Basket Case [1982]

This one came as a recommendation from Tom, Kay's friend and coworker (and possible new member if he decides to keep returning). "Basket Case" is an unparalleled work of art, and I do not say that lightly. The film was preserved by the Museum of Modern Art. Supposedly that was because of its depiction of New York during the sleazy Times Square times and the fact that it was uniquely made in a hotel using a bunch of the residents as actors, but that explanation merely conceals the true artistry of this film.

Our protagonist is a largely mulleted young man with a locked picnic basket. Despite prompting from a slew of colorful characters about what's in the basket and his innocuous answers, the basket feeds like Death Bed and appears to communicate with him telepathically. Mullet, more commonly known as Duane, has a particular fixation on tracking down doctors, which leads him to a date with a receptionist who is wildly offended by his lack of sight seeing. It is then that we are gifted with a look inside the basket at the deformed, screaming goblin-mass that resides within and wishes to kill. You should really just watch this film to see the man itself, but when I tell you it never stopped being hilarious, I am not exaggerating. During a drunken hangout with one of the women in the hotel, Duane spills his backstory about how the fanged-tumor is his brother who he was forcibly separated from, spawning their crusade to get revenge on the doctors who did this. Unfortunately, brother-lump has reached sexual maturity and preys first on Duane's hotel friend (whose room is entirely decorated with smiley faces for some reason) and then on Duane's receptionist love interest in a scene that is not quite as bad as "Black Devil Doll From Hell" but still taints an otherwise perfect bad movie. Be warned. Duane is rightfully horrified and both brothers are united in death after a brawl sends them falling out an open window, leaving unanswered the question of which one is the real basket case.

This one was an instant classic the second we laid eyes on the sentient pound of flesh within. Aside from the ridiculous design and execution of its movements, the film also benefits from strange acting by basically everyone, whiplash tone shifts, and a lot of little oddities that might lose their magic by trying to put them into words. The only thing holding this movie back is the disturbing scene I mentioned, but I would advise you to not let that hold you back. Skip the scene, but make sure you add this one to your list.

Spoon Rating: 9