A Christmas Story (1983)

I'll tell you why so serious

An Exercise In Nonsense

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The acting in this movie is really good.

This story is told from the vantage point of an ten year old boy. The boy is self-centered, willful, manipulative, in short, obnoxious. Everything in the story is about him. He is the center of his own personal universe. His likes his parents, but to him they are merely means through which to gain gratification. His father is a gruff sounding but caring and responsible working man; his mother is a house wife. The story provides little information about them. All that is known is learned from the boy, and his perceptions are limited. The movie ostensibly is a comedy. However , it pokes fun at the parents, who really aren't subjects who warrant derision. The story also takes shots at the crass materialism associated with Christmas. here, the story is more effective as a satire. It is difficult not to find something about Christmas that cannot be parodied. Already a cynic, the boy knows that it's all a bunch of baloney. All he wants is a certain present. He knows Santa won't be bringing it, so he is forced to use subterfuge to get his way. To find out what happens, watch the movie. But don't be fooled by the title. Although set during Christmas., this story is about a lot more than a holiday.

A Christmas Story has become a festive classic in North America with a lot of subsequent films trying to replicate its success.It follows the nostalgic tinged tale of young Ralphie (as told by his adult self) a schoolboy in 1940s America who wants a BB gun for Christmas which his mum tells him will shoot his eye out. We see Ralphie getting up to pranks with his fellow classmates, being bullied by a rough kid, going to see Santa at the department store and of course his life with his parents and younger brother with tales of his dad winning a prize of a stockinged leg which he uses as a lamp.Darren McGavin looks too old to be their dad. Peter Billingsley brings a lot of charm as the precocious bespectacled Ralphie for whom life never quite turns out as he imagined in his head such as trying to lay hints of what he would like for Christmas.It is whimsical and fun but I would not call it a Christmas classic.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY Christmas MOVIES AS I CAN. Say what you want about modern films about the holidays. Yes The Hallmark Movies seem to follow a pattern. They are uninspired and always seem to cast the same people in everything. However the jewel of Modern Christmas Movies is not made by Hallmark but by MGM and it is the crown jewel of "Modern Christmas Films" and that film is "A Christmas Story".Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.This film is perfect. It captures what every child feels like at Christmas. The cast is perfect and the film is never dull. What was nice about this film was that it was very respectful of the holiday itself and it showed how all of us go through some sort of stress during Christmas. The film not a huge success when released in 1983 however home video and cable showing the show developed a huge following. Its easy to see why. It is the perfect family holiday film. Its not sappy and its not snarky. It is a tribute to the way America celebrates Christmas. My Christmas is not complete without watching this

My favorite Christmas film even better than its a wonderful life which I enjoy a lot Warm without being mawkish .IT's based on a book called in god we trust all others pay cash which I didn't really like with the exception of the chapter on which this film is based which was written by jean shepherd who also contributes a witty narration. good performances all round especially peter billingsly as ralphie and the late Darren mcgavin as the father .What really makes this film work though is writer director bob Clark's warm hearted but never over sentimental approach which is the essence of the book and his episodic but still cohesive and humorous script .A few moments in the film may be unsuitable for young children after all bob Clark made porky's as well. But don't let that put you off this is a great treat for all the family. Unfortunately Its not well known this side of the pond unlike America where watching it is as tradiontal as turkey for Christmas dinner a situation which could be rectified by a channel showing it or by it's release on Blu-ray or DVD over here which sad to say is all rather unlikely due to the fact that its more of a interpretation of Christmas more familiar to Americans than us but we this side of the pond should enjoy Its available as either a us DVD or Blu-ray import It's sure to put you in the festive mood but most of all it's very funny .I highly recommend it.