Miracles happen in unexpected places, even in the Death Row cell block at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. There John Coffey, a gentle giant of a prisoner with supernatural powers, brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates.

Tom Hanks leads a stellar ensemble (including Michael Clarke Duncan as Coffey) in this emotional, uplifting story of guards and captives; husbands and wives; prisoners and a remarkable mouse named Mr. Jingles; and on another level, of a moviemaker and his source.

That filmmaker is Frank Darabont, who returns after his 1994 directorial debut, The Shawshank Redemption, to adapt another tale by Stephen King into stirring, crowd-pleasing entertainment, nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.