The Good Witch's Gift

There was something really magical, warm and supernatural about this film. The ex convict was released from prison after serving 10 years, while plans for Christmas and a wedding are all happening. It seemed things couldn't get sticky and messier. But as if by pure sorcery, everything came together and it was so heart warming and moving. I really loved this movie and it's probably the best out of the first three.

As we enter chapter three of the Cassie and Jake saga, they are still engaged, still exchanging chaste kisses, and still trying to plan their wedding. With Christmas less than a week away, Jake exhibits some uncharacteristic spontaneity, and proposes a Christmas Eve ceremony. Hectic preparations commence.

This entry in the series continues the theme of the appearance in town of a suspicious "stranger", in this case a bank robber whom Jake sent to prison a decade earlier on a fifteen-year sentence. Released for good behavior two days earlier, town folk in general, and Sheriff Jake in particular, wonder why he's returned and what he's up to. Could it be to retrieve the loot from the robbery which was never found? Or does it somehow involve his ex-wife and child, who still live in town?

Mystery, magic, and redemption have been essential elements of the Good Witch series, and this entry continues the theme. Cassandra Nightingale is one of the most intuitive characters ever committed to film, and in this one, her powers are in full force, always reading people perfectly, and always finding subtle ways to steer them in the right direction.

As the standing characters in this series continue to become more fully-developed, one supports the wish for additional entries in the Good Witch series, whether as a weekly TV drama or simply in the form of more full-length movies. This reviewer got his wish for the return of Elizabeth Lennie's Gwen, introduced in the previous movie as a love interest for "Grandpa" George O'Hanrahan (Peter MacNeill). (Old guys need love, too.) Even town busybody Martha Tinsdale (Catherine Disher) is becoming (gasp!) likable.

Co-executive producer and star, Catherine Bell, has said, "This character is closer to me, personally, than any character I've ever played." This, plus the sight of her in one fantastic wedding gown, with striking diamond (?) necklace, makes at least one male viewer wish he were "Jake".

Thus, even if the Good Witch series ends in a trilogy, as many movie series do, The Good Witch's Gift will have it going out on top.

It's Christmastime in Middleton and Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell) is preparing for her Christmas Eve wedding to Chief Russell (Chris Potter). But she still finds time to help her loved ones with their problems, as well as help former nemesis Martha Tinsdale (Catherine Disher) start a new career and help an ex-con get a fresh start. Another highly enjoyable Good Witch TV movie; the third in the series. This one has a seasonal theme, which is great for me as I'm a sucker for anything Christmas. The cast is likable and fun, as they were in the two movies prior to this. Catherine Disher is a treat to watch. If you liked the first two movies, I see no reason you won't like this one.

(2010) The Good Witch's Gift FAMILY DRAMA

The third of seven Made-for-TV movies so far, starring Catherine Bell as "The Good Witch", Cassandra Nightingale living in small town Middleton in which she's trying to be a legitimate wife to her soul mate sheriff, Jake Russell(Chris Potter) by marrying her on Christmas Eve. During all of this is happening, Leon Deeks (James McGowan) an ex-convict who used to rob the town's bank had decided to return just so he can be with his wife and daughter. Pretentious family movie my mother would've loved since it centers on misunderstandings and false assumptions made about other people with things working out well towards the end. The only problem is that because it's supposed to be about the 'good witch', one would've thought that their might've been some magic performed in this movie, but what we get instead is Cassandra handing out emblems and other stuff to other people in which her magic is on all of the stuff she gives out. For it's like she can see the superficial result, ahead of time, and to me that's ridiculous. Bell also co-produced this movie as well which this entire set up is something coming from a Norman Rockwell painting.

Catherine Bell returns for the third time as mild-mannered witch Cassie Nightingale for the Hallmark Channel. Previous entries in the series were THE GOOD WITCH and THE GOOD WITCH'S GARDEN.

In this one, Cassie and her fiancé are preparing to get married on Christmas Eve, and various plot complications occur, all of which are set up via exposition. The dialogue, alas, is not particularly good, but as in the earlier movies, Miss Bell keeps a perky smile and attitude at all times, as things simply fall her way.

It's all a bit too easy for any sense of drama, but the actors are all competent and, as usual for these Hallmark productions, there is some very good camera-work by John Berrie, who seems to like classical camera movement to maintain composition.

This one won't win any awards, but for people who have enjoyed the earlier movies, this should be a nice reunion.