The South Will Rise Again!

Come visit the quaint southern town of Pleasant Valley, Georgia, population 2001. And if you’re there for the Gus n’ Glory Jamboree. Have some BBQ, partake in some games, and enjoy that southern hospitality. You’ll have a knee slappin’, rib splittin’ time. Really.
 
In 2001 Maniacs, it seems that at some point during the civil war, the town of Pleasant Valley was attacked by the northern army, burned to the ground and the inhabitants slaughtered. All 2001 of them. And periodically Mayor Buckman (Robert Englund – Nightmare on Elm Street), Granny Boone (Lin Shaye – There’s Something About Mary), Hucklebilly (Ryan Fleming – A Lure), Milk Maiden (Christa Campbell – Day of the Dead), Peaches, Harper and the rest come back once a year to partake in some good old fashioned human BBQ and to take some northern lives. The people killed in the Pleasant Valley can only find peace when they have killed 2001 Yankees. This year they manage to trap college students Anderson Lee (Jay Gillespie – WTC View), Joey (Marla Malcolm – Blood Car), Nelson (Dylan Edington – Close to Home), Corey (Matthew Carey – Self Medicated), Kat (Gina Marie Heekin – Little Athens), and Ricky (Brian Gross – Sorority Boys) who were headed to Florida for spring break. Also attending the festivities are Malcolm (Mushond Lee – Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle), and Leah (Bianca Smith – debut). During the Guts n’ Glory Jubilee the townsfolk have invented some unusual forms of confederate retribution. Think horses, bells, dental devices, and a cotton gin to name a few.
 
2001 Maniacshas every aspect that makes a great cult horror movie, everything that can be criticized is done in this film. From overacting, cheesy effects, stereotypes, and campy dialogue with twisted humor, to the gratuitous nudity, and gallons of blood spilled. Couple all this with a little known cast headed up by veterans Robert Englund and Lin Shaye.
 
Special Features:

• Director and Producer Commentary.
• Audio Commentary with Tim Sullivan and Actor Robert Englund.
• “Inside the Asylum” Making of Featurette
• Deleted/Extended Scenes, Outtakes, and Alternate Opening with John Landis
• 1080P High Definition
• Widescreen Presentation
• English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™
• English and Spanish Subtitles
• English SDH

 
2001 Maniacsis another in a long line of classic horror that is being re mastered for the Blu-ray format, and the upgrade is much deserved. While I didn’t discern a big improvement in the sound, mainly because there isn’t a great amount of incidental music, I did see an improved image clarity, and saturation of color. The amount and quality of the extras makes this format desirable.
 
ComicsOnline gives 2001 Maniacs on Blu-ray 4 ½ down south, home cooked meals out of 5
 
You can pick-up 2001 Maniacs on Blu-ray at Amazon.com.
 
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