5 comments about A Christmas Story (1983).

1. New Ultimate editions of A Christmas Story are coming out in standard definition and Blu-ray. It appears from the announcement that each will repackage the current version with special memorabilia. So, the standard DVD Ultimate edition will have the same DVDs as the 2003 2-disc Special Edition, and the Blu-ray Ultimate edition will have the same DVD as the 2006 Blu-ray. In addition, they'll have these non-DVD extras:
   
   -- a collectible retro Christmas cookie tin (the container for the set)
   -- 48-page cookbook with recipes inspired by the movie
   -- photos and quotes from the movie
   -- a red chef's apron with an A Christmas Story logo on it
   -- 5 collectible cookie cutters "in iconic Christmas Story shapes" (looks like a star, a house, a leg lamp, Ralphie in his bunny suit, and what may be Peking Duck)
   
   And the Blu-ray will have an exclusive strand of leg-lamp Christmas lights (see the Blu-ray page for a photo, the second thumbnail). Pretty cute.
   
   There's nothing in the studio press release that indicates the new editions will be remastered.
   
   The 2-disc Special Edition from 2003 and the Blu-ray from 2006 both have the same DVD special features, which are shared by the Ultimate editions:
   
   -- audio commentary by director/co-writer Bob Clark and star Peter Billingsley (Ralphie)
   -- two readings by Jean Shepard, author and narrator for the movie (audio only)
   -- Another Christmas Story featurette, includes interviews with Clark and a few members of the cast
   -- Get a Leg Up featurette, about the making and ongoing sale of the (in)famous leg lamp
   -- A History of the Daisy Red Ryder featurette, on the object of great desire's actual history
   -- Triple Dog Dare Interactive Trivia
   -- Decoder Match Challenge
   -- easter eggs (including an actual ad for the leg lamp)
   -- original theatrical trailer
   
   The video quality of the 2003 standard DVD release is fairly good, a bit soft, with good mono sound. It includes both the original 1.85:1 widescreen format (anamorphic) and full screen versions. The Blu-ray from 2006 is soft-looking for a hi-def version, with fairly good color and the same mono sound.
   
   Now, about the really good stuff, the movie. A Christmas Story is that odd film that appeals to a cross-section of viewers who often can't agree on what to watch. Fans of sweet Christmas cheer are happily joined by people with a more jaundiced eye to the holiday. To be sure, the movie leans more to the sweet than the sour, but it has enough edge and good-natured twistedness to please some of our darker Christmas angels too. It conveys a genuinely warm nostalgia and some sharp, sometimes pretense-deflating observations about human nature.
   
   The story is set at some indefinite time around 1940 in an Indiana town approaching the holidays. Young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants only one thing for Christmas, the Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Lightning Loader Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock. (That is, a BB gun, a very particular one.) He plans carefully well in advance how to lay the groundwork for this while avoiding the dreaded rebuff, but almost everyone says it anyway: "You'll put your eye out!" The relentless struggle for the one true gift develops alongside several other small stories and amusing details, a tongue-on-frozen-pole triple-dog dare, facing the local bully, the notorious leg lamp, the Santa slide, Peking Duck for Christmas, and several others, each memorable in itself.
   
   The actors aren't very well known, but they're all just right. There is narration throughout, representing an older Ralphie, done by the originator of the story, Jean Shepard, also just right.
   
   This movie, made in 1983, has gradually become a favorite Christmas classic, now shown in an annual 24-hour Christmas marathon on cable, which attracts a huge number of viewers. If you've never seen it, give it a try, even if you have a little Scrooge in you, and you'll probably enjoy it. If you're a big fan, or know one, you might want the memorabilia with one of the new Ultimate editions for yourself or a gift. If you don't care about such extras, just get one of the older editions.
   
   There are Amazon pages to pre-order the Ultimate editions here (standard DVD) and here (Blu-ray).



2. My wife first saw this movie when she was a teenager....she saw it again when it appeared on Cable and recorded it :)Sadly, we moved and had to give the Cable/DVR box back, so we lost it...so I re-ordered it here on Amazon.com.If you only every see ONE Christmas movie, make it this one!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!!



3. I have this movie in the full screen edition and am looking to upgrade to the Blu-ray edition. I watch this movie over and over between Thanksgiving and Christmas and it gets me in the holiday spirit. A Christmas classic that everyone should own.



