Search - The Dark Backward (Special Edition) on DVD

James B. (wandersoul73) from LINDALE, TX
Reviewed on 6/8/2009...

This is one of those late night cable GEMS. If you can't sleep and you turn on the tube, it'll be there playing in all its kooky glory.

Hilarious dark comedy of twisted, disgusting proportions

Schtinky | California | 02/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dark Backward is a sickly twisted comedy of ridiculous and nauseatingly gross proportions that will leave you laughing until you cry and barfing up your lunch.
Judd Nelson plays Marty Malt, an extremely bad BAD stand up comedian. Don't expect the Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club either; as Marty he is a sweaty, Jeffrey Combs type character and plays the role very, very well. His best friend is Gus, played expertly by Bill Paxton, a greasy and disgusting accordion player whose girlfriend Nicolette weighs over 400 pounds.Marty and Gus work as Trash Collectors during the day, and while working Gus spies a lump on Marty's back, like a boil. Marty goes to visit Dr. Scurvy, outlandishly played by James Caan, who puts a band-aid over it and charges Marty $200.00.Gus manages to bring talent scout Jackie Chrome (played by Wayne Newton) in to hear Marty's routine, and Jackie walks out on it, telling Gus that Marty is the worst comedian he has ever heard. Marty is crushed but Gus keeps his good spirits about it all. Marty's "lump" grows some more, and Gus discovers he now has a hand growing out of his back, like a baby's hand. When Marty goes to see Dr. Scurvy again, Dr. Scurvy again places a band-aid over the baby hand and accuses Marty of "picking at it". Marty's waitress girlfriend, Rosarita, played by Laura Flynn Boyle, leaves him because she can't date a man with a three hands.The hand grows into a full sized arm, and Jackie Chrome winds out taking on Marty as a client, turning him into Desi The Three Armed Wonder Comedian. Gus joins up as a sidekick to play his accordion inbetween Marty's terrible jokes. Watch for Rob Lowe to show up in a cameo role as Hollywood Bigwig Dirk Delta.This is a tongue in cheek, very dark comedy with scenes of pure grossness. The entire background of the film is seedy, filthy, and nauseating. From the grimy offices of Dr. Scurvy to Marty's mother's apartment where he clips her toenails while she chainsmokes though on oxygen, to the trash filled streets they are supposed to be cleaning, to the seedy bars and lounges, it is plain that there is a great amount of detail focused onto the overall atmosphere of the film, setting the perfect mood for the plot. Pay attention! All throughout the movie we see the omnipresent Blump's, a company so encompassing that it owns the garbage company Gus and Marty work for, and also manufactures such delicacies as Liquid Bacon. Go ahead and make the connection, I did. Gus is the grossest imaginable character, even finding an old lunch pail in the landfill, opening it up, and eating the sandwich that was inside. Gus will eat anything. Also not to be missed is Marjorie Zipp and the Human Xylophone as they audition in Jackie Chrome's office. There are some hilarious twists in the plot, and an ironic ending, and some amazingly good acting throughout from this stellar cast.The overall filth of the atmosphere and the disgusting physical and mental attributes of the characters make for one bizarre flick. Very funny movie, but only for those with sick and twisted funny bones. I wish it was available on DVD. Enjoy!"

The special edition DVD is still coming!!

M. Potter | Seattle, Wa | 10/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My name is Mattt Potter I along with director Adam Rifkin put this DVD together. I talked to the manager of DVD Programming and Content yesterday on the phone. She assured me there is no truth to this, that there is no release date even set for it yet. We are still clearing up some licensing issues. The DVD will be in anamorphic wide screen. I know this because Adam supervised the transfer himself. All the supplements will be included with the disc.



Audio Commentary with Director Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson, producer Brad Wyman and Mattt Potter

Arclight 15th Anniversary Q & A with Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson and Brad Wyman

Deleted Scenes

Gagreel

Blumps Squeezable Documentary - Directed by Mattt Potter

Full length color version of the Cat and Mouse Cartoon from the film animated by Family Guys Dan Povenmire

Cannes Film Festival Video Promos starring Judd Nelson and Adam Rifkin

Director Video Intros

Music Video

Trailer



Please don't say things like BOYCOTT this disc. Because misinformation like this spreads very quickly on the internet. And it can affect sales on a disc that we spent a lot of hard time and work on for fans.



But I realize its not your fault that, that department gave you false information. I just want to make certain that everyone knows how important it is for this disc that we squash this as soon as possible.



Thanks! Adam and I hope you dig the disc!



Mattt Potter"

Find out for yourself

adam stielstra | Grand Rapids, MI United States | 01/01/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, just sit back, relax, and plan on seeing one of the oddest and darkly comedic films you will ever see. If your idea of funny is Bad Boys II or you listen to top 40 music and base your film experience around the same mind set, then forget it. But, if you can keep an open mind and appreciate odd for the sake of being odd, then indulge yourself with this film. Judd Nelson is a VERY bad stand-up comic by night and VERY bad garbage man by day. His friend (Bill Paxton) is Marty's (Judd Nelson) only fan. They live in a bizarre world where a company named Blumps is supreme provider of all human needs i.e. food, drink, etc. though it is all chemically synthisized. This toxic existence causes Marty to grow a third arm out of his back and boosts his comedy career. With an unlikely cast such as Wayne Newton, James Caan, and Lara Flynn Boyle, not to mention the 3 women well over 300 lbs. each, that Bill Paxton has . . . with on a nightly basis. There are midgets, freaks, losers, corpses, and Judd Nelson's chain smoking, abusive mother. If that's not enough to get your curiosity up, then go rent Love Story and leave the freaky comedies to those with a bit more sense of adventure. You should laugh, gag, cover your eyes and peek through the cracks, and stare for long stints at a time with your mouth open in dis-belief. John Waters? Ha! This is a different brand of weird...
In a good way."