5 film recommendations that portray the beauty of summer
During summer, it can be a bit too much to get yourself out of bed, pack, and travel afar during this hot season. Whether you have an entire vacation or you just want a quiet weekend, films can be your friend in order to pass time.
But, are there are too many to watch!?
If you feel that it’s impossible to pick, here are some film recommendations that should be added to your watchlist this summer:
1. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Whatever happens, we’re a family. And what’s important is that we love each other.
The perfect way to start off your summer vacation? A road trip!
The not-so-perfect, dysfunctional Hoover family tries to team up despite their differences and send their youngest, Olive (Abigail Breslin), to a kids’ beauty pageant. Geared to make Olive win, the family grapples with the obstacles (sometimes ridiculous, they’ll make you cry and laugh at the same time) that they encounter along the way. The farther their journey on the road is, the more they learn about each other.
Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton’s signature coming-of-age film creates a certain familiarity with the majority of their audiences. Little Miss Sunshine’s best charm, though, is the couple’s unique approach on addressing important issues such as mental health, drug addiction, and society’s beauty standards.
2. Stand By Me (1986)
I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?
After learning that a boy had been killed in their town, four young boys Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Vern (Jerry O’Connell), Chris (River Phoenix), Teddy (Corey Feldman) decide to search for the missing body. In hopes that to be painted as heroes in town, the young boys are determined to be the first to discover the body.
Based on the original short story by Stephen King, “The Body”, Stand By Me (dir. Rob Reiner) has become a classic. Its nostalgic storytelling will make you look back on your days as a carefree kid with adventurous friends that you treasure the most.
3. Aftersun (2022)
I think it’s nice that we share the same sky.
Aftersun follows the story of an 11-year old girl, Sophie, and her father, Calum, on a summer vacation around Turkey. The film opens to a twenty year-old Sophie reminiscing her past, suggesting that her father had already gone in the present time. As all her memories come back as an adult, the story shows Calum’s understated conflict within himself while he tries to present himself as a loving father.
One of the most acclaimed films of the 21st century, Aftersun is a stunning feature directorial debut for Charlotte Wells. She also adds a personal touch to this masterpiece the screenplay by loosely deriving it from her own experiences with her father.
4. Palm Springs (2020)
It’s one of those infinite time loops situations that you might’ve heard about.
Arriving at Palm Springs, California as wedding guests, Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) finds themselves stuck in a time loop every time they wake up. Strangers before, their doomsday starts after spending the night in each other’s company. Will they eventually accept their hopeless fate?
5. My First Summer (2020)
I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt.
Claudia (Markella Kavenagh), a young girl isolated among the forest, fears the outside world. When her house gets discovered by Grace (Maiah Stewardson) during one summer day, the two form a blossoming friendship. Their bond becomes stronger as Grace tries her best to let Claudia discover her true self.
Director Katie Found becomes particular with her vision in this story while she depicts the narrative of young girls in delicate ways. A lot of the scenes, such as a picnic on the outside, creates the picture-perfect tale of young summer love.