4. "A Christmas Story" is by far my family's favorite holiday movie! Our VHS tape wore out and we had to replace it with this DVD. We watch it at least twice during the Christmas season and once or twice in the summer. We also find ourselves quoting some of the classic lines all year round!
   
   Based on great book, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, this movie captures the mania that built up around Christmas in almost every child in a more innocent age. The sub plots are well conceived and wonderfully woven into the story.
   
   HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!



5. I love this movie from the 1st time I saw it (over 20 yrs ago). It truley is't the holidays untill you have watch this movie on TV or DVD.
   
   Great laughs many viewings later with so many memorable moments. But I don't beleive in spoilers so I won't mention them for the 1 or 2 poor souls out there who have not had the pleasure of enjoying this movie with a hot cup of cocoa.

4 comments about Christmas in Vienna / Diana Ross, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

1. The entire Christmas in Vienna series produced by CBS/Sony in the 90s (with Placido Domingo and a couple of guest stars - in this case Luciano's place being taken by Miss Ross) was a rather tepid series of concerts. It consists of soupy musical arrangements, the singers propped up in front of mics, music stands, a big symphony orchestra and chorus ringing in the Holidays to a bored-looking formal European audience. Placi and Jose are definitely phoning it in. It's Miss Ross who is trying to pump some life into the dreary proceedings.
   
   This is a good one to have on the big screen TV if you're recovering from a big Christmas dinner and need a nap. And if you put on Kiri Te Kanawa's Christmas Concert after this one, you'll be in a complete holiday coma!



2. This live recording from Vienna features three great musical voices. Diana Ross makes this album more than just an orchestra/opera. . .her voice shines best in Amazing Grace. . .she plays well with others. . .so smooth, so elegant. . .she brought down the house on more than one occasion.
   
   On several occasions, if you close your eyes, you can almost feel the Christmas Spirit. . .imagine christmas. . .snow. . .sleighrides. . .etc.
   
   A great DVD to add to the collection. You'll wish it was christmas all year long.



3. Diana Ross sounds and looks so beautiful. There is a lot of great tunes. Great for the holidays.



4. Diana Ross is mesmerizing on film! In this DVD of Christmas in Vienna, she is a match up against 2 famous opera tenors and a kids choir, singing Christmas favorites in English, while the others sing in their native tongues, and they blend beautifully!
   It's always a pleasure to hear Diana with a full orchestra, but with these 2 opera tenors, she truely is a DIVA!

1 comments about Holiday on Ice.

1. On the strength of Nancy Kerrigan's name, we bought this item. But unfortunately she doesn't skate. As MC of the show, she is not dynamic. She reads her text.
   
   While the skaters are good, their material is not interesting. By and large, the show features routine skating.
   
   The music purports to be holiday music, but actually is a hodge-podge of rock-arranged nondescript themes.
   
   Only good moment in the show features a tango.

5 comments about Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

1. Soon you'll hear Ho! Ho! Ho!
   
   It is the Christmas season on earth. The Martian children are in a funk and will not eat their chocolate cake pills. Kimar (Leonard Hicks) a concerned father and a leader of the council calls up on the old man of the cave. His diagnosis is that Mars Needs a Santa; so in the interest of the children of Mars Kimar sets out to pilfer Santa (John Call.) Opposed to this attempted attitude change on a planetary scale is the curmudgeon Voldar (Vincent Beck). You can not miss Voldar because he looks like a green Groucho Marks. To add to the pathos a couple of pint size hostages are also taken, Billy (Victor Stiles) and Betty (Donna Conforti).
   
   Is this the end of Christmas as we know it?
   What is Voldar's evil plan?
   Are Billy & Betty doomed to drift around in space, or be captives of Mars forever?
   
   Or is it just possible that Santa Claus Conquers the Martians?



2. There are some movies that you wonder why they were ever made. This movie is one of those. The Martians' children are glued to their television sets watching mind-numbing earth television (who knew!). The children won't eat, won't sleep. The solution? Go kidnap Santa Claus to make the children happy.
   
   One of the Martians, a friendly sort named Voldar (Vincent Beck), thinks they should be tougher on the children and he also has a propensity for wanting to kill just about everything in sight.
   
   The heroes of the story are Billy (Victor Stiles) and Betty (Donna Conforti), who manage to keep one step ahead of Voldar, and are ultimately instrumental in saving Santa Claus.
   
