Near Dark DVD Review
When was the last time you seen a good vampire movie? Blade 2, From Dusk till Dawn, The Lost Boys and Vamp comes to mind but theirs a movie missing in this list. This movie took nearly all the rules vampires followed and threw them into Alyssa Milano’s bedroom okay out the window. When a movie does this it makes it original. The movie I’m talking about is Near Dark. Near Dark is the definition of how to make an original and unique vampire movie. The amazing bar massacre and hotel shootout in this movie is still shocking and brutal after all these years. This movie in my opinion really made Bill Paxton an actor to keep your eyes on, not "Real Science". This nice 2 disk DVD will shed some light on why you should see it. This DVD will you an reason to properly bury that old VHS of Near Dark that you recorded from your friend’s cousin’s sister’s brother that was related to your friend’s uncle’s girlfriend that you banged with your ex-best friend’s girlfriend while it was recording but that’s enough about me. Here’s my take on this vampire classic.
The Flick
A cowboy hat wearing, pick up truck driving Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) goes to town and sees Mae (Jennie Wright) a very good looking woman. So like any normal man Caleb lets his pants do the thinking and decides to talk to Mae. Caleb says one of the lamest pick-up lines in history to Mae but for some reason Mae falls for the line and him.
But Mae has a small secret. She’s a VAMPIRE!
After having a fun time in the country with Caleb she realizes that sunrise is near. Mae lets Caleb know that she has to be home before dawn but Caleb is still nagging for a kiss and that’s bad news.
She gives him some kisses and what could have easily been avoided with viewing of “Wicked City”, bites Caleb on the neck. Mae has just turned Caleb into a vampire. Mae gets out of Caleb’s truck and runs home. But Caleb’s truck doesn’t want to start and forces him to walk home. While walking home Caleb’s skin starts to burn and smoke. Caleb is walking in the sun, a big vampire "no-no". He doesn’t know that he’s a vampire and in a few minuets he’s going to die. Until passengers in an Winnebago with aluminum foil around the windows saves Caleb from being in vampire heaven.
Guess what these people in this Winnebago are? VAMPIRES!
These people are Mae’s "family". This is a ragtag group of pistol wearing vampires that travel from town to town "feeding " on us poor humans. They are driving a winnebego with foil covering every place were sunlight would come, they even spraypainted the windows light black to keep the evil sun from coming into the winnebago. The family ranges from the leader Jesse (Lance Henriksen), the mother figure Diamondback (Jenette Goldstein), a man that will be stuck forever in the body of a kid Homer (Joshua Miller) and the psychopath Severen (Bill Paxton).
This family is reluctant to accept Caleb as "one of them". To prove that Caleb will be useful for the family they give him one option.
"Learn to feed on humans or die". Simple isn’t it? If I write more it will spoil the fun of this movie.
One of the things that make this movie different is the fact that the word "vampire" is not said once hell you don’t even see one pair of vampire fangs during the movie. These vampires don’t just sit around a gawk at the fact that they can live forever; they already know what they are capable of and theirs no point talking about it. The weapons that are normally used (crosses, holy water, stakes, etc.) aren’t even mentioned and also serve no purpose. The only real weapon against them is sunlight.
The main reasons why this movie is a classic.
1. The amazing direction of Kathryn Bigelow
If this movie wouldn’t have been for her amazing skills as a director, this movie would have been a disaster. It doesn’t hurt that she has directed some great movies like "Strange Days", "Point Break" and the underappreciated "Blue Steel".
2. CASTING
Lance Henrikson and Jenette Goldstein just pitch perfect as the parent figures of this family. They know that killing is a part of life and if they don’t kill they’ll die. These 2 people make it known that they have no regrets for who they are and don’t sit around and wish they were human again.
Bill Paxton. Good GOD! This has got to be one of the best characters he has ever played this side of "Hurricane Dixon" from "One False Move" or "Dad" from "Frailty". From the moment his character is introduced you know that this is not Chet from Wierd Science. Bill plays Severen as some guy that really enjoys killing people not because he has to but just for the sheer pleasure of killing. What Severen does with those spurs on his boots is the definition of cool and may shock some people. Sure he goes over the top with his character but he’s playing a psychopath. Bill’s character gets some of the most quotable lines and the best scenes. Watch him in that bar scene and the truck confrontation and dare to argue!
