Hey everyone, sorry I have basically been non-existent for the past couple of weeks. School got really crazy with finals and everything, but I can officially say that I am done with my first year of law school. How crazy is that? I can't believe that I have made it this far. Only 2 more years left. With that being said, I thought that I would finally get back into the swing of things with another Top 10 list. I haven't done one of these since February (I know I have been slacking). So in order to celebrate the end of a school year, I thought I would focus my list on the movies that celebrate summer. We each have a fond memories growing up about our summers whether it be family vacations, summer camp, or really just hangout out with friends. Summer truly means something special to each of us. So with that being said, I hope that you enjoy my Top 10 Summer Movies!!!
MPAA Rating: R
The first film on my list is Wet Hot American Summer. Ok, so most likely at lot of you haven't heard of this film and to be honest, that is probably a good thing. I ran across this film about 2 weeks ago on Netflix and just started to watch it. Was it the greatest in the world? No. Would your life not be complete without watching this show? Definitely no! However, is this a good film about summer? Yes. For who is in this film, I am surprised it isn't more popular, to name a few Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler. The film tells the story of a group of camp counselors on the last day of summer camp. The film takes some crazy twists and turns along the way, some that I enjoyed and others that I did not enjoy, but overall, it was still a pretty entertaining film to watch.
This film is definitely not for everyone and I completely understand that. In fact, I would recommend most people not see this film. I for one enjoyed it, while I know that my wife will completely hate this film. The film is just plain stupid and really has no point being made, however it has gained such a cult following that Netflix will be premiering a TV series of this film later this summer (which I will be watching). With all that being said, this film is a great summer film. We all have so many goals and things we want to achieve during the summer and this film shows that we should do whatever it takes to accomplish our summer goals.
9. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)MPAA Rating: R for strong horror violence and language
As if you didn't know, no list of mine would be complete without a horror film on the list. I know
these aren't for everyone, but for some reason I just love them. So what horror movie would be better to start off my list than I Know What You Did Last Summer? I mean come on it has the word "summer" right in its name. The film tells the story of 4 students who on the first day of summer are traveling down the road at night when they accidentally run into someone and kill him. Not wanting to tell anyone about it, they throw the man's body into the ocean and make a pact that they won't tell anyone what happened.
However, exactly a year later, after they have all tried to move on from the incident, they receive a letter saying "I know what you did last summer." Now, the group of friends are being targeted from an unknown person who is seeking revenge for their most guarded secret.
The thing I love about this film and the reason it is on my list is that it shows just how important and unforgettable summers are. Now I am not saying that we will be haunted by what we do during the summer, but especially now where everything we do is posted to social media, it is much harder to keep a secret. I mean for most of us we won't have someone chasing after us, but the things we do during summer and really all the time could live with us forever even if we really don't want them to.
8. Friday the 13th (1980)MPAA Rating: R
The next film on my list is another horror classic, but it has instilled a worry in every parent as they send their kids off to summer camp. Because of this film, every parent now wonders how safe their children actually are at summer camp. I mean the whole premise is that a kid drowned in a lake at summer camp and is now the mother is out for revenge against the camp counselors that weren't doing their job. Now I am not saying that this was the greatest way to handle things, but lets be honest, whose mother wouldn't go to great lengths if this had happened to their son. Though this is a horror film, this film really made people start to think about what really happens at summer camp and who is actually taking care of their children.
Ever since the original film Jason Voohrees has been terrifying people in countless movies and remakes. Though some sequels are better than others, the films have mostly strayed away from the summer camp experience, This is very unfortunate. However, the 2009 remake tried to bring back the nostalgia of the summer camp/vacation. There is a new film coming out next year and let hope that it brings back more of the nostalgia that the other films have lacked.
7. The Way Way Back (2013)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief drug material.So, the next film on my list is a little indie film that came out about 2 years ago called The Way Way Back. This film stars Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, and AnnaSophia Robb. I went and saw this film in theaters out of a recommendation and I was actually quite surprised. It tells the coming of age story of a 14-year-old boy who goes on summer vacation with his mom, her obnoxious boyfriend, and his daughter. Though he tries, he never quite seems to fit in. However, he finds an unexpected friend who manages the town's water park. So with the help of his new friend, he gets a summer job and finally begins to realize that he doesn't need to change who he is to make others happy.
This is a great little indie film that I think everyone should see. I can honestly say that this is the one film where I absolutely despise Steve Carell. I'm not saying he is bad, I just don't like his character. However, the reason this is on my list is because during the summer months is who we really find ourselves. I remember times when I would see someone the last day of classes, but then the following year on the first day of classes he was a completely different person. He had found who he wanted to be. I am sure we can all remember times like that. Also, another reason is who doesn't remember how important and fun it was to have your first summer job!!!
MPAA Rating: PG
This next film on my list is a popular film for most people. For those that have seen it, everyone can remember the first time they watched Jaws. At the time it was so terrifying and no one wanted to get into an ocean after that. In fact, we can really point to this movie as the beginning of America's shark craze (a.k.a. Shark Week). In case you haven't seen this film, it tells the story of a town, Amity, where they thrive by being a summer tourist destination. However, when they are threatened by a giant shark, they must try to stop it or all their summer tourism profit will be lost.
