I had no idea what to expect upon sitting down to watch this low budget indie flick. I'm happy to report that I was most pleasantly surprised. The Tenement is a compilation of four stories, tied together by the fact that they stem from the same apartment building in Fairview Falls. Throughout the years, this building seems to continuously breed evil amongst those who live there.

Although treading common ground, the stories presented here are not only entertaining, they actually transcend the tried and true horror formulas managing to be truly original as well. Effective in many ways this film will unnerve you, disgust you, and will even make you laugh. It's a wild and varied ride that offers some refreshingly unique looks at genre archetypes.

After a brief introduction, the first story opens in standard horror fashion, with two people making out in a parked car. Of course we already know they're in big trouble, and soon they're captured by members of a religious cult, The Order of the Rose, who dress in long black robes. The girl is to be sacrificed, as a symbolic spilling of the blood of the world's sinners. She's nailed to a cross, and slowly bled from several wounds.

When it's time for the fatal blow, the picture jumps away to introduce us to Ethan Fernier (Joe Lauria) whose been happily watching these events on his TV. A horror film buff, and flower arranger, Ethan especially digs the offerings of the aptly named director Winston Korman (Michael Gingold, of Fangoria fame). Unfortunately for Ethan his bed-ridden, mentally ill, alcoholic mother requires almost constant attention. Despising the films that Ethan loves she constantly interrupts them, screaming at him to fix her another drink or to empty her bedpan. Just wanting to be left alone Ethan begrudges his mother's pestering, and the anger inside him begins to build.

The next day one of Ethan's favorite actors, from several Korman productions, stops by his flower shop to order a dozen black roses. Upon delivering them, Ethan finds himself auditioning for the role of the killer in Korman's next film. Things don't go well, and a crowd gathers to laugh Ethan out of the room. His clean cut look simply doesn't make a believable killer. As a result, Ethan's anger nears the boiling point, his only desire being to prove everyone wrong.

Next we jump to the apartment of the Weston's. Sarah (Carol DiMarsico), the child of the family, is a mute who does little more than listen to the radio and slowly dance as if with an invisible partner. Her parents have noticed that a neighbor, Henry Wallace (John Sudol), seems to have taken a disturbing interest in their girl. He's constantly watching, observing Sarah through the window of his apartment.

In their desire to get away, they decide to take a trip to their uncle's house. Unfortunately, the troubles of home follow and Mr. Wallace soon finds the opportunity to catch the defenseless Sarah alone. What follows is a truly brutal and surreal sequence of events, resulting in an inspired ending that feels like it was pulled straight out of a Twilight Zone episode.

Aware of the somber tone thus far, we step out for a welcomed breath of fresh air. The next story, decidedly campy though soaking in blood, takes us to a support group for people suffering from mental and behavioral disorders. There we meet Jimmy Wayne Garrick (Mike Lane), a social outcast who seldom dares to leave his apartment. After some trepidation, he manages to open up to the group, and leaves feeling a bit better about himself.

However his mood quickly changes during his walk home, as he's attacked by a howling dog. Jimmy wakes up with a badly wounded arm and staggers home to bandage the injury. Confused by what happened, and his best friend's joke that he got attacked by a wolf, Jimmy begins to ponder the possibilities.

In the days that follow Jimmy starts to feel different, more confident and highly energetic. His arm is healing fast, very fast, and he develops a craving for red meat. Perhaps he really is changing, and maybe he's actually better off for it. Jimmy's search for the truth results in a one of a kind tale, based on one of horror's favorite legends.

The fourth chapter is also the most typical. The segment focuses on a serial killer (Ed Shelinksy) that uses a fake taxi cab to pick up his victims. Solely interested in young girls, he makes a practice of picking up call girls in front of the local whore house. A brutal murderer, he kills his victims slowly, allowing them to suffer. Thankfully just when this segment begins to feel like a lesson in slasher 101, the tides turn, as the killer meets a girl just as twisted as himself.

For all of its merits this movie certainly isn't without fault, suffering from the general pitfalls of extreme low budget filmmaking. Predictably the acting greatly varies, as does the sound and image quality. Props and costumes are generally cheap looking and many of the desired effects were most certainly compromised. The pacing could use some tuning in places and the final chapter is a bit anti-climatic, easily being the least rewarding of the bunch.

Yet, it's the same low budget that lends the production an extra layer of authenticity. As we all know, when big dollars are spent, originality is the first thing to suffer. After all, the power and worth of low budget films lies in their willingness to walk off the beaten path. In return it's easy to fall in love with the b-level acting and the overall low budget look; in fact I'd have it no other way. Glenn Baisley and Light & Dark Productions are definitely ones to watch.

Also deserving of comment is the performance of Joe Lauria. He should be commended for his absolutely believable portrayal of a normal and innately harmless man who slowly descends into insanity. Ethan's a film nerd, the type of guy you instantly feel comfortable with upon meeting. Yet deep inside he longs to be what he admires the most. You can just feel the pain oozing from Lauria, as Ethan gives in to his desires.

The review copy was a VHS screener, but the official DVD will be released on April 13, 2004 courtesy of Brain Damage Films. Anticipated extras include deleted scenes, alternate endings, and a feature length commentary with Glenn Baisley, Michael Gingold, and several others.

For more info visit Light & Dark Productions by clicking here!