Bloody Disgusting calls it the best horror movie of the year, and to be honest, it's hard to think of many that could dispute that. Maniac, the Elijah Wood fronted remake of the controversial 80's slasher flick, hits store shelves TODAY and you can take it home on DVD, Blu-Ray and (yes, you read it right), VHS, thanks to Mondo Video.
A viscerally terrifying film, “In this 21st century Jack the Ripper story set in present-day Los
Angeles, Frank (Elijah Wood, The Lord of the Rings) leads a deceptively
peaceful life. To the outside world, he’s a withdrawn and somewhat
eccentric owner of a mannequin store. But his quiet façade masks an
inner rage that forces him to brutally kill and scalp the women who get
too close to him. When a young artist named Anna (Nora Arnezeder, Safe House)
appears one day at Frank’s shop and asks for his help with her new
exhibition, Frank develops an obsession with her that threatens to
completely destroy his already fragile psyche. Soon the streets become
unsafe for any woman after dark as this newly awakened Maniac begins to stalk and kill."
I loved the film, especially for a remake. You can dig on my review here, and I'll say this, I'm excited that I can now add it to my own collection.
It's hard to believe that The Exorcist is 40 years old this year. In preparation for the big 4-0, Warner Bros. has announced the details for the special edition blu-ray release, and it looks like I'll be buying a Blu-ray player in the coming months.
The special features are as follow:
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Beyond Comprehension: William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist (NEW) 40
years after his novel was published, The Exorcist author, screenwriter
and producer returns to where it all began. First stop is a cabin/guest
house in the hills of Encino, California, where Blatty wrote the novel.
The author visits the place for the first time in 40 years and shares
not only memories of writing the book, but also discusses how it
inspired him. We then meet Blatty in two key and iconic locations;
Georgetown University where the film was shot, and at the now-famous
Exorcist steps. Throughout, Blatty reads from his novel, including an
excerpt from a chilling newly published passage.
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Talk of the Devil (NEW) – While at Georgetown University, William
Peter Blatty heard about a true case of possession from Father Eugene
Gallagher. At the time the film came out, the priest talked at length
about exorcism, the true story and about Blatty; this footage is now
available for the first time in many years. It is as revealing as it is
shocking.·
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Two Commentaries by William Friedkin
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Commentary by William Peter Blatty
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Introduction by William Friedkin
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1998 BBC Documentary "The Fear of God: 25 Years of the Exorcist”
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Raising Hell: Filming the Exorcist Set footage produced and
photographed by Owen Roizman, camera and makeup tests, and interviews
with director William Friedkin, actress Linda Blair,
author/screenwriter/producer William Peter Blatty and Owen Roizman.
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The Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Then and Now -- Featuring a tour of the iconic locations where the film was shot.
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Faces of Evil: The Different Versions of The Exorcist — with director
William Friedkin and author/screenwriter/producer William Peter Blatty
discussing the different versions of the film and featuring outtakes
from the film.
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Original Ending
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Interviews: The Original Cut, Stairway to Heaven, The Final Reckoning
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Sketches & Storyboards
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Radio Spots
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TV Spots
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Trailers
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Premium:Excerpt of The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir
You can pick up your copy on October 8th, 5 days before the release of the Special Edition Friday the 13th Box Set.
