 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Jan 24, 2002 - 1:47 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
Thor
(Member)
|
He, he, he....the gore continues.
Walter Lustig's (there's an ironic last name if there ever was one!) freudian look at the mind of a brutal mass murderer is perhaps one of the most uncomfortable horror films to watch, due to the extreme graphic violence. I crouched in my seat more than once.
I guess it has equally much to do with the realism of the environment and characters. It becomes particularly frightening about three quarters into the film. Up untill then, we have been introduced to an animal-like, wacko slayer unable to think rationally (the only times we hear him talk is through some morose and incoherent interior monologue). However, as he makes a visit to a would-be maternal surrogat (a photographer), he is suddenly revealed as a man fully capable of "normal" behaviour - even with a sex appeal! However, we know that in his mind all girls are potential victims.
Joe Spinell does a convincing role as the maniac - struggling with a traumatic past, yet we are never really given the opportunity to sympathize with him properly. The acts are too cruel for that.
But Lustig (who has a small part in the movie himself) is to be applauded for the courage to make a film from the criminal/sociopath's point-of-view. There should be more of those.
--------------
The score is by none other than Jay Chattaway of STAR TREK-fame. For the most part, he is the primary cause for the audience's need to shout "cheese" - as he layers the dated shock zooms with extreme horror outbursts, the chase sequences with a plodding synth rhythm and the suspense scenes with Howard Shorian synth drones. As in CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, a lot of the music is more of a "sound effect", some times bordering on gratuity(sp.?).
However, amongst these harsh atonalities, there is a haunting and reflective melody played by guitar and piano, symbolizing the tragedy of the protagonist (for example, it accompanies Maniac's fetischistic gaze at the mannequins in the window, that again symbolize his desire for something that won't run away; that is there for him all the time, unlike his mother).
An effective, although somewhat dated score by Chattaway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Posted: |
Jan 24, 2002 - 2:58 PM
|
|
|
|
By: |
OHMSS76
(Member)
|
Geez Thor, if you keep this up you'll alienate all the "Star Wars" crowd! 
I can say that, since I'm a huge horror fan, and have always had a love/hate relationship for this film. It's very dreary, sick and twisted, but looking back on this slasher from the 80's it does stand apart from many that were churned out weekly.....the DVD has a fun commentary by Lustig, Tom Savini who did the stunts and fx, the producer, and a friend of Spinell's(who passed away a few years ago). Commentaries for films like this are MUCH more fun that those for big budget fx pics, which tend to be a backscratch,smooch smooch session...here you get the real 'dirt' on guerilla filmmaking, and what a hassle it was to get a film made.
Chattaway's score is best when showcasing his main theme for sorrowful winds and electric piano...the chase music has always been sadly hokey to my ears. There was a great interview in FSM a few years ago, where he discussed the score, and the use of high and low frequencies...using music as a sound effect to get the audience on edge. I remember renting this film in the 80's, liking it well enough, and literally jumping out of my skin, when after the credits a HUGE Varese logo materialized, advertising the LP!!!! On that image alone, I ran out to buy the album, which includes some eerie dialogue by Spinell on one track(the same track is reprised on Side 2, I mean later on sans dialogue). Lustig and Chattaway also collaborated on VIGILANTE, a fun Death Wish type of film...fun if you're into exploitation flicks(Hi )...great score on that one as well, a modern day take on 'ghetti Westerns. That score really needs to be released!
Great shock ending on MANIAC as well!!!
Best,
Sean
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just had a horror film weekend, and "Maniac", was a favorite. We actuall watched 15 films. We watched other Lustig films, as well - "Maniac Cop", "Maniac Cop II", and "Uncle Sam". When I saw "Maniac", for the first time (many years ago), I found myself squirming in my seat, more than a few times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Riotengine's all-time favorite film!
|
|
|
|
|
|
.... It's very dreary, sick and twisted, but looking back on this slasher from the 80's it does stand apart from many that were churned out weekly.....
Commentaries for films like this are MUCH more fun that those for big budget fx pics, which tend to be a backscratch,smooch smooch session...here you get the real 'dirt' on guerilla filmmaking, and what a hassle it was to get a film made.
Sean
Right on both counts!!!!
bruce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
