1983 Christmas comedyRating: 15/20
Plot: In the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, in the fictional 1940s, little Ralphie waits for Christmas and dreams of Santa Claus bringing him a BB gun even though his parents, his teacher, and even Santa warns him that he'll shoot his eyes out. Meanwhile, he deals with bullies, listens to the radio, watches his parents' passive-aggressive battles concerning a lewd lamp, hangs out with his friends, and curses.
I hadn't seen this in a while and completely forgot that it takes place in Indiana. Is it insanely popular in the rest of America (or, just the middle part of America) or is this strictly a Hoosier thing? I don't think this is uproariously funny, more mildly humorous and nostalgic, but it's quotable, has a couple scenes that could accurately be labeled as holiday movie classics, and is a rare example of a movie with heavy narration that actually works. I really like the goofy kid, played by Peter Billingsley, and I think the rapport between his parents works really well. Nice, subtle period details add to the flavor and make this one fit just like a comfortable shoe. I guess that's why people like it so much.
11 comments:
Even when TBS or TNT plays this for 24 straight hours, I still don't get sick of it. Your review is right, but I also give it a Darren McGavin bonus of two points. The narration is terrific, and I never tire of seeing the brother that is so bundled up that he can't put his arms down.
The fact that there is no real emotional force to the film keeps it from being truly great, but its incredible charm and watchability make it very good. We should rank Christmas movies, except your dubious placement of "It's a Wonderful Life" would be bound to cause trouble. A 17.
I don't typically like Christmas movies.
And yeah, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is underwhelmingly mediocre.
OK Scrooge, here you go...
10 Greatest Christmas movies:
1. It's a Wonderful Life -20
...a classic
2. A Christmas Story -17
...charming and fun
3. The Ref -17
...fighting family and foul fun
4. Scrooged -16
...great but lame last 15 minutes
5. Miracle on 34th Street -16
...another classic
6. Bad Santa -16
...a perfect Shane movie for X-Mas
7. Elf -15
...the best thing Will Farrell has done
8. Home Alone -15
...pissed Pesci and VIOLENCE
9. An American Christmas Carol -15
...Henry Winkler as Scrooge!!!!
10. A Christmas Carol (1951) -15
...Alistar Sim was created to play Scrooge
386. The Polar Express -8
...creepy and sucky
Discuss...
Well, I've got some Christmas movies for the blog in a couple days. I've never seen 'The Ref' and wouldn't have even been able to tell you that it was a Christmas movie. I've not seen the Henry Winkler one either. I tried to watch 'Bad Santa' on cable a week or so ago but it was so heavily censored that I gave up. And I agree with you about 'Polar Express'...I was just telling my students the other day that that is one of my least favorite movies. I saw that on a plane, one of the times we were out west for Christmas. On the way home, they were supposed to show the Wallace and Gromit movie, so I was excited and planned to stay up and watch it. Then they showed 'The Polar Express' again. I honestly thought that terrorists may have been involved.
Does 'Edward Scissorhands' count? That'll be my favorite Christmas movie. I also like 'The Muppets Christmas Carol' and 'Santa Claus Conquers the Martians'. I can't keep the other versions of 'A Christmas Carol' apart. If I think of more Christmas movies I like, I'll let you know later. Jen really likes 'Elf' and I think we're watching that tomorrow night.
I don't think "Edward Scissorhands" (as good as it is) counts any more than "Die Hard". I only chose movies where Christmas plays an integral part.
The ultimate sick humor double-feature would be "The Ref" and "Bad Santa", but only in their unedited forms (and probably watched alone so you are not embarrassed by what you laugh at).
I'm trying to think of other Christmas movies I've even seen...I'm excited about the one I'm watching tonight (I think) but I don't want to spoil the fun by telling you what it is.
'Jingle All the Way' with Sinbad and Arnold is one of the worst movies I remember seeing. It's probably nowhere near as bad as I think it is though. I actually sort of like the National Lampoon one, as much as I like 'Home Alone' anyway. You already know that I love 'Nightmare Before Christmas'...
I'm guessing you've not seen the new one with Jim Carrey...or that you don't like the Grinch movie with Jim Carrey.
Did you see 'Avatar' this weekend?
I'm waiting for reviews before deciding on "Avatar", but I've learned to not underestimate Cameron and his giant ego. No interest in Carrey Grinch, but will see Carrey Scrooge sometime. Liked "A Nightmare Before Christmas" OK, but I don't think I saw all of it. Haven't seen Chase movie... hate Chase. I am VERY curiuos about which one you are excited about.
Wow, Elf is the greatest Will Farrell ever? I couldn't make it past 20 minutes of Elf...
I like Plains, Trains, and Automobiles.. been a while tho...
Home for The Holidays is awesome, but thats a Thanksgiving movie...
Jingle All The Way was on yesterday, I saw Phil Hartman and started watching but then I saw Sinbad and Arnold and stopped watching... Ek!
I could just watch Charlie Brown xmas and Grinch on repeat and be happy... ya-hoo dooray ya-hoo dooray...
I have Scrooged on the way from Netflix haven't seen it since the theatre...
Merry Christmas Recommendation team!
Jen and I both like the new sitcom 'Community' with Chevy Chase in it.
I can't think of a good Will Ferrell movie. Somebody told me that 'Anchorman' is a "classic," so I watched that and didn't think it was funny at all. I guess I haven't seen a lot of them. Probably 'Curious George' is the best thing he's been involved with. You'll see soon enough that I don't like 'Elf' at all.
I really wish I would have stopped watching 'Jingle All the Way' once I found out Arnold and Sinbad were in it...I still can't get the taste of that one out of my mouth.
I saw the premiere of Community and forgave Chevy because he was only in like 3 seconds of it, but my god Shane, that show was AWFUL. But maybe it started getting better??
It took me a while to check out but 30 Rock is phenomenal now that you've moved into Must See TV....well I thought Christmas Vacation was a damned good xmas movie too...
I don't know if it's gotten better. For me, all these sitcoms take a while to get used to, let the character grow a little bit, etc. I don't think Jen and I really cared for the first episode of 'Community' either though, so maybe it did get better.
We also stuck with the 'Parks and Recreation' show, probably because it's supposed to take place in Indiana. That show actually has gotten better. It was barely watchable and now it's almost good.
We've always watched '30 Rock'...that show earned its place in the television hall of fame for the "I'm going to tear you open like a taun-taun" line. Yeah, it's much funnier in context.
Must-see t.v.! That is our television night, really all I watch unless '24' is on. Well, 'Jeopardy'...
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