A Christmas Story Christmas (sequel to A Christmas Story)

[kylor]

It is a shame Dillon retired, would've been nice to have seen her in one last film.

[originalHDphantom]

Originally Posted by rooboy78

It’s so ironic that the site reviewer Brian Orondof who rarely gives ANYTHING over a 5/6 gave this a 9 and everyone else seems to be hating it. Lol

Usually when I see Brian Orndorf's name attached to any review on this site, I don't even bother reading it. Look elsewhere for reviews at that point.

[rooboy78]

Originally Posted by originalHDphantom

Usually when I see Brian Orndorf's name attached to any review on this site, I don't even bother reading it. Look elsewhere for reviews at that point.

I totally agree. It’s just strange that seems to be “meh” on almost literally everything but yet this movie he gives a 9 to?

FYI - I watched it and it’s actually cute and better then I expected. However, there are LOTS of amazing movies over the years that he has given a low score too so it’s just strange that this one is the movie that blew him away.

[garyd97]

They actually did a great job with this one, surprising these days!

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

This was a huge disappointment. It was not good.

I wouldn't call it actively bad, so much as just lacking in any laughs and far too reliant on callbacks. 2/5

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

The fact that the original is my favorite is a big reason why I didn't like this one. It was never gonna be as good, but to fall SO short is disappointing.

Originally Posted by IGotsNewShoes

2/10 for me. Didn’t laugh once. Cringed quite a bit and there was no magic here. Go watch My Summer Story. It has different actors but at least has the same feel of A Christmas Story.

Thanks. My main concern is if they follow the narration style of the original, which was a huge factor in why I really enjoy that movie, A Christmas Story, since we are hearing every thought of the main character, which really adds another dimension and more comedy to the film. Sounds like hardly any narration to this one, is that true?

I haven't seen it yet but want to check it out eventually, just that it's stuck digitally on HBO Max.

Originally Posted by niner4lfe

It's cheesy sure but I still enjoyed it probably cause the original is my favorite Christmas movie of all time

Thanks. Yes, that's one of my favorites also, but it's good to see these characters at least return as old guys to see what they might have been up to all those years afterwards.

Originally Posted by HomerThompson

I was going to say maybe if we got the original director and original writer involved, it'd feel more authentic.

But they did do that and nobody cared lol

My Summer Story (1994) | (Almost) Cult Classics - YouTube

Cool, thank you. I didn't know that film existed. Charles Grodin was good in Midnight Run, I'll have to check it out. It's tough to replace the original cast, especially Ralphie by Billingsly.

Originally Posted by Freezeup

What a great movie!! Exceeded my expectations in a big way.

The original will forever hold that special traditional place in my heart each and every season, but as a sequel this was FANTASTIC. They did a phenomenal job at keeping the spirit of the original alive after all these years. I'm also happy they still kept Melinda Dillon in the flashbacks and photos.

Was the perfect old time nostalgic holiday movie that I'll add to my yearly viewing.

That's hopeful, thanks. I can't tell from the trailers, does this have the constant voice over narration of Ralph? That would be good if it does.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks. My main concern is if they follow the narration style of the original, which was a huge factor in why I really enjoy that movie, A Christmas Story, since we are hearing every thought of the main character, which really adds another dimension and more comedy to the film. Sounds like hardly any narration to this one, is that true?

That's hopeful, thanks. I can't tell from the trailers, does this have the constant voice over narration of Ralph? That would be good if it does.

there is lots of narration throughout, this time done by Billingsley as adult Ralph.

[dubhousing]

Originally Posted by HomerThompson

I was going to say maybe if we got the original director and original writer involved, it'd feel more authentic.

But they did do that and nobody cared lol

My Summer Story isn't bad. But it has one huge flaw. Many of the scenes in A Christmas Story deal with broad themes, centered around the Christmas season, that most Americans (and anyone who celebrates Christmas) can recognize, regardless of the 1940 (or 1939?) setting.

My Summer Story, on the other hand, has several plots that are specific to the setting (probably summer, 1941). These are very outdated, and out of living memory, for most (all?) film goers in 1994. Things like competing with spinning tops, and trying to win free plates at the movies (a Depression-era trend that ended by the early 1940s). About the only plot in My Summer Story that the average viewer would probably feel some affinity for is the plot of Mr. Parker versus the neighbors (the Bumpuses), which would appeal to adults, not the kids that presumably were the audience for the movie.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone suggested to Jean Shepherd that this could be a problem, yet, due to the success of A Christmas Story, he ignored it (not saying this did happen, but I could imagine it). It's a pretty fun movie, honestly, with Shepherd's style and sensibility in place again. But it's much more specifically dated to the time period, less broadly appealing.

The Disney Channel movie, Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss did a better job, as an (arguable) sequel, in placing the story in a summer vacation (again, broadly recognizable, like celebrating Christmas, in spite of the setting).

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by dubhousing

My Summer Story isn't bad. But it has one huge flaw. Many of the scenes in A Christmas Story deal with broad themes, centered around the Christmas season, that most Americans (and anyone who celebrates Christmas) can recognize, regardless of the 1940 (or 1939?) setting.

My Summer Story, on the other hand, has several plots that are specific to the setting (probably summer, 1941). These are very outdated, and out of living memory, for most (all?) film goers in 1994. Things like competing with spinning tops, and trying to win free plates at the movies (a Depression-era trend that ended by the early 1940s). About the only plot in My Summer Story that the average viewer would probably feel some affinity for is the plot of Mr. Parker versus the neighbors (the Bumpuses), which would appeal to adults, not the kids that presumably were the audience for the movie.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone suggested to Jean Shepherd that this could be a problem, yet, due to the success of A Christmas Story, he ignored it (not saying this did happen, but I could imagine it). It's a pretty fun movie, honestly, with Shepherd's style and sensibility in place again. But it's much more specifically dated to the time period, less broadly appealing.

The Disney Channel movie, Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss did a better job, as an (arguable) sequel, in placing the story in a summer vacation (again, broadly recognizable, like celebrating Christmas, in spite of the setting).

Good point about the non-holiday themes of My Summer Story. The spin tops scene was interesting with Ralphie against the punk. It was kind of funny that was a method of competition back then. That was funny when

[Show spoiler] the other kids said nice try, but not nice enough.

I was able to watch a few scenes, and the narration is great, right out of A Christmas Story, that it makes it seem very similar in style, even with the different actors. Ultimately though, any sequel really needs to bring back the original actors the audience connected emotionally with, rather than this new kid who is pretending to be Ralphie, but doesn't look like him. Even so, I'll definitely check this movie out for the same comedy tone and style of the original. Charles Grodin does a good job as the father vs the rude neighbors.

[Krimreaper]

I was wondering why she wasn’t back. I’m glad it was her decision.

Originally Posted by kylor

It is a shame Dillon retired, would've been nice to have seen her in one last film.

[Network23]

I just watched this last night, total surprise to me. Didnt know so many of the originals were back in it. Very Enjoyable. Like this and "A Summer Story" as well.

[cminer72]

It was alright. Not great and not as good as the original. But it wasn't terrible, and I liked the ending a lot. Worth a watch at least once.

[DarkEco910]

I’m surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. I was also caught off-guard with how emotional it was. And I was laughing a lot. I could see this same story with more shenanigans with Rusty Griswold, but this really did fit and felt believable for Ralphie Parker. They did a great job with this.

Seeing Flick and Schwartz with a long-awaited revenge was a major highlight.

[THS]

This was definitely better than it had any right to be. Very simple and entertaining holiday fare.

[y2jman]

i watching it i thought it was pretty good and clever

[Starman22]

Just watching today in HBOMax. Love the original movie and then this movie is pretty good but some funny scene. Sadly love to see Melinda Dillion to coming back and so I know she retired but good to see original cast returns.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks. My main concern is if they follow the narration style of the original, which was a huge factor in why I really enjoy that movie, A Christmas Story, since we are hearing every thought of the main character, which really adds another dimension and more comedy to the film. Sounds like hardly any narration to this one, is that true?

