A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark, and based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, with some elements from his 1971 book Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. A seasonal classic in North America, it is shown numerous times on television, usually on the networks owned by the Turner Broadcasting System. Since 1997, a marathon of the film titled "24 Hours of A Christmas Story" has aired annually on TNT and/or TBS, comprising twelve consecutive airings of the film on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day each year.

Plot
Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

Why It's A Good Christmas Story

 * 1) It's faithful to the novel the film was based on, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.
 * 2) Speaking of the novel, Jean Shepherd, the author, not only played the narrator/Adult Ralphie, but he was the co-writer.
 * 3) Peter Billingsley was great as Ralphie Parker.
 * 4) Cool props, such as the leg lamp.
 * 5) Famous lines, such as Oh, fudge! and You'll shoot your eye out!
 * 6) That hilarious "Triple-dog-dare" scene, where Flick's tongue gets stuck on a frozen flagpole.
 * 7) Another hilarious scene is Ralphie's fantasy on receiving an A+++++++++++ (An A undecuple plus)!

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The English-speaking Chinese restaurant waiters are racist stereotypes in a PG-rated family movie. In fact, this part could easily offend anyone living in China, or Chinese immigrants in other countries (especially those living in the USA).
 * 2) A lot of mild swearing for a PG movie like, Hell, Goddamn, Ass/Smartass and Bitch.
 * 3) *This likely due to the PG-13 rating not being introduced yet.
 * 4) Overuse of crying scenes.
 * 5) The poster really spoils the Christmas Day scene where it shows that Ralphie has the bunny suit and the "Red Ryder air rifle"!

Trivia

 * Because of the film's success, merchandise and items inspired by the movie are sold at Christmas time such as boxes of fudge that reference the "Oh fudge!" quote and a card game based on the film.