Maniac
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Caroline Munro, Frank Pesce, Gail Lawrence, Kelly Piper, Sharon MitchellBrand: Ryko Distribution
Cinematographer: Robert Lindsay
Composer: Jay Chattaway
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language); Italian (Original Language); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-30
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Blue Underground
Movie Reviews of Maniac
Movie Review: A pure 80s grindhouse flick, but with depth, complexity, and emotion to boot
Summary: 5 Stars
Excluding Anthony Perkins' genius portrayal of Norman Bates in the film 'Psycho' and its subsequent 80s sequel franchise, Joe Spinell's portrayal of an abused, homicidal momma's-boy serial killer can't be beat. 'Maniac' is a beast of a movie, oozing with that fuzzy charm that can only come from an early-80s grindhouse b-movie.
Spinell portrays the baggage-addled Frank Zito (in, once again, an absolutely brilliant performance) who had the misfortune of being repeatedly locked in a closet by his prostitute mother as a child for being a "bad boy". As a grown man living in a scuzzy hole-in-the-wall apartment and working as a custodian by day, he spends his nights murdering pretty young women in vengeance for his mother's crimes (he, like Bates, also has a crazy schizophrenia that displays itself throughout the film in the form of dual conversations with him and his "mother", like 'Psycho). His apartment is covered with blood-splattered mannequins which have the scalps of his victims (which he cuts off with gusto, for some reason) nailed to their foreheads. Later in the film, Zito attempts to forge a love interest and that's where things start to get interesting, as we see that Zito has more to him than just being a murderous killer.
I would've loved this flick (and scuzzy, grimy films like this should always lovingly be referred to as 'flicks') whether it had depth or no depth, but luckily it has depth as well. That comes in the form of a variety of scenes demonstrating Zito nearly breaking down emotionally after some kills, where it becomes clear that Zito almost doesn't want to kill, but he is compelled regardless even though he wishes to be free of his burden. One other person I heard talking about the film also likened Zito to almost a sort of Frankenstein in that regard, even if the comparison is somewhat exaggerated this comparison can still be understood.
The direction of Robert Lustig ('Vigilante') is superb: he perfectly brings out the dark, oozy vibe of late 70s/early 80s low-rent NYC, but special mention goes out to composer Jay Chattaway for creating a simple outstanding score that features a variety of styles and moods ranging from the evil nursery rhyme vibe of the main titles to the crushingly sad "Cry for Mother" piece that is played near the end of the graveyard scene, as well as the typical bleeps, bloops, and GRRRRRYRRAAANNNGSSS of 80s analog synth soundtracks. Again, purely awesome.
In short, I cannot give a higher recommendation to this flick. An essential for anyone interested in 80s movies, grindhouse movies, b-movies, horror movies, etc. Hopefully all of the above, like me. I'll also mention that Spinell started filming 'Maniac 2: Mr. Robbie' in 1989, but sadly died of a heart attack during production. Besides the obviously sad death of the great actor Spinell, it really stinks here because there is footage of 'Maniac 2' on the 'Maniac' DVD and the movie looked like it would have been absolutely killer. But anyways, this movie is highly recommended, as mentioned before.
Summary of Maniac
Frank Zito (a career performance by co-writer/ co-executive producer Joe Spinell of Rocky and The Godfather fame) is a deeply disturbed man haunted by the traumas of unspeakable childhood abuse. And when these horrific memories begin to scream inside his mind Frank prowls the seedy streets of New York City to stalk and slaughter innocent young women. Now Frank has begun a relationship with a beautiful photographer (Caroline Munro) of The Spy Who Loved Me) yet his vile compulsions remain. These are the atrocities of a human monster. This is the story of a Maniac.Experience Maniac like you've never seen or heard it before. Directed by William Lustig (Maniac Cop Vigilante) and featuring landmark gore effects by Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead) this notorious classic was censored all over the world for its graphic violence and remains banned in England and Germany to this day. But Maniac is more than just one of the most relentlessly depraved films of our time; it is quite possibly one of the most disturbing horror movies ever made.Features:The Joe Spinell StoryTheatrical TrailersTV SpotsRadio SpotsPoster & Still GalleryGallery Of OutrageTalent BiosAudio Commentary with Co-Producer/Director William Lustig Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini Editor Lorenzo Marinelli and Joe Spinell's Assistant Luke WalterRadio Interview with Co-Producer/Director William Lustig and Stars Joe Spinell & Caroline MunroSystem Requirements:Run Time: 88 mins Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: NR UPC: 827058102490 Manufacturer No: 1024Horror DVD Video
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