Maniac
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Movie Reviews of Maniac
Movie Review: Til the end, one of the most realistic horror movies I've seen
Summary: 4 Stars
First, let me say I love horror movies from the 80's. Next, let me say that this movie is not your typical 80s horror movies. There is indeed your typical gore and the complimentary nude woman that comes with most 80s films. But the difference comes in the realism of Maniac.
Frank is a schizophrenic psychopathic murderer. And unlike most horror movies where we follow the exploits of a group of kids as they slowly get stalked and killed by such a killer, in Maniac we see things from the point of view of the killer. This makes the murders even more frightening, because we see in depth the struggle that this murderer is going through in his own twisted mind and spend a lot of time in his terrifyingly decorated apartment.
Joe Spinell's acting raises the terror level another notch, simply because he's so believably insane. Watching him sob around his apartment and dress his mannequins in fresh scalps is very very frightening.
The only drawback to the film is that by focussing so much on Frank, the killing scenes start to feel a bit repetitive, with a new woman being introduced to the film, followed for a few minutes, and then gruesomely murdered. The ending is a bit weak also, although it leaves room for a sequel. Unfortunately, I looked on IMDB and they started to make a sequel, but Joe Spinell died, which prevented them from finishing the film. Speaking of Spinell, the DVD features a 51 minute featurette that talks in depth about Joe Spinell and his acting career, as well as his life.
If you like horror films of any kind, this is a film for you. If you're interested in real-life serial killers, definitely check this film out. It feels so realistic at times, that you almost feel like Dahmer or Bundy is being shown in his private home. Maniac is that rare gem: a truly quality horror movie.
Movie Review: You'd be crazy not to see it, maybe
Summary: 4 Stars
For any hardcore horror fan, Maniac is an Essential. Maniac is in a horrorhead's Top 50 Must-Sees. For other viewers, they might or might not appreciate William Lustig and Joe Spinell's masterpiece. Note, I did not write "enjoy"; I wrote appreciate. This slasher classic succeeds in creeping-out and horrifying its audience, even its target audience (and, we are kinda creepy outselves). Maniac has a primal simplicity to its plot, violence, and dialogue. And, it is unsparingly realistic in its gore and presentation of madness. It is a disturbing film that one will unlikely re-watch soon after viewing it. Film star Caroline Munro reports that she can rarely re-watch Maniac.
I mention that Maniac is an essential for hardcore horror viewing. My statement's central reason is that Maniac is a masterpiece within the slasher and extreme horror sub-genres. Effects creator Tom Savini is at the top of his game in Maniac. Star Joe Spinell gives the performance of his career. He is so convincing as Frank Zito (the killer) that I am shocked when he acts normal at a certain point. Director and horror-king William Lustig is at the top of his game. This 1980 effort bloodily overflows with memorable images, and it walks a--well--razor line between gritty and shocking and too-much. Also, despite its infamy, Maniac is neither shock for shock's sake nor misogyny for misogny's sake. The film has underlying points and overt art. Not all video-nasties can claim that.
DVD EXTRAS: The extras are a great tribute to Spinnell and the movie. The audience learns everything needed to know how the movie came about, who Joe was, and how Maniac was received. These extras are perhaps as good as one could hope for. Definitely, watch the extras. They hold a person's interest the entire time.
Movie Review: ugly. joyless. classic.
Summary: 4 Stars
maniac is revered by many horror fan boys as one of the greatest genre movies of all time. if you've ever wondered how a serial killer spends his days, this movie's for you. it's no secret who the killer is and you spend much of the movie in his sick, tormented head.
unlike murder set pieces and it's ridiculous, exaggerated, frequently palumbo-created hype, this movie actually was the subject of much controversy upon it's release in 1980. it was banned from many theaters across the states and across the majority of europe and australia for it's graphic violence and a perceived violent objectification of women.
joe spinell (the godfather) does a fantastic job as the mentally and sexually disturbed frank zito. i truly think this movie would have failed without him.
with that being said, i must state that, basically, this is a joyless and very difficult watch. after my first viewing, i remember just kinda staring at the dvd menu for awhile unable to really comprehend what i had just watched. there was no felling of elation. i wasn't pumped and excited after another kick butt horror flick. i felt dirty and was actually kind of depressed.
i only just recently watched maniac again and, immediately following it's completion, wondered why i had subjected myself to it for a second time. with that being said... you're not a true horror fan without having this in your collection... if for no other reason than for the scene with tom savini.
Movie Review: A landmark of the slasher genre
Summary: 4 Stars
Maniac is the aptly titled horror/slasher grindhouse nightmare that stars the late Joe Spinell (who also co-wrote and co-exectutively produced the film, and has been in everything from the first two Godfather films to the original Rocky to Taxi Driver) as Frank Zito: a supremely disturbed man who goes on a bloody rampage through New York. His victims are women, and he dispatches them in the grisliest of fashion with no end of his deeds in sight. Directed with a suspenseful flair by William Lustig, Maniac is a landmark of the horror/slasher genre thanks to the brilliant gore effects of the legendary Tom Savini, who also appears in the film as the unlucky "disco boy", and has a demise that is one of the most memorable you'll see in the film. Spinell himself is suitably creeply (and even more suitably believable) in Maniac, which sadly starts to lose steam when Zito meets a woman (Caroline Munro) whom he hits it off with. It should also be noted that Maniac can be a hard film to watch, even for die hard gorehounds, because of the film's misogynistic approach. This is original, grindhouse cinema all the way, and Maniac makes no apologies or pulls no punches about it either. Despite the few flaws with Maniac, the film remains a landmark of the horror/slasher genre, and Savini's makeup and effects work are reason enough to see it alone if you've never seen the film.Movie Review: He's a nut worth seeing
Summary: 4 Stars
I first want to say that Blue Underground did a very good job encoding this film. The bitrate looked high and the colors were rich, as far as I could tell.
As for the movie, I have to say Joe Spinell did a fantastic job as the serial killer. His pockmarked face and crazy eyes really gave his character that extra creepiness which made the movie a good watch. It's amusing to see how Spinell's character can smoothly transition from a psycho-killer to an effeminate hairdresser who gives advice on how to wash blood out of hair. And he gives this advice to one of the few mannequins he has in his tiny apartment.
Added bonus is Tom Savini's appearance as some regular joe who picks up a girl at a club. However, that's not the interesting part: his exit is interesting or shall I say spectacular! I didn't expect it and nicely executed, too.
See this movie if you like to chuckle at serial killers who have weird mannerisms. In other words, if you have an eye for detail and like to focus on those small things which most people overlook. It will help you enjoy this film that much more.
As a warning, this film will only appeal to a certain type of horror fan or viewer. It's not for everyone but I think it's worth viewing even one time.