Firstly, I am sick to death of 'remakes/re-imaginings'. It's lazy use of real talent. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the films that 're-imagined' Dawn of the Dead, The Hills Have Eyes, Amityville Horror - but being remakes with a copied plot cheapens them somewhat.
Then you have the pointless remakes that COMPLETELY miss the point of the original - Last House on the Left earned it's reputation as a sadistic wallow in sleaze which the remake didn't meet in the slightest.I expected the same of Maniac, as the original's appeal was purely in it's grimy sleaze.
What we have though is a very well made film. Beautifully photographed (with an emphasis on the POV which is bound to attract controversy), an attempt at griminess, no lacking in gore and a simple story in a film that doesn't over-run it's basic premise with a long running time.
The original film had it's problems (Caroline Munro interested in Joe Spinell). At one point Frank meets with an online date who exclaims he was not what she expected (and pretty much describes Joe Spinell).
I don't think this will gain many fans or critical praise (even hardcore horror fans I know were unware it had been made) , but fans of the original will have a chuckle and others will appreciate a well made, tight horror film.
I find it odd that the cast are listed alphabetically (so Elijah Wood is last on screen and not listed at all on the IMDb basic cast list). Then again most of his part was voice over!
Then you have the pointless remakes that COMPLETELY miss the point of the original - Last House on the Left earned it's reputation as a sadistic wallow in sleaze which the remake didn't meet in the slightest.I expected the same of Maniac, as the original's appeal was purely in it's grimy sleaze.
What we have though is a very well made film. Beautifully photographed (with an emphasis on the POV which is bound to attract controversy), an attempt at griminess, no lacking in gore and a simple story in a film that doesn't over-run it's basic premise with a long running time.
The original film had it's problems (Caroline Munro interested in Joe Spinell). At one point Frank meets with an online date who exclaims he was not what she expected (and pretty much describes Joe Spinell).
I don't think this will gain many fans or critical praise (even hardcore horror fans I know were unware it had been made) , but fans of the original will have a chuckle and others will appreciate a well made, tight horror film.
I find it odd that the cast are listed alphabetically (so Elijah Wood is last on screen and not listed at all on the IMDb basic cast list). Then again most of his part was voice over!