The originality of, and suspense brought on by, 5 Days to Midnight will have you watching the whole series on one sitting. Although four hours in length (it was originally aired on the Sci-Fi channel), it’s hard to stop watching the DVD until you figure out just exactly what is going on.

Here’s the skinny: JT Neumeyer, played by Timothy Hutton finds a briefcase with his name on it. He opens it and finds newspaper clippings and police reports with details on his death. With more examination, he realizes that he will die in 5 days unless he solves his own murder.

Hutton is superb as the confused soon-to-be victim. Randy Quaid plays an investigator but it’s hard not think of him as Chevy Chase’s Cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon movies.

The extras aren’t exceptional, but finding out how much planning and detail went into a short scene of a tree falling over a house is interesting.

You won’t however be disappointed in the 4-episode series. Just make sure you set aside 4 hours or you’ll be antsy until you have time to resume.

4.5*






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