Customer Reviews

Midnight Clear

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

MIDNIGHT CLEAR is an easily overlooked film: the cover of the DVD is bleak, the description of the story sounds a bit corny, and the promotion of the film has been scant. But what is not expected for those viewers able to overcome the above negative aspects is a well-made little series of interlocking vignettes that poignantly address the impact of random acts of kindness in a world grown calloused. It is touching in the best sense of the word and well worth watching even beyond the Christmas season.

The unnamed town gradually opens windows to some fairly sad people: an elderly woman Eva (K Callan) talks with her doctor on the telephone about her meds and we note that she may be facing the thought of suicide in her desolate life; a sweet woman Mary (Mary Thornton) and her young son Jacob (Dominic Scott Kay) visit their brain damaged husband/father in a rest home (the man was critically injured in an auto accident one year ago); a lonely many Kirk (Kirk B.R. Woller) stands in his isolated convenience store without patrons; a longtime drunk and lonely ex-husband Lefty (Stephen Baldwin) is fired from his menial job, despite a recent promotion, because of his consistent tardiness; Mitch (Mitchell Jarvis) works with kids for a church to assuage his guilt for having survived the auto accident that devastated Mar's husband's life, reluctantly agreeing to his pastor (Richard Fancy) to take his youth group caroling to the shut-ins on Christmas Eve.

Each of these characters influences the others by a seeming random act of kindness: Kirk helps Mary and Jacob with their broken car, Eva is given a meals on wheels by a church lady (Victoria Jackson), Mitch and his carolers provide some needed money by means of a token gift that will allow Lefty and Eva to attend Christmas Eve Service, and Eva's 'meals on wheels' ends up providing midnight food for Kirk and Mary and Jacob. Writer Wes Halula and director Dallas Jenkins carve a story that, though at times suggests it may become cloying, is genuinely touching. The cast, especially Baldwin and Callan, is excellent, and each of the characters is well developed, leaving the viewer with a sense of a morality tale we sorely need. Instead of a big booming Hollywood finish, the film simply tapers off with suggestions of the importance of selfless acts that can make a difference. It is well worth watching, especially now, and especially during the Christmas season. Grady Harp, December 07

Midnight Clear is truly a bleak Christmas that parrellels what is happening in today's society

A recently homeless and jobless loser named lefty, an ill senior citizen estranged from her family, a mother of one son dealing with her husband's brain damage from an accident, a gas station owner stuck in a job and location he hates, and a youth pastor feeling irrelevant face depression and loneliness on Christmas Eve. As they cross paths and experience random and minor acts of kindness, their lives are changed forever

This film, based on a story by Jerry (Left Behind books) Jenkins
is not a happy Disney-like motion picture. So if you want that, this film isnt for you. I know this is a small film. The DVD has heart and pulls on your heartstrings, but it is bleak and very depressing for a Christmas movie

However this is a great showcase for actor Stephen Baldwin. His character range goes from simple depression to rage to fear.

The ending of this DVD is weak at best, because there is little resolved at the end of this film. I felt empty with little cinematic payoff

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

By far the best Christmas movie I have seen in years and one of the best movies I have seen in a long time! I wish they made more movies like this!

Simply told, and beautifully understated. A wonderfully told tale about five strangers whose paths cross one Christmas Eve and impact one another's lives in sometimes simple, yet rather astounding ways.

Not your usual Hollywood-type Christmas film where everyone is smiling and a happy ending can be found around every corner. No, this film is about real people, with real problems, in the real world, where things don't always necessarily end happily ever after. And, during the course of the film, we're never quite sure just what the outcome is going to be.

Honest, sincere, real, totally believeable. I could readily and easily identify with each and every character. The performances are top-notch and are played to perfection. Every performance comes across as being completely genuine.

I love the look and feel to this movie. Visually stunning, it's hard to believe this was shot on such a low budget and in something like only 18 days!

