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kandrew-47609
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Approaching Midnight (2013)
Positive Messages, Intriguing Story, Great Cinematography
There is an utter brilliance that thrusts this movie into a favorite of mine. I thought that this film had an intriguing story that reflected on positive messages with redemption. The fact that the filmmakers donated their theatrical proceeds to charity via the American Legion was really heartwarming. I discovered this film from the article on the The American Legion national website. I missed the premiere in Houston at the American Legion National Convention, but as someone who knows many veterans I can say that the details in the uniforms were great. The cinematography from Carl Ballou was enthralling and kept you very motivated with the characters as their stories progressed. I really enjoyed the relationship between Wesley Kent and his sister Jordan. The tension in his home front return sequence is just utter beauty in both structure, acting, and photography. I can really feel the domestic issues that were left undone and the time that passed between them when they first see each other again. The horse ranch is a wonderful backdrop in rural reality for this to unfold between the characters. It was almost like the Horseranch represents Wesley wanting to run wild and free, while also needing to take care of the rest of the herd. So many great images and great acting performances, from Sam Logan Khaleghi (Batman v Superman), Michelle Lynne Balser (Five Year Engagement), Dean Teaser (Ghost Town) and Jeff Stetson (Librarian Dialogues) as well as Carollette Phillips (It Follows) who's scenes as the grieving widow of a fallen soldier were handled with such care. The film magnified the heart of the everyday hero, and was a solid watch.
Country Crush (2016)
Not Too Bad, Not Too Great.
The movie wasn't bad, but was OK. This movie felt like a decent community musical that was filmed for TV. I rented this movie, not knowing that Jana Kramer was in it but was surprised, because I am from Michigan and so was she . Her performance was fairly good. It reminded me of CW style One Tree Hill-like movie-making with a tad bit more musical numbers. I was expecting a military like movie, with the Marine element but I found that it made the military uniform rather sloppy in representation. Jana Kramer did a much better job in "Heart of the Country" as an actress, because you actually got to see her perform as Faith. Also, in her indie-film American Legion charity movie that she did way back in the day, I think it was called "Approaching Midnight", they had better military representation in uniforms. I will say this for sure, SOPHIE TWEED SIMMONS as AINSLEY Stole the Show in the film, which was Andrew Cymek's best casting choice overall. The plot was sort of forced but that's okay, because that is the style of the film. I am not a fan of the Hallmark style TV Movies in a whole. But if you are a fan of that quaint Hallmark like effect, I think you will enjoy this for what it is.