Review of Maniac (1980) by Lafe F — 08 Jul 2007
A freaky sleazy horror slasher. A creepy maniac named Frank Zito (Joe Spinell) goes out at night in New York city and kills people, scalping the girls as gorey trophies to adorn his mannequins with. There are some hilarious extended scenes of Frank talking to himself which had me chuckling.
Things look hopeful when Frank starts dating a beautiful photographer (Caroline Munroe), but it's hard for him to keep his maniac side under control. I never understood what she saw in him. Effects master Tom Savini did extremely graphic gore effects.
This film boasts one of the most realistic shotgun killings ever witnessed on screen. There's a heart-stopping subway cat-and-mouse chase with a Nurse. The ending is stunning and controversial. The freaky synthesizer music really adds to the weirdness.
This is a creepy 80's horror classic, that I always feel guilty watching.
This review of Maniac (1980) was written by Lafe F on 08 Jul 2007.
Maniac has generally received mixed reviews.
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