THEME:   There is probably a theme here, but I couldn't spot it in two or three minutes, so I lost interest.   
GOOD ONES:     Star witnesses?   MAGI [particularly fond of this one]   
Rod in a hot rod   AXLE [I thought piston at first]   
Money mgrs.?   EDS [editors of the magazine]      
BTW:   Smudge   BLUR [I had BLOT, and mine's better]      
Driving with abandon   JOY RIDING [JOY RIDING is just motoring for the fun of it; driving with abandon suggests dangerous maneuvering and/or speeding]      
Sleigh ride song   NOEL [Noels tend to be those Christmas songs which are religious in nature; sleigh ride songs ("Sleigh Ride," e.g.) are simply winter airs.]      
RATING:    

Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun