Hey all, I’m back with a season appropriate classic for this week’s Movie Monday. It’s A Christmas Story!

Plot: The plot is fairly standard, but it features an adult man we learn is named Ralph, telling a set of stories leading up to Christmas when he was 9. It features all sorts of ridiculous things that range from a onesie pajama set that he receives as a gift to the family’s turkey dinner being destroyed by the neighbor’s dogs. Really, it’s a coming-of-age story. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but when I was younger it did bore me. Ironically, I enjoy it more nowadays, and I usually give it a watch at least once each Christmas.

Casting: Peter Billingsly is our lead character Ralphie, and he did an incredibly good job at capturing the young American boy growing up wishing for all sorts of ridiculous things. The rest of the cast is amazing as well, including the Old Man who was played by the late Darren McGavin.

Cinematography: It’s incredibly dated, but that’s part of the charm of the movie, I think. Honestly, nothing really spectacular happens in terms of cinematography in this film.

Music:The music fits the story incredibly well, but it can be mostly forgettable.

Overall: Honestly, the movie can be a bit boring, but it’s worth watching at least once, and it’s a classic for a reason since it’s regularly played on TV in a 24-hour marathon on Christmas Day.

For those who like: Slice of Life, Coming of Age, Christmas Stories, and Older Films.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Editor’s Note: A Christmas Story Christmas – If you are a fan of A Christmas Story, you won’t want to miss the new sequel A Christmas Story Christmas. Peter Billingsley returns as Ralphie. The movie is set thirty-three years after the original, and Ralphie is now an adult with a family of his own. There are also a few other familiar faces in this sequel you’ll recognize from the original movie. The sequel is streaming now on HBO Max.