The Good Witch's Family (2011)

Change is in the air in Middleton. Cassie's running for mayor as her long-lost cousin Abigail shows up. Abigail is very similar to Cassie, at least in terms of her manner and mysteriousness. The scenes of the two of them subtly sparring are very well done. While Cassie's preoccupied with her campaign, Abigail creates problems among Cassie's family and friends. Meanwhile a proposed annexation of the town has Cassie and Jake on opposite sides, at least until Jake looks into the matter further. This is the first movie in the series where Catherine Bell's attempts at improving perfection result in noticeable differences to her appearance. Cheek injections and an upper lip that barely moves are the two most distracting changes. Performance-wise, she's fine in this although the supporting cast and the guest-star steal her spotlight most of the time. Grandpa George is curiously missing from this one. It's a really good entry in the series, possibly the best of all the sequels.

I finally got around to watching this one and I have to agree with most the other reviews: boy has Chris Potter become portly or is Jake fearing for his life in peaceful Middleton, Canada and wearing 3 bulletproof vests under his jacket!? If he doesn't watch it, Chris will soon catch up to Catherine Disher! Also he could use some botox or filler. Last time I saw him in interviews he looked a lot less wrinkled than this. Did he miss his injection appointments? Anyway he sure wasn't in the movie much at all this time and, again: real hard buying him as love interest or even straight. He sure doesn't show much affection in his eyes to his now wife. It's called acting, Chris, you used to know how to do this, what happened? Equally horrid is Catherine Bell's face: she's packing even more silicone in her cheeks than in movie 1. In fact she could play Maleficent and not need external prosthesis due that her silicone is stuffed deep below her skin! Her hair is still as flat and dingy as ever.I can't add much more than the other reviewers have already said, except Chris Potter needs to stop leaving the police force (hello throw back to KFTLC packing his little box of stuff) and the storyline was horrid and did not move that much at all. Also whoever played Abigail was good, and she was a looker, a little like Megan Fox's little sister, a nice contrast to Catherine Bell's plastic face. OK so, how about some tips for the production to improve on the next film?1. Have Chris Potter hit the gym and give him some DHEA, green tea and/or body building & fat burning amino acids. No one expects him to look 35 any more but come on! And get some romance scenes going. 2. MORE MAGIC! Enough of the wishy-washy is she or is she not? The title says "Witch" not "Pseudo New Ager Poser". Get some major magic tools, a wand, a crystal ball that she actually uses, you get the gist. Browse witchcraft websites and get this going. Sure keep it family but make it more hardcore so far as the witch/magic part is concerned. We could have used a close up on those stones (amethysts?) that Martha remarked she was selling for 25c. Give us close ups on the magical tools! And a full-on séance or spell casting scene would be tops! The voodoo dolls were a nice touch except you didn't do enough with them. SET THE MAGICAL MOOD!3. Get Catherine Bell some decent clothes! No one expects her to dress like Dynasty but enough with the dull garb. Give the woman some color, hot pink, royal blue, bright red, fiery orange, bright green, titillating teal or turquoise, sequined purple etc. The half cloak she wore almost went there but it was dull gray plaid with a terrible cut above her rear. The red lining was a nice touch, more of that. Think magic: satin, sequins, glitter strategically placed, not overbearing would be cool. And do something with her hair. Extensions will give her much needed volume. Maybe a few curls too, like a lioness wig.4. Bring back the old shop, make it cozy & witchy. Bring back Grey House. Make it more eerie. I'm thinking ghosts, sure go with are there or are there not, but get some good spooky music to go along. And bring back the old couple if the actors would (Grandpa).5. Write a story that is not a yawn-fest this time. Can't help you with that except for the ghosts idea, no need to pay me royalties, it's on me. Hire the writers from story 1 and take it from there. Then your ratings will improve or else this series is going downhill faster than Obama's presidency. That's it.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first three GW movies --- cast great, stories fun, atmosphere appropriately spooky, plenty of little twists and turns. I was so looking forward to this one .... unfortunately, I was disappointed after the long wait. Always ready to see the first three again, I will find something else to do if this one comes back on the TV.The plot worked well: a long-lost cousin makes her appearance and things get, well, quirky and unpredictable. In spite of all this, Cassandra remains calm and "in the know," for the most part.There were several things that annoyed us as the story went on: -REALLY disappointed to find out that the wonderful flirting and attraction between Betty and Derek was tossed off: "My ex-girlfriend used to own a bakery but she moved away." THAT's IT??? What? Wonderful Grandpa who was so close to his kids is gone. And the sweet romance between George and Gwen evaporated into thin air. Another what? Hey, we need good senior-type characters getting a new life...We loved Grey House and all the delicious gardens in the first three movies. THe way the garden images were intertwined with the plot lines was a terrific metaphor. The only mention of Grey House in this new movie is the portrait on the wall of the new house..... did Cassie dump her heritage? The new house is too too pristine and clean. Where are the cobwebs, huh? We have questions: Did Brandon finish his song for college? How will Cassie deal with her pregnancy as new mayor? How will the marriage work with Jake as Chief reporting to his WIFE? What happens to Tom and wife? Surprised that your magical formula didn't work this time. Catherine Bell is quite talented. I'd be willing to see the fifth installment but was it really "three time's the charm"? Hope not.

The Hallmark Channel's series of Halloween movies starring Catherine Bell as Cassie continues with Cassie running for mayor, with events complicated when a cousin shows up and backs another candidate and causes problems with her stepchildren, who are going through teenage angst.Catherine Bell continues with her perky, low-key performance as Cassie. She never quite does anything that is clearly magical -- other than getting on and off roofs to sweep leaves out of gutters -- which is quite charming. Somehow things always seem to break her way, except when her cousin makes trouble, for no clear reason.Some of the cast seems to have put on some weight, particularly Chris Potter as her adoring husband. It's an amusing, lightweight piece of fluff, and although Ms. Bell continues to be charming, it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Still, it's a decent time waster and for a Halloween movie it's a decent way to spend a couple of hours.