Madman

Rating:
Summary: Don't even whisper his name....
Review: I love all kinds of movies, from cultural landmark films to the sleaziest bits of celluloid hidden away in your creepy basement. If I can find atleast one redeeming factor about a movie, then I won't feel like I wasted my time. While Madman would probably never make the AFI top 100 list, and I did have a few problems with it, the movie does have it's moments when it pulls itself free of the banality of it's genre, only to be quickly dragged back under the murky morass by insipid acting, mediocre direction, and cliche after lame cliche.

At the opening, we find that we are at a camp for gifted (cough, cough) children, and we see a small group huddled around a campfire in the middle of the night. There's like seven counselors, and six children. What? I've been to summer camp, and the kid to counselor ratio has always been like 30 or 40 kids to each counselor so I am not sure how the current ratio here actually makes the camp any money unless the parents of the few children that are here are being ridiculously overcharged. Anyway, the group is sitting around a campfire, and we get to hear the story of Madman Marz, a local yokel who apparently went nuts and killed his family. We also find out that the house where he lived is just a stones throw from the campfire. Story goes that if you say his name above a whisper, Madman Marz will come and lop off your head, to which Ritchie, one of the older children, yells out his name in a taunting fashion....stupid kid. As they are preparing to go back to camp, Ritchie sees something and hangs back to investigate. This sets up the premise for various counselors to go one by one into the woods, looking for this dumb kid, and subsequently get killed in various ways. I won't go into who gets killed and how, but the body count goes up at a steady pace.

Some problems I had with the movie. The music is just plain awful. It does provide a little suspense here and there, but it sounds as if it was ripped off from a John Carpenter movie. And right before someone gets killed, they always played the same little bit of menacing music, basically letting you know that someone was about to get killed. Kinda kills the suspense after awhile. Also, the filmmakers tried to create suspense by showing fleeting shots of the killer stalking people, which included various shots of his hands and feet (the killer wore no shoes, deciding to run around barefoot through the woods). Considering the fact that the guy had big, obviously fake, rubber hands and feet, I wouldn't think you would want to spend too much time actually showing how fake they looked, but there you go. And the counselors were so very stupid, annoying, and vacant, even for a movie like this, that I was looking forward to these characters meeting the most grisly end possible. And the killer was like 300 pounds! How the heck does a 300 pound killer sneak up on people in the woods, which he does a number of times? There was one scene where one counselor got the children on the bus and was trying to escape, and the killer attacked the bus, trying to get on...the children didn't even seem to be phased by this. The less than competent acting really hurt this movie. I was a little surprised at the end, as far as who lived and who died, but I was also a little ticked that one character didn't bite the dust. If you watch this movie, you will know who I mean.

The quality of the picture is decent, except for a number of times I saw these lines on the print, right in the middle of screen. As far as special features, there is a trailer and a running commentary audio track featuring the makers of the movie. I listened to a little of it, and I found one point highly amusing. The makers were discussing how they wanted Vincent Price to have the role of the camp owner, and said because it was a non-union movie, that is why they couldn't get him. Yeah, right, that's why Vincent Price couldn't be in your crummy movie....I got a good laugh out of that remark. The sets and the lighting were quite good, although, I have been in the woods in the middle of the night, even when the moon was out, and I don't remember it being as light as it was in the movie, but for the sake of being able to see what's going on, I'm willing to let that slide.

If you like 80's slasher films, then you probably won't be disappointed by this movie, but don't be suprised if you find yourself rooting for the killer, as he's probably one of the least annoying characters in the movie. One last thing, the first counselor to go looking after Ritchie is named 'T.P.'. His over sized belt buckle confirms that this is his name. When he goes missing, various other characters go out looking for him, yelling 'T.P., T.P.!' Where I come from, T.P. is short for toilet paper, and to have these people walking around the woods in the middle of the night yelling out these intials seemed pretty funny. By the way, avoid watching the trailer in the special features section until after you watch the movie, as is common with a lot of movies, it tends to give too much away, trying to cram all the best bits in a couple minutes to attract potential viewers.

