{"id":5254,"date":"2013-06-30T10:16:19","date_gmt":"2013-06-30T17:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cinemastance.com\/?p=5254"},"modified":"2013-06-30T10:16:19","modified_gmt":"2013-06-30T17:16:19","slug":"horror-film-series-at-digital-gym-cinema-san-diego-maniac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/?p=5254","title":{"rendered":"Horror Film Series at Digital Gym Cinema San Diego: MANIAC"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nIf you enjoy horror films, chances are you occasionally run across a few that are well\u2026 icky. They\u2019re the kind of movie that makes you uncomfortable and leaves you wanting to a take good shower afterward just to get that nastiness off. The original “Maniac” was a gritty, cheaply made exploitation flick from 1980 that utilized dirty, New York locales and viciously graphic violence. It was one of those experiences that you want to scrub away.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Maniac” hardly seems like remake material, but after more than two decades a new version of the story has arrived courtesy of French director Franck Khalfoun (:”P2″), assisted by co-producer\/co-writer Alexandre Aja (who directed the excellent remakes “Piranha 3D” and “The Hills Have Eyes”). Digital Gym is screening it on Friday July 5th and Saturday July 6th as part of their ongoing independent horror film series.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The story follows Frank (Elija Wood), a self-loathing loner living in a grimy L.A. and deeply traumatized by his late mannequin shop owner\/prostitute mother. Now running the business on his own, Frank finds himself stalking and butchering women, using their scalps on his antique mannequin creations and conversing with them (not to mention also talking with his late mother).<\/strong><\/p>\n

When a photographer (Nora Arnezeder) stops by the store one day to shoot mannequins for an upcoming show, Frank warms to her and they form a friendship. Obviously, their relationship is complicated by Frank\u2019s struggle with psychosis and his tendency to brutally murder anyone who reminds him of his mother. Needless to say, a happy ending isn\u2019t in the cards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One thing\u2019s for certain; This film perfectly captures the mood of the original, right down to its synthesizer heavy score. However, what\u2019s really disarming is how well made and photographed it is. The movie is almost entirely presented from Frank\u2019s perspective via POV shots. These images sometimes linger for minutes on end as Frank drives or wanders around town stalking his prey or follows. Every so often, viewers will get a reflection of the lead, or the character himself will step in front of a cracked mirror (obviously, a metaphor). The technique is quite striking and at many times one wonders how the crew managed to keep themselves out of shot.<\/strong>
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\nIt may be technically polished and impressively filmed, but be warned that the violence itself is truly horrific. There\u2019s no escape from the viewpoint of its damaged killer and the filmmakers force you to witness all of his sickening actions in detail, including some truly wince-inducing moments. The brutality that befalls so many women in the film is upsetting, but at least it\u2019s treated as such.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There also seems to be more attention paid to Frank and the trials that have altered him into a monster. In the end, the new “Maniac” is better produced, more engaging (thanks to star Wood) and in many respects more effective than the original. Its goal is to allow viewers to live inside a horribly deranged mind and disturb the hell out of you. And no matter what you think or feel about it, the film accomplishes this effortlessly. If you feel like you have the stomach for it, head down to the Digital Gym July 5th and 6th and give it a shot. Just remember to get that shower running as soon as you get back home.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Digital Gym Info: 2921 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA – (619) 230-1938<\/strong><\/h2>\n

FilmGeeks Facebook Page HERE<\/a>. Go Like it!!<\/h2>\n

FilmGeeks Event Page for the Maniac<\/em> Screenings HERE<\/a>. Go Join it!!<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you enjoy horror films, chances are you occasionally run across a few that are well\u2026 icky. They\u2019re the kind of movie that makes you uncomfortable and leaves you wanting to a take good shower afterward just to get that nastiness off. The original “Maniac” was a gritty, cheaply made exploitation flick from 1980 that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[1004,5874,6810,13036],"class_list":["post-5254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-movie-reviews","tag-alexandre-aja","tag-digital-gym-cinema","tag-elijah-wood","tag-maniac"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5254"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5254\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemastance.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}