(Useless Fact! Bill Paxton, Jennette Goldstein and Lance Henrikson were in a little movie called "Aliens". Just in case you didn’t know that?)
3. There is some solid work by Joshua Miller, Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, and Tim (don’t call me Jack Deth) Thomerson.
4. Awesome cinematography by Adam Greenberg.
The problem I may have with the movie is that it takes 10 minuets for the movie to really get going and the climax isn’t as exciting as the middle half but good regardless.
Near Dark is a movie that deserves to be called a "real vampire movie". It has cool characters, cool scenes and it breaks the rules that most vampire movies follow.
This movie is an underappreciated classic and I’ll stand by this statement.
The movie 9.3 out of 10
The Look:
No way? Anchor Bay (the distributor) has went all out and made the transfer for Near Dark THX certified and it looks great. I was impressed with night scenes; they are handled perfectly and look natural. There is no color bleeding to be found, just look at the bar scene or when Caleb is walking to the bus station. The problems I noticed was during the opening credits and the opening of the hotel shootout scene where I noticed huge amounts of picture grain. But despite these problems, I have to give credit to the fact that Anchor Bay and THX has actually tried to clean up this transfer. For that reason alone makes this transfer commendable. There is an option for 16 by 9 widescreen as well.
8 out of 10
The sound:
Your main choices are between Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Both these sound choices sound good but the problem was both choices almost sound the same. They both had a lot of surround sound action especially during the truck duel. If I had to chose I would go with the DTS because the explosions and dialogue sounded a bit clearer than the Dolby but you really have to be listening to notice the difference. Here are some scenes I noticed small differences between the
Dolby and DTS choices.
Chapter 13 "Shit-Kicker Slaughter"
Chapter 15 "Firefight"
Chapter 21 " Bad-Ass Bloodsucker"
You can’t go wrong with either the Dolby or DTS. If you have DTS use it or if you want to buy a DTS reciever because of this disk you may be dissapointed.
Dolby 5.1 7 out of 10
DTS 8-out of 10
The Stuff:
Anchor Bay has to be commended for looking for good extra features to satisfy Near Dark fans. Both disks sports some nice and dark menus, with Tangerine Dream’s music playing in the background
On Disk 1:
Commentary by director Kathryn Bigelow. This has got to be one of the dullest commentary tracks I ever heard. She doesn’t speak often during the commentary, so expect huge gaps of silence. She talks about the production design; casting, make-up effects and why this movie never reached an audience until it hit home video. She uses big words, so have your dictionary handy. Everything she mentions is either in the documentary on Disk 2 or what she said in interviews. If I had to find something to like about the track well I liked her comments on the opening mosquito scene and the bar massacre. Other than that avoid this commentary track like a sexual encounter with Joan Rivers.
The last feature on Disk 1 is an THX optimode feature to make sure your sound and picture is in great shape.
Disk 2 is where the better features lie.
"Living in Darkness", a brand new documentary that features great interviews with Bill Paxton, Kathryn Bigelow, Lance Henriksen, Adrian Pasdar, Jenette Goldstein, producer Steven-Charles Jaffe, Director of Photography Adam Greenberg and Executive Producer Edward S. Feldman. Everyone discusses what it was like working on the movie, the reasons why this movie wasn’t a hit, the casting of the best characters of "Aliens" as leads for this movie and whatever happened to Jenny Wright moment. The bits of the interviews that I liked the most were with Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen, they were a lot more fun and had better stories to tell. For those hoping for Lance Henriksen to apologize for being in "Pumpkinhead" and "Stone Cold" will be disappointed. This is a very good documentary and required viewing for those who liked the movie.
Their’s the deleted dream sequence that has commentary by Kathryn Bigelow. This scene was shot in black and white and if it were kept in the movie it would have destroyed the momentum in the movie. It’s a very intesting scene regardless and I like the reason why Kathryn cut the scene from the film.