Rating:
Summary: So Baaaad It's Good
Review: I recall, as a 9 year old when this video was released watching it with my cousins & being petrified. Now a bit older & wiser I found this DVD by default after searching for it (when my cousins & I reminisced about the night in question). Watching the movie again as a 28 year old, I can not only appreciate the brilliance of B-Rate Movies, but Madman's contribution to the library of horror & deranged serial killers (Freddy, Michael M, Jason V). Madman Mars, whose name should never be uttered above a whisper, is a deranged farmer with a bloodlust, whose murder of his family culminates in an urban legend, which sadly for the teenage group of campers (Friday 13th anyone?) who evoke Mars' wrath, results in his pursuit of them for one more night of fun & scares (for the watcher & actos respectively,lol). The movie is full of all those magical ingredients that modern-day movies such as Scream pay hommage to - sex before death, innocent dying, night-time, girlies running the wrong way, etc, etc. This is such good mindless fun, with unimaginative dialogue & Joan Collins quality acting. All in all a blast which genuinely causes a few scares. Mars is a real looker too by the way!!! Go on, have fun being scared (if you can get past the acting & dialogue). Very well shot though, this is the essence of early 80s horror. Grotesque fun.

Rating:
Summary: Axes, Blood, and Cheddar
Review: I saw Madman twice in the 80's. Once alone and once with some friends. Both times there was beer involved and much enjoyment was had. So recently I bought the DVD from Amazon hoping to have a 3rd great time. I talked my wife into watching it with me, assuring her it was scary and fun. 10 minutes into the film I was embarrassed that my memory was so tainted. maybe it was because I was sober.

Now this is not a review aiming to trash the film. I DO like it. Just want to point to the film's focus group. This movie is so cheesy it should be sponsored by the state of Wisconsin. From the opening credits displayed on a red graphic painted in someone's craft class accompanied by a hokey synthesizer score, you will know exactly what you are in for.

This film IS scary. The crazy madman is spooky, the woods are dark and offer many hiding places for nasty beasties, and the murders are very convincing. The acting is HORRIBLE though and the dialogue is so cheesy the actors can't do anything without a fondue pot.

So, will you enjoy this movie? Yes, yes you will IF you are kicking back, relaxed and willing to just go with it and stay with it for the very worthy payoffs the movie offers. This is NOT the movie, however, that you want to use to convert a non-fan of the genre.

The DVD itself has nice packaging, a clear picture, and includes an insert featuring the creepy cover of the original VHS box.

Rating:
Summary: Axes, Blood, and Cheddar
Review: I saw Madman twice in the 80's. Once alone and once with some friends. Both times there was beer involved and much enjoyment was had. So recently I bought the DVD from Amazon hoping to have a 3rd great time. I talked my wife into watching it with me, assuring her it was scary and fun. 10 minutes into the film I was embarrassed that my memory was so tainted. maybe it was because I was sober.

Now this is not a review aiming to trash the film. I DO like it. Just want to point to the film's focus group. This movie is so cheesy it should be sponsored by the state of Wisconsin. From the opening credits displayed on a red graphic painted in someone's craft class accompanied by a hokey synthesizer score, you will know exactly what you are in for.

This film IS scary. The crazy madman is spooky, the woods are dark and offer many hiding places for nasty beasties, and the murders are very convincing. The acting is HORRIBLE though and the dialogue is so cheesy the actors can't do anything without a fondue pot.

So, will you enjoy this movie? Yes, yes you will IF you are kicking back, relaxed and willing to just go with it and stay with it for the very worthy payoffs the movie offers. This is NOT the movie, however, that you want to use to convert a non-fan of the genre.

The DVD itself has nice packaging, a clear picture, and includes an insert featuring the creepy cover of the original VHS box.

