If I said Bill Paxton's passing this year didn't affect me, I'd be lying. He was always one of my favorite character actors. In honor of Bill, and because this really is one of the best vampire films out there, Near Dark is getting a special mention this week. As tempted as I am to gush about the bar scene, post it, and dissect how awesome it is, you'll have to experience it for yourself. Also, yes, this isn't the American release poster, but it's too awesome not to feature.
It's not just Bill who gives an awesome performance in this. Everyone does. Lance Henriksen, of course, plays an excellent villain. Don't let the re-release of the film fool you if you haven't seen it before, there is nothing even remotely 'Twilight-esque' about Near Dark. It's gritty, dark, and pretty much as close to a modern western as you can get.
When I hear people tell me that Matthew Mcconaughey has only recently started doing more noteworthy roles, not only do I want to slap them silly...but I have the extreme desire to list out great films he's been in that have reached the 10+ year mark. I don't usually go that far, because for some reason people start to zone out if you give them movie nerd lingo. But I really want to.
This one is a favorite of mine, and each week I've considered talking about it...then looked back and thought maybe I just couldn't do it justice. I mean, not only does it have Mr. Mcconaughey, but it's directed by Bill Paxton. Obviously if you've watched that trailer up there, you'll note he's in it too. It's got Powers Boothe too, who I believe is an incredibly strong character actor in his own right. So from the get-go you'll note it's got a pretty strong cast.
Before I start, I want to tell you right now not to even think about looking up the ending if you haven't seen this movie. You'll deprive yourself of an awesome experience if you do...so I'm warning you, do not look up the ending. If you do, the god's hand killer just might have to deal with you.
It begins with a detective who's pretty much focused on finding this serial killer called...you guessed it...the god's hand killer. Then out of the rain, a strange man shows up in the middle of the night. He not only knows who the killer is, but admits to being the killer's brother. Thus the story really gets under way, as he explains his experience as a child growing up with his brother.
Oh Bill, how do you do menacing and charming so well?
They were pretty normal kids in a small town with a good father who truly cared about them. But everything is pretty much destroyed when dad comes home one day to tell them he received a message from an angel that the apocalypse is coming, and he has to kill people who are "really demons." It really sounds just like an episode out of The Andy Griffith Show, if you think about it. Only instead of Don Knotts, the love-able supporting character is an axe and pair of old gloves. Also a pipe.
The younger brother, Adam, is all for it. But the older one, Fenton...something bugs him about this.
Obligatory Father-Son bonding moment.
I really can't reveal any more without ruining it for you...but really. It's just fantastic.
