I had never even heard of this vampire flick until Kathryn Bigelow became big news last year. I, like many, felt that people were trying to rewrite the history of her career to make her look like some kind of unrecognized genius. I had only ever seen Strange Days and Point Break, which didn't give me confidence that she was anything special until The Hurt Locker. Near Dark proves me (at least somewhat) incorrect. This is a horror gem, a truly well directed little film. It is far from perfect, but Bigelow has a fantastic control of mood, and creates some brilliant setpieces. And she does it all relatively quietly, using atmosphere to create tension until she gets to the big, explosive climactic sequence. Adrian Pasdar stars (and is a little dull) as a country boy who picks up a vampire chick (Jenny Wright, super cute). She very coyly transforms him into a vampire. He's quickly picked up by her crew, a group of vampires (including Lance Henrickson and Bill Paxton, who both kick all kinds of ass) who work together to get meals and stay alive. Pasdar isn't well trusted in the group, despite Wright's love for him, and he eventually tries to break from the group. There is one plot point that kind of bugs me (the way Pasdar and Wright get cured of their vampirism is just way too easy and stupid), but most of the film is gripping and excellent.