Touching and deeply moving! The movie never feels forced or manipulative. And the ending is just right! (I just loved the character of Mitch). A most rewarding viewing experience indeed! My praise and highest compliments to all involved.

I highly recommend this movie and will be looking forward to the next feature to come from Jenkins Entertainment!

"Midnight Clear" was directed by Dallas Jenkins, son of Jerry B Jenkins, who also produced and wrote the story the film is based on. I'm not a fan of Jenkins Sr and expected a rather preachy Christian film. I was wrong, almost.

Stephen Baldwin gives a suprisingly good performance as divorced, unemployed and homless Lefty, and K Callan is even better as the lonely widow Eve. The rest of the cast is a mixed bunch. The story is about loneliness and kindness and some scenes are very good, others weaker. The ending, while optimistic, is especially weak. It didn't feel true to the rest of the movie and this keeps me from giving it a higher rating. Not all problems are solved by going to church.

Overall, this is a pretty good movie, certainly much better than I expected. It's a rare example of a Christian themed movie that is not preachy and can be enjoyed by both Christian and non-Christians.

I had the good fortune to have been at the premier in Tampa, December 16th. My wife, daughter and I met and had cordial conversation with Mr. J.Jenkins and his son Dallas. Stephen Baldwin was there also, all to promote the film in a benefit for the Tampa Crisis Center. No this isn't "Over the River and Through the Woods...." fare, but is well worth watching, and although some of the pauses and reflection periods during the film seem pervasive, the pace mirrors the empty frustrating and frequently depressing day to day experiences those in crisis must feel. I will remember that evening for a long time. Although placed at Christmas time, the events portrayed are 24/365. Thank you Jerry and Dallas Jenkins for making this film.

Only 20 minutes long, this aptly titled film left me simultaneously dumbfounded and in awe. Alone, sitting in his rundown car parked in the desert on Christmas Eve, Stephen Baldwin's character, sweating, swigs from a bottle, puts a gun to his chin, yet he stops short. Nearby, and also alone, an elderly woman prepares a suicidal brew in her kitchen. That's all I'll reveal about the storyline, though, as part of the beauty of this movie is seeing how its pieces come together. Midnight Clear is about huge things (existence, relationship) and the small (a smile, a song)--at the same time, even the hugeness of the small. It's heavy, yet full of hope. The movie's brevity and thought-provoking aspects make it an ideal discussion-starter for a small group or get together, although before the talking starts prepare to be found speechless for a ponderous wow moment. Baldwin's performance, by the way, is mesmerizing.

Seeing that Midnight Clear had won awards for many independent film contests, I gave in and am glad I did. The film was brought to life through the amazing editing and directing of the movie along with the ability to correlate such a great acting staff. The ability to bring raw human feeling out the way Midnight Clear does makes it a film that is not merely a "feel-good" story to entertain, but one that shows the goodness in people underneath life's pains.

Please bear in mind that this is a short film. It's not intended to be a complete film.

Interestingly enough, we're actually developing a full-length feature based on this short, so we'll see what happens. Hope you enjoy this!

Thanks

Dallas Jenkins
www.jenkins-entertainment.com
dallas@jenkins-entertainment.com

This is a heart-warming video for the whole family. It tells how the Christmas season affects five people who are having a difficult time coping with the issues in their lives, but who help each other in unusual and unpredictable ways to have a meaningful Christmas Eve.
The acting is very good!

I know that people will think that this is some religious movie pushing an agenda. It is definately NOT. Stephen Baldwin would have been nominated for an Oscar if this movie was perceived to be anything other than a "Born Again Christian" movie. That's too bad. It is anything but. It is a bleak, yet inspirational film about the end of hope, yet at the same time shows the beginning of hope, all without any "agenda" of any kind. Mr. Baldwin truly does give the performance of his career. Oh, and I am NOT a religious person. Please, rent it. And don't be ashamed to do so for fear of being labeled.