This post is sponsored by 8ball.co.uk movie t-shirts.
So far summer 2012 has been a bit of a dull one. Warnings of drought in the Spring have given way to dull skies and endless rain. So maybe the best plan is that rather than demanding the sun to shine, you should set out to recreate the summer in your living rooms with some great films that evoke the spirit of the season. As we all cross our fingers that the weather improves for the next few months, here’s our list of the best movies for summer.
10. Big Wednesday (1978)
What’s It About?: Set across 12 years from the 60s into the 70s, three young men love nothing more than hanging out on the beach and enjoying the sun, girls and waves. However the Vietnam War interrupts, and leaves them wondering if they’ll survive to find the fabled Big Wednesday’, when the greatest wave of all time will come.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: Admittedly the Vietnam War isn’t very summery, but a film about three guys and their love of surfing certainly fits the bill to make you wish the sun was out and you were on the beach.
9. Grease (1978)
What’s It About?: Over the summer, Danny and Sandy fell in love, but when Sandy turns up as a new student at Danny’s school, she discovers that at home he isn’t known as the sweet, innocent by she fell for on holiday. He’s a bit of a bad boy and very concerned about keeping that rep, something that stands in the way of their romance.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: Admittedly Grease doesn’t start until the end of summer, but it’s still got that feel of great weather and good times. Of course it’s also got the ultimate summertime song, the infectious Summer Nights.
8. Summer Holiday (1963)
What’s It About?: A group of London bus mechanics organise a deal where if they can prove they can make a go of an idea to kit out a double decker bus as a mobile hotel that travels all around Europe, they’ll get a whole fleet of them. This sets up a series of adventures where the boys must deal with the passengers, the terrain and with love.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: It’s a Summer Holiday! It’s got catchy songs that even the cheesiness of Cliff Richard can’t dent, as well as being insanely good natured. Few films capture being young and carefree quite like this.
7. Dirty Dancing (1987)
What’s It About?: Set in the 60s, Frances Baby’ Houseman is a young woman who heads off with her family to a posh resort in upstate New York. While she expects to live a life dictated by her privileged upbringing, she unexpectedly falls for the resort’s dance instructor, a man whose background is very different to her own.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: Not only is Dirty Dancing set during a holiday, but it’s all about breaking free, growing up and rebelling a bit, which feel like very summery things to do.
6. Point Break (1991)
What’s It About?: A gang of bank robbers calling themselves the Ex-Presidents are causing mayhem in LA. Young FBI Agent Johnny Utah is sent undercover to get in amongst a group of surfers the feds believe could be the criminals. As Johnny gets drawn into the surfing lifestyle, the boundaries between his emotions and his job begin to blur.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: If the films above aren’t action-packed enough for your summer viewing, how about Point Break? You gotta love Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze surfing, skydiving and having fun, even if it may be being paid for through bank robberies.
5. Roman Holiday (1953)
What’s It About?: The royal Princess Ann sets off on a highly publicised summer tour of European capitals, but soon gets tired of the protocol and official duties. While she’s in Rome, she decides to sneak out of her hotel room to go exploring, but ends up asleep on a park bench. She’s found by journalist Joe, who doesn’t initially realise who she is.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: One of Audrey Hepburn’s most charming films, Roman Holiday is all about breaking free and trying to chart your own course in life. Set in the sunny environs of romantic Rome, it’s a true summer treat.
4. Dazed and Confused (1993)
What’s It About?: It’s the last day of term before the summer holiday and various groups of teens have different plans about how to celebrate. Some seniors set out to haze incoming freshman, others just want to party, and one of them wants to dance! Everyone is getting stoned, drunk or laid, although this causes issues for football player who’ve signed a pledge to stay sober and upright.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: No film has ever captured the excitement and anticipation for the summer holidays quite like Dazed and Confused. It’s a film that knows the pains, awkwardness and optimism of youth and the promise that escaping school for the summer brings.
3. The Endless Summer (1966)
What’s It About?: Bob Brown’s documentary follows two surfers as they travel around the world, looking for great waves and a summer that never ends. From West Africa to Australia to Tahiti and beyond, the guys live out their dream, finding the greatest surf and a lifestyle far from most people’s daily grind.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: It’s one of the great escapist films, and while there are a few dodgy aspects especially when it tangentially deals with race it wonderfully captures the idea of getting away and managing to make the summer last forever. It’s also full of amazing surfing footage.
2. Stand By Me (1986)
What’s It About?: A grown-up writer reminisces about a summer adventure when he was a kid. He and three of his young friends set out to find a dead body that’s supposedly been discovered by a group of older boys however the towns bad kids aren’t far behind. What starts a simple trip ends up as a series of adventures and the kids realising they’re growing up and things will never be the same again.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: Stand By Me is all about the long summer days of youth, as wellas that moment when absolute carefree innocence when everything seems like a grand adventure gives way to a realisation that growing up beckons. It’s a powerful reminder of that and one of the best summer films around.
1. Jaws (1975)
What’s It About?: The island community of Amity lives for the summer, when the tourists arrive and their cash flows into the town’s tills. However there’s a bit of a problem a giant shark is in the waters, intent on picking off anyone who goes for a dip. The mayor doesn’t want to believe it in case it scares off visitors, but Police Chief Brody becomes increasingly convinced something must be done.
Why Is It Good For Summer?: For a start, this is the movie that gave birth to the summer blockbuster, so what better film could there be for those long, warm days? Admittedly getting eaten by a shark isn’t a particularly fun summer activity, but Jaws remains an exciting ride and captures the fun and fear of the limitless blue seas.
This post is sponsored by 8ball.co.uk movie t-shirts.