I should probably be forcing myself to check out one of the many recent horror movies I haven't caught up with yet but instead I'm going to watch MADMAN for the millionth time. It's the perfect time of year for a summer slasher movie especially when that summer slasher movie completely ignores the existence of the sun by taking place exclusively at night and features characters dressed as if it were the dead of winter (when they're not in a hot tub). What says summer more than howling winds, rustling dead leaves, corduroy and flannel? I'm thinking the world of MADMAN is a perfect world- because it's a world where summer doesn't exist. Putting aside its strange, BOOGENS-esque climate, MADMAN never fails to satisfy all of my horror needs. Once upon a time I used to wish for a sequel but now I know it's better off with its mythology unmarred and its low budget purity intact. This movie has everything you could want in a horror movie; a truly formidable maniac, victims who make questionable survival choices, multiple grisly deaths and a jarring synth score complimented by a legendary theme song that should have been a number one pop hit across the country. And I have to say, the cat-and-mouse stalking scenes are still pretty darn effective. Sure, it has flaws but they are enjoyable flaws. Anyway, MADMAN is available to watch on Tubi TV for free anytime you like. If you haven't seen it before, be more adventurous than myself and check it out HERE.
Alright, getting ready to watch now.
I am betting that the guy being military-pressed into the air in the bottom pic makes it out ok!
Nope! Unless that was the sound of some unorthodox chriropractic technique..
Again with you, Kindertrauma. Bringing up old favorites I haven't thought about in some time. My first Madman memory was circa 1990 and seeing the box at the old rental store and wondering what that crazy movie was. I rented it and specifically remember the end theme with the final jarring SCREEEEE!!!!! noise at the end when it showed the title again. Just waiting for that SCREEEE used to make me nervous!
Chuckles72,
That Madman does not mess around. I think I'd choose decapitation over back-snapping.
I'm fascinated by the fact that you get a pretty good idea of what Madman Marz looks like in the film but it's really hard to find a frame of the film where they show him clearly and completely. They just give you very short little pieces here and there to put together. There are so many blink and you miss it shots in this movie too, The editing is surprisingly intricate.
popcornmonster,
I think the first time I caught MADMAN was on HBO back in the day. It freaked me out but I remember thinking it was super dark but now it looks fine and the darkness really helps give it a surreal quality. You can never see more than 10 feet ahead of anything and the background blackness makes it look like they are stage half the time. And that music is perfect, it's so low and heavy for a synth score. And that theme song! The best. We need more horror theme songs. I love that SCREEE too I know just what you mean. It's like a cat jumped on the synthesizer.
I'm glad this film has gained a cult following too. For years I would mention it and nobody knew what I was talking about. It's one of the better "killer in the woods" Friday the 13th inspired early 80s slashers that is actually worth remembering. I could see Madman being the inspiration if it had only come out first.