Netflix Instant Drive-In: 'Beware! Children at Play' and 'Maniac'

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Netflix Instant Drive-In: 'Beware! Children at Play' and 'Maniac'

On Sep 15, 2011

A précis: While Hollywood churns out reboots and remakes and rebakes that seem nary worth much attention, I’ve decided to cull from Netflix Instant Watch’s extensive cult-classic catalogue to bring to you the Netflix Instant Drive-In. These weeklies will come with quick reviews and trivia about some deep-cut film--typically released sometime in the late-70s to the early/mid-90s. The double-feature is merely a suggested pairing for you and your friends to indulge while drinking some brooskies and having a good time before you head out for the night.

Beware! Children at Play; 1989, 93 min. Troma Entertainment; available on Netflix until 1/1/2012

Beware!’s premise is simple enough: a boy who becomes a cannibal (surprisingly fast) after his father dies from a bear-trap wound in the woods recruits small children ten years later from the neighboring town, Ellenburg, and turns them on to the fleshy delights. The local sheriff brings in his old war pal and sci-fi-as-fact writer to help with the investigation. Through their meanderings, adults are adorably eaten by the roving pack of cannibalistic tykes--ranging in age from about 5 to 16.

What to expect: I’ll be honest, the acting here surprised me. No Oscar performances, of course, but there’s much worse in the annals of B-movie fare. And the dialogue, at times clunky, proves hilarious: “Barbie is not a doll, it’s an addiction!” The gore is abundant, starting with the excavation of dad’s organs in the first ten minutes. Beyond a horrific, and out-of-place rape scene, not much in terms of nudity. And finally, the thing that makes this film so depraved: the final seven minutes are... Let’s just say, someone needs to call CPS on Ellenburg already! The Casio soundtrack only elevates the high level of camp.

Anyway, despite having some slow moments—to be expected in a B-movie, just take a deeper sip from your beer—the last seven minutes are probably the most memorable I’ve ever experienced in film. 4.0/5

Maniac; 1980, 87 min.; available on Netflix until 8/2/2012

Maniac is an even darker flick than Beware! In part due to production values--this is no huge budget venture, but Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead, Creepshow) is in charge of the gore here. The film follows pro/antagonist Frank Zito as his mother-love psycho-drama violently unfolds in his encounters with women. Frank’s a pretty likable, and, most surprisingly, sympathetic character here. He weeps with regret upon returning home from his murders while placing his victim’s scalp on a fresh mannequin. We find out that Frank’s deeply scarred with grief due to the loss of his abusive mother at a young age. Seems okay enough an excuse to brutally murder. Right?

What to expect: Scalping. It happens. And you see it all. So if you’ve got a soft stomach for hairline, then you might want to excuse yourself for the moment after Frank’s murders. Also, a totally bitchin’ exploding head, known affectionately as the “Disco Boy Scene.” And a whole heck of a lot of suspense, because you’re never really sure if Frank’s fully with it when he seems like he is. If a movie could make you xenophobic, this one might do it.

Maniac’s got a killer, damn-near psychedelic ending that’s also unforgettable. At the very least, it’s a gory B-flick that engages your sensories, at the most, it’s a wildly original serial-killer character study that confuses its viewer in all the best ways. 4.5/5

Bonus trivia: Flashdance classic "Maniac" by Michael Sembello was originally inspired by this film, but the lyrics were re-written to sell it to a movie about dancing. Yep.