Review: Maniac (2012)

***THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS, HERE***

Director: Franck Khalfoun.

Starring: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, Megan Duffy, America Olivo.

Running Time: 89 minutes.

Certificate: 18.

Synopsis: Frank (Elijah Wood) is an attractive yet awkward shop owner with a fetish for scalps. As his mental state worsens when a young artist, Anna (Nora Arnezeder) enters his life, his potent thirst for blood threatens to ruin any chance of a normal friendship.

Opening to slick city streets and electronic beats, Franck Khalfoun’s remake of William Lustig’s 1980 cult horror is reminiscent of the Los Angeles presented in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. But don’t be fooled, as the contemporary city setting is soon unveiled as a dirty, dangerous place where the days are bathed in claustrophobic greyish hues and not even an apartment corridor or parking lot is safe.

Win Tickets To See Maniac

Fancy winning two tickets to the Manchester Premiere of Franck Khalfoun’s remake of Maniac, starring Elijah Wood? Well, luckily I can help you do just that.

The lovely folks over at Grimm Up North have a pair of tickets up for grabs for their event that will be taking place at 7:30pm on Thursday 7th March at the Dancehouse Theatre, Manchester.

As Grimm Up North themselves put it, it’s an unflinchingly fierce and full-blooded re-imagining of William Lustig’s infamous, oft-banned 1980 cult shocker. I was lucky enough to see it last month and can wholeheartedly agree with their opinion that it is challenging, controversial, and confrontational. This is truly a film that takes no prisoners.

You have until 12pm on Wednesday 27th February to enter and all you have to do is comment on this post with a new tagline for the film – think along the lines of ‘Frodo Goes Scalping’. My favourite wins, it’s as simple as that. Just make sure you include your Twitter handle so I can DM the lucky winner!

If you don’t win, fear not, because the first forty people to book through their website will win a limited edition UK quad poster, a copy of Starburst magazine and free entry into their after party!

For more on the event, be sure to check it all out here.

This event is sponsored by Appliances Online.

Review: Happy Feet Two (2011) – HeyUGuys

Happy Feet Two is released in the UK on Friday 2nd December.

My review has just gone up over at HeyUGuys – just click here to read it!

The Great Trailer Debate – Week 3

Nadine (check out her blog here) and I are spoiling you this week with rather a big selection to look at! There’s (deep breath) The Hunger Games (TRAILER OF THE WEEK!!!), Brave, Mirror Mirror, The Iron Lady, Gone, Carnage, Being Flynn, Titanic 3D, Shame, The Sitter, Happy Feet Two, The Deep Blue Sea and Pirates! A Band Of Misfits/In An Adventure With Scientists, depending on which country you’re from! So take a look and tweet or comment your opinions!