Renata’s Top Five Summer-Themed Movies of All Time

Ahhhh summer. That magical time when the smell of suntan lotion is in the air, your legs stick to the car upholstery and we all try to play hooky from work every Friday afternoon. But, once upon a time it used to be about summer camp, bug spray and beach blanket romances – so what better way to salute our favorite season than by highlighting the Top Five Summer-Themed Movies of All Time?

Notice I didn’t say Top Five Summer Movies of all time – because that would include the requisite big blockbuster films that swoop into theaters every June and are gone before we can say “Labor Day.” No, this list is about nostalgia. In an attempt to thwart the inevitable windfall of, “How can you leave blah-blah movie off the list?!” comments, here is my disclaimer: I’m sure the Poptimal faithful will have their own set of favorite flicks, but this one’s exclusive to yours truly. Sorry, children of the ‘90s.

5. Dazed and Confused.

Long before Matthew McConaughey’s shirtless romps with Brazilian baby-mamas he was gracing us with bell-bottoms and an, “All right all right all right,” in his sexiest southern drawl. Plus, any movie that took place long before Randy “Pink” Floyd became the brother of that crazy actor who got “kidnapped” and forced to party (um, really dude?) this 1970s-themed flick about the last day of school had won our hearts. Any movie that spawns years of whistle-blowing girls in tube socks and Daisy Dukes screaming, “Air raid freshman b*tches!” as a Halloween costume is worthy of mention.  Marijuana on one, reefer on two…

4. Dirty Dancing.

Sure, Jennifer Grey revamped her nose and now is barely recognizable from the role that made her famous, but that STILL isn’t a reason to put Baby in the corner. This 1960’s throwback was one of – if not THE – best Patrick Swayze films he made, and that’s coming from a huge Point Break fan. Twenty-three years later, the dancing in this mother-of-all-summer-romances hardly seems dirty at all, but that doesn’t make it any less of a classic. Unless you count Baby’s sister Lisa’s singing.

3. Jaws.

I know, I know, I’m going to catch hell for putting this movie in the lowly number three spot, but that’s only because I’m still bitter that it traumatized me for years. Who can forget this Spielberg classic? We never looked at the ocean the same way again after seeing that ominous fin circling. Despite the fact that the sequel never lived up to the original in quite the same way, it still put Martha’s Vineyard – and Roy Scheider – on the map.

2. One Crazy Summer.

One word: Hoops. OK fine, for you non-John Cusack-lovers (are there any?) two more words: Demi Moore. I recognize that some people are too young to appreciate the Corvette-splicing awesomeness of this movie, but if you fall into that category do yourself a favor and fix that – immediately. When a bohemian and noticeably younger Demi Moore (way more appropriate to be married to Ashton Kutcher circa this era, by the way) nearly loses her grandfather’s house, Hoops (Cusack) and his friends – including Bobcat Goldthwait in a Godzilla outfit – set out to win the deed back. Mix in the most makeshift vessel on water (called simply, “The Boat”) and cartoon animations and you’ve got a summer movie that stands the test of time.

1.  The Sandlot.

Anyone who has seen this movie can appreciate my affinity for quoting lines like, “You’re killing me, Smalls” and having a secret crush on Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez when I was 13. Nothing says “summer” more than a movie about baseball, Fourth of July barbecues and Babe Ruth. Not only are James Earl Jones and Denis Leary in this coming of age movie about a neighborhood pickup baseball game, but there are also stunning vomit pyrotechnics, some of the best trash talking ever, and a cameo by the hot lifeguard, Wendy Peffercorn. When a junkyard dog threatens to end the ragtag group’s game in the old sandlot, their mission is clear – pickle the beast at any cost. *Probably lost on some people, but still a good piece of advice – in movies, and in life.

In the spirit of fairness, I must include some other notable mentions:

Stand By Me – Jerry O’Connell was even cute with baby fat.

Vacation (otherwise known as National Lampoon’s Vacation) Clark Griswold at his station-wagon-driving best.

Meatballs – More of a guy movie, but a summer camp (and Bill Murray) classic.

Even more than the countless other solid runner-ups you could put in this category, I feel the need to call attention to the other side of the spectrum – the vilest offender in the summer-themed movies category: Summer Catch.

Worst. Movie. Ever.

Not even Jessica Biel’s flawless physique can save this flick – any movie that ends with the line, “Let’s be together!” couldn’t be any cheesier if it were a block of aged cheddar.

Whatever your movie-watching pleasure, take time out from the warm weather to kick off your flip flops and revisit some of the films that make us wish that summer would never end.