I, MADMAN (1989)

With special guest Erik Piepenburg

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 00:00-23:34
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy) 23:35-55:13
Superlatives (so. many. spoilers.) 55:14-1:15:46

Director Tibor Takács
Screenplay David Chaskin
Featuring Randall William Cook, Michelle Fozounmayeh, Stephanie Hodge, Steven Memel, Clayton Rohner, Murray Rubin, Vance Valencia, Jenny Wright

Released April 7, 1989
Box office:  $151,200

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

Virginia, an actress, bookstore employee, and voracious reader of trash fiction, becomes convinced that the author of the books she’s reading – who died some 30 years ago – is out there, on the streets of Los Angeles, committing grisly murders similar to the ones in his books.  Her detective boyfriend, Richard, along with the rest of the LAPD, is skeptical.  Is Virginia crazy?  Seeing things?  Drinking too much tea?  Or is she on to something, and everyone else has failed to see the ugly truth right under their noses, ears, lips, and scalp?

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

Erik Piepenburg writes about horror for The New York Times, including a monthly column about new horror movies to stream. He also writes regularly for The Times about other topics, including gay culture and television. He is currently writing a book about the history of gay restaurants in America. Originally from Cleveland, he now lives with his partner in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. Favorite recess snack: Reese’s peanut butter cups.

EPISODE NOTES

Music from “I, Madman” by Michael Hoenig.

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Erik: The elevator scene in which Brand assaults Virginia
Eric: The sex scene towards the beginning of the film
Bradford: (TIE) The exploration of Dr. Kessler’s chamber of horrors; the sex scene towards the beginning of the film

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live
Erik: Mona
Eric: Mona
Bradford: Mona

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die
Erik: Lenny
Eric: Sgt. Navarro*
Bradford: Colette

*Sgt. Navarro does not die in this film. Eric bent the rule here.

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Erik: The killing of Lenny
Eric: The avalanche at Book City
Bradford: The entire climactic scene at Book City ending with the explosion of pages out the window after “Half-Jackal Boy” dispatches with Dr. Kessler/Malcolm Brand

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Erik: Sidney Zeit
Eric: Malcolm Brand
Bradford: The hotel manager

FINAL LETTER GRADE

Erik: C+
Eric: D-
Bradford: B