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Jim Van Nest: I have to echo what Matthew said. Was the film award worthy? Of course not. But it was fun and cute and (as a former child who used to watch the cartoon) everything you would want or expect from a Smurfs movie. The box office does surprise me a bit and has me wondering...could the crazy heat all over the place be a contributing factor? No one wants to do anything outside, so they're seeing more movies? *shrugs*

David Mumpower: Jim knows that most of here believe that weather is always overstated as a box office factor...but I am willing to allow for the possibility that sunstroke was impacting the decision making of movie goers this weekend. As Brett alludes, The Smurfs has that Enchanted element of animated characters visiting the real world, making the film a twisted hybrid of Enchanted and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Such an unholy creation shouldn't be, but I cannot say I am shocked by this absolutely wonderful box office result.

PS: Spoilers, Matthew! You've ruined the M. Night Shyamalan-esque twist at the end of the film! Actually, spoil me a bit more. Do any Smurfs die screaming? I might go see The Smurfs if that happens.

Hey, Fright Night is still on its way.

Kim Hollis: Do you believe this weekend unofficially signifies the end of 1980s nostalgia or do you believe the remarkably strong showing will enhance interest in other projects? If so, which ones do you think will get a longer look?

Bruce Hall: I don't think it will ever truly end. Other vestiges of my childhood primed for big screen rapine and plunder include, but are certainly not limited to the following: There's Alf, the loveable plush alien who makes wisecracks, eats cats and was funny for about ten minutes. There's Magnum P.I., which almost assuredly will happen. There's 21 Jumpstreet, which of course is already in production and of course stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. I also started to cry a little as I typed that. There's The Last Starfighter. There's He-Man, which has already been done, but since when has that ever stopped anyone from doing it AGAIN? There's CHiPs - and before you correct me, it was on longer in the '80s than it was in the '70s. I keep hearing about a Spy Hunter movie. I just read something about a Space Invaders movie (if you think that wasn't popular in the '80s, you never went to an arcade), which I'm assuming that will star a shameless former A-Lister like Anthony Hopkins or Liam Neeson, one of those androgynous twits from Twilight and some up and coming tween actress with an improbable name like Portland Light-Spackle. The list goes on and on. You ask if this is the end? Sadly, Kim, I don't think we've even seen the beginning. Buckle up. It's gonna be a long ride.

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