I generally enjoy a lot of the programming on the Sci-Fi Channel, but for some reason I stay away from the made-for-TV movies that they air. I’ve seen several, and though some of them try really hard, cheesy special effects and even cheesier acting tend to ruin whatever chance they had for quality. Their min-series events are usually a bit better, but still I often skip them. Little did I know that “Five Days to Midnight” was one I shouldn’t have missed. Timothy Hutton stars as J.T Neumeyer, a physicist who receives a very unwelcome gift in the form of a briefcase. Well, it’s only unwelcome in the fact that it contains a file inside. What’s unsettling is that the police file that appears to be from over a half century in the future and contains details of his murder. He is skeptical at first, who wouldn’t be? But when events in his life begin to mirror the information in the file, he begins to question the improbability of the file’s authenticity. When he received the file, it claimed his murder would occur in 5 days, and his skepticism has already cost him 1.

Though I missed “Five Days to Midnight” during its initial run back in June, Lions Gate has given me another chance to catch it, this time on DVD. The new 2-disc set comes out this week, and I took the time to take in all 5 parts to the mini-series. The most frustrating part about telling you about it is that I really can’t tell you much more than I already have. Throughout the series, there are plot twists built upon plot twists and you really have to pay attention or you’ll miss important details. As a matter of fact I urge you to use the ‘pause’ button when you run to the bathroom because believe me, you’ll miss something.

Hutton, who has long been a favorite actor of mine, plays his role extremely well. Whether dealing with the impossibility of the existence of a file from the future, the eventual acceptance of said file, or simply the determination to change his fate, he allows you to experience it with him. Of course, it doesn’t hurt the production that it also includes Randy Quaid, Nicole Deboer (yay!), and Angus MacFadyen.

I also have to commend Lion’s Gate for having the foresight to include a lot of extra features. Since the film is science fiction by nature, most viewers find that they are interested not only in how certain things were done, but why. The two commentaries offered (Episodes 1 & 4), offer some really good information on both the technical sides of the film as well as some thought on the story itself. There are also no less than four separate featurettes, each running between 9 and 11 minutes that focus on the some of the production design and specials effects that were used to create the series’ atmosphere. One of them even focuses completely on one of the ‘stunts’ of the film that called for the falling over of a tree during a heavy storm.

Having to fill 5 parts of a mini-series is no mean feat and keeping it all together, especially when you’re dealing with the elements of time, can be even more difficult. Director Michael Watkins does just that, though. And in the end, as long as you can keep up, “Five Days to Midnight” makes for a satisfying ride.

Directed by: Michael Watkins
Starring: Timothy Hutton, Randy Quaid, Kari Matchett, Hamish Linklater, Angus MacFayden, Gage Golightly, Giancarlo Esposito
Extras: Audio Commentary on Episodes 1 and 4 by Director Michael Watkins and Director of Photography Joel Ransom, “The Formula for Design” Featurette, “Fractures of Time” Featurette, “Remixing Reality” Featurette, “Proving Destiny: The Weatherby Oak Tree Stunt” Featurette
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, 2.0 Dolby Stereo
Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: 10/12/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Five Days to Midnight an A-.