The Ultimate Summer Movie Playlist

I was watching The Sandlot the other night and I couldn't help thinking that it is quite possibly the perfect summer movie.  Then I thought it would be fun to create the Ultimate Summer Movie Playlist, which is actually a lot harder than it sounds.  But I tried to pick five movies that I think perfectly encapsulate the summer season in one way or another.

First, of course, is the movie that got me started on this path, The Sandlot.  Is there another movie that screams summer like this one?  I don't think so.  For those who haven't seen it, what rock have you been living under for 20 years?!  The movie follows a group of kids as they spend a summer playing baseball, swimming at the local pool, and getting into a little bit of trouble.  It is absolutely wonderful!  And it gave us everyone's favorite line, "You're killing me, smalls!"

Next up is Jaws.  I usually watch Jaws at least once at the beginning of every summer. I don't really know why because it isn't exactly a topic that you want to think about for the summer, but for me, it just wouldn't feel like summer without watching Jaws.  It was the first real summer blockbuster, it takes place during summer, there's suspense, tension, and laughter, and it has some of the most memorable scenes in movie history.

Next up is National Lampoon's Vacation.  I mean, c'mon, it's about a summer vacation.  And who hasn't been able to relate to the Griswold's cross country trek to visit Wally World?  I know I can.  Everyone who has ever taken a road trip with their family knows how awful it is at the time, but how wonderful it was when you look back on it.  And that's what Vacation reminds you of.

The next movie on my playlist is Independence Day.  For Americans, nothing says summer more than the Fourth of July, and aliens.  And this movie has both.  I know the special effects look dated now, but I don't know anybody who can watch this speech and not get chills.

And finally, I'm going with another baseball movie, Bull Durham.  Summer means baseball, and while there are a lot of baseball movies I could have picked from, I chose Bull Durham because, well, it just feels like summer.  Although, Field of Dreams is the perfect Father's Day movie, and Major League is another great baseball movie, Bull Durham shows a summer of baseball that most people don't get to see.  And I often find myself watching it throughout the summer.

So that's my list.  What would be on yours?