"A Christmas Story" is an 80's movie about Christmas in the 40s... but could literally be set at any decade, and for me that's it's problem. It's a generic movie set through the rose tinted goggles of a man looking back on his childhood. Of course, then, Mall Santa is gonna be creepy (what kid didn't think the mall Santa was creepy?), and there's going to be shenanigans that are funny in hindsight, but if you look at it the jokes are really just lame, and land like a drunk man with a broken leg. They're just awful. I mean, really, who thought the idea of a leg lamp would be funny? It's a tacky decoration. The movie as a whole evokes nothing of the 1940s. I've watched the movie several times now, and it's just lame to me. Bad jokes, no spirit, nothing. It's a perfect 1980s style ode to commercialism with it's arc of the kid wanting a BB gun for Christmas. In "It's a Wonderful Life", the family ain't perfect either. In fact, the family is downright about to fall apart of George Bailey storms out into a cold Christmas Eve night after his **** for brains uncle loses all their money. THAT'S relatable. Couples fight. Their kids are annoying, sometimes. Families have dumb uncles who are always losing things. Old houses are drafty. Teachers send kids home when they've got a cold. That's all relatable. There's nothing in "A Christmas Story" that's relatable to me. Sure, I had a dad who swears, who doesn't? Sure, my Dad got me a BB gun for Christmas, what little boy in America hasn't received one? Sure, I had a bully at school, who hasn't? But my childhood wasn't filled my my Dad getting goofy "prizes" from work. Or embarrassing onesie pajamas. I've never had to go to a Chinese restaurant because the dog ate the Christmas turkey. Nothing about the character dynamic is relatable for me. My parents fought when I was a kid, that's why "It's a Wonderful Life" is relatable. I'm sure I annoyed the **** out of my parents. That's why "It's a Wonderful Life" is relatable to me. My Dad has stormed out of the house in a huff. That's why "It's a Wonderful Life" is relatable to me. My teachers have sent me home without a coat. That's why "It's a Wonderful Life" is relatable to me. In "A Christmas Story" they're having turkey for dinner... I've never had turkey for Christmas. My parents always have made a ham Christmas Eve, and then raviolis and lasagna for Christmas.