Rating: 
Summary: Great movie!, ok dvd.
Review: If you're like me, you've been looking at "A Christmas Story" dvds every year and wondering, "Why no features?" Well finally for the 20th anniversary our wish has come true, kind of.
If you've never seen this movie before, (considering TNT plays it 24 hours straight every Xmas, I find that hard to believe) this is a true classic. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family, kids and adults. We've all gone through what Ralphie goes through for that perfect present. Plus there's a lot of heart in this movie. Even technically though it's a period piece, in a way it's timeless. But enough about the movie, let's talk extras, one by one.1) Widescreen and fullscreen on the same disc- I honestly don't undertstand this tactic. If you have widescreen, why would you want the other? 2) Commentary by Bob Clark and Peter Billingsley- Very nice, although I think it would have been better with the other 'kids' reminiscing as well. You can tell everyone had fun making this film, although at the time no one knew of the future it held. (Side note: On the package Melinda Dillon is listed for the commentary. Incorrect, she is nowhere to be found on the extras. Too bad) 3) Radio readings ny Jean Shepherd- A nice addition, but some visuals other than a picture of a radio would have been better. 4) Documentary- It's great to see some of the other 'kids' today. Flick, Schwartz, and Scutt Farkas join Bob Clark and Peter Billingsley in talking about making this film. But at just 17 minutes, I would hardly call it a documentary. Since they did this featurette, why couldn't they join in the commentary? They all have good things to say about being in the film. 5) Leg Lamp and Red Ryder gun featurettes- Here's where things start to go downhill. While the piece on the gun was interesting, the lamp was way over the top. Yes, the leg lamp was funny, but you don't need to treat it like it's the History Channel. 6) 'Interactive' Trivia- 'Interactive' is their word, not mine. They ask you questions, you answer them, with no big payoff. 7) Decoder ring- Just a simple match-the-quote-to-the-scene deal, with some corny jokes from the actors thrown in. 8) Easter eggs- Just 2, real easy to find and definitely not worth the effort. It's the kind of egg where you think: That's the best they could come up with? Don't get me wrong, I don't wish to sound all negative. It's truly a great holiday movie. I just think the extras could have been better. With all the junk movies that come out loaded with tons of stuff, it's frustrating to see wonderful films like this one get either nothing or stupid stuff. We want extras that enhance watching the film, not a bunch of flotsam just so you can call them 'extras'.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, awful fake widescreen DVD.
Review: Many fans of this movie expressed their concern when it was originally released on DVD as a 'pan-&-scan' only version. After a few years, and lots of complaints, WB finally gives us the widescreen version ...NOT! This DVD actually contians the 'pan-&-scan' fullscreen version, and it includes a fake 'matted' widescreen version. Matted-widescreen means they took a 'fullscreen' copy of the movie, and added black bars to the top & bottom of the picture to 'simulate' a widescreen version of the movie. As a result, not only are we missing the left & right side of the picture, now we are missing part of the top & bottom as well. What the hell is wrong with Warner Bros, MGM and Universal?!? When movie buffs and DVD fans demand a 'widescreen' version of the movie, they are demanding the ORIGINAL WIDESCREEN VERSION of the movie, not some fake matted print that simply simulates the original aspect ratio. We want the entire picture, not a picture that has been SHAPED using black bars to fool the consumer into thinking this is the whole widescreen picture as it was originally shown in theaters. Basicly, these companies are using a play on words, and instead of spending the time to restore the true 'widescreen' print, they are just slapping some black bars on the fullscreen print that was used to make the pan-&-scan version, so it has the same aspect ratio (shape) as what we asked for. This is an ignorant business practice, and false advertising. Granted, some movies were released in theaters fullscreen, then matted in the theater to make it widescreen to fit on their screens, but this movie is not one of them. So the matting they did on it is unjustified. They are just lazy, cheap and greedy. I am returning my copy and I will wait (likely forever) until these companies decide to give us what we actually ask for, not some crappy 'matted' version we have to settle for... Dont belive me? Watch both version, see how much is missing from the top & bottom of the widescreen side compared to the fullscreen side. Decision makers at WB should be taken out and shot. Why? Because they act like they rerelease movies such as this one to 'please the customers', but thats not it... its about getting your money, and spending as little effort and resources as possible in doing so.
Rating: 
Summary: MEDIOCRE TRANSFER FOR THIS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC!
Review: "A Christmas Story" is the brilliant spoof and satire of 'traditional' family life. Set from the rose-colored memories of a child, looking back on his childhood, 9 year old Ralphie wants nothing more than to own a shot gun. A slew of calamities persist and culminate in a hilarious Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Really, this is one funny film!
TRANSFER: Warner gives us an average effort that really doesn't live up to their usual sterling quality. Contrast levels are low and the colors are somewhat muted. Still, this is the first chance we've been given to see the film in its original aspect ratio. Pixelization, aliasing and edge enhancement exist throughout the transfer. The audio is mono and nicely balanced. Disappointing - nevertheless.
