When Bill Paxton wasn't making vampire movies he was fronting a new wave band called Martini Ranch. Go to the downloads page and listen.
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"Howdy. I'm gonna separate your head from your shoulders. Hope you don't mind none."
For more blood sucking see:
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Written by Kathryn Bigelow
Starring Bill Paxton, Adrian Pasdar, Lance Hendrikson
R • 1987 • 95 minutes
by Toasty Mac
Well, I gotta say "it's a B movie" and, as always with the lower budget genre, there are things that worked and things that didn't. The writing for instance was a let down. What was I expecting really? I don't know, just more consistency on the specifics I guess, And to be honest, seeing Kathryn Bigelow's billing, I WAS kinda hoping for some thing like a chic's take on vampires and vampire movies. Instead, another simple 80's take is what really prevailed. Aw well... the script wasn't all that bad. It just... was.
The second thing that didn't work quite frankly, was the company I keep right now though. My girl, Egypt, falls asleep in every-single-movie we ever watch at the house, and her sister and bro-in-law (who walked in, foolishly, at the end) are mainstreamers. I can't help but feel a little bummed about having so little to defend a B movie with whenever they stop and try to "get" what I am enjoying.
With that said however... the things that did work, worked really well though and have in fact stayed with me a couple of days later.
1) Of course, the bar room scene in its entirety is fucking fantastic. It's really-really just too bad Bigelow could not garner that same kind of energy or enthusiasm... or just plain professional attitude from herself and her crew for so much of the rest of the movie. I mean... man. That scene is what modern vampire movies are, or should be all about. Horrific, suspenseful, sexy, dirty, rockin', rumbling dialogue and action. FANTASTIC scene.
2) The F/X!! Especially the burning flesh due to the daylight sun! Awesome! Loved it. Can't tell you how cool that smoke and eventual flame rolling off the vampire bodies, and later... the charred skin look kept on playing! Cool, cool.. motherfucking cool!
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3) Many of Bigelow's shooting angles and lighting! Really nice stuff. The limping-cowering shadow of Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) struggling through the moonlight of his transformation, trying to get home nearly struck me an orgasmic "Ahhhh". If Pasdar was a better actor, and/or the technology were available they could have taken this mirrored duplicity perspective to an incredible place visually as well as emotionally. (continuing on...) All of the sunrises and sunsets, the hillsides in both conditions, the bullet holes riddling the motel and the van.... great work with all of her lighting. Considering her budget in 1987, she gets an A+ on that front.
So let's see, now that I've couched the good stuff, I will add one more negative thought too.... the absolute worst thing 'bout the movie was the vampire kid... UGH, Grimace, Fart and swoon! I hate it when kids in movies aren't fucking good enough. Seriously, directors... If you put a kid in a movie, they HAVE to be able to steal the scenes. There is no middle ground with kids in important roles. man. Either they have ALL the chops, or they have none. This kid particularly had less than none.
And it's so sad... because really his is the most interesting character in the entire story! You get a child who can think on their feet, or a director who can direct children in how to visualize the aging child scenario and that role would blow peoples' minds.
Over all, the toaster oven pops out a 7.2 on this one. A little chewy still on one side, but perfectly darkened on the other. Add the right accompaniment, some bacon, some mayonnaise... some sliced avocado perchance (like-minded friends in general) and you have a damn fine snack for your evening's pleasure.
Near Dark = 7.2. I would definitely watch this again.
Text © 2005 - 2008 by Toasty Mac.
All other material © 2006 - 2008 by El Topo Entertainment