THE PLOT THUS FAR

The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer’s newest creation – creatures called the Naughties – into real Smurfs.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

When Smurfette assumes that the rest of the Smurfs have forgotten her birthday, she’s very depressed & wanders off alone. She thinks that she’s not a true blue Smurf as she was originally a Naughty created by the evil wizard, Gargamel. Meanwhile Gargamel hatches an evil plot to kidnap Smurfette & get her to tell the formula to turn two of his Naughties, Vexy & Hackus into real Smurfs. Vexy enters the portal to Smurf village, kidnaps Smurfette & takes her back to Earth. Now, it is up to Papa, Grouchy, Clumsy & Vanity to rescue Smurfette from Gargamel before he coerces her to give him the formula.

While I liked the animation and I really don’t oppose the idea of mixing smurf world with the non-animated human world, I felt most of the smurfs were rather poorly written. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but there was something missing about Papa Smurf despite his expected warmness and there was something extremely off-putting about Smurfette, which, at least for me, had a thoroughly negative impact on pretty much all her scenes and more importantly on the credibility of her inner struggle about where she really belongs. The intro about her “creation” was done well, but afterward it just didn’t work for me.

The Blu-Ray comes with 2D and 3D transfers. The 3D transfer is dynamic with a flexible amount of pops and field of depth. While I didn’t get a chance to view this installment in theaters, I have to admit that nothing has been lost in the translation to home entertainment. Plus, you get a DVD copy and a ton of featurettes. If that wasn’t enough, you also get the Legend of Smurfy Hollow mini movie that we reviewed back in October.

The A/V Quality is stacked with an immense 1080p transfer that shines a little brighter when the Smurfs are flying at you in 3D. It’s also part of Sony’s latest 4K mastering push. I’d normally call that marketing fluff on par with Superbit, but it really helps the print to shine. But, let’s not forget the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track. By the end of the first act, you’ll think the movie is all subwoofer bass. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to families.

RELEASE DATE: 12/3/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

A startling motive is revealed when psychotic killer Melvin ‘Spider’ Holiday stalks 8 unsuspecting teenage victims lured to an abandoned amusement park off old Route 66.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Killer Holiday” is a slasher flick set at a carnival. That’s about it. A kid gets out of Juvie and her pals are off to play in an abandoned amusement park/carnival/mass hobo grave. The kids start getting killed, as we meet Spider. Spider is a generic killer with nothing to really set him apart from any deranged drifter. Well, there is that demonic John Wayne Gacy thing he’s got going on.

The cliches stack up fast and with fervor. But, that’s to be expected with schlock like this. It’s Halloween and I wonder why does this stuff keep getting made? The easy answer is that there are still a ton of schlubs out there that will pull anything out of the redbox. The complicated answer is beyond me.

The DVD comes with a Digital Copy, featurettes, gag reel and trailers. The A/V Quality is pretty dark and full of digital noise. Still, the Dolby 5.1 track kicks in when it is needed. Not like that can save this trainwreck of a movie. In the end, I’d recommend skipping it.

RELEASE DATE: 11/05/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Join Tonka Chuck, the little dump truck with huge dreams (not to mention wheels!) and his friends Rally, Porter, Handy, Digger, Biggs, Soku, Haulie, Rowdy and Boomer as they steer you through action-packed big truck adventures! One monster rally of a good time!

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Monster Rally” is the latest release from Adventures of Chuck and Friends. Chuck, Rally and Handy work together to do what they do in every episode. Honestly, it’s a truck show for four year old boys and girls. If they like vehicles, they’re going to stare down the screen until their retinas explode. What else do you need to know?

The DVD comes with a brand new sing along as the sole special feature. Other than that, you get a collection of similar themed episodes. The A/V Quality is slightly better than broadcast quality, but it’s not going to set the world on fire. The educational appeal of the show is limited, but it will teach kids to dream and use their imagination. In the end, I’d recommend a rental for parents.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Curious what Santa Claus, his nine flying reindeer and the Elves do the other 364 days of the year? In this non-stop adventure, Santa and his team are on search for the perfect toys for all the boys and girls on his Nice list. After sleighing around the real world, they journey into a place full of magic. There, they discover the evil Gruzzlebeard has cast a spell on all the toys, making them come to life. With Christmas rapidly approaching, Santa and the Elves must undo this evil spell before it’s too late!

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Secret World of Santa: Elves in Toyland” is what you think it is. Two discs loaded down with episodes about kiddie elves teaming up to save Santa, Christmas or the fourth quarter. I don’t know, as I clocked out around the second episode. I don’t get what the deal is with the villain, but most of these characters don’t make sense to me. When did I get so old? There was a time when….never mind, I always hated this stuff.

The DVD comes with no special features. The Dolby 5.1 track holds up for a kiddie cartoon. However, the transfer seemed to be washed out. Still, it’s typical for a standard definition presentation of an animated affair. In the end, I’d recommend a rental.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Aballay was a bad tempered gaucho. After killing a man, the terrified look of the victim’s son raised his consciousness about his savagery. Years go by, that kid’s look doesn’t leave him. Aballay knows that the kid will look for him.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Six Shooters” is a low budget Western with a little bit of tits. I don’t know what else to say. It’s clearly obvious that the creative team didn’t care enough to create a script worth remembering. The actors look bored and the direction leaves a lot to be desired. Plus, I’m pretty sure that 99% of the readers won’t watch it anyways. What a way to start Halloween!

The DVD comes with a Digital Copy. The Dolby 5.1 track holds up for a low budget Western. However, the transfer seemed to be washed out. Still, it’s typical for a standard definition presentation of a low budget affair. In the end, I’d recommend a rental.

RELEASE DATE: 11/05/2013