Rating: 
Summary: I Don't Get It
Review:
Why has this become a classic holiday movie? I'm no big fan of schmaltz, but A CHRISTMAS STORY is utterly devoid of warmth. Its characters are unlikable, everything looks grimy and cheap, and Jean Shepherd's Lake Woebegonish narration is grating.
Next Christmas, skip TBS' 24-hour marathon and watch LORD OF THE RINGS, PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, SOME LIKE IT HOT, heck, ANYTHING but this.
Rating: 
Summary: Peace. Harmony. Comfort and Joy...Maybe Next Year
Review: "A Christmas Story (1983)" is as perfect a holiday movie as was ever produced in Hollywood. I applaud this Special Edition to be released, which provides the first-ever DVD version of the movie in the widescreen format, with a secondary disc of expected extras. If ever a Christmas movie deserved special treatment, it is this film.The movie is absolutely unique: a non-traditional yule time tale surrounding one special Christmas in the life of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker. Somehow, it manages at the same time to provide not just a laugh-out-loud hysterical glimpse of events, but a loving, tender, almost reverential look at homespun holiday traditions and cherished American values. In doing so, it completely transcends the genre and becomes not just a classic first-rate holiday movie, but a classic first-rate movie. In fact, Siskel and Ebert put it on their 10 best films list of 1983. Based on a segment from the brilliant novel "In God We Trust," by Jean Shepherd (who also helped pen the screenplay and narrates the movie as the adult Ralphie), the story is set in Indiana during the 1940s, but was filmed with a timeless quality evoking the rich images of Norman Rockwell illustrations unexpectedly combined with touches of Tim Burton-like looniness. Well-deserved kudos should go to Director Robert Clark III. Like most kids, Ralphie's world revolves around Christmas and enduring school until the holiday break. This year, Ralph has been waging a campaign to receive the greatest Christmas present in the history of Christmas presents: a Red Ryder BB gun, with a compass in the stock. Unfortunately, his mother believes he is likely to "shoot his eye out," so she is resolutely against the gift. It is against this backdrop that we meet Ralph's family, his mother and father (whose first names we never learn), and younger brother Randy, along with a host of Ralph's friends and his school teacher. We also meet the classic school ground bully, Scut (not Scott) Farcus, who is so vicious that he has yellow eyes ("I swear to God, yellow eyes"), and his little "toadie" henchman. Through the Parker family, we are privy to the weeks leading up to Christmas, and the grand day itself. Along the way, we are given so many memorable events that it is impossible to relate them all here. Meatloaf, the purchase of a Christmas tree, a certain curse word, a very "leggy" lamp, a tongue frozen to a flag pole, a grumpy Santa, triple-dog dare, Lifebouy soap, a blimp, Chinese turkey, and a movie-long battle between "The Old Man" and the furnace are only a few of the unforgettable gems. The talented cast, which includes Peter Billingsley as Ralphie and Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin as his parents, shine as brightly as Christmas stars. If you have never seen this movie, you owe it to yourself and your family to take this opportunity and watch it. The movie has the power to change the way you look at Christmas, and Christmas films forever. For me, it has become a yearly mainstay, as moving and memorable as "It's a Wonderful Life," or any other holiday film. It is my Red Ryder BB gun, "the best Christmas present I ever received, or would ever receive."
