A Christmas Story Christmas

[MIGrandma]

Never saw the first one until several years ago when we saw it performed at our local playhouse. Loved it, so had to watch the DVD. We watch it at least once or twice during the season. I would love to see the sequel, but we don’t subscribe and with no free trial we won’t be able to. Hopefully it will come out on DVD, or on Netflix or Amazon eventually.

 

[tvguy]

I feel exactly the same way. DH and I can’t stand the original “A Christmas Story” and do not understand its appeal, but clearly we’re in the minority. I just think it’s sad and depressing.

I get it. It's like Rocky Horror Picture Show. Movie so awful it has developed a cult following.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I have never really cared for the movie at all.

 

[georgina]

Not a fan of the original (even though it had scenes filmed in my hometown), won’t be watching any sequels.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I get it. It's like Rocky Horror Picture Show. Movie so awful it has developed a cult following.

I agree with your opinion on this being awful. I have only seen it the one time, and thought it was quite possibly the dumbest thing I had ever seen.

I remember being in college, and we had this professor who was a fan and said that this was the best movie ever made, and went on to say it's the experience of a lifetime to be repeated over and over, but did not really explain or expand on it.

Fast forward to like summer vacation, one night I rented that VHS (yes I am old) and watched it.

I don't remember many of the details besides thinking... this move is starting out kinda bad. I wonder if it will get better? The answer was NO. Could this get any worse? The answer was YES, much worse.

 

[mrs. magoo]

I plan to watch it maybe this weekend while decorating my house. I love the original. I remember seeing it in the theaters with my grandmother. She laughed so hard at parts. I always watch it every year at least once. It brings up such great memories with my grandmother that it might be part of the allure.

 

[badiggio]

Not as great as the original,but very good none the less.

 

[goofy4prez]

Nope. Worst movie ever. Thanks to TBS and TNN needing a cheap season themed movie to fill the time with for a holiday marathon in 1991 it slowly transformed from a box office bomb to a cult classic.
I have watched it and I think the reason I don't like it is I can't relate to it. Just not like any Christmas my family ever had.

To each their own opinion; and I do respect yours and appreciate that you can't relate to it. Perhaps I'm biased being that I am from the Cleveland area (and we get beat up a lot nationally) and many of the scenes in the movie was filmed in Cleveland, but I enjoyed the movie. With that said, this would not be the only box office bomb that went on to achieve success. Another Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life was a major box office flop only later to become a cherished Christmas classic. Shawshank Redemption was a box office flop yet is considered by most to be one of the greatest movies of all time. Citizen Kane is another one that was a major bomb at the box office. The Wizard of Oz lost money in the box office in 1939 only to become a classic and earn a profit 20 years later because interestingly of the need to fill TV play. Hocus Pokus was a box office flop but got it's second wind because of TV. Interestingly the house used in the movie Christmas Story is now up for sale if you are interested. LOL
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sale-house-christmas-story-rcna57186

 

[DisneyHardin]

I have to find a friend with HBOMax that will loan me their log in so I can watch it. The original is one of our very favorite Christmas movies.

 

[tvguy]

To each their own opinion; and I do respect yours and appreciate that you can't relate to it. Perhaps I'm biased being that I am from the Cleveland area (and we get beat up a lot nationally) and many of the scenes in the movie was filmed in Cleveland, but I enjoyed the movie. With that said, this would not be the only box office bomb that went on to achieve success. Another Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life was a major box office flop only later to become a cherished Christmas classic. Shawshank Redemption was a box office flop yet is considered by most to be one of the greatest movies of all time. Citizen Kane is another one that was a major bomb at the box office. The Wizard of Oz lost money in the box office in 1939 only to become a classic and earn a profit 20 years later because interestingly of the need to fill TV play. Hocus Pokus was a box office flop but got it's second wind because of TV. Interestingly the house used in the movie Christmas Story is now up for sale if you are interested. LOL
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sale-house-christmas-story-rcna57186

On the flip side, one of the best movies I ever saw in a theater was not only a box office bomb, but I don't think ever gets run on TV. I'm talking about Lost Horizon, the 1973 remake. It is, however, available on DVD.

 

[tvguy]

I agree with your opinion on this being awful. I have only seen it the one time, and thought it was quite possibly the dumbest thing I had ever seen.

I remember being in college, and we had this professor who was a fan and said that this was the best movie ever made, and went on to say it's the experience of a lifetime to be repeated over and over, but did not really explain or expand on it.

Fast forward to like summer vacation, one night I rented that VHS (yes I am old) and watched it.

I don't remember many of the details besides thinking... this move is starting out kinda bad. I wonder if it will get better? The answer was NO. Could this get any worse? The answer was YES, much worse.

Only movies I have seen that were worse were "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" and "8 1/2". One of my friends was really into "films" and went to see 8 1/2 with another friend and I. 20 minutes into the movie, he looked at us, said, "this movie sucks, let's go" and we walked out.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Well, we loved the original (we watch it every year). Hated the 2012 sequel (gah).

Approached the 2022 story with some concern and low expectations. Yes, they really played on the previous one (to the point they recreated numerous frames of scenes). But my husband and I enjoyed it much more than we'd expected to.

P.S. And 40-year older Scut Farkas? Rrrrroww!

 

[Mysterian]

I haven't seen it, but I'm interested. I'm a neutral fan of the original, but I'm more partial to Bob Clark's horror stuff.

Peter Billingsley was also in Elf, I believe he was probably a co-producer for that as well- since he's worked with Elf's Jon Favreau on Iron Man later on. There's a little Christmas trivia. I figured after my alerting the board to the thirteen possum nipples (and a possum in a pear tree! ) , the Dis might appreciate something more festive.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I love the original and I watched the first hour of the new one last night before I gave up and shut it off. I just couldn't get into it at all!

 

[TwoMisfits]

I actually hate the original...and I really liked this new sequel. Much more heart-warming, much more emotional...just an all around nostalgia trip that anyone who's seen these characters grow up should enjoy...

 

[nw6675]

FYI for anyone wishing they had HBOMax - black friday - 3 months at 1.99 a month

 

[Skywalker3]

we just watched. I always have the original playing on 24 hours, alternating w Elf. I didn't even see the original until the late 90s, early 2000s, I think, when my son and his cousin started watching. Anyway, went into this new one with VERY low expectations, previews looked so dumb. Wow, was I surprised, tearing up in the first 15 mins. It wasn't the greatest thing ever, and wont' be watching it for 24 hrs , but it was very, very sweet. I've lost both my parents, so I think it all hit home a bit more than it might for some. Enjoyed seeing all the original actors (I know the mom was played by someone else, but Julie Haggerty did a nice job.)

 

[barkley]

watched it today and LOVED IT. so many references to the original done in a loving and respectful way. stay tuned for the credits to appreciate the side by side photos showing how they recreated/re imagined iconic visual images from the original into this lovely sequel.

 

[RedAngie]

Watched last night but felt it was eh.

I was tempted to turn it off after a half hour but stuck with it. Once was enough. I don’t plan to ever watch it again, unlike the original.

 

[RedAngie]

Oh, and despite being published in the small town paper, it appears Ralphie’s writing ability hasn’t improved since his generous C+ grade for his Christmas theme.