Dark Country (2009)

A couple en route from Las Vegas are forced to deal with a body out in the desert making their honeymoon one hellish ride.

Director:

Thomas Jane

Writer:

Tab Murphy

Stars:

Thomas Jane, Lauren German, Ron Perlman

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Thomas Jane	...	Dick / Bloodyface
Lauren German	...	Gina
Ron Perlman	...	Deputy Thompson
Chris Browning	...	Stranger
Con Schell	...	Bloodyface Double
Rene Mousseux	...	Crime Scene Trooper (as Rene P. Mousseux)

Storyline

A couple en route from Las Vegas are forced to deal with a body out in the desert making their honeymoon one hellish ride.

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Plot Keywords:

rubbing ice on skin | sleeping nude | sex while driving | female orgasm | female masturbation | 

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Taglines:

At the End of the Road... The Nightmare Begins

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence, bloody images, language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dark Country

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,146,422

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stage 6 Films, Hyde Park Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Thomas Jane did storyboards for the entire film.

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Goofs

When Dick is fighting with Bloodyface, it's obvious he's not hitting anything but dirt with the rock he's holding.

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Quotes

Bloodyface: [as the car speeds along] Okay, Dick. I've got a little question for ya. You ready?
[Dick frowns]
Bloodyface: You ever been to Cheetahs?
Dick: Cheetahs? What's that?
Bloodyface: A little strip club... downtown Vegas.
[clearly hitting on a nerve with Gina]
Dick: Can't say that I have.
Bloodyface: That's too bad, you know. It's a nice place. There are good girls there.
Gina: [whirling around] Who are you talking about?
Bloodyface: They're just doing what they have to do to survive. Right?
[...]

User Reviews

Brave story telling, but not a film for everyone.

The first thing you will notice about this movie is it's style. It takes a few minutes to get used to the pseudo-film noire feel and the interesting camera work. In the end you may feel as though you've been watching an episode of The Twilight Zone, or Tales From the Dark Side. Welcome this feeling- it is the only way to really embrace the computer enhanced darkness that fills this movie.

For the most part the acting is solid. Thomas Jane is pulling double duty as both lead actor and director, a difficult task for anyone (watch almost any Branagh film), and in this case it works. You can tell he feels very comfortable working with his surroundings, co-stars and cameras. Lauren German never really seems to find her stride in this movie but I'm willing to blame the writer for never making any very solid decisions as to her character. And Ron Perlman is just sort of there, being Ron Perlman. Which is fine, if you like Ron Perlman.

The music isn't the best but what was written for the movie works well within the movie. If the computer enhanced darkness and story don't throw you off, the music isn't going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

I have a soft spot for this kind of film- indie-esquire, first time director, interesting story with certain, almost inexplicable, twists that are almost nuanced into the shots. I like this movie, but it's probably not going to appeal to the masses. If you want a big budget scary movie with Thomas Jane and a satisfying ending that wraps up all events in the movie into a nice little explained bow, rent The Mist. If you want something a little more offbeat with a unique vision from a first time director, try Dark Country.