   The special effects are cheap and cheesy. The acting is generally awful. The dialogue sounds like something from a bad 50s television show. All this is the background for Pia Zadora's movie debut. As bad as this movie is, I think I have now watched it twice, and I will probably watch it again some time in the future (maybe), if for no other reason than to remind myself how bad it is. One proviso; as bad as this movie may be, somehow young children seem to enjoy it. I think only because Santa Claus is in it, and he overcomes the bad guys. Everyone else should consider what they are getting into before they buy this one.



3. As a child, I was chilled by the television commercials for this movie - the dark, snowy scenes of the robot lurking around the arctic, stalking the children; and aliens! In the theater, I remember having a great time with all the other kids in the audience: this movie had it all, as far as we were concerned - Santa Claus, Martians, a robot, toys, comic relief, spaceships - perfect for the children of the mid-1960s. It wasn't until many years later that I came to appreciate what I call "The Cheese Factor", i.e.: a movie made with minimal budget but with heart, something that kids will love and adults will roll their eyes. Today's children probably wouldn't give this move the time of day, which is a shame because they need an alternative to violent Anime-inspired cartoons and video games, and appreciate an effort that - while it has the look and feel of a glorified school play - is aimed for children of all ages who just want to have some fun and enjoy some silliness without worrying about whether "it's the bomb". This DVD preserves the "public domain" look; you feel like you are watching a FILM, complete with grain and scratches, as it should. Turn off the lights and transport yourself back to the big movie theater full of other kids, singing along to the title music (the lyrics, after all, are provided right there on the screen). The additions of the seasonal cartoon and Sherlock Holmes piece make it feel like the old "double feature and a cartoon" from days gone by. This DVD is a welcome respite from all the glossy high-tech films being cranked out today. No matter what your physical age, as long as there is an eight-year old lurking inside you who still puts out cookies and milk for Santa on December 24th, you will enjoy this DVD.



4. Although this movie is abit on the corny side, it is funny and cute! I saw it on TV and then decided I had to own it. I would recommend it highly for people like me who like corny movies.



5. This movie reflects on the "cold war" days when Soviet Union was regarded as oppressed, and cold to human feelings. So the plot of the movie is how can you bring joy and cheer to a dull country? The story softly refers to Mars rather than the traditional communist enemy. In this joyless planet, The Martians decide to bring cheer to their planet by nabbing Kris Cringle (John Call) and two little children from North Pole when they were busy making toys for the upcoming festive season on Earth. The Martian leader forces Santa Claus and the two kids to make toys for the children of Mars who are depressed and extremely unhappy. The Martians first family includes the father named KiMar (Leonard Hicks), his wife MoMar (Leila Martin), son BoMar (Chris Month) and daughter GirMar (Pia Zadora) with the parental figures wanting the best for their children. Voldar (Vincent Beck), the bad guy with drooping mustache is angry over the whole Santa Claus affair and vows to kidnap him to preserve the proud heritage of the Planet of War. Poor guy, his henchmen (Jamie Farr and Jimmy Durante) are of little help to carry out his wishes. Eventually, the Martian children attack Voldar with a barrage of toys, because the spirit of Christmas and peace has already descended upon the planet: The good prevails over the evil.
   
   1. It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
   2. Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)
   3. Scrooge
   4. A Christmas Carol (Ultimate Collector's Edition)(B/W & Color)
   5. Home Alone
   6. Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York
   7. The Bishop's Wife
   8. Ultimate Vacation Collection (Vacation / European Vacation / Christmas Vacation / Vegas Vacation)
   9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)

5 comments about The Flintstones: Christmas In Bedrock: The Flintstone's Family Christmas and How the Flintstones Saved Christmas.

1. More excrutiating than the russian roulette scene in deer hunter. Worst movie ever. Only a communist sympathiser would like this movie, so if you hear someone singing its praises, please consult authorities. It is the communists not so subtel attempt to destroy what they see as a bastion of capitalism, Christmas. The Holiday season already has an abnormally high suicide rate as is, this movie has only exacerbated the problem. Instead, show your children "Aguire: Wrath of God"



2. Hmmm, if memory serves, the whole point of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. The gifts and other accesories (Including Santa props) are somewhat secondary. So how in god's name can there be a CHRISTmas going on in the stone age if Christ hasnt been born? True this is a cartoon where stone age men shave with clams so realism isnt really a priority here. But this tape is just another example of the type of comercialism that has burried the real meaning of the holyday under mall propaganda. Do yourself a favor and put the money you were going to use for buying this tape into a charity. Do something nice or somebody else. That's what the holyday is, sharing the joy of the religious event, not the invented secular cuasi-pagan one.



