10. Summer of '42 (1971): Every
teenage boys fantasy: good weather, sandy beaches, and Jennifer O'Neill. Not a
particularly great movie, but a great segue into
summer.
9. One Crazy Summer
(1986):Okay, so it's not a cinematic
masterpiece. But it does have John Cusack in one of his patented teenage
comedies co-starring with Demi Moore when she was about 16. A thoroughly stupid
but thoroughly funny movie.
8. Dirty Dancing (1987):Summer in
the Catskills! A joy that I (fortunately) have never experienced. But with
Partick Swayze and a pre-nose job Jennifer Grey kicking up their heals, it's a
fine summer watch.
7. Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation
(1962): A summer at the shore with your family sounds like a
wonderful idea. Don't believe it. Just ask Jimmy
Stewart.
6. National Lampoon's Vacation
(1983):Meet the Griswolds! Nothing better than a car trip
to Wally World with Grandma and what's left of her dog. Chevy Chase and Beverly
D'Angelo star.
5.
A Room With A View
(1986):Even though it's a Merchant-Ivory production, it's
not a bad film for the male members of the family. A summer in Florence in a
room with a view. Just a warning -- the view at the swimming hole is more of a
view than you normally see in a mainstream
movie.
4. On Golden Pond (1981):Any movie
with Henry Fonda and Kathryn Hepburn -- no matter how old they were -- can't be
bad, and this movie is close to great. Nobody does cantankerous as well as
Fonda.
3. The Endless Summer (1966):The
best surfing movie ever made. Makes you re-evaluate your life goals.
2. Jaws (1975):Anyone want to go
swimming?? Easily the scariest summer movie ever made. Great cast, great film.
Robert Shaw's description of his tattoo and what it means is worth the price of
admission.
1. American Graffiti (1973): George
Lucas' most personal (and I think best) film examines one night in the life of
four high school friends before they go off to college, work and the war. Great
cast, great music, great film.
One piece short of a
bikini: