There's a new production company on the block and guess what? They're making some horror films! CINEMACABRE hits the street with their first SOV feature film, MANIACAL. Said to be geared towards "the teen market" Maniacal is a slasher film like all others before it. Let's hope these teens haven't been to the video store recently. Don't get me wrong, it's not a complete washout. Oddly enough there are some worthwhile bits hidden in between all of the retread.

This is the story you've heard a thousand times over... make that a thousand and one. Gilbert Gill is a troubled and mildly retarded young man. He's also harassed and poked at by his father, sister and all to "friendly" step mom. Well, one day (actually, the first day we meet Gilbert) he snaps. He attempts to kill his father (and fails), successfully kills his mother and throws a hammer at his sister. Needless to say he's locked away in a mental institution (that looks more like a redecorated Beverly Hills home) and that's that. A title card tells us that three years pass (even though everyone onscreen refers to only one year as passing, meh) and Gilbert bloodily escapes from the mansion, errr I mean mental institution. In the mean time Gilbert's sister and her three sexily dressed friends are planning a slumber party that surprisingly enough is crashed by three horny local boys... and not to mention Gilbert himself! Hot on Gilbert's trail and not taking any shit from anybody are also both Gilbert's dad and the local "too quick to fire his gun" sheriff.

Story wise we're not really given anything that even resembles originality here. Maniacal is nothing more than a hodge-podge of just about every other slasher flick ever made. Of all the borrowing here, the film seems to "take" from the original Halloween most of all (even Maniacal's score reeks of Carpenter's familiar theme). Performances are pretty weak for the most part (17 year olds obviously played by 20 something's) and the script is full of annoying "Scream-esque" type horror reference quips that should make the seasoned horror fan sick to his stomach. In addition to the many "I know a lot about horror films" references we're also treated to classic bits of dialogue like Gilbert's sister referring to his hospital stay by saying "No DJ, It's like he's been rehabilitated or something!" or "He's not loony, he's just confused!" Not to mention the fact that Gilbert's sister and father are so excited to hear of his release (that is until Gilbert starts his murderous rampage) "It'll be just like the good ol' days with Gilbert!" You mean like the good ol' days when you tormented, teased, abused and smacked me around? Yeah, those were the good ol' days!

Don't get me wrong though, It's not all a loss folks. If ya dig a bit deeper there really is something to see. Where the film impressed me (and impressed me with flying colors) were the special effects. If Manaical promises a film with sexily dressed dames and plenty of gooey gore effects, then yes it does deliver the goods. More so than many other indie horror films of this type, Maniacal boasts a huge body count and endless amounts of creative (and most importantly, realistic) gore effects. During the films 80 minute running time we're treated to multiple gutting and gouging set pieces, a fork to the head, an impressive slit throat a few nicely executed bashed heads (one smashed by a foot), one exploding head by rifle, the longest strangulation scene you've ever endured and let's not even think of forgetting a gratuitous shower scene thrown in for good measure (and no apparent reason). Aside from the plentiful amounts of gore it's also worth mentioning the flick's slick editing style (which helps to make the gore effects all the more impressive including a bloodless but impressive twisted neck effect).

Apparently CINEMACBRE is set to attract the teen market with their new line up of films (they consider the teen market to be ages 13-25), their sights may have been set a bit too high. If anything the younger kids will probably never get their hands on these flicks because of all the gore and nudity (or will they?). While the older mid-twenty fans may experience a bit of the been there done that syndrome (unless they can appreciate the film on its FX and sexily dressed dame merits and ultimate cheeziness alone). Not for nothing, I think CINEMACBRE can find a comfortable fan base around the 16 to 22 age group but I surely wouldn't discourage anyone older (or younger) from giving the film a once over. As bad or as silly as things became, I was still thoroughly entertained by the onscreen shenanigans (yeah, I really can't explain it either). Whether I was in the midst of being impressed by the on screen carnage or being utterly disgusted by the fact that they give away the ending to the original Sleepaway Camp during one of their "quick witted" horror references (that's right, If you've never seen Sleepaway Camp, be warned).

Maniacal is set to be unleashed on video and DVD on January 14 2003. Extras are slated to include behind the scenes and interview footage, cast and crew bios, production stills, trailers, reviews and foreign/domestic art. For more info on this and future CINEMACABRE titles you can visit their official site by clicking here!