Lunatic (Video 1999) Poster

(1999 Video)

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5/10
Is liking "Lunatic!" crazy?
Der_Schnibbler16 February 2010
Many reviews, including the Producer's, will tout this movie as some kind of suspenseful psychological horror movie with deep, engrossing character development. This is far from being the case, and I say this not out of malice, but because I love this movie and don't want to see it maligned by the clueless, big-budget-conditioned movie viewers these reviews are attempting to attract. It's unfair to throw this amazing film to a pack of wolves who, acting purely on mindless instinct brought on by a lifetime of Hollywood mind-control, will do nothing but tear it apart. They are the ones who will read this review and wonder why I'm putting down a movie I profess to like, when I am, in fact, doing nothing of the sort. No, this movie belongs to the true horror fan, my friends: make no mistake.

Only true fans of horror and independent film will appreciate this low-budget gem: Allen is a serial killer who one day reads about a copycat in the newspaper. Seemingly out of nowhere, he discovers her in the house of an intended victim -- it turns out he's too late, she's already done the job for him. Allen, an aloof sociopath, and Bunny, an equally twisted yet, by contrast, social individual, immediately bond (mostly due to Bunny's insistence and outgoing personality) and do what comes naturally: they go on a killing spree. Will this all end well for them, or will Fate decree they have a price to pay, maybe with their lives, maybe even with their very love? We never learn of the characters' motivations. The majority of the gore is so silly-looking that it gives Troma a run for their money (or lack thereof). Amazingly enough, despite the movie's unintentional so-bad-it's-good context the sparse dialogue seems incredibly genuine; the acting completely believable. Seeing human relationships portrayed so realistically between people who can chit-chat over a tub filled with the remains of a mutilated corpse creates an eerie sense of dread:-- you expect these people to be as dysfunctional in their personal relationships as they are sick in their homicidal binges; we are shocked by their normalcy. Allen could be any introverted, shy friend of yours, Bunny certainly anyone's favorite fun-loving gal pal. The plot trudges along and slightly slags on occasion but for the most part is evenly paced. Personally, I find this movie strangely touching.

The typical Hollywood-conditioned mainstream moviegoer will scoff at this movie, unceremoniously dismiss it, and then go rent "a good one" from the New Releases section of his local video-rental conglomerate. To you, a word of advice: don't waste your time -- unless you're willing to be open-minded, that is.

True horror fans, I need say nothing more to you. You already know what this movie's going to be like. Enjoy -- and don't forget to laugh at the dismemberment scenes.
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