The thing I liked about this film is that to this day there are still people after over 40 years that are afraid to go into the water. When you can accomplish that, then you know that you have created a horror masterpiece. However, the reason this is on my list is because going to the beach is still a favorite summer activity that people do. For most people, they don't even think about the dangers. It also shows though how important tourism can be for certain cities and how impacted they can be if people stopped coming.
5. The Parent Trap (1998)MPAA Rating: PG for some mild mischief
The next film is the Disney classic The Parent Trap starring Lindsey Lohan and Dennis Quaid. In all reality you can watch either this one or the 1961 version starring Hayley Mills, it really doesn't matter, they are both actually quite good. This film tells the story of two twin sisters who were separated shortly after being born due to their parents breaking up. Neither one of them knew the other one existed or even who their other parent is. However, they both unexpectedly meet at summer camp one year and form a plan to get their parents back together.
So the reason I love this movie and the reason it is on my list is because the summer camp sequence is absolutely hilarious and to me the best part of the film. I loved when the two sisters (who at first hated each other) were pulling all the different pranks on each other. I don't know what it is, but for some reason whenever summer hits, there is a rise in pranks and kids think that pulling pranks on others is hilarious. I remember so many times when my friends wanted to go toilet-papering or whatever was popular at the time. A lot of people associate summer with this kind of stuff, so I thought it would be fitting to put this prank-filled summer camp story on the list.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some violence and threatening moments
The next film on the list is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. It would higher on the list, but I just feel that there are better summer movies than this. Anyways, this film stars Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon and for some reason I just love this film. You can ask my family and they will tell you the same thing. This film tells the story of a mother, a white-water-rafting guide, who decides to take her son on his first white-water rafting trip.
However, they encounter some unexpected travelers along the way, which leads to a very action and suspense-filled ride, which takes the entire family working together in order to survive.
So like I said, I love this film and probably one of the biggest reasons why I love it so much is because one of my favorite summer activities is to go white-water-rafting. I think it is so much fun. That is partly the reason why this is on my list. Every time I watch this film I want it to be summer so that I can go. I know a lot of people that enjoy white-water-rafting and if that is you, this is definitely the film for you.
3. Heavyweights (1995)MPAA Rating: PG for some rude language and pranks
So the next film on my list is one that I loved watching while I was growing up. This film stars Ben Stiller as a new camp director who turns every kids summer dreams into their most terrifying nightmares. The film tells the story of a group of kids that are lured into joining a fancy fat camp with the promise of a quick weight loss and a fun summer, but their summer plans don't go as planned when they find out that the camp has been sold to a psycho ex-fitness instructor.
So this film is hilarious and really is an underrated and sadly often forgotten about movie. The thing I love about this film is that it shows just how important and how fun summer camp can be. Though for most of these kids, their camp experience was horrible, there are glimpses into some great times as well. Summer camp is a place where you can meet some of your greatest friends and make some unforgettable memories. This is a great film for the whole family to watch and definitely one you should watch this summer.
MPAA Rating: R
The next film on my list is a film about the great family road trip and a film that has led to many great sequels about family vacations. The film stars Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo as parents who want their two kids to experience life and have great family memories. With that spirit, they decide to take their first family road trip to Walley World (their version of Disneyland). Along the way the family runs into a few obstacles that make for a hilarious road trip that only those that have been on one can truly cherish.
So the reason this film is on my list and is so high up on my list is because one thing that I can always remember about summers is going on family vacations. While most of the time we did not go on road trips like the Griswolds, we did go on some and they were pretty memorable. I think each of us has our own memories of family vacations and the mayhem that they really are. However, though they can sometimes be hectic and crazy, I do think that most of us would say that they were the times that made us closer than ever before. Also as a side note, there is another sequel coming out this summer, that I am told is absolutely hilarious!!!
1. The Sandlot (1993)MPAA Rating: PG for some language and kids chewing tobacco
Ok, so we have made it to the top of my list. To me, the best summer film would have to be The Sandlot. This film tells the story of a new-kid-in-town who is taken under the wing of a baseball prodigy and his team. As the summer progresses, this group of friends find themselves in some crazy adventures. However, even though these adventures and challenges seem overbearing, they know that they can always find refuge on the baseball field.
So the reason this film is on the top of my list is because it shows the audience just how important summer actually is and it also shows some of the great activities that are available to kids during the summer. For the main character, being the new-kid-in-town, summer was his way of making friends so that he did not have to go to school all alone. For the other kids it was a time for them to have as many adventures as possible. Plus, some of my favorite memories of summer come from when I was just hanging out with my friends either playing baseball, playing football, or playing basketball. There is just something about those times that made my summers amazing.
Well everyone I hope you enjoyed my list. If you don't see a summer film on my list that you think should be there, put it in the comments below. I love to hear your suggestions. Once again, I am sorry I haven't posted in a while and I hope now that it is summer I will be able to be more on top of things. We shall see. Well everyone enjoy your summer and come back every week for reviews on some of summers biggest movies!!!
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