Rating:
Summary: One of the great holiday classics
Review: "A Christmas Story" belongs right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street" and "A Christmas Carol" (choose your favorite version) in the canon of great, indispensable Christmas movies. Though set in the 1940s, it's story is timeless, taking us back to when we were kids and so desperately wanted that one special gift under the tree on Christmas morning. The movie brilliantly captures the obsession of young Ralphie and his quest to ask Santa for a Red Ryder BB gun, relaying perfectly the magic and thrill of Christmas through a child's eyes. Intermingled with this are wonderful, hilarious snippets of the absurdities of everyday life, from poor Flick getting his tongue frozen to a lamppost, to the perpetually smoking coal furnace, to Ralphie getting his mouth washed out with soap for saying "fudge" (though he actually said something else other than "fudge"), to the family's hapless introduction to "Chinese turkey." This is one of those rare movies that I can watch again and again. In fact, Christmas isn't complete without at least one viewing. This DVD is worthy of anyone's collection; in fact, if you have a VHS version, you've probably worn it out.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Christmas Present
Review: "A Christmas Story" is a fun, funny and nostalgic look at Christmas in the late forties or early fifties, when every ten year old boy dreamed of owning a Red Ryder BB gun. I know, because I wanted one too, in spite of the universal warning from every adult I met: "You'll shoot your eye out!" This film depicts Ralphie Parker, a kid after my own heart, who plots and schemes to get that Red Ryder BB gun. He writes an essay for his teacher about the ultimate Christmas present, and daydreams of winning the Nobel Prize in literature for the essay, or whatever the kid's equivalent may be. But his teacher's reaction is not what he hoped for! He waits in a long line at a department store to tell Santa to bring him the BB gun, then freezes in fear and can't speak. Finally, he blurts it out. Santa is less than enthusiastic. Meanwhile, Ralphie deals with bullies, a little brother whose snow suit is so thick he can't lower his arms, a friend who gets his tongue frozen to a pole, and is forced to wear ridiculous bunny suit pajamas that his aunt made him for Christmas. Ralphie's father, played by Darrin McGavin, is a character himself, always trying to sneak a bit of the Christmas turkey before it's done ("you'll get worms," his wife warns). Dad is proud of a lamp he won, in the shape of a ladies stockened leg (the ultimate in bad taste) which he insists on displaying in the window for all the neighbors. His wife has other ideas. This film was very reminiscent of my own childhood at Christmas time, and it is true to the time period. Most of all, it is a laugh-riot! I loved the ending shot as the credits roll - a late forties auto sits in the driveway of a forties style house, its window filled with a sparkling Christmas tree in multicolored lights, as snowflakes fall.
Rating:
Summary: Full of warm characters and genuine humor!
Review: "A Christmas Story" is a warm holiday movie filled with memorable moments and genuinely funny circumstances set in a time that has ceased to exist in America. It's a simple child's tale of the all-American Christmas, capturing a picture-perfect portrait of holiday warmth and zest through its delectable combination of laughter and touching moments. Most importantly, the film recalls the pleasures of childhood during the Christmas season, and that can provide as much joy as any other film. The story is based on a segment of Jean Sheperd's novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," a personal memoir of his experiences. It helps that Sheperd collaborated in the creation of the screenplay, as well as lending his narration as the adult voice of Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley), who wants nothing more than to wake up on Christmas morning and find a "genuine Red Ryder 200-Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle" under the tree. Ralphie doesn't merely want this gift, but yearns for it with every fiber of his childhood being. His convictions that an English paper on what he wants for Christmas, as well as putting in his request to Santa Claus, stand as his assurance that he cannot fail in his quest. Of course, there are obstacles, made whimsical and witty by director Bob Clark's wonderful knack for situational humor. His mother's words, "You'll shoot your eye out," seem to echo from the mouths of everyone around, including his would-be alibi, Santa Claus, who is seen in a most frightening light by the children who line up to sit on his lap. Even Ms. Shields, his teacher, is a dead end, granting him a C+ on his "All I Want For Christmas" theme paper with a small note toting Mrs. Parker's infamous warning. The film is a very warm and inviting Christmas story, capturing the holiday season of yesteryear in an authentic and gleeful manner. Set in Indiana in the 1940's, Clark captures small vignettes of the time period through Ralphie's life experiences, from his eager anticipation of a secret decoder machine sent by the radio show he listens