Opinion

BWN Nerds’ Movie Review: A Christmas Story (1983)

What would be the Christmas season, without the Nerds covering A Christmas Story? Does Dave shoot his eye out? Is Patrick’s rating from a deranged Easter Bunny? Let’s find out!

Published

4 years ago

December 24, 2020

Chairshot

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Nerd Review! Every week the Nerds give you their take on a different classic from the Nerdosphere. This week Dave and Patrick continue their holiday film reviews with the 1983 classic holiday flick A Christmas Story!

The Flick: A Christmas Story

What’s it About: All little Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BBB Gun. Unfortunately, all the adults in his life think he’ll just shoot his eye out. Ralphie desperately pulls out all the stops to convince someone that the BB Gun is the gift for him.

Metacritic Score: 65

The Nerds’ Take on A Christmas Story (1983):

Dave For the first time in a couple of months, we put it to the people to decide the subject of this week’s Nerds’ Review. For this very special Holiday installment, we let you loyal listeners decide between A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation. By a narrow margin, A Christmas Story prevailed and, thus, here we go.

To say A Christmas Story is a Holiday classic is an enormous understatement. There is no other Holiday based movie that is actually shown on a loop, on a major network no less, for 24 hours straight. It has been my favorite Christmas movie for as long as I can remember and every time I watch it, it keeps getting better. The captivating story of young Ralphie Parker’s quest to obtain a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas is filled with so many comedically classic moments that it is easy to lose sight of what makes the movie so great…its ability to relate to just about everyone, regardless of age. How many of us have a very specific memory about that one Christmas gift that stands above all others in our respective childhoods? At its core, that is what A Christmas Story is about and yet it is so much more than that.

We find ourselves drawn into Ralphie’s trials and tribulations in a way that no other movie, Christmas based or otherwise, really accomplished. Ralphie’s imagination is brought to the forefront by fantasy segments that range from his being a heroic lawman thwarting criminals threatening his family to being blinded by soap poisoning. Along the way, we find out that, yes, your tongue will stick to an icy flagpole, that fragile is not an Italian word, and that everyone seems to think that if Ralphie gets a BB gun he will end up shooting his eye out. We see Ralphie put the school bully firmly in his place and we see his determination to tell Santa exactly what he wants for Christmas. In the end, it is Ralphie’s father who comes through in a wonderful moment involving a hidden present…only to have Ralphie nearly shoot his eye out after all. And who can forget the hilarious set of circumstances that leads the Parker family to discover the joys of dining at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas day?

Bob Clark did a masterful job directing this masterpiece. Peter Billingsley turned in the performance of his lifetime as Ralphie and Darren McGavin was equally magnificent as Mr. Parker, affectionately known in the movie as The Old Man. Melinda Dillon turned in an underrated performance as Mrs. Parker. Up and down the cast lineup there are memorable and iconic performances. It still amazes me how A Christmas Story, in essence, brought together roughly a dozen mini-stories, wrapped them all around a Christmas based backdrop, and then wove them all into one movie that always flows perfectly, without any piece of the movie feeling out of place or forced. It is a tremendous piece of cinema, full of truly funny moments and that moment when Ralphie finally gets to unwrap his ultimate Christmas gift will definitely hit you in the feels. It will tap into your memories of childhood while at the same time connecting with your more adult experiences involving Christmas, especially if you have kids. There is little question that I will watch this movie at least five times during the annual marathon….even though I am watching it on Vudu as I write this review. Yes, I love it that much and it is that good. Hopefully you feel the same and catch it a few times yourself beginning Christmas Eve.

Happy Holidays to everyone and have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Dave’s Rating: 5/5

Patrick: Dave is not going to like my rating for A Christmas Story. I think it is a terrific movie. A classic film, even. But every year, I relate to this movie just a little less and find it just a bit more dated. Now that’s not to say the movie isn’t good, it’s great. And there are elements of this movie that are timeless. But somewhere in my repeated viewings of this film, it lost something for me and is just little less special. All of that out of the way, I want to repeat, I still really, really enjoy A Christmas Story and I think it is completely deserving of the annual 24 hour marathon on the Turner family of networks.

Much like when we reviewed Scrooged a couple of weeks back, I am assuming most of our readers have seen this flick as it has been a staple during the holidays for years. Set during the 1940s ,A Christmas Story is the story of young Ralphie Parker as told by adult Ralphie. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB Gun. Unfortunately, Ralphie’s mother crushes Ralphie’s hopes by declaring famously, “you’ll shoot your eye out.” The film proceeds to follow 9 year old Ralphie’s quest to convince his parents he should have the coveted BB gun. During Ralphie’s journey the audience is taken on a nostalgic ride through relatable Christmas memories.

The fundamental theme of A Christmas Story is one any person who celebrates the season can understand. Who among us didn’t have that one toy we desperately wanted to see under the tree Christmas morning? And how many of us have been certain that there was NO WAY we were getting said gift? Along with Ralphie’s central story, there are so many relatable scenes. I think my personal favorite has to be the mixture of excitement and terror that every child experiences when visiting Santa. First there’s the ridiculously long line to see the guy. Then, when you finally reach Santa’s lap, you realize as a child that Santa’s a little…creepy. I love how Bob Clark leans into this creep factor by using a simple bubble lens when Ralphie looks up to Santa, warping his face. There are so many subtle moments like that throughout the film that enhance the experience.

The script is loaded with plenty of other holiday anecdotes that land with the audience. There’s a holiday meal falling apart. There’s the terrible gift from a relative you never see but still have to wear or use once. Finally, there is the magic of finding the gift you desperately want under the tree. As a father these moments have taken on new meaning to me as I watch my son live these moments himself.

The adept way director Bob Clark delivers this tale is why A Christmas Story will endure. However, as we roll into the 2020s, I can’t help but notice the film really does show its age. Part of the film’s charm is the era that it is depicting and the nostalgia. It assumes its audience will know about serial radio shows, decoder rings and the like. Given that the film was made nearly 40 years ago and the movie itself is set 40 years prior to that, younger audiences just don’t quite connect the same way. As I mentioned at the top of this review, to me this aging out has made the movie a little less special for me. Regardless, A Christmas Story is still an enjoyable comedy and full of enough Christmas cheer to make audiences smile.

Patrick’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

Overall Nerds’ Rating for A Christmas Story (1983): 4.5/5.0

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1