“I want to stop thinking of the present as a small, insignificant prelude to something else.”
This is a quote from Richard Linklater's sensual and beloved summer classic Dazed and Confused, released in 1993. This seminal youth film has inspired generations of youth with its bold atmosphere and loving, free-spirited outlook on life. American teenager. Movies like this don't come along very often, but every now and then a great, timeless summer classic comes along.
With the school year coming to a close and summer not far away, I thought there was no better time than now to put together a personal selection of quintessential summer movies. From true classics to little underrated gems, here are some of the most fun summer vibes that are sure to make you want to throw on your booty shorts and head to the beach with your friends. enjoy.
Director of “Licorice Pizza” (2021).paul thomas anderson
Their knees are touching the bottom of the table. Their silhouettes set against the sunset over the valley. The literal running motif of their runs. Their walks, their laughs, their smiles, and their sweet hugs. It's everything I could ever ask for and then some. Nothing captures the simple feeling of first love like “licorice pizza.'' That warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you see someone special's eyes light up when they look at you. Cold sweat dripping down my forehead on a hot summer night. Goof around with your friends, play pranks, and pull pranks. Driving down the street with the roof down in my mom's convertible, listening to David Bowie and The Doors. I wish I could live in this movie and spend time with Gary and Alana. Witness Tom Waits emerged from a thick cloud of cigarette smoke and yelled at me from across the bar. I can't do that, but I have no doubt that I will read this masterpiece again and again and be comforted by its sweet and honest embrace. This is what it means to go to the movies.
Director of “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” (2019).Quentin Tarantino
The fact that I've seen this movie five times speaks volumes. Definitely a modern American classic. It's an incredibly nuanced, brilliant script, chock-full of some of the best characters you can imagine. I can't think of a group of characters other than Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth that I'd rather hang out with (aside perhaps from the aforementioned Gary and Alana). They really don't get any better than this, guys. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of his movies that just gets better every time you watch it. It's not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination (I have issues with it), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it. One of the most quotable and vibrant photographs published in recent times. On hot summer nights, turn off the air conditioner, open up the cool air conditioner with your boys (or girls) and have some fun with these amazing characters. You won't regret it.
Director of “Breaking Away” (1979).peter yates
Considering we all went to schools in the great state of Indiana, we thought there was no better movie to recommend than Breaking Away, one of the most notable Hoosier movies of all time. Ta. Shot entirely in and around Bloomington, Indiana during the hot summer of 1978, the film is a moving love letter to the region and the people who call it home. There is something so beautiful and peaceful about the carefree and optimistic outlook these young people convey through this touching slice of life. The way they just enjoy each other's company, swimming in a local abandoned quarry, smoking cigarettes, and riding their bikes around the great plains of Indiana is so wonderfully wholesome and sincere. Every single performance is perfect, and the script is almost equally good. Not to mention the legendary last 15 minutes. There is no doubt that it is a genuine masterpiece.
That’s it, folks! I truly hope you, dear reader, have enjoyed reading my thoughts on film, television, and everything in between this year on Torch. I'm very happy to be able to write this article for you all. Thank you for reading. Be sure to add these movies to your summer watchlist. We look forward to seeing you at the beach. cheers!
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Torch.