"Maniac" Remake in Production: Elijah Wood signs on.

[MarkWarner]

Originally Posted by Chomp

And there's terrible decision #2. A POV movie...filled with shaky cam and quick shots to give it the "found footage" vibe the kids are raging about these days...junk.

Someone hasn't seen Enter The Void.

[Chomp]

Originally Posted by MarkWarner

Someone hasn't seen Enter The Void.

Shit, I wish I hadn't. Nothing like an overly gaudy Requiem for a Dream ripoff that is about 50 minutes too long. After the excitement of the pretty lights and neon colors wears thin, the movie is d-u-l-l.

[Zillamon51]

Originally Posted by baggio

I just heard an radio interview with Elijah Wood and he talked about the film.

He said that he is usually against remakes, but the concept is totally different & figured it was quite a interesting role to take. He said the entire movie is shot in POV, and that his character is only revealed in reflections.

Again, this sounds perfectly fine by me. It's actually a potentially fascinating way to go with this.

Think about it for a minute: What set Maniac apart from other movies about killers, and proved to be very controversial at the time, was that it was the first movie in which the killer was the protagonist. As dangerous and repulsive as Zito was, Maniac was his story and it didn't look away from the nasty bits. For this update, the filmmakers are taking the core concept of Maniac and taking it to the next level, updating it with a popular modern film technique. They are actually staying more true to the spirit and intent of Maniac than they would be if they just got a sleazy meatball-looking guy like Spinell and tried to re-film the original.

Now there's certainly room for this to go awry in the actual filming / editing, but if the director is good, this could be a true Maniac for the 21st century.

[wago70]

If they're going to be going the route they are...do they even need to call it a remake of the 1980 film???? Seems unnecessary.

[MacabreFilms]

Call me crazy, but I sort of like this concept. I don't think this means they're going for the crappy found footage subgenre. It's an original way to approach it and I, for one, applaud the filmmakers for trying something new. They can show Zito's hallucinations, what he sees, what he hears...it's really kinda neat. I'd much rather have this new, fresh take than have them cast a sweaty Phillip Seymour Hoffman and do a shot for shot remake with an endless color scheme of Exorcist barf greens and overcast greys like every other modern horror film.

I'll give it chance and I actually like Wood's casting. It's inspired. This might be one of the first modern remakes that has a chance at being something more than a sloppy re-telling of a better film. I mean, really, besides the terrific effects, good performances, gritty atmosphere and haunting score, what was so special about Maniac in the first place? The script was nothing special, but it was the way in which it was presented that made it special and memorable.

[baggio]

Originally Posted by MacabreFilms

Call me crazy, but I sort of like this concept. I don't think this means they're going for the crappy found footage subgenre. It's an original way to approach it and I, for one, applaud the filmmakers for trying something new. They can show Zito's hallucinations, what he sees, what he hears...it's really kinda neat. I'd much rather have this new, fresh take than have them cast a sweaty Phillip Seymour Hoffman and do a shot for shot remake with an endless color scheme of Exorcist barf greens and overcast greys like every other modern horror film.

I'll give it chance and I actually like Wood's casting. It's inspired. This might be one of the first modern remakes that has a chance at being something more than a sloppy re-telling of a better film. I mean, really, besides the terrific effects, good performances, gritty atmosphere and haunting score, what was so special about Maniac in the first place? The script was nothing special, but it was the way in which it was presented that made it special and memorable.

Well said.




More news, I heard KNB Effects will be on board for this movie.

Nora Arnezeder will be playing Anna. Never saw her before, but she's a new French actress making her way into American films. Very pretty. Also Hank Azaria is in this movie.

[MorallySound]

Originally Posted by MacabreFilms

Call me crazy, but I sort of like this concept. I don't think this means they're going for the crappy found footage subgenre. It's an original way to approach it and I, for one, applaud the filmmakers for trying something new. They can show Zito's hallucinations, what he sees, what he hears...it's really kinda neat. I'd much rather have this new, fresh take than have them cast a sweaty Phillip Seymour Hoffman and do a shot for shot remake with an endless color scheme of Exorcist barf greens and overcast greys like every other modern horror film.

