The great Bill Paxton (Aliens, Frailty, a Simple Plan, Weird Science), Jenette Goldstein (Aliens, T2) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Millennium, the Right Stuff, Terminator) teamed up for Near Dark as a coherent outfit that actually consists of outsiders. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Wild Palms, Point Break), they are really able to make the viewer afraid of inevitable eternity, although we are clearly invited to sympathize with the 'turned' ones in the middle part of the story. In that way we completely stand and feel with protagonist Caleb during the entire movie.
This is actually the only movie in which I like Tangerine Dream's synthesizer music. Tangerine Dream (Thief, The Keep, Miracle Mile, Legend, Sorcerer) normally is more appropriate for Miami Vice, but their adhesive and slightly mesmerizing (and dated) style works nicely here. It contributes to the distinctive atmosphere and the not very complicated story. Near Dark is not only a stylized teenager horror, but also a road movie that comes across as a continuing nightmare.
Adam Greenberg's empathizing and intense cinematography (also the Big Red One, Terminator 1+2+3) is perhaps the most appealing factors of the movie, without being anything like poetic. But he is able to make sunlight as deadly as bullets and nighttime as soothing as lotion. Without trying to be intelligent, the movie succeeds to deliver, because all factors are tuned exactly right and create a unique thrill inside the genre. I didn't mind the flaws, especially because I stumbled upon it at 2 a.m. on the BBC. Shivers down my spine. 8/10 ... and stop watching Buffy already
This is actually the only movie in which I like Tangerine Dream's synthesizer music. Tangerine Dream (Thief, The Keep, Miracle Mile, Legend, Sorcerer) normally is more appropriate for Miami Vice, but their adhesive and slightly mesmerizing (and dated) style works nicely here. It contributes to the distinctive atmosphere and the not very complicated story. Near Dark is not only a stylized teenager horror, but also a road movie that comes across as a continuing nightmare.
Adam Greenberg's empathizing and intense cinematography (also the Big Red One, Terminator 1+2+3) is perhaps the most appealing factors of the movie, without being anything like poetic. But he is able to make sunlight as deadly as bullets and nighttime as soothing as lotion. Without trying to be intelligent, the movie succeeds to deliver, because all factors are tuned exactly right and create a unique thrill inside the genre. I didn't mind the flaws, especially because I stumbled upon it at 2 a.m. on the BBC. Shivers down my spine. 8/10 ... and stop watching Buffy already