There are great storyboards for 5 key sequences for the film.
Caleb’s Transformation
A Taste for Blood
Feeding Montage
Roadhouse Slaughter
Motel Shootout
I enjoyed the Roadhouse Slaughter and Motel Shootout storyboards the most.
There are 2 still galleries. These contain pictures of the marketing campaign for the movie and behind the scenes photos. Both are worth your time especially the behind the scene pictures.
There are detailed bios on the cast and crew especially on Bill Paxton. Some lame theatrical trailers that resembles a horrible rock video some cool DVD ROM stuff.
These are a good set of extras.
Extras 9 out of 10.
The packaging:
I’m glad that Anchor Bay went out of the way not to use the horrible original poster art and made something completely different. On the cover of the DVD theirs the group shot of Jesse, Homer, Severen and Diamondback that proves that this movie is about them and the destruction they cause in the film. The fact that the cover is holographic seals the deal and anyone who seen this film will notice how cool the name of the movie on the cover looks. The tagline "Pray for Daylight" is used to great effect on this cover. When you pull this baby out of the package you’ll notice that there is one main character on each page and one of their famous quotes from the film. Very nice. The problem I have with the packaging is that they show Severen’s appearance after the truck duel, this may turn some people off and gives one of the suprises away. The fact that there are characters names that aren’t even on the cover hurts the packaging even more. Despite these setbacks it’s still a good looking package which also incudes a good detailed collectable booklet. Here’s a link to pictures of the packaging- <a href="http://prayfordaylight.com/artworkd.asp" target="_blank">http://prayfordaylight.com/artworkd.asp</a>
Packaging 8 out of 10
Closing comments
Near Dark is the movie that you simply must not miss. This 2-disk set contains a great movie, nice transfer, good sound options and some nice extras. Do not miss picking up this great DVD set.
Overall 9.4 out of 10
Carl Robertson wants your blood!
P.S. Please comment or this review. Tell me what you think.
When was the last time you seen a good vampire movie? Blade 2, From Dusk till Dawn, The Lost Boys and Vamp comes to mind but theirs a movie missing in this list. This movie took nearly all the rules vampires followed and threw them into Alyssa Milano’s bedroom okay out the window. When a movie does this it makes it original. The movie I’m talking about is Near Dark. Near Dark is the definition of how to make an original and unique vampire movie. The amazing bar massacre and hotel shootout in this movie is still shocking and brutal after all these years. This movie in my opinion really made Bill Paxton an actor to keep your eyes on, not "Real Science". This nice 2 disk DVD will shed some light on why you should see it. This DVD will you an reason to properly bury that old VHS of Near Dark that you recorded from your friend’s cousin’s sister’s brother that was related to your friend’s uncle’s girlfriend that you banged with your ex-best friend’s girlfriend while it was recording but that’s enough about me. Here’s my take on this vampire classic.
The Flick
A cowboy hat wearing, pick up truck driving Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) goes to town and sees Mae (Jennie Wright) a very good looking woman. So like any normal man Caleb lets his pants do the thinking and decides to talk to Mae. Caleb says one of the lamest pick-up lines in history to Mae but for some reason Mae falls for the line and him.
But Mae has a small secret. She’s a VAMPIRE!
After having a fun time in the country with Caleb she realizes that sunrise is near. Mae lets Caleb know that she has to be home before dawn but Caleb is still nagging for a kiss and that’s bad news.
She gives him some kisses and what could have easily been avoided with viewing of “Wicked City”, bites Caleb on the neck. Mae has just turned Caleb into a vampire. Mae gets out of Caleb’s truck and runs home. But Caleb’s truck doesn’t want to start and forces him to walk home. While walking home Caleb’s skin starts to burn and smoke. Caleb is walking in the sun, a big vampire "no-no". He doesn’t know that he’s a vampire and in a few minuets he’s going to die. Until passengers in an Winnebago with aluminum foil around the windows saves Caleb from being in vampire heaven.
Guess what these people in this Winnebago are? VAMPIRES!
These people are Mae’s "family". This is a ragtag group of pistol wearing vampires that travel from town to town "feeding " on us poor humans. They are driving a winnebego with foil covering every place were sunlight would come, they even spraypainted the windows light black to keep the evil sun from coming into the winnebago. The family ranges from the leader Jesse (Lance Henriksen), the mother figure Diamondback (Jenette Goldstein), a man that will be stuck forever in the body of a kid Homer (Joshua Miller) and the psychopath Severen (Bill Paxton).
This family is reluctant to accept Caleb as "one of them". To prove that Caleb will be useful for the family they give him one option.
"Learn to feed on humans or die". Simple isn’t it? If I write more it will spoil the fun of this movie.
One of the things that make this movie different is the fact that the word "vampire" is not said once hell you don’t even see one pair of vampire fangs during the movie. These vampires don’t just sit around a gawk at the fact that they can live forever; they already know what they are capable of and theirs no point talking about it. The weapons that are normally used (crosses, holy water, stakes, etc.) aren’t even mentioned and also serve no purpose. The only real weapon against them is sunlight.
The main reasons why this movie is a classic.
1. The amazing direction of Kathryn Bigelow
If this movie wouldn’t have been for her amazing skills as a director, this movie would have been a disaster. It doesn’t hurt that she has directed some great movies like "Strange Days", "Point Break" and the underappreciated "Blue Steel".
2. CASTING
Lance Henrikson and Jenette Goldstein just pitch perfect as the parent figures of this family. They know that killing is a part of life and if they don’t kill they’ll die. These 2 people make it known that they have no regrets for who they are and don’t sit around and wish they were human again.
Bill Paxton. Good GOD! This has got to be one of the best characters he has ever played this side of "Hurricane Dixon" from "One False Move" or "Dad" from "Frailty". From the moment his character is introduced you know that this is not Chet from Wierd Science. Bill plays Severen as some guy that really enjoys killing people not because he has to but just for the sheer pleasure of killing. What Severen does with those spurs on his boots is the definition of cool and may shock some people. Sure he goes over the top with his character but he’s playing a psychopath. Bill’s character gets some of the most quotable lines and the best scenes. Watch him in that bar scene and the truck confrontation and dare to argue!
(Useless Fact! Bill Paxton, Jennette Goldstein and Lance Henrikson were in a little movie called "Aliens". Just in case you didn’t know that?)
3. There is some solid work by Joshua Miller, Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, and Tim (don’t call me Jack Deth) Thomerson.
4. Awesome cinematography by Adam Greenberg.
The problem I may have with the movie is that it takes 10 minuets for the movie to really get going and the climax isn’t as exciting as the middle half but good regardless.
Near Dark is a movie that deserves to be called a "real vampire movie". It has cool characters, cool scenes and it breaks the rules that most vampire movies follow.
This movie is an underappreciated classic and I’ll stand by this statement.
The movie 9.3 out of 10
The Look:
No way? Anchor Bay (the distributor) has went all out and made the transfer for Near Dark THX certified and it looks great. I was impressed with night scenes; they are handled perfectly and look natural. There is no color bleeding to be found, just look at the bar scene or when Caleb is walking to the bus station. The problems I noticed was during the opening credits and the opening of the hotel shootout scene where I noticed huge amounts of picture grain. But despite these problems, I have to give credit to the fact that Anchor Bay and THX has actually tried to clean up this transfer. For that reason alone makes this transfer commendable. There is an option for 16 by 9 widescreen as well.
8 out of 10
The sound:
Your main choices are between Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Both these sound choices sound good but the problem was both choices almost sound the same. They both had a lot of surround sound action especially during the truck duel. If I had to chose I would go with the DTS because the explosions and dialogue sounded a bit clearer than the Dolby but you really have to be listening to notice the difference. Here are some scenes I noticed small differences between the
Dolby and DTS choices.