to every night at 6:45, to his punishment for using foul language by keeping a bar of Lifebuoy soap in his mouth for a prolonged period of time ("Over the years, I got to be quite a connoisseur pf soap..."). What helps the movie in the long run are its characters, who never overstay their welcome or lose the appeal they possess. Ralphie's parents, known only to us as Mom and the Old Man, are the perfect parents: his mother, played with supreme charm by Melinda Dillon, is a warm and caring woman, as shown in her methods of getting younger brother Randy to eat by referring to him as "Mommy's little piggy," and in her protective yet nurturing nature in regards to her children. His father, a stern yet gentle man, is the ideal working-class family man who sits at the table, reads his paper, but still exudes a great deal of caring for his family. Darren McGavin's performance as Mr. Parker deserves high praise, especially in his childlike glee over winning a table lamp in the shape of a woman's leg. Billingsley is the most notable of these actors, instilling Ralphie with all the emotions and thoughts a normal child experiences. His run-ins with neighborhood bully Scut Farcus provides a truly satisfying scene of turning the tables, while his daydreams of getting an A+ on his English paper and his going blind from "soap poisoning" are filled wit merriment and humor. I think what "A Christmas Story" captures most effectively is the unbearable countdown to Christmas Day, which, for a child, can be the most excruciating twenty-four days of the year. Here is a movie that is guaranteed to bring back wonderful memories of childhood, with something that everyone from all generations can relate to, whether it be the joys of the long-awaited Christmas morning, or the shared pleasure of reliving the time and place, and the painstaking accuracy with which it is portrayed.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Christmas Movie
Review: "A Christmas Story" is easily my favorite Christmas movie. The only one that gives it a run for its money is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". No, not the Jim Carrey one. "A Christmas Story" is based upon the book by Jean Sheperd "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash". It relates the story of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy growing up in 1930s Indiana. All he wants for Christmas is an "official Red Ryder Carbine Action, 200 Shot, Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time." Of course his mom (Melinda Dillon), and seemingly every other adult he encounters, tells him that all he'll do is shoot his eye out. Ralphie spends a lot of time figuring out how he can convince his parents to buy him the gun. Ralphie has other things going on too. He hangs out with his friends Flick (Scott Schwartz) and Schwartz (R.D. Robb), he avoids getting beat up by bully Scott Farcus (Zack Ward), and he listens regularly to the "Little Orphan Annie" radio show. "A Christmas Story" brings back to mind those days when Christmas mattered for the sheer anticipation of getting presents, not having to go to school, and for being the center of attention. Ralphie is still at an age when he didn't know that the holiday season is a pressure filled time of the year. While the saying is that it is better to give than to receive, we all know that Christmas is never quite the same once we're expected to buy gifts too. "A Christmas Story" revels in that time when Christmas is just about having fun and getting presents.
Rating: 
Summary: MEDIOCRE TRANSFER FOR THIS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC!
Review: "A Christmas Story" is the brilliant spoof and satire of 'traditional' family life. Set from the rose-colored memories of a child, looking back on his childhood, 9 year old Ralphie wants nothing more than to own a shot gun. A slew of calamities persist and culminate in a hilarious Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Really, this is one funny film!
TRANSFER: Warner gives us an average effort that really doesn't live up to their usual sterling quality. Contrast levels are low and the colors are somewhat muted. Still, this is the first chance we've been given to see the film in its original aspect ratio. Pixelization, aliasing and edge enhancement exist throughout the transfer. The audio is mono and nicely balanced. Disappointing - nevertheless.
EXTRAS: The author of the book - Jean Shepherd, reads his story, a documentary on the making of the film and some hidden easter eggs (how ironic - easter eggs for Christmas!)and a theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: You know Warner isn't going to be remastering this movie again so this is the version you should be buying. It's just not an outstanding effort, though.
Rating:
Summary: "Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie!"
Review: "No, I promise you, Daddy is not going to kill Ralphie." One of the many exchanges in this film that makes me laugh every time. "Christmas Story" is a movie that always gives me the warm fuzzies. What could have been just another story of childhood is enhanced by Ralphie's vivid imagination (the dream sequences are hilarious) and Jean Shepherd's amusing narration. A classic to be treasured.
