Saturday, April 21, 2012

Maniac (1980)



After a couple of days of different subgenres, I decided to venture deeper into horror with a classic 1980s display of violence and gore. For me, growing up during that era, I miss the look and feel of those classic ventures into terror. I hope that we can get back to that at some point. After some minor debate within my mind, I decided on Maniac from 1980.


Plot/ A psychotic man, troubled by his childhood abuse, loose in NYC, kills young women and takes their scalps as trophies. Will he find the perfect woman in photographer Anna, and end his killing spree?


One of the best parts about the 1980s was the rise of Tom Savini and his incredible special effects, and this flick is the perfect example of that. Sure, it is not the typical slasher or gorefest, but it is a gritty, intense and realistic look at a true psychopath. Sure, it was a micro budget and some of the pacing was a bit off, but it remains on of the best from the era. The acting is solid (especially the late Joe Spinell), the story interesting and the atmosphere and effects are tremendous. In the end, it is one of the lasting classics that defined a generation of horror and should not be forgotten. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?


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