As to the movie- not a big fan, but just from the title itself I had an idea what I was getting into.

Look what I found while snooping about the web...

I bet Cheverolt is happy.

...so long as there's a point to it.  There's no catharsis, no lesson learned, no moral to the story, no ironic twist.  You've learned nothing of value about the character, you're not given any form of insight about him. 

You could say that about most slasher movies, and every "found footage " film ever made. What depth is there to Jason, Freddy, or Pinhead, or Leatherface?  They're just bare-bones villains in great costumes. Not that I'm arguing.

I love MANAIC because it does a superlative job showing the sleaze, loneliness, and sense eroding society of late 70s early 80s New York.  I think Lustig did a fine job at capturing the texture and visual fabric of that moment and putting it on film. And the soundtrack is absolutely stellar, a perfect companion piece to the visuals. MANIAC is a film you can taste by watching it.

As for character... there's lots; plenty for a horror film. The whole mother thing, childhood issues that have led to his social isolation and self abuse and the resentment and violence toward women. Why does it need to be anymore elaborate than that? And I certainly don't need to "learn anything", nor do I need a moral to the lesson, as i probably wouldn't agree with it anyway.

There is no and.  That's the problem.  It's ninety minutes of mean-spirited gratuity without a point.  Which is why it didn't work for me.

exactly, and that's what makes the film work. lol   There was an overall seamy quality to the original (and to Joe Spinell, come to think of it) that I think would be pretty difficult to recreate.
I'm open to a remake and have no issue with Elijah, but I'm not expecting near as many unpleasant moments.

More info:  http://www.slasherstudios.com/2011/11/3 … ac-remake/

I'm sure it'll be tame by the original's standards, with more focus on character than grue, but what the hell.  At least there's a good actor in the lead, and the fact that he's playing against-type makes it sound intriguing.

Holy crap...Elijah Woods is going to play Frank Zito in the new Maniac!  Apparently filming in between the Hobbit movies.

http://www.horror-movies.ca/2011/11/eli … ac-remake/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103217/