Midnight Clear (2006)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Dallas Jenkins

Writers:

Wes Halula (writer)
Jerry B. Jenkins (short story)

Release Date:

2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

For many people, the holidays are the loneliest time of year. Merry Christmas.

Plot:

A recently homeless and jobless loser, a senior citizen estranged from her family, a mother of one dealing with her husband's brain damage...

Plot Keywords:

Gun | Alone On Christmas | Loneliness | Widow | Christmas Eve

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Stephen Baldwin	...	Lefty
K Callan	...	Eva
Kirk B.R. Woller	...	Kirk
Mary Thornton	...	Mary
Mitchell Jarvis	...	Mitch
Richard Fancy	...	Pastor Mark
Victoria Jackson	...	Margaret
Richard Riehle	...	Tommy
Diane Delano	...	Trudy
Wren T. Brown	...	Dale
Dominic Scott Kay	...	Jacob
Loren Lester	...	Gordon
Patricia Rae	...	Samantha
Nikki Boyer	...	Megan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ron Bath	...	Doctor
Dave Chivvis	...	Gary
Hannah Cowan	...	Caroler
Lisa Dalton	...	Elderly woman #1
Shelly Desai	...	Factory Worker
Kevin Downes	...	Rick
Faline England	...	Heather
Wayne Grace	...	Hungry Old Man
Chad Gundersen	...	Greg
Brad Heller	...	Convenience store customer
Dallas Jenkins	...	Dad
Ken Kerman	...	Conveniece store keeper
Michael Krawic	...	Police Officer
Denise Lee	...	Receptionist
Billy Joe Martinez	...	Pedestrian 1
Chris Murphy	...	Customer #2
Heather Okun	...	Girlfriend
Todd Peters	...	Boyfriend in car
Hope Elizabeth Reeves	...	Tardy Church Girl
Rhonda Reeves	...	Tardy Church Mom
Shaina Sandoval	...	Caroler
John Snelson	...	Boyfriend in car
Briton Swiercinsky	...	Church Attendant
Caprice Swiercinsky	...	Mother in Church
Lexie Swiercinsky	...	Church Attendee
Niki Swiercinsky	...	Church Attendee
Stephanie Peterson	...	Church Attendee (uncredited)
Michael J. Rowbottom	...	Church Usher (uncredited)

Directed by
Dallas Jenkins

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Wes Halula		writer
Jerry B. Jenkins		short story

Produced by
Robert Abramoff	....	executive producer
Kevin Downes	....	producer
Chad Gundersen	....	co-producer
Dallas Jenkins	....	producer
Jerry B. Jenkins	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Jeehun Hwang

Cinematography by
Randall Gregg

Film Editing by
Frank Reynolds

Casting by
Beverly Holloway
Tracy Terrell

Production Design by
James R. Cunningham

Art Direction by
John Cunningham

Set Decoration by
Jason Naumann

Costume Design by
Stephen M. Chudej

Makeup Department
Mandy Danielle Benton	....	key makeup artist
Gina Ghiglieri	....	assistant makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Taylor Gilbert	....	second second assistant director
Joel Jeffrey Nishimine	....	first assistant director

Sound Department
John W. Frost	....	supervising sound editor
Craig Parker	....	sound mixer
Gabe Verger	....	dialogue editor
Phil Vo	....	sound re-recording mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Derek Abernathy	....	key grip
Rhett Bakke	....	assistant camera
Greg Carpenter	....	best boy grip
Christopher Ryan Flanagan	....	grip
Andy Lohrenz	....	key grip
Daniel McGarvey Jr.	....	best boy electric
David Pinkston	....	dolly grip
Jessica Quazi	....	electrician
Andrew Redd	....	electrician

Casting Department
Kina Bale	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lauren Matesic	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Richard Glazerman	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Taylor Gilbert	....	assistant production coordinator
Elise Graham	....	production coordinator
Glenn Hower	....	production accountant
Dan Kirkman	....	production assistant
Shanon Sparks	....	production assistant
Kara B. Still	....	script supervisor
Mikel J. Wisler	....	production assistant

Thanks
Harold Cronk	....	special thanks
David de Vos	....	special thanks
Matthew Tailford	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Clear Midnight
• Jenkins Entertainment

Distributors

• Lionsgate (2007) (USA) (all media)
• Cinemavault Releasing (2007) (non-USA) (all media)
• Jenkins Entertainment (2007) (USA) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Runway  post-production

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Clear Midnight

Movie Connections:

Version of Midnight Clear (2005/II)

Soundtrack:

Jingle Bells

Good story, well told

I knew this was a remake, but I had not seem the short version. So I had no history for comparison. The script is strong. The performances are excellent, as is the direction. The primary characters are rich, but the lesser roles, particularly the plant security man are very well done. Knowing the limitations of a budget less than $1M, I was expecting to see production flaws. But I couldn't find them. The production values are extraordinary. That's true of cinematography, sound, lighting, score, sets, props, on and on. The movie gives some satisfaction, and leaves one saddened at the same time. Such is life. But it's a wonderful movie, one that everyone with family members and friends who are lonely at Christmas, should see.