3. anouther hanna barbera christmas cartoon so hart worming do not listen to the ones that didnt like this thes are proper christmas cartoons times i never miss it when its on boomerang.



4. Despite the objections of the rather odd reviewers who slandered this tape, I encourage anyone who likes the Flintstones and loves Christmas to get it. It's adorable, fun, very Christmas-y, and I watch it every year. A family classic. Basically you will know if you like it beforehand; there is nothing particularly offensive about these episodes, so as I said, if you liked both this television show and cute holiday specials, this is a good buy.
   
   As for the accusation of every person who likes this being a communist....I don't think that even merits a response. Perhaps it was a joke.



5. This is a fun romp with Fred and Barney. Love to watch it every year. By the way your editors description is wrong. Santa is not stranded at the North Pole with a sprained ankle. He is stranded at Fred's house!!!

1 comments about Christmas... A Time for Joy.

1. The styles are varied in this wonderful show, but the quality always high, with renditions of familiar classics along with a few original songs, with some numbers that are truly thrilling, among them the opening song, a bluegrass flavored "It's a Time for Joy" with Karen Peck and New River, the Gaither Vocal Band with David Phelps doing an exquisite tenor solo on "The Christmas Song" (and Mark Lowry doing Johnny Mathis !), "Children Go Where I Send Thee" with The Bishops giving us harmonies from heaven, the country rockin' sound of "Go Tell" with The Martins, and best of all, "Mary, Did You Know ?" (music and lyrics by Mark Lowry and Buddy Green), sung by the Gaither Vocal Band featuring an emotionally stirring solo by Mark Lowry. The words, melody, and interpretation of this song fills my eyes with tears when I hear it...the disc is worth it for this number alone.
   
   The music is so inspired, I probably would have preferred less humor...one segment in particular isn't that funny and has a "secular entertainment" feel to it, but that is a minor quibble when compared to the overwhelming spirit of this disc, which I'll enjoy any time of the year, with the musicians and singers giving 100% of their talent, and moving one to praise and worship the Lord, in the true spirit of Christmas.
   The show was filmed in the Alabama Theater, a lovely ornate theater in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2001, and total running time is 90 minutes.
   The DVD extras include an interesting piece titled "Project Spotlight" with people like Joni Eareckson Tada, and subtitles are also available.
   Track Listing:
   1: Program Opening
   2:"It's a Time For Joy", Karen Peck and New River
   3: Comedy featuring Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither
   4: "Listen to the Angels Sing", The Martins
   5: "Angels We Have Heard on High", The Hayes Family
   6: "Good News", The Hoppers
   7: "White Christmas", Jake Hess
   8: "The Friendly Beasts" (just one verse) Jeff and Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie
   9: "Sweet Baby Jesus", Jeff and Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie
   10: "The Christmas Song", Gaither Vocal Band
   11: Comedy with Aaron Wilburn
   12: "Children Go Where I Send Thee", The Bishops
   13: "Winter Wonderland", Sam Levine on Saxophone
   14: "Hope of the Ages", Tanya Goodman Sykes
   15: "Merry Christmas, My Love", Allison Durham Speer
   16: "Go Tell", The Martins
   17: "I'll be Home for Christmas", The Florida Boys
   18: "Glory to God", The Talley Trio
   19: "Piper's Night Before Christmas" story by Mark Lowry
   20: "Holy is Thy Name", Legacy Five
   21: Narrative by Zig Ziglar
   22: "Five Little Fingers", Stephen Hill
   23: Narrative by Gloria Gaither
   24: "Ordinary Baby", Amy Rouse
   25: "Mary, Did You Know ?", Mark Lowry and the Gaither Vocal Band
   26: "The King is Coming", Gaither Vocal Band

No comments about History Channel: The History of Christmas.

No comments about March of the Wooden Soldiers - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!.

2 comments about Christmas With Jack Benny.