Chapter 13 "Shit-Kicker Slaughter"
Chapter 15 "Firefight"
Chapter 21 " Bad-Ass Bloodsucker"
You can’t go wrong with either the Dolby or DTS. If you have DTS use it or if you want to buy a DTS reciever because of this disk you may be dissapointed.
Dolby 5.1 7 out of 10
DTS 8-out of 10
The Stuff:
Anchor Bay has to be commended for looking for good extra features to satisfy Near Dark fans. Both disks sports some nice and dark menus, with Tangerine Dream’s music playing in the background
On Disk 1:
Commentary by director Kathryn Bigelow. This has got to be one of the dullest commentary tracks I ever heard. She doesn’t speak often during the commentary, so expect huge gaps of silence. She talks about the production design; casting, make-up effects and why this movie never reached an audience until it hit home video. She uses big words, so have your dictionary handy. Everything she mentions is either in the documentary on Disk 2 or what she said in interviews. If I had to find something to like about the track well I liked her comments on the opening mosquito scene and the bar massacre. Other than that avoid this commentary track like a sexual encounter with Joan Rivers.
The last feature on Disk 1 is an THX optimode feature to make sure your sound and picture is in great shape.
Disk 2 is where the better features lie.
"Living in Darkness", a brand new documentary that features great interviews with Bill Paxton, Kathryn Bigelow, Lance Henriksen, Adrian Pasdar, Jenette Goldstein, producer Steven-Charles Jaffe, Director of Photography Adam Greenberg and Executive Producer Edward S. Feldman. Everyone discusses what it was like working on the movie, the reasons why this movie wasn’t a hit, the casting of the best characters of "Aliens" as leads for this movie and whatever happened to Jenny Wright moment. The bits of the interviews that I liked the most were with Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen, they were a lot more fun and had better stories to tell. For those hoping for Lance Henriksen to apologize for being in "Pumpkinhead" and "Stone Cold" will be disappointed. This is a very good documentary and required viewing for those who liked the movie.
Their’s the deleted dream sequence that has commentary by Kathryn Bigelow. This scene was shot in black and white and if it were kept in the movie it would have destroyed the momentum in the movie. It’s a very intesting scene regardless and I like the reason why Kathryn cut the scene from the film.
There are great storyboards for 5 key sequences for the film.
Caleb’s Transformation
A Taste for Blood
Feeding Montage
Roadhouse Slaughter
Motel Shootout
I enjoyed the Roadhouse Slaughter and Motel Shootout storyboards the most.
There are 2 still galleries. These contain pictures of the marketing campaign for the movie and behind the scenes photos. Both are worth your time especially the behind the scene pictures.
There are detailed bios on the cast and crew especially on Bill Paxton. Some lame theatrical trailers that resembles a horrible rock video some cool DVD ROM stuff.
These are a good set of extras.
Extras 9 out of 10.
The packaging:
I’m glad that Anchor Bay went out of the way not to use the horrible original poster art and made something completely different. On the cover of the DVD theirs the group shot of Jesse, Homer, Severen and Diamondback that proves that this movie is about them and the destruction they cause in the film. The fact that the cover is holographic seals the deal and anyone who seen this film will notice how cool the name of the movie on the cover looks. The tagline "Pray for Daylight" is used to great effect on this cover. When you pull this baby out of the package you’ll notice that there is one main character on each page and one of their famous quotes from the film. Very nice. The problem I have with the packaging is that they show Severen’s appearance after the truck duel, this may turn some people off and gives one of the suprises away. The fact that there are characters names that aren’t even on the cover hurts the packaging even more. Despite these setbacks it’s still a good looking package which also incudes a good detailed collectable booklet. Here’s a link to pictures of the packaging- <a href="http://prayfordaylight.com/artworkd.asp" target="_blank">http://prayfordaylight.com/artworkd.asp</a>
Packaging 8 out of 10
Closing comments
Near Dark is the movie that you simply must not miss. This 2-disk set contains a great movie, nice transfer, good sound options and some nice extras. Do not miss picking up this great DVD set.
Overall 9.4 out of 10
Carl Robertson wants your blood!
P.S. Please comment or this review. Tell me what you think.
