With Memorial Day being the unofficial start of summer, I thought it might be fun to make a viewing list for the season. It’s fairly easy to find a listicle about classic summer movies, but I thought it would be more interesting to go with something other than the typical mainstays. I like The Sandlot as much as anyone, but sometimes you want to try something different. Not saying this is a definitive or essential list, just a different list. A Deadletter list. So let’s walk around my imaginary video store and check out some summer flicks. I’m actively choosing films that take place in the season, not just have that summer feel. I’ll admit, this isn’t the most family friendly list.
Comedy
Dazed and Confused is a great film to START your summer, as it is a “one-crazy-night” film about the last day of school in a Texas town in 1976. If you’d seen that enough times, check out Adventureland. Anyone who had what they thought was going to be a “fun” summer job, only to be disappointed would likely relate, but you’ll probably laugh more at Linklater’s classic. I’m pretty fond of Summer School with Mark Harmon as well.
Drama
When I think of hot days, the film that immediately comes to mind is Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. A film that has not lost its relevance, I am sad to say. Taking place on the hottest day of the year in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of New York, Mookie delivers pizza while tensions are building about his employer, Sal. Though required viewing in my opinion, if this is a little heavy for your summer, I get it. Check out Miss Juneteenth. A story about a single mother trying to help her daughter win the titular title in her small Texas town. The mother, played by Nicole Beharie, is trying to recapture some glory from when she won back in the day, her daughter isn’t so into it. It’s a good film about their relationship with no shortage of summery imagery.
But if you want a more shall we say adult experience, go with Y Tu Mama Tambien.
Mystery/Suspense
If you really want to go off the beaten path, check out Stranger by the Lake. Two men strike up a casual friendship at a cruising spot by a lake in France. Soon several men in the area are being murdered. I’ll leave it at that. Fair warning: this is much more NC-17 than Y Tu Mama, and that is saying something.
Music
I know a lot of people love Mamma Mia! I am not one of those people, but there is a surprising lack of summery musicals. You could watch In the Heights, but I’m going to go with Summer of Soul. Questlove’s documentary about the Harlem Culture Festival of 1969. It recently won best documentary, and got a little overshadowed by a certain altercation. It’s a very fascinating film, with great performances by Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, and several others.
Science Fiction
This might be a cheat, as I am not 100% sure it takes place in the summer, but Safety Not Guaranteed certainly has very nice Pacific Northwest weather if it isn’t in the summer. Aubrey Plaza plays a recent college grad who answers a want ad asking for a someone who wants to travel back in time. It is a pretty unique experience and worth your time. This flick got director Colin Trevorrow a couple of Jurassic Park sequels if that tells you anything.
Horror
Okay the classic answer here is Jaws, but check out Summer of ’84. A “kids-on-bikes” flick about said kids investigating one of their neighbors, whom they suspect is a serial killer. A part of me thinks this is a satire on the 80s nostalgia genre of the last decade. The ending really sticks with you. You could watch Midsommar as well, and there is a world of slashers to choose from. Though the Friday the 13th and I Know What You Did Last Summer film series are the obvious choice, go with The Burning instead. Not as archetypal, but neat in its own way.
Action/Adventure
While not explicitly summer, it sure looks hot throughout Wild at Heart. The only film that is both 100% a David Lynch film and 100% a Nic Cage movie. Sailor and Lula are star crossed lovers just trying to love each other while Sailor breaks parole. It isn’t action in the most classic sense, but there’s a fair amount of fighting, fast driving, and foiled crimes to scratch your action itches. I feel like True Romance borrowed a lot from Wild at Heart. Speaking of Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is a good option as well.
For the fun of it, here’s couple of summer “coming of age” double features to consider.
Stand by Me with Now and Then
Call Me By Your Name with Luca
Tim and I are planning on recording podcasts comparing big summer movies from 4 different decades this summer, so be on the lookout for those soon.
~Andrew