Rating: 
Summary: The Moose Hole - The Perfect 'Christmas Story' for Everyone
Review: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." With those six simple words not only were dreams of an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle altered forever, so were the normal holiday movie traditions of Americans across the country. As popular as this feature is today, this did not take hold until quite recently. When A Christmas Story opened in theaters back in 1983, the studio that produced the film had no confidence in it, thus launching the film in only 886 theaters. By the end of its run, the film pulled in a disappointing $19 million and its television rights had been sold off quickly without a second thought. It wasn't until the TNT television network began to offer numerous viewings of the classic holiday comedy over the festive season did the film begin to finally be accepted by the masses. Now A Christmas Story has joined the ranks of such other yuletide treasures as It's a Wonderful Life and A Charlie Brown Christmas as a true staple of this special time of year. The story fellows the adventures of a young boy set against the Christmas holiday in the 1940's as he dreams of the perfect holiday gift. Ralphie Parker is like any other typical young boy in the 1940's but there is something that does set him apart from the rest of the pack. His aspirations for an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle, the one item that he believes to be the perfect Christmas present. Unfortunately for young Ralphie, he faces stern opposition from his mother who believes the toy will "shoot his eye out". He receives no help from his father who is too busy holding off the Bumbus hounds or shouting at the furnace, so Ralphie seeks to find higher help for his cause, the big man himself: Santa Claus. But even this last splint of hope is dashed to pieces with those devastating words coming from the "jolly" fat man himself, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." All hope seems lost for poor Ralphie but if only he knew what Christmas Day would bring! The plot for A Christmas Story is one of the most wonderful concepts ever attempted in a holiday feature film and what makes it so memorable is the fact that many elements, no matter how elaborated, can be related by one family or another in some point in their lives. The biggest highlight of the comedy has to be how each character is cast perfectly. Peter Billingsley, who takes on the role of Ralph Parker, showcases a delightful performance despite his relatively young age. Many of the funniest moments of the feature come from his reactions alone to certain situations. Melinda Dillion gives a wonderful if not eerily familiar performance of Ralphie's typical 1940's mother. She works perfectly opposite Darren McGavin especially over the battle of the broken leg lamp. McGavin more then likely outshines them all with his over-the-top performance as Ralphie's Old Man. His shoutings of "Don't anybody move!" and "Notafinga!" will likely stand the test of theatrical comedic time but it is his overall good fatherly nature that makes every audience member feel as if they are witness a part of their own familiar past. Though he is not remembered by his name, Jeff Gillen does a hilarious take on the mall-Santa, stingy elfs and all. And Jean Shepard, who wrote the book on which this film is based on, gives a perfect off-beat narration of the film with perfect tones and comments for each situation as it happens in the feature. The narration works almost as well alone as the actions performed in A Christmas Story. Overall, Can the Christmas season be fully complete without at least one viewing of A Christmas Story? You can try but all bets are that even the "Grinchiest" person can't escape the irresistible personality of this yuletide comedy. There are so many wonderful things going for this film that it is hard to pick out the flaws. If anything, the last portion of A Christmas Story tends to drag a little bit near the end unlike earlier parts where actions were performed in a much quicker pace. In a way like Christmas Vacation, many of the elements within A Christmas Story connect with someone at one point or another based on their own Christmas experiences with their family. Though some would not like to admit some of the more embarrassing memories (aka looking like a pink nightmare on Christmas morning), we can all relate to young Ralphie's blight of getting the perfect Christmas gift when we were his age. But in the end, we realize that family, no matter how embarrassing or bumbling they may be, is what is the most important during the holidays. That is one memory that we should always keep close to our hearts no matter what time of the year.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great holiday classics
Review: "A Christmas Story" belongs right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street" and "A Christmas Carol" (choose your favorite version) in the canon of great, indispensable Christmas movies. Though set in the 1940s, it's story is timeless, taking us back to when we were kids and so desperately wanted that one special gift under the tree on Christmas morning. The movie brilliantly captures the obsession of young Ralphie and his quest to ask Santa for a Red Ryder BB gun, relaying perfectly the magic and thrill of Christmas through a child's eyes. Intermingled with this are wonderful, hilarious snippets of the absurdities of everyday life, from poor Flick getting his tongue frozen to a lamppost, to the perpetually smoking coal furnace, to Ralphie getting his mouth washed out with soap for saying "fudge" (though he actually said something else other than "fudge"), to the family's hapless introduction to "Chinese turkey." Indeed, the entire movie has a subversive edge that lets it be nostalgic without sinking into schmaltz. This is one of those rare movies that I can watch again and again. In fact, Christmas isn't complete without at least one viewing. This DVD is worthy of anyone's collection; in fact, if you have a VHS version, you've probably worn it out.
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