Christmas Story

Pros: Great stories, wonderful cast, and written for both adults and kids.
Cons: None that I can see.

Out of all the various sorts of movies set in and around and about the Christmas holiday, my personal favorite is this one. It's sentimental, but not in a sticky-sweet way; it evokes a rosy-coloured past, but keeps both feet firmly planted on the ground. ...

Pros: Funny, Attention to detail, Nostalgia
Cons: Nothing major, just lacked a little "je ne sais quoi"

A Christmas Story (1983) has been in my classics “must see” list for a while now. Having grown up outside of the United States, the movie does not strike the same synonymous tones with the holiday season as it does almost unanimously for ...

Pros: Funny and nostalgic; excellent script and performances
Cons: Grown-up tone of narration makes film less appropriate for kids than you might think

When I realized that the witty and beloved 1983 film A Christmas Story already had 99 reviews just here in the Epinions database, I debated for a while about whether or not I should write the 100th. Does the world really need 100 reviews of this ...

Pros: Fun, entertaining Christmas movie. Good acting.
Cons: Not for everyone. One thing didn't work for me.

There are several Christmas movies that I enjoy watching every year. Some, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)< a>, I have watched since childhood and others I didn't see until years later. I only saw A ...

Pros: A wonderfully witty script, solid performances, especially McGavin and Billingsley
Cons: None

Following in the well-trodden footpaths carved by A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, 1983's collaboration between Porky's director Bob Clark and humorist Jean Shepherd, A Christmas ...

Pros: Classic Christmas Movie, warm characters, fun look at perils of holiday childhood
Cons: Very episodic...but they're funny episodes.

Somehow, even though I was exactly the right age to join the "A Christmas Story" cult when it came out in 1983, I missed it.  Maybe it's because my parents generally sneered at Christmas movies, maybe it's because we were too broke to go see ...

Pros: acting, pace, humor, story
Cons: may be too filled with sentimentality to some

For some people, Christmas means the perfect celebration. You know the kind. Their kids all look perfect in the Christmas photo in velvet dresses and vests, sitting in front of the perfect fire with the perfect Christmas tree nearby. A visit to their ...

Pros: The acting and look evoke the time
Cons: So many stories make the movie disjointed

While there are many Christmas movies I grew up watching, A Christmas Story wasn't one of them. But I had heard so many people talk about it so fondly over the years, I knew I had to give it a try. I think thanks to those glowing comments, I was ...

Pros: Fun for the whole family, including your family Scrooge
Cons: Cheesy sequel It Runs In The Family

I first saw A Christmas Story as an 8 year old in 1984, watching as it played on heavy rotation on HBO. You’d think as a child I would have become bored after seeing it for the 32nd or 100th time, but no, I found it completely entertaining...

Pros: Vivid storytelling, Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
Cons: Not here

My 100th Epinion is dedicated to the memory of Jean Shepherd (1921-1999), a native son of northwest Indiana who shared his gift of humor with the world. He lives on through works like this.

A Christmas Story is the tale of the...

Pros: hilarious
Cons: What was a hillbilly doing in the middle of the city?

The repetition of this discouraging phrase from everyone in young Ralphie's (Peter Billingsley) life from his teacher to the Santa Claus in the mall is not enough to stop him from setting his sights on the one Christmas present he truly craves: a Red...

Pros: Good-natured humorous tale that even cynics can appreciate.
Cons: TV networks overplay it EVERY year at holiday time.

Judging from the number of times A Christmas Story gets played on network and cable TV during the Holiday season, it must seem like the movie was a massive hit when it was released. However, it was not so. When the movie was first released in 1983, most ...

Pros: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin
Cons: Kids may yearn for their own Red Ryder 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle

Here's another great Christmas classic that is must holiday viewing. Jean Shepherd's humourous reminiscences have been transformed into a wonderful film by director Bob Clark. Shepherd, for those of you who don't know, was famous for his radio...

Pros: One of those Christmas movies that isn't so sappy that you'll get ill
Cons: Christmas comes but once a year

There are a lot of Christmas movies I truly, truly hate. I've had my filled of mass-produced garbage that's put out there as an excuse to make a quick buck because it's a holiday. I'm absolutely sick of those goofy, unrealistic "Christmas is magic...

Pros: Laugh until your belly hurts
Cons: Minor childhood violence - a fight

The innocence of a child with the desire for a toy that engulfs his mind, body, and soul is what you'll see in this hysterical movie.

The theme is one that will bring back memories for anyone who ever had to absolutely HAD to have something....