Christmas Story

Pros: Great stories, wonderful cast, and written for both adults and kids.

Cons: None that I can see.

The Bottom Line: Probably the best film about Christmas out there, written for both kids and adults. Make time this year to watch it with your family.

Review: 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: A wonderfully witty script, solid performances, especially McGavin and Billingsley

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: A Christmas Story might not be as sugary as your run-of-the-mill holiday flick, but it's certainly side-splittingly hilarious. A cult classic, to be sure.

Review: 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.

The Bottom Line: "A Christmas Story" is a true holiday classic...even if you didn't grow up watching it. 

Review: 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: Fun for the whole family, including your family Scrooge

Cons: Cheesy sequel It Runs In The Family

The Bottom Line: Who could forget and not love a movie where Christmas dinner is had at a Chinese restaurant?

Review: 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

Review: 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?

Review: 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: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin

Cons: Kids may yearn for their own Red Ryder 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle

The Bottom Line: Don't shoot your eye out.

Review: 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

Review: 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

Review: 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....

Pros: Recalls a simpler time.

Cons: Not everyone is gonna get this movie.

The Bottom Line: I love this movie and highly recommend it. It always leaves me smiling

Review: A Christmas story tells of a time when life was simpler. In this nostalgic reminiscence is based on the memoirs of humorist Jean Shepherd whowrote about growing up in Indiana in the 40s. Shepherd's voice narrates the movie about one particular Christmas...