Approaching Midnight

source: Approaching Midnight

This was an awesome film. I was very impressed with the way the film had the ability to hit. There were a lot of scenes where it was entirely possible to relate to the characters, despite the fact that the scenario might not relate to me directly. To me, this is a sign of good writing. The ability to develop characters who you almost feel as if you know them is a dying art. The use of flashbacks was very good. I was totally on board with the way the story progress in that sense. To me, the flashbacks were what gave the film more of a structure. Each time more information came out, it became a bit more clear as to what was going on with the big picture. Well done Sam! 10/10 from me!

I'm starting my first year of film school and let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of Independent Film and when I heard this film was playing at the Louisville International Film Festival I was so glad, because i missed it in theaters during its regular limited run. There were a slew of celebrities at the LIFF this past weekend so it was worth my ticket. The movie studio representatives were very kind who represented "Approaching Midnight" and made sure everyone got a seat, so I saw some folks in line for 'Approaching Midnight' and decided to jump in too. It was worth the wait alongside "The Wedding Pact" starring Haylie Duff which I also enjoyed. Those two pictures why my LIFF 2013 choices. "Approaching Midnight" is great source material for independent filmmakers. The clam but action driven narrative with very detailed character descriptions from scene to scene. The amazing world that was created here by the cast and crew is measured in theatrical wonders. The cast is stellar. A breakthrough performance by Carollette Phillips as the wife of Brandon T. Jackson's "AJ Culpepper" is flawless, and I felt for every emotional tie she gives each scene. The film is rated PG, yet pulls off the war scenes with sweetness and the violence is not gloriously graphic for a younger audience (as a note, my little sister was with me and she liked it too).

No matter what the friends of the producer/director/writer/star claim, this movie is NOT brilliant,impressive, superior,wonderful, almost perfect, awesome, or superb. It is not even good. Currently it is rated 3.4 and I predict that number will go down. This is a lame exercise in ego by someone who doesn't have a clue about making a movie. Whenever you have one of these low budget "indies" and one person dominates all the credits, you have your first indication that this is all about ego. After sitting through this movie your initial fears are confirmed. Now this would not be a problem if that person was indeed "brilliant" or "awesome." In this case he is not. The script is weak, the direction is confusing, the editing is horrible, and the acting sub par. All in all an exercise in ego by someone who should not have one.

Approaching Midnight is captivating. I know there's been review's about the films' love stories but I think beyond the romance, the film was actually a splendid cat and mouse political thriller. Centered on a political game between a crooked mayor and an returning Army soldier who decides that he must protect his country from a local threat. The film to me was about a hero whose stakes are triggered by the events that lead up to each moment he comes across in previous scenes. From the passing of his friends to the expansion of new relationships, this film is just a brilliant film, moment to moment, it's Hitchcock like quiz with a military angle in it. I can't really review the DVD though, because I caught this film in a theater in Kentucky.

This is borderline almost perfect, but borderline, I wish the war scenes were a little longer, and I wanted a tad bit more exposition on Kent's relationships with The Mayor and Natalie Church. However beyond those wishes, I found the film a rather pleasurable and masterful time at the film festival where I saw the movie. Written, directed and produced by Sam Logan Khaleghi, "Approaching Midnight" tells the story of a returning Army staff sergeant Wesley Kent (Khaleghi), to a small town middle America home from serving in Afghanistan and Iraq (to make mention, Kent's character has a scene in which he refers to having served in Iraq prior to his time with his Army Captain (played by real life Army Lieutenant Matt Szymanski) in Afghanistan; Therefore, Kent has served in both international war conflicts. Upon his return, he finds out that Aspen Malverne has died recently in a car accident (this is not a major spoiler however) and he now utilizes his skills as a special forces character to find out the truth to her accident. It is at this point the film takes on an action/mystery piece to it.

This was a great independent film hailing from the state of Michigan, it discuss family relationships, friendships amongst soldiers and incredibly showcases the beautiful scenery of Michigan. Jana Kramer is a wonderful actress and did splendid with the rest of her cast. The story is edgy, smart and dives into relateable human emotions and aspects of returning from war. The film is action packed when it needs to be and curves around the corners with excellent aim character development. If you missed it in theatres it is on DVD and I do think its a good buy for those who like good music, good acting and independent film.

This film was truly superior in it's cinematography, acting and "007" like editing effects. The romance between Staff Sergeant Wesley Kent (Sam Logan Khaleghi), Aspen Malverne (Jana Kramer- TV's "One Tree Hill") was flirtatiously awesome and adding the character of Natalie Church (Michelle Balser) into the mix created an awesome "post-potential" love triangle. If you are a fan of the shaky camera thing (which is in all the Bourne movies) then you may not like this, because thankfully, some indie films like this one have returned to the smooth style of peaceful and horizontal cinematography and camera work, which is accredited to Carl Ballou (the movie's DP, who has done such provoking work as music videos for Eminem and the upcoming Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) Brick Mansion's'. I really thought this was a great movie, There seems to be a reviewer who keeps adding negative spam here, obsessed with the location of the film (the location of the movie is set in a fictional 'All America' village) ... but frankly speaking, I am from Michigan and I support movie's that are made in Michigan, it's a hard task to make a film let alone so many veterans who participated in the making of this picture. Aside from that fact, the film is genuinely good, in every way. The acting is natural and legit, the action sequences are demonstrated and all around positive story. Yes the film is rated MPAA PG, so I agree, families can enjoy without worrying about the action and gunplay being too much for young audiences.

In Approaching Midnight, Sam Logan plays a 20 something special forces/ranger approved All American, and there's a scene that at a critical point that sums up this whole film and it's ambitions and thats when Wesley Kent (Sam Logan) comes back from the war and has to return his best friends locker room things to his widow (Carollette Phillips). I just rented this on the new releases at one of Nashville's last remaining video stories LOL. First off, I couldn't wait for the RedBox so it was an adventure, I saw the trailer on television and I had to just rush to the store to get it. I'm a country girl and I love Jana Kramer, her characters part in this movie is so sweet and heartwarming with her love for Wesley (Sam Logan). The opening scene is a really heartfelt date scene between the characters that sets up the whole drama of the rest of the movie. Toward the end of the film it thematically all comes back to the opening scene in an interesting way. There is a giant courtroom battle that flashes back to Jana's character Aspen. Aside from the plot of the film, the DVD itself is perfect and I enjoyed it slightly more than Heart of the Country's DVD (another movie with Jana) because Approaching Midnight's DVD does have a lot more special features with Jana in it, for example a Jana Kramer video journal in the making of, where she takes you on a tour of the set and there's fun moments with other cast members. The horseback riding scenes were so splendid, I love how they re-created a perfect country atmosphere. The filmmakers and production designers did such a good job, and the film could take place almost anywhere, that's why as they say this film could "play in peoria."

As an active military member, I can attest to the authenticity of this military drama, from the uniforms, to the production design, wardrobe design, every piece was obviously well thought out and put together. The film was part "Tears of the Sun" part "Green Zone" part "State of Play". A political intrigue that smartly utilizes modern day politics woven into action and combat. The negative reviews seem to be by people that have no respect for the American military as they were an active part in making this film realistic. The American Legion sponsored this film and the heroism of an American soldier is captured in this film perfectly. I believe Carl Ballou (who is the cinematographer) will be receiving an award tonight at the Louisville Film Festival for his work on this movie.