Netflix's Facebook feed asked a fun question on Monday, the first day of summer: What's the first movie you think of when you think of summer?
For me, that would be George Lucas' American Graffiti, mainly for its evocative use of the Beach Boys' "All Summer Long" over the end credits.
Me being movie nutty, however, I never can leave any movie-related question, so let me toss out a few more, in no particular order.
Jaws - Of course - although not because it made me afraid to go into the water. I was afraid to go into the water anyway. Can't swim to this day.
Do the Right Thing - Spike Lee's seminal, searing drama about a hot day in Brooklyn (understatement) is certainly one of the movies that best conveys a sense of heat - in more ways than one.
Lawrence of Arabia - Speaking of a sense of conveying heat ...
Miracle on 34th Street - I kid you not. Sure, it's a Christmas movie - but what many people don't know is that technically, it's a summer movie. It came out on May 2, 1947. True story.
Rear Window: Heat is an important factor in the story. Remember the shot of the thermometer and the sweat glistening on Jimmy Stewart's face?
Gunnison: It's about time you got married, before you turn into a lonesome and bitter old man.
Jeff: Yeah, can't you just see me, rushing home to a hot apartment to listen to the automatic laundry and the electric dishwasher and the garbage disposal and the nagging wife...
Gunnison: Jeff, wives don't nag anymore. They discuss.
Jeff: Oh, is that so, is that so? Well, maybe in the high-rent district they discuss. In my neighborhood they still nag.
What movies make you think of summer?
PS - Lest anyone think I forgot one of my favorite movies from last year, 500 Days of Summer - it's totally cheating to pick a movie with the word "summer" in the title! ;)
2 comments:
Body Heat
Nice that you put Do the Right Thing right next to Lawrence of Arabia, as Ernet Dickerson, Do the Right Thing's cinematographer, has said Lawrence was a major influence on how he shot Do the Right Thing.
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