By Kit-Kat

'Miracles are closer than you think' thus the tagline reads for the Noel Movie.

Confessions of a Notorious Kit-Kat:

• Mushy movies generally make me gag (I know I'm not alone on this one)
• Holiday movies pretty much make me cringe (oh I am so not alone on this)

Somewhere in my busy brain and flurry of movies, I agreed to review this. Honestly, I was in shock when it arrived and had to check out the countdown for it. After reading about the self destructing DVDs it did come back to me (and yes, I checked- with the Mission Impossible theme running through my brain that my DVD was not going to self destruct after watching it). I then glanced about and saw the reviews on this movie were not that favorable. You can imagine what was going through my head, how I groaned and dreaded having to watch a double jeopardy of a NKK confessional. But, I manned it up and watched the movie. I actually liked it. I know... you may want to read that again... I really did like the movie. In fact I was impressed by it and for the first time ever after watching a 'warm fuzzy' movie, I walked away from it thoughtful. Me! Thoughtful! What is the world coming to I tell ya.

The movie doesn't center around one specific person but rather takes you though the lives of several intertwined New Yorkers. Christmas Eve is here and we have Nina Vasquez (Penelope Cruz) fighting with her fiance Mike (Paul Walker) a mere week before their wedding as Mike has one serious jealous problem. Meanwhile, Rose Harrison (Susan Sarandon) struggles with her lonely life and the constant struggle to help her mother with Alzheimer's. Artie Venzuela (Alan Arkin) searches for redemption from a nightmarish past, and Jules (Marcus Thomas) is about to do anything to spend the night in the only place he ever enjoyed Christmas - the hospital. Bewildered? It writes a lot harder than it is to follow in the movie. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how it all works out, after all this is a Christmas movie however, even knowing that, you should take the time to watch the movie - the journey each character takes is worth watching.

Susan Sarandon is an amazing actress and I think she does one of her best performances in this movie as Rose Harrison. Penelope Cruz I have always enjoyed and she truly is coming into her own with the wide range of characters she has played. Alan Arkin brings all his skill to screen and his portrayal of Artie Venzuela was truly memorable. You'd have to see it to believe it. And who cannot like 'easy on the eyes' Mike (Paul Walker) - the guy is definitely a cutie though it was impressive to see him do something other than racing cars as he can act when he puts his mind to it (I'll be interested to see what his role is in the upcoming Flags of Our Fathers). Marcus Thomas certainly did a great job of making his character Jules seem credible. Now, let's also mention the unmentionable - or should I say uncredited - Robin Williams. I was floored when I saw him in the movie and yet no where in the DVD extras for cast was he mentioned, or was he listed on the box - just poof! There he was in the story with Susan Sarandon. I admire and enjoy Robin Williams, so it was an exceptional treat to see him in this movie, his character Charlie Boyd, was the most profound to me. I'm curious as to whether it was by slick design that his name is not mentioned at all.

As far as DVD extras, well there is no miracle here. You are given a behind the scenes chat with some of the cast (which was actually quite interesting to hear their reasons for taking the role and what they expected from the movie). There is a commentary feature you can turn on with director Chazz Palminteri and the strange feature of Cast Filmographies (something I have never understood on a DVD though it seems to be popping up more and more). This one is definitely not going to draw anyone by the bonus features, so I'd say it's a good thing the story can stand on it's own.

It's the holiday season people, you know Christmas movies are going to be popping up and people will even be lining up for the odd Polar Express (yet again in IMAX). If you're going to subject yourself (hey, for all I know you really like these kinds of movies) to the holiday cinema then you should take the time to watch this movie. It is worth it, whatever other reviewers may say - the movie has something to teach us, and I don't doubt that everyone can relate to one of these characters as I'm sure the director and writer intended. Trust me; everyone can stand to learn a little something - especially when it's something that we perhaps have forgotten.