Maniac Remake

This week director Nicolas Winding Refn announced he plans to remake the 1988 horror film Maniac Cop.

The original film is considered a grindhouse classic, and starred the late Robert Z'Dar as a New York City policeman who goes on a murderous kill spree (which sounds like something that audiences might have eaten up in 1988, but wouldn't fly here in 2017).

Refn is the visionary director behind such controversial movies such as Drive, Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon. His films are always visually stunning, filled with impeccably composed shots that feature bold lighting and brilliant, oversaturated colors.

Unfortunately Refn's films contain little or nothing in the way of content. No story, no plot and definitely no soul. His work is the very definition of Style Over Substance. But hey, they look amazing and the soundtrack's usually awesome, so there's that!

Refn's films are also incredibly slow moving. Wait, did I say it was slow? I meant glacial. His movies consist of interminable static scenes in which absolutely nothing moves. Not the camera, not the actors, and definitely not the plot. I've seen drying paint that was more exciting. 

Watching The Neon Demon was literally like staring at a still photo for five minutes. I cannot emphasize this enough. In fact I streamed the movie a while back and as I watched it, a couple of times I thought there was a glitch and the picture had frozen. That's how static his films are!

In fact, I can probably come up with a pretty good simulation of Refn's upcoming version of Maniac Cop right now! Just sit there in your chair and stare at the above still of Robert Z'Dar for ninety minutes, while listening to some pulsing House Music cranked up to eleven. Voila! You just experienced one of Nicolas Winding Refn's movies!

From The Department Of Shameful Situations

From the Department Of Shameful Situations:

Why is it that all of these wonderfully terrible movies (and many more like 'em) are currently available on blu ray in glorious 1080p resolution...

...but I still can't buy a similarly restored version of the unf*cked, unaltered theatrical versions of the original Star Wars trilogy, without all of George's endless, asinine, unwanted and unasked for "improvements?" Why does Chopping Mall get more loving treatment than one of the most influential films in cinematic history?

Shameful.

R.I.P. Robert Z'Dar

I've been trying to cut down on celebrity death posts lately, lest my blog turn into the Obituary Page. I'm making an exception for this one though, since I've not seen a lot of news about it around the internet.

Robert Z'Dar died March 30, 2015 at age 64.

You may not know his name, but if you're a fan of offbeat cinema, you'll likely recognize that face. Z'Dar was largely unknown to the general public, but was a favorite among cult movie fans, appearing in over one hundred films and TV shows, usually playing a villain.

Z'Dar began experiencing chest pains while attending the Pensacon comic book convention in Pensacola, Florida. He was rushed to the hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and died.

He was probably best known for his role as Matt Cordell, the murderous supernatural police officer in the Maniac Cop film trilogy.

Born Robert Zdarsky in Chicago, he studied acting at Arizona State, where he also played football. Before his film career Z'Dar worked as a police officer (!), a singer/guitarist in the band Nova Express, a jingle writer, and amazingly, a Chippendale dancer.

His massive jaw was the result of a genetic disorder called cherubism, which causes abnormal growth in the lower portion of the face.

I met Mr. Z'Dar a couple of times over the years. The first time was at WizardWorld in Chicago, circa 1999. That me being strangled by him above, back when my hair was all one color. He was very friendly and accommodating to his fans, which is always a plus.

I met him again at a HorrorHound convention in Indianapolis, probably around 2010. He was surrounded by fans and fellow celebrities alike, laughing and telling stories and having a grand old time. Part of that may have been due to the "special ingredient" in his drink. Hey, whatever gets you through the show!

Z'Dar was still active in the film industry, and was shooting Samurai Cop 2 at the time of his death.