A Kind of Magic

Firstly, this is a low, low budget, made for cable movie. Take a Halloween romantic comedy that lacks comedy and dip it in cheese sauce and you've just about got it. The premise is Halloween silly, but it could have been worse. The script is weak, the acting is also weak. The cinematography is sub par, the lightning is amateur and the set design is cheap. Even the music sound track sounds cheap, it's like they wanted it to be Disney cute. That being said, on the good side, there is no gratuitous sex, nudity, violence, no explicit language. You can watch it with kids or your grandma. What is odd, is for a movie that is about magic, warlocks and witches, there is very little magic.

There is actual magic at the center of this story. The situations that occur around a novice suddenly getting magic and a lifetime warlock starting to lose his set up good humor and good dialogue.

There is also obviously a romance mixed in, but the movie is a bit different for a rom/com because the two romantic leads don't actually get to spend a lot of time together on screen.

Nikki Deloach is the Hallmark actor I have the most respect for. (I'm pretty sure this is before she became a Hallmark regular since this is Mar Vista.) I think she has shown better acting talent in some of the more serious stories for Hallmark, but she does a credible job here. She has good chemistry with Ryan McPartlin despite not sharing a lot of screen time. Most of the actors are good for what is needed in their roles.

The story is pretty simple and there are no great highs or lows or surprises, but it is still enjoyable. The tone is mostly upbeat and most of the characters are quite likeable. Even the romantic rival is likeable. Still, I doubt the movie will knock your socks off, but I enjoyed it and will likely watch it again.

There are very few Halloween-related romcoms, which is a bit of a surprise. But any future efforts should look at this one regarding how it can be done.

Everything about this film exceeded my expectations: the acting, script, romantic chemistry, set design, and overall vibe. While not really "laugh out loud" funny, it was amusing and did get a chuckle or two out of me.

The acting was really solid. The romance was fairly deep in a way you typically don't see in these films.

It's also a really fun film. The magic aspect really gives the actors and script a lot to work with, and they delivered.

I'm knocking it a couple of stars for two reasons: 1) a little too much suspension of disbelief where it was avoidable and 2) some dialogue felt a bit drawn out (especially in the second half).

But overall I strongly recommend this underrated gem.

This Halloween movie has some acceptable dialog and funny magic. Less annoying than some of those Christmas movies out there.

Ryan McPartlin from Chuck who has a certain goofball charm suitable for this movie plays a warlock who has to marry another witch soon or lose his magic. He meets a mortal psychiatrist, the cute Nikki de Loach and they of course fall in love.

It's quite well done the way things work out for them and for the other couple - the arranged witch and another warlock with no magic. Things wear a bit thin towards the end.

If you are going to watch one Halloween movie this one is an alright choice.

Very cute movie. Enjoyable characters you want to follow. Feeling I wanted movie of the story to continue when it ended. This should be either a TV series or a series of movie chapters on regular release schedule.

You can feel a story being built on the romance about to blossom from Matt and Sarah. The possible mishaps that could ensue. A mortal and a warlock changing the face of the council. Continuing a story of how Sarah is learning how to live with newly gained powers and a world she only thought existed in books or television.

What would happen if Matt and Sarah started a family changing the old traditions forever and who would be against the change. I could go on and on. I can envision using this movie as a stepping stone to many story lines..