Near Dark

Dir: Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, Strange Days, The Hurt Locker)
Cast: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, Joshua John Miller
USA, 1987

Seen: August 8, 2009

Reason to see: Vampire film

Reason to review: Vampathon: Vampire Film Marathon *

I only heard about Near Dark earlier this year, and I was astonished that it had never hit my radar before then. Perhaps because my friends & I loved The Lost Boys or because I wouldn't have been able to see an R rated film at time, I'm not sure but I'm glad I found it now.

Near Dark is a dark and grisly look at vampires with a strong western flavour. The cast is fantastic with Adrian Pasdar ("Heroes", Home Movie) in the lead along with Jenny Wright and a slew of familiar faces from Aliens including Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen and Jenette Goldstein. It was refreshing to see a different take on vampire lore that still hits all the right marks. The film does push boundaries in the violence department which may not sit well with everyone, especially considering it is coupled with a bullying tone. But again, that is one of the things that makes it original. It it well worth sticking through the harsh moments. The story and characters were intriguing and a very 80's soundtrack enhances the fun factor watching it now. I look forward to seeing it again and again.

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I'd buy it (hopefully with the original artwork instead of the new Twilight'ed cover)
I'd recommend it to fans of vampire, horror and westerns

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© Shannon Ridler, 2009

* Vampathon is a 16 week marathon explore vampire films from Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922) up to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon