Over the Edge * * * 1/2 Stars

Director: Jonathan Kaplan
Year: 1979

Rated PG
Rating: * * * 1/2 stars

Cast: Matt Dillon, Michael Eric Kramer, Harry Northup

Over the Edge is an intense teen drama that marks the acting debut of Matt Dillon (he had no formal training before the cameras rolled). For me, this stands as one of the best films of the 1970's (released in the U.S. in 1981) and a clear bonified snapshot of that era. This is a well acted, angst driven vehicle with many unknowns (it marked the first screen appearances for a majority of the cast members). It tells the story of some troubled Colorado kids who cause havoc (gunfire, vandalism, drug dealing, etc...) in their neighborhood at the expense of their mostly misunderstood parents.

Director Jonathan Kaplan (admittedly) filmed a lot of scenes with wide shots that let things play out naturally. It's a cinematic technique that was prevalent in that decade. I found the method very effective and in turn hail this flick as a minor classic. There is a time capsule type feeling to whats on screen. It's intoxicating and "Edge" concludes with what I believe to be an ironically powerful ending. Watch for the image of Dillon (Richie White) standing on top of a police car. It's iconic!

Written by Jesse Burleson

Nightwing 1979 * * * Stars

Director: Arthur Hiller
Year: 1979
Rated PG
Rating: * * * Stars
Cast: Nick Mancuso, David Warner, Kathryn Harrold

1979's Nightwing is an ominous, quasi-horror film with some supernatural and political ties. As something about a colony of vampire bats that terrorize a small New Mexico village, Nighwing is well-plotted, a little slow in spots, beautifully grainy, and atmospheric. Heck, call it a Peter Benchley thriller for the Native American tribe.

So OK, I used to watch Nightwing relentlessly as a kid back in the early 80's (gotta love HBO). Thirty-plus years later, it's not quite as scary but still effective. It takes a sort of Hitchcock approach by not showing the pesky mammals for a good 40-50 minutes. When they do show up, they don't look fake but rather authentic. Nightwing is recommendable even though it's a little preachy and not nearly as gory as 1999's cult hit, Bats (starring Lou Diamond Phillips). 

The cast of Nightwing is solid especially the characters who try to exterminate the bloodthirsty varmints from their cave-dwelling abobe. Nick Mancuso as deputy Youngman Duran and David Warner as scientist Philip Payne are the disciplined standouts.

All in all, it's difficult to find Nightwing on any streaming service so I bellied up and just bought the Blu-ray. Yup, it's one heck of a good-looking print for '79. The cinematography by the late Charles Rosher Jr. (The Onion Field, Semi-Tough) is swallowing as you check out the beautiful New Mexico landscape. Oh and don't forget Henry Mancini's foreboding, musical score that feels so 70's nostalgic.

Bottom line: As one of the most misunderstood fright fests of the "Me Decade", Nightwing doesn't have to "wing" it in my book. Rating: 3 stars.

Written by Jesse Burleson