Maniac (2012) - Elijah Wood goes psycho

[Archivist]

I've been watching the trailers for the upcoming movie Maniac, starring Elijah Wood, until the red band trailers came out a few days ago.  Now there is no way in heck that I'm watching this movie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maniac_%282012_film%29

Green band trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azz66j_VziI

I'll let you guys find the red band trailer yourself.  It looks highly, highly unpleasant.  Lots of scalpings in excruciating detail.  Ugh.

The directorial style is quite interesting, though.  It has been shot entirely from the first person viewpoint, so that you only see Elijah Wood's character in reflections in mirrors and windows.  The director, Franck Khalfoun, is reportedly pleased that one viewer passed out during a test screening.

[zombie no.one]

I want to see this because I'm interested to see how similar/different they've played it compared to the original. I'm not a massive fan of the original but it is certainly 'original' - no pun intended - so at least there is potential for this to be more than your average token remake/rehash of an 80s slasher (I hope)

[Joe]

It's decent. Maniac is one of those films that seriously did not need a remake. However, Aja proved competent and gave us something of a somewhat freshness to it all. It's completely shot from the POV of Elijah, which makes for some good scenes. All in all it's worth a watch, but can't hold a candle to the original. The visceral psychology and anguish just isn't there.

[Gory Video Games]

It could be good, I'll give it a chance!

[skuts]

The original was horrible enough. Poor Joe must be spinning in his grave.

[messedup]

This shouldn't really be in the "Bad Movie"-Section. Never liked the original, but the remake was amazing.
One of the best remakes I have seen in years. Never thought Wood had that kinda role in him.

[zelmo73]

Never thought Wood had that kinda role in him.

I liked him as a bad guy in Sin City (2005). He should do more roles like that one.

[zombie no.one]

well, opinions and all that, but I have to say I was disappointed with this remake. wasn't convinced by the lead guy at any point during the film, in fact I thought he was laughably mis-cast! Characters and dialogue were bland, whole thing came off as rather pompous imo. Oh well...

[leatherface58]

It was a decent remake with some nice nods to the original and other classic horror movies. The Goodbye Horses song, the scene in the parking area where Frank stands up and the camera pans to his reflection in the car holding the scalp resembling the original movie's poster, etc. were some good touches. The killer POV really made it uncomfortable as if you are attached at the waist with this maniac. Underrated IMO.