I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

So much average

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

The acting is great and the characters are funny and you can't get enough of them, so it's the kind of movie that you can watch every year. Movies and T.V. shows so often make kids look dumb, but the kids in this one are the smartest characters. Despite that, they're in remedial classes at school, which may be a jab at our society's flawed and underfunded education system. Several of the characters come together to help them read at grade level. Since the setting is a small town (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?), the townspeople are very close and the sense of unity is slightly more important than the law. Thus, people let a little more slide and are not quick to press charges. As someone who lives in a small town, I know this to be true.

A Season For Miracles finds Carla Gugino badly in need of one. She's the aunt of Mae Whitman and Evan Sabara and their mother Laura Dern is her usual mess. In jail once again for some substance abuse misdemeanor and now the state is ready to take the kids from her. Carla would like to have them, but as she's unemployed ain't no way she'll be granted custody. Most likely the kids will be split up in the foster care system.That's not good enough for Gugino. She takes the kids out of state and flees. Arriving at a version of Bedford Falls, a kindly waitress played by Patty Duke has a way of insisting that the whole family stop and see this very well kept up, but abandoned home in her town of Bethlehem. They stop and they squat.It's only supposed to be for a night, but things just somehow keep them there especially all the good folks in the town. The house was a legacy that was never claimed by its inheritor for one reason or another. But with the state breathing down her neck and the fact she's a fugitive wanted on kidnapping, Carla's got to make tracks.But as things turn out in this Christmas time special, it turns out to be a real Season For Miracles. Carla even gets herself some romance in the form of deputy sheriff David Conrad.A Season For Miracles is sentimental without being terribly maudlin which is easy to do with these kind of films. Is someone from a higher plain of existence keeping some track of our situations and ready to step in with a miracle, if not one that's as spectacular as parting an ocean? This film offers the proposition that such is the case and it does so in a pleasant and entertaining manner.

Christmas fantasy about a down on her luck woman (Gugino) who kidnaps her crackhead sister's two small children to keep them out of the hands of DCF. She ends up in a small New England town where a guardian angel (Duke) sets up a series of simple events to protect the trio from harm. David Conrad plays a cop who falls for Gugino, and Lynn Redgrave is the judge who must determine the fate of the three when their secret is found out. Very low-key, with no fancy special effects. Filmed on limited sets, with an imposing stone angel statue hovering over all. This is a people story that doesn't pull any punches when it comes to dealing with the unpleasantries of the doped-up mom (Dern), who is is a criminal hospital while all this is going on. Great direction by Michael Pressman on what looks like a no-budget production. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful film that, while taking place during the hoildays, is one that can be viewed at any time of the year and be thoroughly enjoyed. I have watched it many times since getting it last December. As with any Hallmark show, the production values are outstanding. Although based on a book by Marilyn Pappano, the teleplay far surpasses the original. All the changes simply made for a better story.What a great cast of veteran performers - Patty Duke, Laura Dern, Faith Prince, Kathy Baker and Lynn Redgrave in a film stealing role as a judge. Each of the supporting roles are equally effective.This is a film that could rival "It's A Wonderful Life" as a great holiday (or any time) entertainment.