1. The content of this DVD rates five stars - Jack Benny was a comedy genius, and the two shows included on this DVD both testify to the man's talent, and the quality of The Jack Benny Program.
   
   This DVD contains two holiday-themed episodes of Benny's program - the first of Jack's annual Christmas shopping debacles (originally aired Dec. 15, 1957) and his first New Year's episode (Dec. 27, 1953). Both are classics - the Christmas show (portions of which were included on the 1994 CBS-TV special "Television's Christmas Classics") features a hysterical turn by Mel Blanc as the department store clerk who loses his sanity to Jack's pestering, and the New Year's show is a bittersweet half-hour.
   
   The DVD receives only four stars from this reviewer, however, because it's so skimpy. The two shows are all you get. There's no excuse for that; over its fifteen year run, the Benny show had numerous Christmas and New Year's programs, any of which could have been included here.
   
   Some reviewers might also deduct a star for the mediocre audio/video quality, but considering the show's age, the picture and sound seem reasonable.
   
   All things considered, "Christmas with Jack Benny" is a wonderful but sadly brief glimpse of the great Benny program's hysterical version of holiday cheer.



2. So many years later, this is still funny. I have long been a fan of the Jack Benny Program on old time radio, but had never seen the television shows. I was surprised though, how good the first episode looked and sounded. Frankly I expected worse.
   
   While the New Year's show is only so-so, the Christmas episode is superb. It's a testament to both how well developed his character miserly was and to the writing that made him so. It's easy to see why he was quietly one of the giants of comedy. He works the comedic pause better than anyone.
   
   While the DVD itself offers pretty much nothing more than the two episodes, I recommend it based on the relatively cheap price and the merits of the Christmas show alone. I suspect that this will become regular holiday viewing for me for years to come.

5 comments about Ebenezer.

1. I have been looking for this movie for a long time. A must see.



2. First of all in honor of Mr. Jack Palance, I would like to take the time to say how I appreciated his work since I first saw him in the movie "Shane" many years ago. Mr. Palance having passed away this very month, November 10, 2006 is a great loss to the industry and his fans. He is missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
   Now, on to the movie. Although some aspects of the Dickens story are definately presented, they are used as a base for the film and not its entire plot. Set in the old west we find Ebenezer, a bitter old money grubbing cheat, owning a saloon and cheating others, namely Rick Schroder. Cheating him out of his money, homestead, and ultimately even his horse, Samuel Benson (Schroder, tries to convince others that he had been cheated. That night the three spirits appear as in the classic version, showing Scrooge his past, the present, and his possible future along with that of Tim Cratchitt.
   Of course Ebenezer has a huge change of heart and the scene of him trying to join in to the festivities via a play where is is attempting to portray father christmas is most touching. As Ebenezer becomes flustered and a look of regret crosses his face Tim comes to his side and begins to sing with him. It is a very moving moment.
   Amy Locane did and excellent job in her role as Erica Marlowe, the love interest of Samuel (Schroder). Her smile alone is enough to light the scenes.
   I won't give away any more of the film for those who haven't seen it but in my opinion it is wonderfully entertaining and progresses the message within Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" beautifully.
   This movie is now alongside my other Christmas classics. It is watched each and every year multiple times.
   
   Quotes from the movie:
   Scrooge says to Ghost of Christmas Future, "I've already met the other two nuts."
   As Scrooge walks down the walkway he meets carolers singing Away in A Manger, "I'll send you away to a manger!"
   Ghost of Christmas Past asks if he kept his promise of returning the money Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge says, "Ya know, I don't like you. I don't like you at all. And another thing" Ghost "Blah blah blah".



3. I have watched this movie yearly for many years...my VHS was about to give out when the DVD came out. I watched it in DVD this year. I really enjoy this movie. Most highly recommended.



4. I saw first saw this movie on TV (don't remember date) and ordered it in VHS immediately after show. I have been trying to obtain on DVD format and finally it is here. I really like Jack Palance and have seen him in many Christmas movies in his later years. I probably have all of them. I watch Christmas movies year round and would recommend to those who just love Christmas Carol related movies and Christmas itself!! Still waiting for the Marlo Thomas version "It Happened One Christmas" to come out....I loved that one too!!



5. I love this movie. I don't like westerns, but I saw this on t.v. years ago and kept an eye out for it. When I did't find it in stores I went to the Amazon website. It is a good movie.