion, Alec attacks Kate and ties her to a chair in his basement... |
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| THE REVIEW You know what? I kind of liked THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT! This is not really a horror movie...or I wouldn't call it that at least but it offers up enough suspense to keep you somewhat entertained. Alec Clark is a shy loner that is a dishwasher at a restaurant. He may seem distant, but he is a man with a troubled past. Shy Alec develops a crush on fellow co-worker Kate. He is at first timid to ask her out until one day the young man musters up enough courage to do so, They go on a date, but Kate seems a little less interested, Alec senses this and does everything he can to improve the date. Still un happy Alec takes Kate home, on the way there Alec seems haunted by this man he keeps seeing dressed in a Santa suit. Seeing this person, gives him the impulse to attack his young date. Alec then drags his incapacitated date into his home and into the basement below. It is there where he ties up his victim and the torture begins for several days. Previously titled 'Reindeer Games' is not to be confuse with the one from 2000 starring Ben Affleck. THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT, a more appropriate title anyway first appears to be a lame and very low budget flick. But I find that if you can look past the film's blurry and grainy appearance, this film packs a very good story. It is honestly a look at what someone can really be like beyond surface. Alec, our main character appears to be very she and he is, but he has a little taste of evil inside of him. He hides it from the rest of the seeing world but in his personal time alone he has a whole different personality. Think Ted Bundy, he was mild mannered on the outside just like Alec. Shot on a shoe-string budget, the appearance of the film surely indicates such. But you can really tell that these filmmakers tried their best to make the best movie possible for the money allowed. Kyle Rakin whom also co-wrote this film with Shayne Worcester and Efram Potelle, plays Alec. I think he does a fantastic job playing a man that has yet to really grow up and come into his own. Kyle has also Co-directed the 2003 comedy, THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS with Potelle and also has appeared on the show Project Greenlight 2. He may be on his way via his writing and directing but it is truly his acting here that makes THE GIRL IN THE BASEMENT worth while. I did think this film was a little too long and I think would've been suited better as a 45 minute short film or something like that. After about the first hour or so, you kind of get tired of seeing the same occurrences over and over again. Other than that, the core of the story is somewhat enjoyable. |
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| GORE
METER N/A No gore really worth at all mentioning |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 2/10 This film is lightly scored and doesn't use much of a soundtrack at all, very light... |
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| SPECIAL
FEATURES RATING 5.5/10 We have a nice behind the scenes look at all of the news coverage that was done for the film in Worcester's home state of Maine, and some deleted scenes with commentary. But most importantly is a tribute memorial video to Shayne Worcester, the director, whom unfortunately passed away in 1999. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I liked this movie, I would've liked it more if it were a widescreen presentation rather than full frame, this might've served to eliminate some of the films graininess. I know that the film's overall appearance, is almost always important to some people....and if it isn't crisp and clear they'll shut it off. I admit when I first started viewing this I was a little turned off...but as it went a long it got better and better....still not the best indie i've seen, but great story. I don't know exactly what kind of fan to recommend this one too, but me being a fan of movies about serial killers, this was kind of fun. RIP Shayne Worcester. |
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