Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I am a big fan of Director Sam Logan Khaleghi in his music video work, and found historically that a lot of wonderful directors of movies come from that field. Ridley Scott, Michael Bay and Spoke Jonze for example. The guy is an Emmy nominee and an award winner. This movie actually won Best Picture at several film festivals and I can see why. His work in the both the pop music and country music video world has always struck a chord of beautiful cinematography along with great editing work and good on camera talent. "Approaching Midnight" meets the same level of wonderful storytelling quality considering that it was his first feature length film and made on a low budget. I missed this movie when it was in the theater by my house but I did get a chance to purchase the DVD online at Amazon and found that the special features as many have praised was well worth the purchase. I am a big fan of of the collaborative nature between the actors and characters especially with Mia Serafino and Sam Logan Khaleghi. The character play between them especially in the car scene in the middle of the film is structured like a stage play with twists and turns and kept me at the edge of my seat. I missed it in the first round go, but seeing Sam in the credits of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" above Aquaman made me rewind and watch that movie again, he makes a cool cameo.

I saw this film at Emagine Theatres the first time, and the second time at the AMC cinema on the west coast. Just bought my DVD with special features and I seriously loved this film. I am a huge fan of NBC's Crowded, so I wanted to see what Mia Serafino starred in before this. Sam Logan Khaleghi (Batman V Superman) and Mia Serafino (Crowded) are the lightning of excellent acting in this film. Stoic, accentuated and pinpointed. A brilliant process of what happens when actors taught in English conservatories are in American films. Approaching Midnight is about an Army veteran Wesley Kent who returns to his small town home to fight the threat of political corruption in the form of Mayor Malverne, who is the father of Aspen Malverne (Jana Kramer) who happens to be Wesley Kent's girlfriend. Lots of drama here and great unfolding of events lead to an overall great move that touches on modern day small town politics beside a grand international chain of events. Jana Kramer (Teen Choice Award winner and Platinum recording artist) is currently on tour with her latest country music album so catching her in this film is your best bet at seeing her return to acting.

The actors' performances in "Approaching Midnight" are simply captivating and there are many instances where we get an awesome deepening glimpse further into their characters pasts by way of flashbacks and we truly understand their feelings. Actors, Sam Logan Khaleghi, Jana Kramer, Michelle Balser and Brando. T Jackson (Fast and Furious) will have you at the edge of your seat throughout the whole movie. Jeff Stetson's portrayal of "The Mayor" and Dean Teaster's part of "The Sheriff" will lave you simply shaking with anxious fear. They are the perfect bad guys!Seeing Sam Logan Khaleghi's direction and cinematic envisioning of the film's military elements come to life with the help of real veterans to make the Army and Marine's war sequences authentic was a perfect experience. The special effects are brilliantly choreographed by an amazing SFX Team, and the Cinematography of Carl Ballou is tasteful and wonderful. James Stonehouse's soundtrack is worth noting as well as the Design Stylist Carolyn Kozlow who's double duty on this movie managing two departments is accurate and flawless. We really sense that we are in a modern middle America town fighting the good fight with the main character.This was a Triumphant Story of a Hero!

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.