EXTRAS: The author of the book - Jean Shepherd, reads his story, a documentary on the making of the film and some hidden easter eggs (how ironic - easter eggs for Christmas!)and a theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: You know Warner isn't going to be remastering this movie again so this is the version you should be buying. It's just not an outstanding effort, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Matted? Cropped? Confused? Screen Aspect Ratios Explained!
Review: I see that readers are steadily panning the Christmas Story special edition DVD because they feel that the matted film version is somehow cutting them short on their movie, but I have learned plenty on spherical (matted) films, widescreen, letterboxing and even the dreadful "Super 35." Many of the movies filmed now are being shot with film that is actually in NTSC television aspect ratio (1.33- 1.37:1), even though the movie in the theatrical release is either "widescreen" 1.85:1 and even letterboxed (2.35:1). Christmas Story was filmed in the spherical format by using matting. The theatrical presentation is identical to the presentation on the DVD @ 1.85:1 when matted. But the reason the producers enjoy this deceptive format is so that the transfer to the old TV format won't lose vital subject content since the movie isn't cropped but expanded when the mat is removed to allow the film to fill your TV screen. The same deception is evident with films like Kill Bill and many of the movies filmed by directors who swear by the format like James Cameron. Terminator 2 for instance was filmed in Super 35, which uses a matting process that is a hybrid format; this allows the director to frame in letterbox using matting process to maintain the widescreen, and the matting process is removed so that the actual film (shot in TV format) will be transferred to TV without the need of cropping, which streamlines the film to video transfer as a money- and time- saving option. Spherical process is used in such titles as Bull Durham, Terminator, American Pie, Caddyshack I and II, and Glory. Super 35 is used in titles like American Beauty, 8 Mile, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Matrix and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. True letterbox movies use an anamorphic process that compresses the image by using a special lens on the camera to compress the image as it strikes the unexposed film. As the processed film is shown, a special projection lens is needed to draw the image back out, extending the image into widescreen. But if the decision is made to make a film transfer to fill the TV format, over 1/3 of the image would need to be cropped, and the transfer generally would mean using a "pan and scan" process to allow the image to be seen. Examples of the process: Star Wars Episode IV (A New Hope), the Die Hard trilogy, Jaws, and Hunt for Red October. Because the anamorphic process used in filming yields true wide screen, you'll see plenty of pan & scan whenever the movie is transferred to full frame; however, with matted and Super 35, you'll actually see more of the top and bottom of a movie filmed with this process. There are sometimes things like microphones that can be seen in the full screen presentation since matting makes it difficult for the director to see such things during filming. Any DVD that has both "widescreen" and "full screen" videos will give you a great comparison. For those who want to see more detail on the film process and tech specs, try imdb.com, which gives great information on probably any title you are curious about. The film industry has no standardized format, which leads to this unnecessary confusion. And with the new digital medium in home video and movie production, I'm sure the screen aspect ratio information will get even more confusing. But don't send back your DVDs.
Rating:
Summary: RALLLLLLLLLLLLLLPHIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Review: It's about that time again! America's most beloved Christmas tale is back and BETTER than ever! For the first time, A Christmas Story is getting the full treatment in an all new 20th Anniversary 2 Disc Special Edition! For the first time, fans young & old will get a chance to see the film in WIDESCREEN along with it's standard Full-Frame. But, that's not all!!!! The DVDs are packed with new special features including Commentaries with director Bob Clark and cast members Peter Billingsley (Ralphie), Darren McGavin (The Old Man), Melinda Dillon (Mom), Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), and R.D. Robb (Schwartz)! Holiday Readings by voice narrator Jean Shepherd including the original Christmas Story! A History of The Daisy Red Ryder: A look at this nostalgic air rifle, its origin and why it is still popular today "Get a Leg Up: A Shining Light of Freedom": A humorous peek at the making of the leg lamp "Triple Dog Dare" interactive trivia Decoder match challenge and of course, The Original Theatrical Trailer! Why watch the old standard 24 hours a day when you can see the Ultimate with only the best bonus features. So, grab your Secret Circle Decoder pin, load up that Red Ryder BB gun, and beware of frozen flag poles because A Christmas Story is turning 20 this year!!! P.S., Packages may be marked 'Fra-gee-lay'.
Rating:
Summary: It's about time!!
Review: I'm thrilled that they are giving this DVD version a much needed facelift. Widescreen version, interviews, ect. This is one of my favorite movies.
Rating:
Summary: A Christmas All-Time Favorite
Review: A Christmas Story is the perfect holiday movie to watch as a family year after year. I give it a thumbs up every time I watch it. I also love the fact that the Special Edition first-ever DVD version of the movie is available in widescreen format,with a secondary disc of expected extras. This movie is very cool and deserves lots of credit.
The movie is about a 9 year old boy named Raphie Parker who tries to convince his mother,teacher,and even Santa Claus that he wants a Red Rider Bee Bee Gun. And they respond by saying "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!""... The one person he doesnt even consider asking is his father who suprises him at the last minute on Christmas Day. His father hides it behind a dresser and asks Ralphie to see what that is sticking out. This movie is full of laughter,sorrow,dares,bullies,and simply lessons learned. Its a great movie to show to your kids every year. Don't let the bully Scott Fargus scare them into walking to school, because in the end Ralphie kicks his but and sets him straight.
