Looking for movies about winter (not holiday movies, just winter)?  Fall?  Spring?   A few, for sure, but nothing compares to how many movies there are about summer!  Whether celebrating the newly graduated, the long awaited vacation, or the fun filled trip to camp; there are plenty to choose from.

Many even put the name “summer” right in the title…Summer Catch, Summer School, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Summer of ’42, A Summer Place, One Crazy Summer, (500) Days of Summer, The Kings of Summer, Wet Hot American Summer, Summer Rental, Summer Lovers, Corvette Summer and so on.

Then there are the big blockbuster releases or “popcorn” movies (motion pictures without serious dramatic content or intellectual significance, but strictly enjoyable entertainment) that the studios intentionally release during the summer months when people have a lot more time for movie going.  I know I am not the first film fan to be there on opening night or even attend the first midnight showing of a summer film (before they started doing Thursday openings).  So, in honor of the July 4^th long holiday weekend; this week I give you a list of my favorite summer release movies.

Let me start by saying, that the majority of these films are not Oscar winners; nor were most of them even nominated for Best Picture of the year, even though they were all top earners in their year of release (many of them #1).  In fact, overall, summer movies are often seen as the rubbish before award season.

A quick vent of frustration to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, before we get started:  I believe the top box office film of each year should automatically receive a spot in the Best Picture nominees.  I won’t argue that many of these popcorn movies might not be considered “art” to those that judge art.  But, I’ve also found that most of the people that I know who consider themselves a valid judge of art actually want to appear smarter than they really are; and, to do so, they choose “smart” selections or intellectual pieces to praise.  God forbid they honor the art of the masses that even the average Joe can appreciate!  Art doesn’t always have to be a Rembrandt or a Picasso.  It can also be the guy who sells his pictures at a swap meet or the painting that hangs in the vet’s office.  That frame of reference though, hasn’t really made it to the film world.  Let me give you something to think about.  If a film has made more money in ticket sales than any other film that year, then didn’t it clearly appeal to the majority, either in quantity of persons buying a ticket or being worth seeing multiple times while still being able to appreciate the feeling it gives the moviegoer?  It might be less weighty art, perhaps…but isn’t it art, just the same?

With a quick internet search, the definition of art comes up as, “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power”.  It seems that most of these “smart” people are dismissing comedy, fear and thrill as being as emotionally powerful as drama.  Look at the Best Picture winners.  How many of them were comedy?  Answer: Six (the most recent, “The Sting” in 1973 and “Annie Hall” in 1977 – neither true full blown comedies in my book).  How many of them were horror?  One (“The Silence of the Lambs”).  How many of them were fantasy?  One (“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”).  Science Fiction?  None.

If millions of people of varied race, creed, color and social background came together to appreciate a film, no matter the genre, it should be praised as having been a creative piece of art that made a rather large distinctive achievement.  Isn’t that what the Oscars are supposed to stand for?  In fact, shouldn’t the art be shown merit for touching so much of the world with its creation?  No, a film like that probably won’t win the award, but it should be given a nomination, none the less.

And now, as penance for reading my rant, I give you some films to enjoy (not in any order of preference).  Do not expect a lot of tears (maybe a few) or to have a scholarly discussion of the film’s meaning afterwards…but, do expect to have fun watching what I consider some of the most entertaining summer releases!  Eight box office winners for the year of their release (and four that weren’t #1 but still placed in the top 10).

To be fair, we’ll start with one that was actually nominated for Best Picture and actually is considered judge-worthy, even by the “smart” judges.  Like they say, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

