Wilma and Ken saw A Christmas Story last year, hated it, said they were bored, turned it off.
This year, Karen said 'I hate that movie. It's stupid."
(Karen also asked me not to remind her of anything embarrassing; if she's forgotten catching me "naked" there's a reason why.)
Last year I clutched my head and screamed at the thought someone wouldn't like this movie. This year, for the first time, I saw the first fifteen minutes of A Christmas Story. I'd never seen the first fifteen minutes before. It is kind of stupid. There's a long fantasy sequence with Black Bart, which pales next to the Soap Poisoning and A+++++++ sequences later. They actually should start the movie with Flick getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole.
Of course "Bumpkissssssessss!" is the best line ever. Merry Christmas!
(Sort of hates A Christmas Story, too)
*siinks away
Posted by: Kathy | December 25, 2007 at 04:53 AM
Someone could hate "A Christmas Story"? How? How? In heaven's name, how? Noooooo...
Posted by: Becs | December 25, 2007 at 06:59 AM
I watched most of It's a Wonderful Life last night. I realized I've hardly ever seen the beginning of THAT movie! I still like it.
Posted by: Rhea | December 25, 2007 at 08:06 AM
We love Ralphie! Deck the hars with bars of hary - Fa-ra-ra-ra!
Posted by: pageycooks | December 25, 2007 at 10:52 AM
A Christmas Story loses its flavor after multiple viewing. When I saw it the first time at the theater I nearly passed out laughing. It is quintessentially representative of a typical mid-western upbringing in the 40's 50's and 60's. To again achieve that level of innocence...
But then I hate Gone with the Wind.
Posted by: Zayrina | December 25, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Zayrina, I was born and raised in the South. GWTW was like mother's milk to my grandmother, my mother and women of my generation. I can recite most (if not all) of the dialog by heart.
I recently rewatched "Casablanca" and hated both Rick and Ilsa, self-absorbed little shnooks.
Posted by: Becs | December 25, 2007 at 04:07 PM
OoOOOoO I love Casablanca. Next time I watch it I will see if I can see it from your perspective. My mother's favorite move of all time was GWTW. I just found it over acted and I felt Ashley Wilkes was a closeted homosexual and needed to come out.
Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Posted by: Zayrina | December 25, 2007 at 06:01 PM
Kathy - It's okay. You probably saw the first fifteen minutes and it poisoned the movie for you.
Becs - Well, they might be related to my in-laws.
Rhea - You make up for my Mom - she's never seen the END of it's a Wonderful life. She just gets so upset when George loses the money. We've tried to explain it's okay, but she can't stand it.
PageyCooks - "It was ... SOAP POISONING!"
Zayrina / Becs / Zayrina - You should both take film suggestions from Gary. If he doesn't like any of the characters (or if he feels they are of poor character) he cannot like the movie.
Posted by: TheQueen | December 25, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Yeah, don't feel bad. My kids hate it too. Go figure.
Posted by: Candy | December 26, 2007 at 12:53 PM
It's on TV here tonight! In Auckland, NZ! And I'd never heard of it before reading about it here. Now, dilemma: should I skip the first 15 minutes or not? I never feel properly connected to something I haven't seen the opening credits for, but then I don't want to be repelled either...
Posted by: TravelSkite | December 26, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Candy - well, they weren't kids in the old days. I forgive them.
Big Dot - I'd tolerantly watch the first 15 minutes, knowing it isn't indicative of the rest. What time is it there anyway? 6 am? And isn't it summer down there or something?
Posted by: TheQueen | December 26, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Yes, it's 2.30 on a summer afternoon (tomorrow, to you) and the sun's shining, there are butterflies on the flowers in the garden, birds and cicadas are making the only noise, the windows and doors are open and there's a warm breeze blowing the Christmas cards onto the floor. I read your accounts of ice storms with deep interest as I sit here with bare arms and legs. Tomorrow I think I'll take the dog for a spin along the beach...
Posted by: TravelSkite | December 26, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Big Dot - you have just blown my mind, dude.
Posted by: TheQueen | December 26, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Mother: "Randy, what's wrong?"
Randy: "DADDY'S GONNA KILL RALPHIE!"
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Ralphie: "Oh....fudge."
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I love this movie more than I can say here. Also, I hope to score lots of pretty crystal things in Prague and have them shipped back to the U.S. in boxes stamped FRAGILE. It's Italian, you know.
Posted by: Catherine | December 27, 2007 at 01:06 AM
My secretary this year gave me an A Christmas Story nightlight (it's a miniature of the leg lamp). I gave her a big hug. I'm not sure if she knows me really well or if she was just wildly regifting. I'm choosing to believe the former.
Posted by: TasterSpoon | December 27, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Catherine - I often have to stop and think a moment to remember how to pronounce that word correctly.
TasterSpoon - Who would regift a Major Award?
Posted by: TheQueen | December 27, 2007 at 10:27 PM