[Show spoiler]

I haven't seen it yet but want to check it out eventually, just that it's stuck digitally on HBO Max.



Thanks. Yes, that's one of my favorites also, but it's good to see these characters at least return as old guys to see what they might have been up to all those years afterwards.





Cool, thank you. I didn't know that film existed. Charles Grodin was good in Midnight Run, I'll have to check it out. It's tough to replace the original cast, especially Ralphie by Billingsly.


That's hopeful, thanks. I can't tell from the trailers, does this have the constant voice over narration of Ralph? That would be good if it does.

Honestly don't read reviews don't look at what others are saying if you enjoyed the original you'll enjoy this one. It has many callbacks to the original, the recast of Dillion was done well, and narration by Billingsly was well done.

This gave me the same feels as the original I honestly loved every minute of it. The Old Man while missed was very well represented in this movie, the entire thing is 1 big tribute to him.

Just watch it you'll enjoy it.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by DarkEco910

I’m surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. I was also caught off-guard with how emotional it was. And I was laughing a lot. I could see this same story with more shenanigans with Rusty Griswold, but this really did fit and felt believable for Ralphie Parker. They did a great job with this.

Seeing Flick and Schwartz with a long-awaited revenge was a major highlight.

Emotion hit me at the end when there were presents under the tree lots of feels there, lots of feels.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Honestly don't read reviews don't look at what others are saying if you enjoyed the original you'll enjoy this one. It has many callbacks to the original, the recast of Dillion was done well, and narration by Billingsly was well done.

This gave me the same feels as the original I honestly loved every minute of it. The Old Man while missed was very well represented in this movie, the entire thing is 1 big tribute to him.

Just watch it you'll enjoy it.

Thanks R3P0. Good to hear you liked it.
Yes, the original father was a great character, played by Darren McGavin. Ralphie, his mom and brother were great too, along with the cast. The narrator, Jean Sheppard, had an awesome voice that really made the story great IMO, hearing the thoughts of Ralphie throughout the whole film. Sheppard returns in My Summer Story, so that's why I want to check that one out mostly.

I definitely want to see this, though I also find it helpful to get thoughts from both sides of the review spectrum, and then get a better idea of potential of the movie beyond the trailers and clips, which look interesting.

[Katatonia]

I watched it earlier, and liked it quite a bit. I didn't go into it expecting the same level as the original film, knowing that is almost always not going to be the case.

I thought they handled the characters pretty well, and stuck to the original formula without outright trying to copy it scene for scene. It was also great to see quite a few of the original actors reprise the roles, but not go overkill on them either.

In the end, I enjoyed it quite a bit and would certainly watch it again. Is it on the same level of greatness as the original movie? No... but could it honestly ever be?

It was poignant to watch though, as my old man passed away just 2 weeks ago. So this will be the first Christmas I won't have with my dad. 2022 has been a crappy year altogether for me personally... as I have also lost 2 Uncles, 1 Aunt, and a good friend all to natural causes/illnesses.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by Katatonia

It was poignant to watch though, as my old man passed away just 2 weeks ago. So this will be the first Christmas I won't have with my dad. 2022 has been a crappy year altogether for me personally... as I have also lost 2 Uncles, 1 Aunt, and a good friend all to natural causes/illnesses.

I'm very sorry to hear of your father's passing. My dad had a fatal heart attack when he was only 58; that was 25 years ago, and I'm still not quite over it. Every time I see a great play in a Cardinals game, I wish I could talk about it with him.

I'm also sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and family members. For a while there, I thought I was going to be the friend that others were sorry to see go; one of my kidneys had a cancerous tumor on it and had to be removed. Fortunately, it didn't spread to any other part of my body.

Xmas can be a wonderful time but it can also be very tough to get through, as it seems to amplify all that is good and bad in one's life. I wish you the very best, and I hope the remainder of your year goes well.

Thanks for the recommendation; my wife and I will be watching A Christmas Story Christmas sometime this week.