Rating:
Summary: 80's. Thats all you need to say.
Review: I saw the trailer for this movie on some horror website and figured it looked alright so I ordered it. The film is your usual run of the mill 80's body count movie. Usual routine - summer camp, counsilors get killed blah blah blah (how come the kids never die?). If your one of these people who expects deep characterisation in horror films, then this is worse than Friday The 13th. The characters here aren't teenagers they look more in their 30's so not only does this stereotype them even more so than your Friday 13th style hormone driven teenagers, it also makes them completely boring. So Nil on that score, acting is pretty pants too. However, a slasher film lives or dies by it's atmosphere and blood n guts rating. Gore is cheap and cheesy as ever, just as one would like. There's no budget like low budget as Bruce Campbell once said, however the films score goes up simply on it's killer. Psycho with an axe farmer 'Madman Mars' is genuinly scary as he is scene very little. There's always something inherently scary about those old farmer types anyway me thinks. But there are scenes when all you see is the outline of Mars walking through the woods, that genuinly are creepy. It's unusual for a slasher film to go that route, but perhaps unintentionally, Madman breaks from the traditional 'gorier the merrier routine' and offers a few genuine spine chills. It's by no means in the same class as Halloween as pretty much every other aspect of the film is laughable, but as summer camp slashers go (no pun intended), it's not too bad. It's one of the old Anchor Bay titles with really bad sound and few features, but this only emphasises how low the budget is. So once again, unintentionally, this ironically helps it seem even more tacky and stupid :o)

Rating:
Summary: Not good enough, but it's still okay...
Review: I wanted to see this movie for a long time, and finally got the chance when I got it at a garage sale for really cheap. I love early-80's slasher pics., and heared good things about "Madman". My verdict: Eh...The film has good potential and is okay, but I didn't find myself entertained or scared. There is a rather bizzare scene, which had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the movie, however, which had me ROllING on the FLOOR, which begins with an un-dressing montage of these two lovers. They then proceed to swirl and twirl around a hot-tub, just staring at eachother, not saying a word!, while some very bad 80's love song plays in the backgrond. Another problem may be because the killer, Madman Marz, resembles and grunts like how we imagine Big Foot would. He's not scary at all. On another note, this film could very easily be apart of the "Friday the 13th" series. Madman Marz would just have to be replaced by jason, the "ch-ch-ch" music put in, and the legend of Jason and Mrs. Vorhees from Friday the 13th part 2 be told instead of the one of Marz. I reccomend this film somewhat reluctantly, if you like 80's slashers.

Rating:
Summary: Not good enough, but it's still okay...
Review: I wanted to see this movie for a long time, and finally got the chance when I got it at a garage sale for really cheap. I love early-80's slasher pics., and heared good things about "Madman". My verdict: Eh...The film has good potential and is okay, but I didn't find myself entertained or scared. There is a rather bizzare scene, which had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the movie, however, which had me ROllING on the FLOOR, which begins with an un-dressing montage of these two lovers. They then proceed to swirl and twirl around a hot-tub, just staring at eachother, not saying a word!, while some very bad 80's love song plays in the backgrond. Another problem may be because the killer, Madman Marz, resembles and grunts like how we imagine Big Foot would. He's not scary at all. On another note, this film could very easily be apart of the "Friday the 13th" series. Madman Marz would just have to be replaced by jason, the "ch-ch-ch" music put in, and the legend of Jason and Mrs. Vorhees from Friday the 13th part 2 be told instead of the one of Marz. I reccomend this film somewhat reluctantly, if you like 80's slashers.

Rating:
Summary: Great Horror Movie!
Review: I was so overjoyed to see this movie on DVD! I am a horror movie fanatic and this has to be one of my top 5 scariest. The acting is amateur to say the least but the star of the movie is Madman Marz. There are no daytime scenes, the old house sends chills up your spine and the foggy silhouettes of huge Madman Marz are enough to frighten anyone. The opening scenes of him murdering his family (including his 2 small children) set the scene and let you know right away that he has no regard for human life. The mystery surrounding him, the slight glimpses you catch of him during the movie, the silence with which he moves about are all enough to keep you tense. Granted, there are several scenes (like the hot tub and the meditation in front of the fireplace) that could have met the cutting room floor, but overall if you could imagine yourself in the situation of these camp counselors, you probably wouldn't want to watch this one alone!

