While slasher films have gotten more grisly, grimy, and gruesome, relatively few earn the three R's: repulsive, repugnant, and rank. But that distinction belongs to this remake of a 1980 film by the same name, starring Elijah Wood as psychopathic serial killer Frank Zito, who systematically stalks his prey: namely, Caucasian women between the ages of 20 and 30, whom Zito scalps and then affixes their hair to his mannequin collection. One morning, while opening the store in downtown Los Angeles that he inherited from his deceased mother, Zito meets Anna (Nora Arnezeder), a photographer drawn to his window display. She's staging an exhibit and wants to borrow some of the antique mannequins that he has meticulously restored. Working together, virginal Zito falls in love with Anna but discovers she has a boyfriend (he's introduced to Anna's mentor, an older woman who not only mocks Zito, but also accuses him of being homosexual). Eventually, we learn that Zito's twisted childhood memories of his prostitute mother turning tricks has left him totally unhinged, and no meds can control his homicidal urges. Directed by Franck Khalfoun, Maniac's twist is to show almost the entire story from the murderer's point-of-view (with each slaughter graphically depicted in all its ghoulish horror). But the voyeuristic visuals soon grow stale in this sadistic and misogynistic travesty. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with star Elijah Wood, director Franck Khalfoun, and executive producer Alix Taylor, a “making-of” documentary (67 min.), deleted scenes (4 min.), a poster gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a bad film.] (S. Granger)
Maniac
MPI, 89 min., not rated, DVD: $24.98, Blu-ray: $29.98, Oct. 15 Volume 28, Issue 4
Maniac
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