1. Jaws (1975) – I will never, ever go swimming in the ocean after dark. And, I will never be the furthest person from the shore.  If a shark is going to get someone, it isn’t going to be me.  In fact, even in a swimming pool at night, I can’t help but think of Jaws.  It is a must-see every summer (usually during the 4^th of July weekend).  It draws on the fear of the unknown and what you can’t see just below the surface.  It is Hitchcock’s ticking time bomb under the table.  The moviegoer knows it’s there but poor Chrissy, Alex and Ben aren’t so lucky.  And, that music…All I can say is “thank you John Williams.”  Movies like this are the best of the best.  And, the scariest part is that it could really happen.
2. Independence Day (1996) – This one is another must-see every summer, but ON the 4^th of July, if at all possible. As the years go by the special effects look a little more dated than they did back in ‘96, but the aliens blasting the buildings of New York and Los Angeles still takes my breath away.  This is the perfect summer blockbuster.  The enemy attacks all mankind and we fight right along Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum in hopes of saving the world.  I saw this one three times the first weekend it came out.  I think I sneakily urged the majority of my cousins to go with me on July 2^nd (midnight show w/ Eric, Betsy & Jimmy), 3^rd and 4^th and cheered at every showing.  Hooray for ID4!
3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – The other Best Picture nominee on my list. This movie was influential in so many ways including increasing sales of Reese’s Pieces 65% (and to think, they offered the partnership to M&Ms first).  I can actually close my eyes and hear E.T. saying, “Elliott,” “E.T. phone home” and “I’ll be right here”.  It is a family film, a best friend movie, a science fiction fantasy, and a true tear-jerker.  The end when that flower starts to perk up is exactly how my heart feels whenever I come across the film while flipping through cable channels.  And, it also gave the film world, C. Thomas Howell – and for that I am truly grateful.
4. Back to the Future (1985) – Start with the fact that this is a time travel film and the time machine is a DeLorean. Enough said.  Already sounds like a hit to me.  If I could invent anything, it would be a time machine.  The idea of going back to visit the past firsthand is beyond incredible to me.  And, the story of this film is just so darn good.  Going back in time, accidentally changing your parent’s history and therefore risking your own existence.  It is brilliant.  Throw in Christopher Lloyd’s crazy Doc Brown, Thomas F. Wilson’s annoying Biff, and Michael J. Fox’s loveable Marty McFly; and, you can’t help but absolutely fall in love with this movie.
5. The three “G”s: The Goonies (1985), Gremlins & Ghostbusters (1984) – The summers of 1983, 1984 and 1985, I probably saw 95% of the movies that came out. It seemed like every night we stood in line at Showcase Springdale, waiting to get inside and buy a movie ticket.  I usually put these three together because they came out in consecutive years and so clearly remind me of spending my summer nights at the movies.  They were such fun adventures:  Pirate’s treasure, mischievous monsters and ghost exterminators.  And, all worth seeing multiple times.  All of them had their share of villains, whether it was Mama Fratelli, Spike or Zuul; plenty of laughs; a chance to save the day; and, a code of conduct (i.e. rules to live by).  In my book, a perfect trifecta of summer films.
6. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) – The most recent film on my list. If a movie about a single superhero is great, a movie about six is nothing short of awesome.  Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun with Iron Man, Captain America and what seems like too many Hulk movies before 2012; but, nothing put me on the Marvel bandwagon faster than the excitement of this cinematic gem.  Though Batman (1989) would have clearly had this spot before, I now can’t wait for every single Marvel film that follows (sorry DC).  We all love a superhero and this one gave us plenty to love.  Mix Tony Stark’s wit, Bruce Banner’s intelligence, Thor’s strength and Steve Rogers’ good guy principals and what do you have?  The Perfect Man.  Now give them all special powers.  I have nothing more to say.  Well, I guess it’s got a lot of good action, great effects and a killer villain (Loki) too.
7. Grease (1978) – I really can’t tell you how many times I have seen this movie. I do recall the summer it came out and all the other kids I knew spending their days at the pool.  I, however, wanted to spend my days at Showcase Springdale (yeah, that was the #1 theater in Cincinnati growing up, the site of my first job and side note, they finally switched back to Coke this year…halleluiah).  I probably took every single one of my friends to see this movie until I ran out of movie buddies and just had my mom drop me off to watch Grease by myself.  It was definitely the first movie I ever went to alone and I was happy to watch it every single day, over and over.  It was my first beloved soundtrack and I still love to sing most of the songs at the top of my lungs, whenever they cycle through on my iPod.
8. Jurassic Park (1993) – Really, you can’t have a list of top summer movies and not include Jurassic Park. Another thrilling journey with not only the biggest of bad guys (T-Rex) but the scariest gang I’ve ever witnessed (Raptors).  For the first time, we actually got to see up close what dinosaurs might have really looked like when they roamed the earth (no museum bones here).  It was majestic to look at while also being an amusement park ride of fun.  Captivating, exciting, scary – and effects that were awe-inspiring.  It also has my favorite line of any summer blockbuster, “if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists.”  And, you might now take note that three of the films on this list were directed by Steven Spielberg.  And, he was an executive producer on three others on this list.  He does summer film fun like no other, despite those naysayers that say he is overrated.
9. Die Hard (1988) – Yippee Ki Yay! This was Bruce Willis’ first big, big film; but, he had already been portraying my favorite television character of all time (David Addison) on my favorite television show of all time (Moonlighting) for three years before Die Hard.  Because of that show alone, I would have gone to see him in probably any film, regardless of the story, in the hopes of witnessing the same clever, witty and charming character on the big screen.  However, I received that and so much more.  The charm and the wit were there in John McClane, but there was also a whole lot of amazing action.  There is so much to adore about this film: great bad guys, daring rescues, crash ‘em/smash ‘em moments, unlikely heroes, love and Christmas!  If all movies went away and I could only keep one action movie to watch, this would be it.
10. Big (1988) – From the comedy of Bosom Buddies (another of my favorite television shows) and Bachelor Party to the amazing characters in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks just oozes talent. He is the perfect “every guy” and all of us “every guys” love him.  And, there is no more fun, yet touching, performance than Josh Baskin in Big.  The struggles of young Josh is something every kid can relate to and that childhood wonder, even though you grow up, is something most adults miss.  There is heart, magic, love and friendship all wrapped up by the big colorful bow of Penny Marshall’s direction and Tom Hanks’ acting.  There are many old/young body-swapping films (Vice Versa, Like Father Like Son, Freaky Friday, 18 Again!, 17 Again, 13 Going on 30) but none of them do it as magically as Big.

#50WeeksTo50

Side Note:  No, I did not include any STAR WARS movies.  Truly, they are in a category all their own; but, if it makes you feel better, imagine they were included as #11.