Summertime Movies

I know we're still about a month away from the official first day of summer, but around here, there are signs of that warm, glorious season. It's certainly my favourite time of the year. 

When I think about movies that suit the season perfectly, I am at first sort of stumped. And I don't mean movies (whether blockbusters or not) that were simply released in summer. I mean films that capture the essence of summer, maybe in a nostalgic sense, or perhaps just portraying the lifestyle of those who live in perpetually summery weather.

Do The Right Thing... summertime in Brooklyn

My first thought was of the Cheech and Chong movies, which almost always take place in sunny California, sometimes with scenes in Mexico and other warm climes. The beaches, idyllic Sunset Boulevard, the lazy hazy vibe over Los Angeles. The first three C&C flicks definitely fit the bill. I grew up listening to and watching these pioneering stoner comedians, and though I could never have been considered an advocate for weed, I felt those movies were hilarious in script and acting alone... I mean, take out the weed, and they still would have been pretty funny. 

Stand By Me tells the story of boys experiencing adventure and coming-of-age during a summer break in the 1950's. Their trek to see the body of a missing boy in Oregon sets them up for mishaps and near-misses, all memorable, some funny, and occasionally thrilling. The film's soundtrack reflects the era with classic tunes by the likes of Buddy Holly and Ben E. King.

Do The Right Thing is set in Brooklyn, New York during a steaming hot summer in the 80's. The story focuses on escalating racial tensions in the neighbourhood, made even more intense by the madness created by the heatwave. One moment of relief was the fire hydrant scene, when the kids on the street finally got to cool off.

Movies about America's national past-time, baseball, capture what summer is all about. There's The Natural, The Bad News Bears, Field of Dreams, Major League, and Bull Durham, just a few of the biggest flicks about the sport. Even for the fan at the stadium, with hot dog, a beer (or soda), and ice cream in hand, a sunny afternoon or evening open-air ball game is pure summer. And the guys on the field sure wouldn't be doing their thing if it was snowing. Not normally, anyway. 

Jaws... well, it doesn't promote good feelings about the beach, but it's set at a summer resort town in New England. Lots of swimming and boating and bonfires - ill-fated, perhaps, but you get the idea. Who doesn't get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about shark attacks?

Caddyshack, another sort of sports movie, follows the mischief that takes place at a country club golf course. One of the best comedies of the 80's, this featured big stars and future stars... including Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, and Bill Murray. Oh, and don't forget the pool scene. Yum.

Beating the heat with Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams

Shot in various spots around the Bay Area, California, American Graffiti is a coming-of-age comedy about a bunch of teenagers on their last day and night of summer in '62. The soundtrack music is crucial to this period piece, and it's packed with classic rock'n'roll, pop, and soul of the era.

Another kids adventure that struck a chord back in the 80's was The Goonies. Set in an Oregon small town, we follow the fun and perils of youngsters hiding from their parents and searching for hidden treasure right there in their hometown. The fun is heightened by hit tunes by The Bangles, Cyndi Lauper, and REO Speedwagon. 

I recall being disappointed by Summer Rental back in '85. Even good ol' John Candy couldn't save this clumsy attempt at cinematic comedy. It's about Candy's character, who takes his family to Florida for a beach vacation... which goes very wrong. It's all goofy summer fare, probably just fine for the drive-in crowd, but it did nothing for me. Still...

This time it's the last day of school - in 1976, and things are gonna get crazy as Dazed and Confused documents the final hours at Lee High School and that night of celebration and adventure. Again, the music really makes this flick (with seminal songs by artists like Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, The Runaways, and Kiss), though the cast makes a solid contribution.

The Endless Summer is a 1966 surf movie that follows two wave-riders around the world on their quest for new beach spots. The natural, funny, easy-going style sets it apart from earlier documentaries, making it an influential film on more than just one level.

Sometimes movies stick in my brain more for their atmosphere than their story. One of those is To Live and Die in L.A, a crime thriller about two Secret Service agents hunting down a counterfeiter. The bleak, dark mood of the film is established through the cinematography, the semi-tropical setting, and the unsavoury characters. I recall watching this on videotape while sitting in my heat-soaked apartment back in the late 80's. The movie seemed the perfect companion on that sticky day.

Another film that sunk into memory for its sweaty scenery is the Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer crime thriller, Tequila Sunrise. I seem to remember an intense scene on a Cali beach at the end of the movie.

These are just a handful of summertime movies, and there are many, many more out there. How about National Lampoon's Vacation, The Great Outdoors, Summer School, Meatballs, and Point Break, just to name a few more? Get ready to break out the flip-flops and tanks tops...