If you tell your mom you want an "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle" for Christmas, her response will probably be, "You'll shoot your eye out!" It's a good thing that nowadays most kids do not have that item on their list. A much better gift to ask for would be one of my all time favorite holiday movies, "A Christmas Story."

This 1983 PG movie tells the story of Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) a 1940s 9 year old who is obsessed about wanting the Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Ralphie as a grown-up narrates this hilarious movie. From puffy snowsuits to a triple-dog-dare to an untraditional Christmas Day duck dinner, "A Christmas Story" will have you laughing out loud. You never know what is going to happen next with this eccentric family. Between his daily routine, consisting of mainly being chased by bullies to and from school and checking the mail for his Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, Ralphie spends his spare time thinking of ways to convince his parents to give him a Red Ryder Rifle for Christmas.

When Ralphie gives up on asking his parents for the BB gun, he decides to ask someone else instead: "Santa. The big man. The head honcho. The connection." Ralphie waits in a long line to see Santa and when he finally gets his turn, Ralphie freezes up and cannot remember what he wanted to say. As he starts to leave, Ralphie finally comes to his senses. "I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle," he finally declares. Sadly, Santa's response is the same one that he heard from both his mother and his teacher... "You'll shoot your eye out!" Poor Ralphie is crushed as he is convinced that he will never get his Red Ryder rifle now.

On Christmas morning, Ralphie opens up all of his presents. He gets socks and pink bunny pajamas, but no rifle. Later, while observing the mess of wrapping paper, boxes, and scattered gifts, Ralphie's father points out a hidden present behind the desk. Could it be?

To find out if Ralphie shoots his eye out, you will have to watch "A Christmas Story." Released over 20 years ago, "A Christmas Story is a true classic."


Jolie "triple-dog-dares" you to watch this great holiday movie.