


UPDATE: MADMAN fans must check out the Vicar of VHS’ awesome review for MADMAN (It even includes a shot of J.T.’s infamous belt buckle)and his incredible extended version of THE MADMAN THEME SONG over at M.M.M.M. MOVIES! Go, run, Now!
Tags: Repeat Offenders
Another one of my favorites! Madman Marz is a real unique presence, always just barely glimpsed to great effect. Is he a run-of-the-mill slasher? Possibly. Is he a revenant from beyond the grave? I like that one better. Either way, this is a weird, creepy, effective flick that has staked out its own place in slasher history, and in my heart.
So many great things–the theme song, a hero named “TP” (with the huge ornate belt-buckle to prove it!), a lead actress performance by Dawn of the Dead’s Gaylen Ross, but credited here as “Alexis Dubin” (trivia–for some reason, Ross has apparently been absolutely unwilling to talk about the film throughout her career! WTF?), truck-hood decapitation, a wonderful headless-corpse set-up scene (and aftermath!), and a constant frustrating of slasher-film expectations to keep even seasoned viewers off-balance and happy.
And that hot tub ballet! Even if not for all the other great things about this movie, that right there would launch it into horror flick history. Everyone should see this. Like, NOW.
My boyfriend still doesn’t get it, but Madman is one of my all time favorite films. It’s just SO dang creepy. Also, you’re right about the night lighting. It’s gorgeous and you don’t miss a thing. In fact, the scene where Ritchie sees the shadow of Madman in the trees? Wow, just chilling. And dude growls! I mean, he fucking growls! I actually do an OK impression him.
I also agree about the hippy-dippy dialog (which I quote constantly) and I have the hot tub song and the theme song on CD. They’re not great quality, but they’re mine. Do you hear me?!? MINE!!!
Thanks for spreading the love!