Maniac on the Loose (2008) Reviews

• REVIEW SCORES WERE MISLEADING - Not good & painful to watch...

  malentz-776632017-01-17

  This is my first review. This movie was so bad, I actually felt obligated to at least give future watchers a fair objective review. It is my opinion that the high ratings and boasting positive reviews were written by the people who were actually a part of the film or their direct friends and family. Let me also mention that I usually love movies that are not the "norm", and are 'off the wall', or even low budget quality. However, this movie seems like something a high school student would make for their broadcasting class. No professional sound, poor camera operation, bad acting, uninteresting plot. Basically not worth watching, if you ask me. I actually challenge you to try & watch it in its entirety. I can almost guarantee you that it will become humiliating for you to watch more than the first 5 minutes. It's literally and figuratively PAINFUL ( it's that bad)! On a positive & helpful note.... If you like independent films, cult classics, odd & quirky films, then I highly recommend watching 'American Movie'. You get independent film making, dabbles in horror movie action, and a behind the scenes documentary of a dedicated man's dream and process of making his horror film, 'Coven'.

• Good suspense horror/thriller

  sooperdw2014-04-05

  This checked a few boxes. It kept me guessing, was scary, had suspense and had the effect of making time pass that bit more quickly! The film-makers when what they were doing when they tapped into that unconscious fear of a threat just outside. We all know that nasty people are there, somewhere. It is just a comfort factor to believe that the most evil are staying where they are. This film dispelled that myth and broke the comfort zone, It was not all tension and scare - some humour was there as well. I liked that as it helped to provide a balance with the more shocking parts. This is a scary film, it had me wondering which genre it fitted best - suspense thriller or horror. In the end I decided that it ticked both boxes but defining it to such a resolution was not important as the outcome of both was achieved as it helped me to suspend belief and 'enjoy' the story. An all round good effort with a fine result.

• Better check your doors Madisonville!

  masodo2013-08-11

  I had a good time watching Maniac on the Loose. If you have ever said that you like horror movies I am sure you will enjoy this too! It is a brilliant tale about an escaped mental patient and why that can be a such bad thing. Steve Hudgins has woven a tale that should have everyone calling their local mental institutions to verify that ALL the doors are locked. It has been said that too much knowledge is a dangerous thing and Steve skillfully doles out this plot in a manner that perhaps will make you feel just a little too safe. But it's for your own good. You like surprises don't you? Do you like think you know the score? When a maniac is on the loose it is best just to stay at home, right? Really? In this case the best place to be is anywhere but Madisonville. In some ways this is a cautionary tale on the pitfalls of on-line romance. In other ways it is a cautionary tale on the pitfalls of getting up and going to work. In ALL ways this is an excellent creation by the good folks at Big Biting Pig Productions. The camera work is admirable. The sound is A-O-K. The musical score is awesomely effective. The editing is Super-Good. The acting is just about to the top notch. It has Humor cards. It has Suspense and Mystery Cards. It has Horror and Creepy cards. Are you in? The dealing has begun but beware, Steve has masterfully stacked this deck! I recommend this for those who like good clever fiction with just enough terror to keep you glued to the screen.

• Far from a "brilliant tale"

  Leofwine_draca2018-10-28

  I did get a chuckle to see someone describe this as a "brilliant tale". It's nothing more than a typical indie horror centred around an overacting serial killer who humiliates and murders various people he comes into contact with. It's a low budget, small scale kind of production, centred around a series of the dullest conversations ever. As such it's a repetitive viewing experience, lacking even the bloodshed that these cheapies are usually known for.

• THE PERFECT FAMILY

  nogodnomasters2019-05-17

  This is a low budget slasher movie that is light on slashing and blood. A dangerous man escapes from a mental institution with about as much security as an elementary school. We don't see his face. The security man at the institute nicknamed "ski mask" goes out to find the psycho. We don't know what he looks like either. Meanwhile there is a subplot of a woman going on a blind date. Note the diploma on the doctor's wall: Northwestern Bluff University. Just when you think you have the movie pegged, there is a flashback which gives it a twist. There are numerous sudden flashbacks, but they are not too hard to figure out because it generally contains a person who is dead. Kudos to Steve Hudgins who starred, directed and wrote this movie. Normally that is a recipe for disaster. Some good dialog, with many quirky twists. I enjoyed the film more as a quirky indie than a slasher film. Adult dialogue and groping. No sex, no nudity.