There are two features that I look for on a DVD. The most important is the director's commentary. To me this is the single most paramount element of any DVD. I want to get inside the director's head and find out what he/she thought and how they brought it all together. The second thing I look for is a made for DVD documentary that tells us even more interesting tidbits about the film. Near Dark contains some excellent commentary by Bigelow and one awesome documentary about Near Dark that features candid interviews with many of the principal players in the film. This is what gives this DVD much of it's intrigue. When Lance Henriksen is interviewed he reveals a side to him that many of us avid film fans may not be aware of if not for documentaries like this. Straight up, this guy was a hell raiser and seemed to have difficulty turning it off when out of character. There is a story of how he and Bill Paxton got pulled over one night after shooting and they still had much of their makeup on and Henriksen proceeded to make the life of the cop a tense and nervous one. Without going into to details, it is a very funny bit.
Auspicious by her absence is Jenny Wright and that is too bad because she was a fun part of the film but no one seems to know where she is these days. I enjoyed her portrayal of Jenny in Wild Life as well and just to echo the wishes of those in the DVD, I hope she is doing okay. Even though I don't know her, it is just a well wish sent her way.
I love anything that Bill Paxton is associated with and this is no exception. When he is on screen telling tales about their hell raising nights and heavy drinking and partying after the camera stops shooting is one of the best parts of the documentary. If anyone is a fan of this film, you owe it to yourself to pick up the SE DVD. The film was a cult classic and this DVD can join that status as well.
9/10
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