Season of Miracles

....too close to call. While presenting what is, potentially, a heart-warming story, this film falls flat on it's face with some of the worst directing and acting I've subjected myself to in years. Despite such great potential, the abysmally movie, is full of lackluster scenes and poorly edited, grade school performances.

While I generally afford a lot more patience with new, young actors, this was simply painful to watch. Without waving my flag and getting emotionally caught up in the 'It's Americana so it must be brilliant' mindset,there is no part of this 119 minute snooze-fest with any memorable moments, besides the final credits.

"Season of Miracles" hits a home run with its coming-of-age story about a team leader, Zack Ross, played by Andrew Wilson Williams, who befriends an autistic boy, Rafer Forrester, played by Grayson Russell. The relationship between the two boys changes the lives of everyone around them. John Schneider does an great job as Coach who gives the boys on his baseball team, the Robins, lessons on life and baseball. The entire Robins' baseball team comes together to deliver a movie that is entertaining and poignant. You'll laugh at the antics of Batman, Donnie, Duffy, Tigger and Little Richard while experiencing some great moments from author and actor Rusty Whitener. It's not just a great baseball movie, it's a great movie and one that you'll want to watch again and again.

Season Of Miracles concerns a Little League team coached by John Schneider that has discovered a real baseball find. A regular Babe Ruth who both pitches and hits to perfection. The problem is that young Grayson Russell is autistic and with the usual socialization problems that come with that.

This film is shot on location and for relative pittance and lacks a lot of production values. Other than Schneider the only other name you might recognize is that of Nancy Stafford formerly of Matlock playing a nurse.

But as this is a regional story set in the south I think it was a wise decision to cast it with locals. They come across as real kids instead of Hollywood kids. Also standing out is Andrew Wilson Williams as the preacher's kid who stands up for his challenged teammate.

Overt preaching is kept to a minimum which is good. Season Of Miracles is a nice family film.

What a fabulous film. Great novel that's been well produced for the big screen.

Set in the 1970s, Season of Miracles weaves a story of friendship that develops between little league captain Zack and The Robins' new secret weapon Rafer, an autistic boy who can hit the fire out of a baseball.

The team rallies around him to stop the taunting and bullying from their ravels the Hawks. And in the process, learn a valuable lesson that comes by accepting those who at first may seem a little different, but truly have wonderful gifts they can share with all.

Highly recommended for the entire family.

I don't want to say too much but I had high hopes based upon the synopsis, however, it turns out to be flat and exceedingly lackluster,I even tried during the movie, to work out what it is that makes a good premise go so wrong. No one is convincing, least of all the autistic boy (they just don't say please or thank-you, all the boys I have ever worked with have no social awareness at all). The other boys just do not have a natural relationship with one another, it feels like they are just waiting for the lines to be said before speaking their own. I felt it was a Christian apology gone way way wrong. Its hollow and could have been so deep.Shame. I am an avid fan of family films and there are some great movies out there but unfortunately this is not one of them.