Rating:
Summary: IT'S NOT GOOD
Review: I'm gonna give it to you straight...you have to be a 'madman' to buy this movie. Absolutely pathetic. From an experienced horror movie fan, i can tell you the death scenes were cheap & lame, the camp councelors were 110 years old so that was pretty boring, as there were not many sex scenes either, and lets face it, it's all part of the horror movie package. The music also plays a huge part in any movie especially horror, and in this movie the only music was a kinda violin gone wrong sound and the occasional grunt from the murdering farmer - madman marz. So please instead of wasting your money go and buy Friday the 13th Pt. 1,2 and 4. peace out.

Rating:
Summary: Madman works!
Review: I'm not sure what attracted me to this movie, but whatever it was, I'm glad I checked it out. I've always been a fan of slasher flicks (maybe it has something to do with the fact that I was born in 1980, around the time the founding fathers of slasher flicks were releashed -- Halloween and Friday the 13th). The slasher genre is probably my favorite because there are so many films from which to work when reviewing a slasher.

Madman takes place at a camp, complete with kids, teenage camp counselors, and the old guy who's supposed to be making sure the teenagers are watching the kids and not having sex with one another all of the time. The old guy's name is Max (Carl Fredericks) and we start out listening to one of his "campside stories." The story he spins for everybody is that of Madman Marz. A number of years ago, Max tells us, a farmer butchered his entire family and then went to the tavern for a beer. Although the town hanged him for his crimes, Marz escaped into the woods and was never heard from again. Max warns his camp not to say the name Madman Marz above a whisper or else they'll piss Marz off and he'll come to get them. At this point, your classic punk stands up and starts mocking the whole story, screaming out "Madman Marz!"

The Max character is weird because he doesn't act like your typical old guy -- he doesn't mind the teens drinking beer, he doesn't mind scaring the hell out of the little kids, and he always seems to know more than he's letting on. I've wondered whether or not Max was actually Marz. By the end of the movie, I was still not convinced that he wasn't. Max and Marz were played by different actors, but could there be a secret in the storyline that link Max and Marz? There's also a few scenes that place Max too far away from camp to be Marz while all of the killings are taking place. You'll see this weirdness about Max that I'm talking about if you check this film out.

The gory scenes in this movie are quite good. The killer uses an axe as his murder weapon, but we also see one of the teens' heads chopped off under the hood of a pickup truck. Pretty unique, huh? There are obvious similarities beyond the gore to Friday the 13th and Halloween. The music used throughout the film is the most obvious. Others include the "woods" and "camp" themes common in nearly all of the Friday movies. These similarities do not make Madman a "ripoff" -- Madman certainly has qualities that make it standout. For example, in the beginning of the movie, Marz is introduced to us as someone very human -- Max tells us that Marz goes to the tavern and drinks a beer after slaughtering his family. Can you imagine Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees sitting down for a beer after one of their kills ... Exactly!

With all good slasher movies, there's the issue of the killer's face. In the beginning of the film, we see Marz in silhouette, revealing only his wild hair and large body. Eventually we see his face shot from several darkly lit and obscure angles. In fact, his face isn't "clearly" seen until near the end of the movie. And even then, it's shot from a moving camera looking up, a technique that has the tendency to conceal whatever it's filming.

Another commonality in slasher films is the sparing of at least one of the teens. This way, someone gets to tell their story to the cops or whoever ends up coming to rescue the camp when it's all over. My guess was that Betsy (Alexis Dubin) would be spared because of her savior-like role. I won't tell you if my assumption turned out to be true, you'll have to find out for yourself. The actress who portrayed Betsy was credited in this film as Alexis Dubin, but she previously appeared in the horror classic Dawn of the Dead as Gaylen Ross. She does an excellent job portraying the smart one of the bunch, even though she makes a few stupid decisions here and there. If I had to pick a smart one, though, it would definitely be her!

Without reservation I add Madman to my list of favorite 80's slasher movies. The DVD quality is excellent -- I only witnessed one scene in which the scream doesn't match up with the victim's mouth. This little error is forgivable considering the wonderful quality that's been preserved in this DVD. Check this one out, folks! Rating: 4 / 4.

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