By Mike McCarthy
In an era where comic book movies and vigilantes are the norm, it’s good to see something darker and gritty without feeling like you have seen it many times over. ‘Other Madnesses’ brings us back to the mean streets of New York City where the darkness isn’t just from the night, but what lurks in the night. Jeremy Carr’s directorial debut keeps you at the edge of your seat and wanting more from him. Most dark vigilante movies are straight action movies, but not Other Madnesses. This film is a dark psychological thriller that is darker than most of the films out there today.
James Moles stars as Ed Zimmer, a New York City tour guide who is like a walking encyclopedia. What is a little out of the ordinary, is that as much as he knows about all of the buildings and sites in NYC, he hasn’t been to most of them. When he seems to have everything going right with his job, he goes home to his damp and decrepit where he hears the neighbors engaging in activities through the thin walls. He has multiple copies of the same t-shirt that says “I’m Crazy about NY” which could be a hint at what he may or may not become in the future.
Without revealing too much about the plot or where the film is going, this film can get under your skin with some of the imagery. There is a lot going on that would make even Charles Manson shiver. While watching Other Madnesses, you will feel like you should rout for Ed, but aren’t sure if he’s the hero or the villain. Everyone wants to figure out the hero and the villain from the beginning of the film, Other Madnesses will keep you guessing, and we love it. Other Madnesses has been out for a little while now, but on March 21st you will be able to check it out on Video On Demand and you won’t want to miss it.