A pair of newlyweds, a strange desert highway and a mysterious dead body are all ingredients in this tale of mystery and murder.

I love Tom Jane, I love film noir and I love creative movies that try something different. All of these things describe DARK COUNTRY, so consider me a happy camper.

Actually the best way to describe DARK COUNTRY is like a modern version of an old school “Twilight Zone” episode. The script by Tab Murphy sets an inexplicably unsettling mood throughout and you can feel it slowly building through the atmosphere toward some sort of grand conclusion (of which I was not disappointed.) In addition to starring in it, Tom Jane also makes his directing debut with the flick and does an admirable job. DARK COUNTRY is very visually stylish, bright and vibrant despite taking place almost exclusively at night. It’s not as hyperstylized as movies like SIN CITY, but it’s partially filmed in the same green screen-heavy way, and coupled with the mix of practical elements and a small character-based story, helps maintain the same type of surreal, otherworldly feel. Jane even sneaks in a few impressively directed shots to show you just what he’s capable of.

With the majority of the movie being two people talking in a car, DARK COUNTRY seems to present a fairly simple and straightforward story that may feel a bit slow and tedious at first, but the group of strong actors helps to sell it. Jane is great as always (and cool as hell), but Lauren German (HOSTEL II) really surprised me with her solid performance holding her own. There’s even Ron Perlman in a fairly small role; but any Perlman is a good thing.

Overall, I dug the unique vibe and retro-noir feel of the movie. There was a cool timelessness to the setting, in the sense that it’s hard to nail down exactly when the movie took place, thanks to the classic cars and old fashioned story. I know it sounds vague, but DARK COUNTRY is a film where it’s hard to talk about the plot without giving away its twisty nature. Fans of noir cinema, mindbending movies and/or Thomas Jane will want to check out this creepy psychological thriller.

Video: 1.85:1 widescreen. The film’s enhanced visual nature is well preserved in the transfer, even if some of the lower budget effects are pretty easy to spot.

Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital surround. I really, really dug the score by Eric Lewis and thought it brought a lot to the proceedings. Thankfully, it sounds great in the mix presented.

Commentary by director/star Thomas Jane, writer Tab Murphy and producer Patrick Aiello: The commentary kinda helps you make sense of the bizarre twists and turns the film takes, but if you’re just looking for the answers laid out in front of you, you might be disappointed. Jane is very honest about his first time at bat, including what he thinks works and doesn’t, what influenced him on screen, as well as some of the low budget woes that plagued the set. Overall, the trio has fun with it.

Journey to DARK COUNTRY (10:33): Your basic interviews with cast and crew about the great time they had making the film. It was cool seeing comic artist Tim Bradstreet having a big role in the movie’s visual sense.

Trailers.

DARK COUNTRY is a modern day film noir-mystery that’s intriguing, creative and well executed for its budget. If you dig the Twilight Zone or the talents of one Tom Jane, it’s worth at least a rental.

Extra Tidbit: The film was originally meant to be a 3D release, which is a shame because you can totally see the sense of depth they were playing with to highlight that.