Scoot & Kassie's Christmas Adventure

Former heartthrob hunk Luke Perry is a widowed father in this holiday-themed movie that follows the Stevenson family's move to a new small town. Amiable ‘tween Kassie (Ariana Bagley) doesn't fit right in with her peers but finds some solace after discovering poor bedraggled German shepherd “Scoot,” a former police dog who was injured and lost following a daring chase of mean robbers in which he nearly drowned. Nursing Scoot back to health with the help of her older sister, Kassie eventually becomes involved in a children's choir, where she butts heads with a grouchy 10-year-old Queen Bee, introduces the rest of the gang to a sweet song penned by her late mother, and rallies her new friends to raise money for a Toys for Tots fund at her dad's work. Incidentally, Dad works at a bank, where a security guard with a shifty past does not go unrecognized by Scoot. A heartwarming story (and hey, it has Luke Perry and a dog!), this festive family tale is easily recommended. [Note: DVD extras include deleted scenes (4 min.), a gag reel (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a solid Christmas flick.] (J. Williams-Wood)