A Christmas Story

[Guest cooby]

I have seen it probably twice, and while it is full of charm, I think twice in one lifetime is enough for me.
However, I realize that lots of folks can't see it enough, including my parents.

How do we, as a group, feel about A Christmas Story?

One leg lamp is minimum likage.

[seawolf17]

Liked it back in the day, but at this point, I'd rather shoot my eye out. A generous 2 lamps from me.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

I love it. I watch it repeatedly every Christmas season. 5 leg lamps for me.

[Guest Kong76]

I'll have to abstain, courteously, until I see it (although from the sounds of it
I don't know how I've missed it or that I'll like it). Maybe the A&P will have one
for 3.99 at the checkout line this week.

I like Scrooge with Albert Finney, thank ya very much!

[metsmarathon]

it weirds me out a bunch of times, but i keep on liking it enough for four leg lamps worth.

the next vote will break the five-way tie!

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

KC wrote: I'll have to abstain, courteously, until I see it (although from the sounds of it I don't know how I've missed it or that I'll like it). Maybe the A&P will have one for 3.99 at the checkout line this week.

Watch it with KB - my bet is that she'll love it.

[Guest Kong76]

My doubts on this movie slide even further ....

[MFS62]

Four leg lamps.
I loved the story when I first read it by Jean Sheapard.
The only thing keeping it from a five lamp rating is the boy actor who plays Ralphie(Peter Billingsley?). Even though I should have the entire script memorized by now, I still can't understand some of his lines.

Later

[Guest cooby]

Btw, I gave it three.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was generous too and gave it two lamps.

In the other thread I called it "unwatchable" which was a bit harsh. I don't think it's all that funny though.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

My first real professional boss, a newspaper editor, grew up in Indiana in the 40s and 50s and was a warm-hearted guy I liked and respected a lot. He was a kind of grizzled guy who'd seen a lot and forgotten little and he said the flick was exactly what it was like growing up in Indiana, sort of the same way my friend's Marine-corps veteran dad said no movie ever told what training was like till the first 45 minutes of PLATOON did.

So with that as a backdrop I gave Xmas Story a chance and enjoy it fine every time I see it, being as it's become part of the season, like holiday music, etc. It's not a movie I'd watch in July; but as we were relaxing on xmas eve, we let it run its continuous loop on TBS and didn;t mind a bit.

I think edgy raised a good point about the movie's flaws, sorta dumbly-done fantasy scenes, but the guy who played the Dad was awesome, the writing was obviously sharp, and there's certain parts -- beating up the Bully, the little kid overwrapped in warm-weather gear to the point where he can't move (reminds me of my little brother at the bus stop), the whole triple-dog dare thing, the moment he realizes the scam of the decoder ring -- that ring very true with what it was like to be a kid in anticipation of xmas and only beginning to understand how to get what he wants in a world run by adults.

So, I give it a 4.

[RealityChuck]

One of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. It's a film that's funnier each time you see it, with some great performances (notably McGavin and Billingsley), a delightful sense of place, and a real understanding of what it's like to be a kid. You can always see something new and funny in it, often hiding in the background, and if's smart enough to know that the best comedy comes from watching people's reactions.

About the only Christmas comedy that matches it (and it slightly better due to the fact it has more of a message) is Miracle on 34th Street.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

RealityChuck wrote: About the only Christmas comedy that matches it (and it slightly better due to the fact it has more of a message) is Miracle on 34th Street.

I'm with you Chuck. 100%

[DocTee]

Top three Christmas movies:

Miracle on 34th Street
A Christmas Story
Elf

BTW, I gave it five lamps-- some lines are classic.

This is destined to become our generation's "It's a Wonderful Life" for better or worse.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think part of the reason it flopped initially was that dumb fantasy scene coming pretty early in the film (though after the cool scene of the toy store window). Later audiences maybe discovered the movie after tuning in partway through when the film had hit its stride with the department store Santa or the double-dog dare.

McGavin (Dad) was great about using his whole body in his scenes ("Would you look at that?! You've got to see it from out here!")

[Guest jerseyshore]

Back in the day, WOR radio in NY broadcast the Jean Sheppard Radio program....the one hour version of "the Christmas Story" from that show will live forever in my memory as the greatest Christmas story told.....That being said, I give the movie 4 lamps...

[Theoldmole]

I gave it 4, and I remember the radio version too. That was five.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It seems two out-of-circulation sequels were shot to this with the only returning cast member being Shepherd as the narrator. The Old Man is subsequently played by James B. Sikking in 1989 and Charles Grodin in 1994.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, it looks like, as someone who doesn't love this movie, I am in the minority, but at least I'm not alone.

[Guest sharpie]

I gave it a 3. I watched it about 8 or 9 years ago and have seen bits and pieces of it since but the one time was enough. A few memorable scenes.

[Elster88]

A Christmas Story is not my deal.