I'll give it chance and I actually like Wood's casting. It's inspired. This might be one of the first modern remakes that has a chance at being something more than a sloppy re-telling of a better film. I mean, really, besides the terrific effects, good performances, gritty atmosphere and haunting score, what was so special about Maniac in the first place? The script was nothing special, but it was the way in which it was presented that made it special and memorable.

Completely agree.

[DVD-fanatic-9]

The original Maniac is one of the most overrated movies ever made. Period. And the critics hated the fucking thing.

I know there is just about nothing sacred left to remake, but this should have been the FIRST up to bat on the remake squad.

[MorallySound]

Originally Posted by DVD-fanatic-9

The original Maniac is one of the most overrated movies ever made. Period. And the critics hated the fucking thing.

I know there is just about nothing sacred left to remake, but this should have been the FIRST up to bat on the remake squad.

I love the love/hate for the original Maniac. Personally, it's my all time favourite slasher film. It's such a polarizing film, and to me that's what makes for great cinema.

[MacabreFilms]

It's been years since I last saw the film and I still don't really know what I thought about it. For what it is, it's quite wonderful, but I don't really know if I think it's a good movie, per se!

The effects are top notch all the way, though. Perhaps, some of the very best in horror film history! I love Spinnell and Munro's performances and the sheer volume of NYC grit and grime make for a compelling experience.

Still, I do think there's gold in the concept and a new retelling could be pretty nice if they don't pussy out on us. Keep what worked...good performances, gritty atmosphere, stomach churning gore, a creepy score and then improve the rest!

[Chomp]

No matter how hard this remake tries, it is IMPOSSIBLE for it to retain the level of depravity, sleaziness and moral decay the original portrays so well. Why?…because New York’s underbelly no longer exists. 42nd Street’s theatres now play “respectable” films and the porno shops and peep shows have been replaced by outside restaurants and coffee houses.

That particular time in New York was essential to the story telling of the original Maniac. IT'S THE MAIN REASON WHY MANIAC'S ATMOSPHERE IS GRITTY!

Originally Posted by MacabreFilms

Keep what worked...good performances, gritty atmosphere, stomach churning gore, a creepy score and then improve the rest!

LoL...what the hell else is left to improve on?

Originally Posted by wago70

If they're going to be going the route they are...do they even need to call it a remake of the 1980 film???? Seems unnecessary.

My point EXACTLY.

Originally Posted by DVD-fanatic-9

And the critics hated the fucking thing.

[MarkWarner]

Originally Posted by Chomp

LoL...what the hell else is left to improve on?

Everything.

[baggio]

Originally Posted by Chomp

No matter how hard this remake tries, it is IMPOSSIBLE for it to retain the level of depravity, sleaziness and moral decay the original portrays so well. Why?…because New York’s underbelly no longer exists. 42nd Street’s theatres now play “respectable” films and the porno shops and peep shows have been replaced by outside restaurants and coffee houses.

That particular time in New York was essential to the story telling of the original Maniac. IT'S THE MAIN REASON WHY MANIAC'S ATMOSPHERE IS GRITTY!

The setting will have him trolling women on the internet in the remake. So that fits more of this day and age.

[wago70]

Now that sounds like one lazy maniac...

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by baggio

He said that he is usually against remakes, but the concept is totally different & figured it was quite a interesting role to take. He said the entire movie is shot in POV, and that his character is only revealed in reflections.

Discuss

Sounds at least interesting. Hopefully it isn't a fast-paced always moving shaky camera, you can build great tension just starring at something, like a pretty woman walking down the street, or the POV peeper view of a hot woman in the shower. I'm much more interested now but still weary it will turn into Blair Witch or something as annoying.