Ah, the 4th of July: summer; independence; celebration. Some pretty potent, universal themes. Perfect ingredients for a movie, actually. Looking for something to do between barbecues and firework shows that captures the mood of the season? Try one of the flicks below, five of my favorites. Enjoy the weekend.
1. Jaws (1975) - 36 years after its initial release, Steven Spielberg's classic about a man-eating shark terrorizing a small New England island over the 4th of July remains the perfect summer matinee. For best results, you're going to need a bigger screen. (Available on DVD)
2. The Patriot (2000) - Before he went nuts, Mel Gibson starred as a soldier turned farmer who takes up arms once again during the onset of the American Revolution to avenge the murders of his sons. A little too long but extremely entertaining. John Williams' inspiring score doesn't hurt either. (Available on DVD/Blu-ray)
3. Independence Day (1996) - You couldn't escape Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin's alien-invasion epic in the summer of '96. Ignore the laughable characters and inane dialog and focus on things blowing up and you'll have a pretty good time. (Available on DVD/Blu-ray)
4. Blown Away (1994) - Boston cop Jeff Bridges battles mad-bomber Tommy Lee Jones. Throw in Forrest Whitaker as a wise-ass rookie cop, Lloyd Bridges as a crusty mentor to young Bridges and a rousing finale set to the 1812 Overture and you've got a nifty little thriller. (Available on DVD)
5. Roller Coaster (1977) - George Segal (yes, George Segal) plays an amusement park safety inspector battling a mad bomber looking to blow up a new coaster during its grand opening on the 4th of July. A bit dated but still effective; a precursor to 1994's Speed. (Available on DVD)
