Arts & Entertainment
11 Movies To Get You In The Mood For Summer
Transport yourself to the tropics by watching summer flicks including "Mamma Mia!" "50 First Dates," "Blue Crush" and many more.
Summer 2020 is just around the corner — and while we might not all be able to hit the beach quite yet, we can indulge in some beachy movies to help us get in the summer groove.
Do you find yourself dreaming of the white, sandy beaches of Hawaii and California? Make sure to watch “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “50 First Dates,” “Blue Crush” and “Point Break.”
For those who are in the mood to catch a beach flick set on a Greek island, look no further than “Mamma Mia!” on Netflix. The romantic comedy stars Amanda Seyfried as a bride-to-be with three hidden surprises for her mom (Meryl Streep).
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Meanwhile, if you’re imagining the awe-inspiring landscapes of Thai beaches, head over to Amazon Prime to check out “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio as an American tourist in search of paradise.
Finally, some other must-see summer flicks include “The Impossible,” “Beaches,” “Cast Away,” “The Way Way Back” and the rapturous animated film, “Finding Nemo.”
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Check out the full list of flicks that are packed with sunshine, beaches and summer bliss.
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“Mamma Mia!” — Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan; directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Thinking of a sunshine getaway? The Greek island of Skopelos beckons in this 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy about a bride-to-be searching for her father to walk her down the aisle. Based on the songs of pop Group ABBA, the movie will get you in the groove in no time with an exuberant ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård and Julie Walters.
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall” — Jason Segel, Kristen Bell; directed by Nicholas Stoller
As the adage goes, time heals all wounds. And this romantic comedy proves just that — with the help of the beautiful “Aloha State.” Meet Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), a music composer who is dumped by his girlfriend Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). To heal his broken heart, the despondent dude embarks on a picturesque Hawaiian getaway. However, when he gets to his destination, he discovers that Sarah happens to be staying at the same resort. What is he to do now? Luckily, he meets a happy-go-lucky girl named Rachel (Mila Kunis), who has a twinkle in her eye.
“The Beach” — Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton; directed by Danny Boyle
Featuring the majestic landscapes of the Thai island of Kho Phi Phi Le, Danny Boyle’s 2000 drama adventure is based on Alex Garland’s 1996 novel about a young man in search of an elusive paradise. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard, a young American backpacking through Asia with a group of European friends. Shortly after his arrival in Bangkok, he encounters a Scotsman (Robert Carlyle) who entrusts him with a primitive map of an uninhabited island paradise. It will just be a matter of time before Richard embarks on an adventure of a lifetime to search for the mysterious place. But is it truly paradise?
“Blue Crush” — Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake; directed by John Stockwell
Get excited for some surfing moves — duck diving, floater, cutback, 360 and more. John Stockwell’s 2002 surfer flick stars Kate Bosworth as Ann Marie, a determined young woman aspiring to re-enter the sport of competitive women’s surfing, years after an unfortunate near-drowning incident. Seemingly, nothing can ever stand in Ann Marie’s way to conquer the Hawaiian waves — that is, until our heroine catches the eye of NFL quarterback Matt Tollman (Matthew Davis). Will romance be a nuisance or a blessing? Either way, she has her BFFs (Michelle Rodriguez and Sanoe Lake) cheering her on all the way to victory.
“The Way Way Back” — Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell; directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Set in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the coming-of-age dramedy tells the story of Duncan (Liam James), an introverted 14-year-old boy who begrudgingly goes on a summer getaway with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette) along with his mother’s overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell). As Duncan navigates the small beach town, he eventually crosses paths with the owner of the local water park, Owen, who teaches him some powerful life lessons about courage, responsibility — and that intense feeling of puppy love.
“Beaches” — Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey; directed by Gary Marshall
Despite its deeply melancholic mood at times, Gary Marshall’s dramedy is insightful about life in so many ways. At the center of the story are two childhood friends — rich socialite Hillary Whitney Essex (Barbara Hershey) and Broadway star C.C. Bloom (Bette Midler) — who first meet in 1958 under the boardwalk on the beach in Atlantic City. Over the years, their friendship will be tested as they fall for the same man. With a well-thought-out screenplay, the film opens and ends on the beach. (Keep that Kleenex handy.)
“Cast Away” — Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt; directed by Robert Zemeckis
Past and present collide in Robert Zemeckis’ 2000 adventure drama about destiny and human survival. The film stars Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a career-driven FedEx executive who sets off on a huge job assignment on Christmas Eve. Moments later, his plane crash lands in the South Pacific, leaving Chuck stranded alone on a deserted, remote island, miles away from human civilization. Uncertain about the future, Chuck will have to depend on his survival instincts and creativity to find some semblance of normal life. Will he ever get the chance to reunite with the love of his life, his fiancée Kelly Frears (Helen Hunt)?
“Point Break” — Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze; directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow’s action-crime film delivers enough high-octane sequences to keep you on the edge of your seat. Watch Keanu Reeves ride the big waves as undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah, whose mission is to infiltrate a Southern Californian surfing fraternity suspected of robbing banks. The young cop’s investigation eventually leads Utah to the group’s leader named Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), setting in motion a complex spiritual relationship between the two men in the process.
“The Impossible” — Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor; directed by J.A. Bayona
Based on a true survival story, “The Impossible” is a moving tribute to the determination and courage of one amazing tourist family. Meet the Bennett clan — Henry (Ewan McGregor), his wife Maria (Naomi Watts) and their three young boys, Lucas (Tom Holland), Thomas (Samuel Joslin) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast)— who are enjoying their Christmas vacation in a seaside town near Khao Lak, Thailand, in 2004. Moments later, however, a massive 100-foot tsunami sweeps across the area, wreaking havoc in its wake. Barely alive, Maria emerges from the devastation and eventually finds Lucas. Meanwhile, Henry, Thomas and Simon are nowhere in sight. Will the whole family of five ever be reunited?
“Finding Nemo” — Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres; directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
One of the most endearing animated films of all time, “Finding Nemo” is both viscerally and visually spellbinding. Set in Great Barrier Reef, the movie tells the story of Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), an overprotective clownfish who embarks on a journey to find his kidnapped son, Nemo. Aided by Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful blue tang fish, Marlin’s quest will take him all the way to Sydney.
“50 First Dates” — Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler; directed by Peter Segal
In Peter Segal’s 2004 romantic comedy, Adam Sandler plays Henry Roth, an aquatic veterinarian who lives on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The charismatic young man is convinced that he is a confirmed bachelor — that is, until he meets the charming Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore). The two hit it off, and now, suddenly, Henry feels totally lovestruck. However, will the young man still feel the same when he finds out that Lucy suffers from severe short-term memory loss? Regardless, Sandler and Barrymore will melt your heart with their undeniable chemistry together.
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