Anyway this manages to be a hysterical, loving, and a homespun holiday tradition with cherished American values.I love this movie and I hope this review helps those movie critics with their decision making about this film.
Rating:
Summary: A standard Christmas classic watch it again
Review: I had one of those Davie Crocket hats when I was a kid. There were lots of other items and actions that I could relate to. However my wife likes the watering method used by Melinda Dillon (mother) around the trophy. And she likes the way the mother conserved electricity by turning it off. I could see her snickering through the corner of my eye. I am not sure I should have bought this one. It may prove fatal to any window plans. There was a remake of A Christmas Story floating around but it lacks a lot of the originality of this one.
Rating:
Summary: "A charming Christmas classic that will warm your heart"
Review: A Christmas Story is about a young boy named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his dream of owning a Red Rider BB gun. Ralphie decides to ask for his dream prize for Christmas only to hear his mother, teacher, and even Santa Claus give him the typical adult response, "you'll shoot your eye out". The movie focuses on Ralpie's life and his endless scemes to win his coveted prize. The setting takes place in the early 1940s in a middle class, midwestern small town. The movie does a wonderful job of telling the story from a child's point of view all the way down to his daydreaming and scemes. The subplots like the "Scott Fargus Affair", and the "major award" that Ralpie's father (Darren McGavin) wins in a silly crossword puzzle contest only add to the humor and charm of this holiday classic. Melinda Dillon plays Ralpie's stay-at-home mother, and Ian Petrella plays Ralphie's irritating baby brother.
If you are looking for a funny and charming trip down memory lane then this movie is a must see. It will take you back to the innocence of your childhood when you and all of your friends still believed in Santa Claus and the true magic of Christmas. This movie was written primarily for adult viewers because of the nostalgic feel, but can be enjoyed by people of all ages. For the past several years, the TNT network has run this movie 24 hours nonstop on Christmas eve and Christmas day. However, I would strongly suggest buying it and putting right next to the other Christmas classics in your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Peace. Harmony. Comfort and Joy...Maybe Next Year
Review: "A Christmas Story (1983)" is as perfect a holiday movie as was ever produced in Hollywood. I applaud this Special Edition to be released, which provides the first-ever DVD version of the movie in the widescreen format, with a secondary disc of expected extras. If ever a Christmas movie deserved special treatment, it is this film. The movie is absolutely unique: a non-traditional yule time tale surrounding one special Christmas in the life of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker. Somehow, it manages at the same time to provide not just a laugh-out-loud hysterical glimpse of events, but a loving, tender, almost reverential look at homespun holiday traditions and cherished American values. In doing so, it completely transcends the genre and becomes not just a classic first-rate holiday movie, but a classic first-rate movie. In fact, Siskel and Ebert put it on their 10 best films list of 1983. Based on a segment from the brilliant novel "In God We Trust," by Jean Shepherd (who also helped pen the screenplay and narrates the movie as the adult Ralphie), the story is set in Indiana during the 1940s, but was filmed with a timeless quality evoking the rich images of Norman Rockwell illustrations unexpectedly combined with touches of Tim Burton-like looniness. Well-deserved kudos should go to Director Robert Clark III. Like most kids, Ralphie's world revolves around Christmas and enduring school until the holiday break. This year, Ralph has been waging a campaign to receive the greatest Christmas present in the history of Christmas presents: a Red Ryder BB gun, with a compass in the stock. Unfortunately, his mother believes he is likely to "shoot his eye out," so she is resolutely against the gift. It is against this backdrop that we meet Ralph's family, his mother and father (whose first names we never learn), and younger brother Randy, along with a host of Ralph's friends and his school teacher. We also meet the classic school ground bully, Scut (not Scott) Farcus, who is so vicious that he has yellow eyes ("I swear to God, yellow eyes"), and his little "toadie" henchman. Through the Parker family, we are privy to the weeks leading up to Christmas, and the grand day itself. Along the way, we are given so many memorable events that it is impossible to relate them all here. Meatloaf, the purchase of a Christmas tree, a certain curse word, a very "leggy" lamp, a tongue frozen to a flag pole, a grumpy Santa, triple-dog dare, Lifebouy soap, a blimp, Chinese turkey, and a movie-long battle between "The Old Man" and the furnace are only a few of the unforgettable gems. The talented cast, which includes Peter Billingsley as Ralphie and Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin as his parents, shine as brightly as Christmas stars. If you have never seen this movie, you owe it to yourself and your family to take this opportunity and watch it. The movie has the power to change the way you look at Christmas, and Christmas films forever. For me, it has become a yearly mainstay, as moving and memorable as "It's a Wonderful Life," or any other holiday film. It is my Red Ryder BB gun, "the best Christmas present I ever received, or would ever receive."
| 
