A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at
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| A Christmas Story (Two-Disc Special Edition) |
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Product Description |
| A Christmas Story is on its way to becoming an annual holiday classic, one to keep on the shelf with It's a Wonderful Life, the puppet-animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. It may have been directed by Bob Clark (responsible for the Porky's pictures), but it's based on the childhood memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd (from his hilarious book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash). And it is Shepherd's wry, deadly accurate, and gently nostalgic comic sensibility that shines through in this kid's-eye view of an all-American Christmas in the 1940s. All little Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants under the tree on Christmas morning is a Daisy Brand Red-Ryder BB rifle. He not only wants it, he's consumed with an aching desire for it. Unfortunately, his mother (Melinda Dillon) repeatedly crushes his dreams with the familiar, harsh mantra: "You'll shoot your eye out!" Among the movie's highlights are a surrealistic visit with little brother Randy to a department store Santa, and the childlike mixture of delight, pride, and awe with which Ralphie's dad (Darren McGavin) takes possession of a spectacularly gaudy prize he's won in a radio contest. McGavin should have won an award for his splendid comic work as a middle-aged-kid-turned-patriarch who alternates between grown-up temper tantrums and unabashed juvenile joy. --Jim Emerson |
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Customer Reviews |
 You'll shoot your eye out! |
| Review Date: February 23, 2007 |
| Reviewer: E. A Solinas, MD USA |
I was almost finished recording "A Christmas Story" on this Christmas morning. Fifteen minutes before it ended, my father walked in and said that we would get the special edition.
That I didn't go postal at losing an hour and a half shows how much I love "A Christmas Story." This 1983 classic is not just a heartwarming little story about a loving (if bickery) family in the rather dour America of the late 1940s, but a hysterical comedy about what it's like to be a kid at Christmas.
Ralphie Parker's (Peter Billingsley) Christmas wishes are simple: a official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass and a "thing that tells time." But his mom says he'll shoot his eye out. So Ralphie begins a quiet crusade to get it as a present -- he writes an essay on it and even asks Santa, only to get the same terrible reply: "You'll shoot your eye out."
As the days tick down to Christmas -- with no sign of an air rifle -- Ralphie hits other obstacles when he clashes with bullies, says "the mother of all dirty words," and watches his parents battle it out over a tacky "major award" (leg lamp). But there are surprises in store for the Parker family on Christmas morning -- and some of them involve smelly bloodhounds.
Yes, the plot is pretty simple -- it's the delivery that makes it special. Narrated by an adult Ralphie who offers his slightly sardonic take on everything ("We plunged into the cornucopia quivering with desire and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice"), it's completely tuned in to how kids think, and how a toy can seem like the most important thing in the world.
Fortunately the scriptwriters never condescend to the audience by adding some kind of syrupy message -- after all, real life doesn't work that way. Instead there are all sorts of classic moments -- the leg lamp, Chinese turkey, the terrifying visit to Santa ("HOOOO HOOOO HOOO!"), and Ralphie's fantasies of defending his family with "Ol' Blue."
But Jean Shepherd deserves especial credit for bringing this movie to life, with a constant snowstorm of one-liners and hilarious dialogue: "Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap." "He looks like a pink nightmare!" "Oh FUUUDDDDGGGE!" and others.
Billingsley is a little stiff as Ralphie, but gives the portrayal of this everykid his charming, slightly frenetic best. Melinda Dillon and Darin McGavin are the comic geniuses here, with their slightly kooky but loving parents (one of the highlights is Dillon's "show me how the piggies eat!" scene), and there's an array of very convincing bullies and classmates too.
"A Christmas Story" didn't get much notice when it came out in 1983. But now it's one of the quintessential holiday movies, and a must-see at Christmastime. |
An Acquired Taste
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| Review Date: December 15, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| When I was a kid, they used to make us watch this movie at school every Christmas, and I HATED it! I used to dread the last day of school before Xmas break, when I'd have to hear "Show me how a piggy eats!" However, as an adult, I have come to love this movie for the Christmas classic it is--it is right up there with "Rudolph". That said, if you are looking for a schmaltzy, syrupy sweet holiday movie, "A Christmas Story" is NOT for you. I mean, my favourite scene is when you get to hear poor Schwartz get beaten by his mom over the phone ("What'd I do?! Ow! Ahhh!"). If, like me, your list of good Xmas flicks includes things like "Christmas Vacation", or even "Gremlins", you may appreciate this movie. By the way, did anyone notice a grown up Peter Billingsley as an elf in the movie "Elf"? |
That BB gun.....................,
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| Review Date: November 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jenny J.J.I., That Lives in Carolinas |
The first time I watched this movie was at the age of ten and I love it ever since. Ralphie and his obsession with a Red Ryder BB gun is an annual classic. I think that everyone can relate to Ralphie's Old Man and his mother. Randy the little brother is adorable too. I watch this movie every year during the holidays. I laugh ever time I watch it. I think that everybody should have this movie it makes a very good Christmas present.
Set in the 40s, for those who grow up in the 60s could easily identify with the themes of "A Christmas Story". Contains great lessons for any rambunctious youngsters contemplating sticking their tongues to flagpoles in the dead of winter or playing around with BB guns. Absolutely PRICELESS and a must-have for holiday video collectors. You will laugh yourself senseless.
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SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!
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| Review Date: June 30, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Sandeeee, AnytownPA |
This is the BEST holiday movie to date...
It has everything...laughs, drama, and it's heartwarming just the same...brings back alot of memories....LOVED IT!! |
a christmas story
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| Review Date: January 4, 2000 |
| Reviewer: karla, worthington, ohio |
| any one who can't overlook the mild profanity....which, in reality is never verbalized (it's all implied! ! ! !)probably doesn't know how to laugh anymore...too much holiday stress maybe? a christmas story is an INNOCENT tale of hope...one i gladly, happily share with my children and look forward to sharing with their children. |
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Tagged with: christmas • edition • special • story • twodisc
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