Terry's Reviews
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Near Dark Anchor Bay - 2002 Directed by Kathryn Bigelow Starring |
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| This is the definition of a sleeper or hidden
gem. When it was released back in 1987 it didn’t catch the world on fire. I was one
of the fortunate people who saw it on the big screen and now you can see it too with
Anchor Bay’s pristine DVD release. NEAR DARK is a western vampire movie. It’s set up in the south west environment of wide open space, desert landscape and a big sky. Brilliantly photographed by Adam (THE TERMINATOR) Greenberg and passionately directed by Kathryn Bigelow. They work together to create one of the most invigorating takes on the vampire lore. Eric (THE HITCHER) Red and Bigelow have written a script that focuses on family first and the difficulties that come from being in a family. Each character seems amazingly familiar because most of us have lived in the dynamic of a family situation. This made it easy for me to understand the characters plight and struggles to break free, yet want to remain part of the whole. This is really the core of NEAR DARK and a reason we care so much for the characters. It’s kind of amazing the word vampire is not mentioned once in the film. This is a testament of the potent minds of Red and Bigelow. The actors are amazing. Adrian Pasdar brought a great sense of vulnerability and sensitivity as Caleb Colton. Jenny Wright is sexy and mysterious. But it’s the rest of her vampire family you will never forget. Bill Paxton’s take on the rebellious Severen character is special. Paxton is angry, funny and completely unpredictable. Paxton has done a lot of good work as an actor with memorable roles in ALIENS, WEIRD SCIENCE, TRUE LIES, TWISTER, TITANIC but this stands out. Lance Henriksen is always good. When you find out the measures Henriksen took to pull of the father figure Jesse, it’s not surprising the amount of texture he brings to the screen. Jenette (ALIENS) Goldstein is perfectly paired with Henriksen as he wife Diamondback. Tim Thomerson’s performance as Caleb’s father Loy Colton is grounded with realism and you can’t help but loving a character with such strong family values. The 2-Disc supplements Anchor Bay has produced dazzled me. I enjoyed listening to Kathryn Bigelow’s audio commentary on the first disc. Bigelow has such a soothing voice and she gives fascinating insight. Disc 2 has an all-new 47 minute documentary called "Living in Darkness." Bigelow, Paxton, Henriksen, Pasdar, Goldstein, Producer Steven-Charles Jaffe, DP Adam Greenberg and Executive Producer Edward S. Feldman take turns describing the NEAR DARK experience. Bigelow comments on a deleted scene, included also are; trailers, storyboards, poster still gallery and talent bios. I particularly liked the original screenplay in DVD-Rom format. NEAR DARK has been digitally mastered in THX so you know it has superior picture and sound. |
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