Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

derekph-1 Like some other reviewers here, I was lured into watching this by Peter O'Toole's participation. But the name in the title - Thomas Kinkade - and the channel I saw it on - Hallmark - say it all. It's pure schlock - trite, hackneyed, predictable, blatantly sentimental, ponderously slow, heavy-handed, and manipulative. If you like Kinkade's paintings, you'll probably love this show. If, like me, you consider Kinkade's paintings trash, you should avoid this program.I watched the first twenty minutes, and was astounded how bad it was - the mournful voice-over narration telegraphed sadness ahead, the characters and dialogue were clichéd, the story was so blatantly obvious I knew how it would end at once. The script was dreadful, the acting wooden. I fast forwarded, stopping to watch short segments, and it got worse. I watched the ending, just to assure myself I hadn't underestimated the show - alas, it was even worse than I expected, an ending so sappy and morose it was pathetic. O'Toole's performance is really no worse than anyone else's, but I expect a lot of him, so it was really embarrassing to watch him humiliate himself and let his fans down this way.Don't get me wrong - I like a bit of cheap sentimentality now and then, especially this time of year. I enjoy a good tear-jerker, if it's well done. I like A Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas, and A Christmas Carol, and especially Bad Santa. I just like it done with a little skill, not cranked out like cotton candy.BTW, one of my favorite Christmas tear-jerkers is The Christmas Tree (1969), with William Holden and Virna Lisi. They used to run it on TV every Christmas, but I guess it's too old now. If you can find it, and like a good cry, give it a try. I still get teary-eyed when I hear the guitar theme - "Romance" by Narciso Yepes, composed originally for the film "Jeux Interdits."

Barbara Alley Sons coming home for Christmas and their discoveries about themselves, their family, and their Source of inspiration leaves the watcher wondering about what they value most, who has influenced them. An excellent film to watch with your entire family. The acting, the wisp of humor, the characters are all captivating! The true story will and does inspire the artist in each of us to draw upon those experiences that change us. Thomas Kincaid is an artist that is known world round and this movie is a tribute to his mother and Peter O'Toole who captures the character perfectly. This film carries in it the quality of "Its a Wonderful Life". A great holiday flick for the family.

rboon33455 This is a movie which is sure to divide people. It is based on the early life of Thomas Kinkade, "the painter of light". It is a story of the sources of his inspiration: his mentor,and how the difficulties faced by his mother provided a motivation through which he began to find himself.Its weakness is that it isn't sure of its own purpose.It is certainly not a biography or a Christmas movie in the ordinary sense and its comedic moments often miss the mark.In many ways it is like a Kinkade picture: a little sugary and sentimental yet with a warmth and humanity that can touch our hopes for a world where we all have a place and where everything comes out alright in the end However,it it isn't grounded in the reality of the world as we know it. The script is very uneven,occasionally very hammy,yet produces some fine moments. Peter o' Toole's performance as Tom's mentor, rapidly approaching dotage and a loss of his powers is a fine one and justifies a viewing.I also enjoyed the background music.Not for anyone who shrinks from sentimentality.

Anthony Pittore III (Shattered_Wake) This biographical TV movie takes a look at artist Thomas Kinkade (played by 'Supernatural''s Jared Padalecki) and how he was inspired to paint his most famous piece: The Christmas Cottage.While not a fan of Thomas Kinkade myself, I am a fan of Jared Padalecki and thought this looked like an interested piece of work to see him in. It's a rare time to not see Padalecki fighting demons or serial killers, so it'd be good to see him trying something new. While Padalecki did a fairly good job, the film was simply mediocre. The narration was annoying and trite and the overall story was far too hokey and cheesy to be taken seriously. It will work well with fans of Hallmark Movie-of-the-Weeks and the like, but anyone looking for some quality, illuminating cinema. . . move on, this one isn't for you.Final verdict: 6/10.