Family Favorites
Great films to enjoy with the whole family, good wholesome entertainment!
Pollyanna - This classic Disney film tells the story of an optimistic ray of sunshine that transforms the curmudgeonly heart of her Aunt who she is forced to live with after a tragedy strikes her life. The summer festival is the reason it makes this list!
http://video.disney.com/watch/pollyanna-trailer-4be10ff07d0f842f7f3ce022
The Sandlot - A coming of age story that is set in the Golden Age of Post-War America that centers around the greatest American Pastime- Baseball. It is charming, funny, and if you don't watch it, "You're killing me Smalls!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QDq-e1GbjE
An American Tale - Steven Spielberg tackles animation! In a precursor to what would become Dreamworks, Mr. Spielberg and Amblin tap director Don Bluth to tell the story of immigration into the US using an animated cast of animals. Don't forget your tissues for the tear-jerking song "Somewhere, out there"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvZfEQ_pMdg
Honorable Mention:
Johnny Tremain - Disney 1957 - Historical Fiction set in pre-revolution Boston.
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure - 1985 - Warner Bros. - Great romp across the US looking for a lost bike.
Bunker Hill Bunny - 1950- Merrie Melodies - Bugs and Yosemite Sam fight in the US Revolution.
Sports Films
Feeling patriotic through competition? Can you say U-S-A, U-S-A!
Miracle - The USA's greatest upset in sports- ever! Retelling of how the Miracle on Ice happened in the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. US vs. USSR in the height of the cold war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64ofT1rGOw
Rocky IV - Another US vs. USSR showdown this time in the sport of boxing! James Brown's "Living in America," as Apollo Creed's entrance music, pure fireworks! Not to mention the fight that take place during the climax of the film and quintessential 80's montages!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwJJkeOTT6Y
Race - US hero Jessie Owns, struggling for equality in his own country goes to Berlin for the 1936 Olympic games to battle Hitler and the Aryan Race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmh3MeFArg
Honorable Mention:
42 - 2014 Warner Bros. - Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in Baseball.
Field of Dreams - 1989 Universal - Film about baseball, farming, and a broken relationship with dad.
Remember the Titans - 2000 Disney - Football, race, and the impact of integration.
War Movies
Rooting for our brave young men who protect our freedom! So many good movies to choose from, here are some of my favs.
The Patriot - Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger star in what I think is the best movie about the Revolutionary War, even though it is historical fiction. It's kinda like Braveheart, only better because this time it is the US fighting the English. FREEDOM!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osSrajMUah4
Patton - George C. Scott standing in front of a Giant US flag giving a speech... How American is that! Story of WWII general written by Francis Ford Coppola!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-0dTpzNzwo
Glory - The best movie about the Civil War. While it is based on the true story of Massachusetts 54th and Robert Shaw the film takes some licesne. Fantastic performances from Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-tHfM_J-Y
Honorable Mention:
Saving Private Ryan -1998 Dreamworks - The first 20 minute depiction of D-day, wow!
Unbroken - 2014 Legendary - Biopic film of WWII & Olympic Hero Louis Zamperini.
Good Morning Vietnam - 1987 Touchstone - Had to put a Robin Williams and Vietnam movie here.
Popcorn Movies
Big budget blockbuster films. Fun to watch with explosions and action to boot! No need to worry too much about the story, just sit back and enjoy!
Independence Day - Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum save the world against an invading army of aliens. Quintessential movie for the fourth of July simply because of the title. "Didn't I promise you fireworks!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZZvtQtdbzM
Captain America, The Winter Solider - You could have put any Marvel Cinematic Universe film here and been satisfied. But it is America's birthday, so I chose to focus on the greatest American superhero in the best of his solo MCU movies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RKQPgeYRs
National Treasure - Nicolas Cage is a history buff who has discovered that the Founding Father's have hidden clues to the greatest treasure in the world in historical documents and sites. The chase is on to get there first after he is betrayed by his seedy partner who was financing the search.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J34YtrkL7ic
Honorable Mention:
Any of the Indiana Jones Films (except the fourth ...not good)
Red Dawn - Either version is good 80's is a classic, reboot had a better budget... Wolverines!
Armageddon - 1998 Touchstone - US Oil Workers blasted into space to save the World!
Terminator 2, Judgement Day - 1991 TriStar - Another saving the world, explosion-fest!
Date Movies
Needing something that she will want to watch with you, unlike most of this list so far? Try some of these.
Top Gun - Is this an awesome movie about fighter jets or is it a love story between student and teacher? Depends on your perspective but either way it is amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioWpe3hdFH0
My Big Fat Greek Weeding - Greek, how 'Merica is that? Well it does a great job looking at an American immigrant family that holds closely to the traditions and cultures brought with. Funny, sweet, and enjoyable to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0RVkqXuSCM
Brooklyn - The tale of an Irish woman who leaves home to start a new life in New York City. She has difficulty adjusting but things become easier when she meets an Italian boy and falls in love. When tragedy calls her home will she choose home or love?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ4RzlCR_lg
Honorable Mention:
Miss Congeniality - 2000 Warner Bros. - The Miss USA competition needs FBI protection.
The Philadelphia Story - 1940 MGM - Love story set in the first capitol of the US, Philadelphia.
The Great Gatsby - 2013 Warner Bros. - The classic American novel about the roaring 20's with Leo.
Comedies
Want a funny slice of America? Check out some of these comedies that show some love to the USA.
Vacation - We all remember long car rides across the country that our family told us was vacation...yeah right! Nothing goes well for Chevy Chase and the Griswold's on this road trip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMiXWKJQPEQ
Smokey and the Bandit - Another great road trip movie, this time Burt Reynolds is smuggling beer for fun against a clock. Things get sticky when he picks up Sally Fields and a law enforcement official picks up his tail!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC1uiXMQu9E
Stripes- Bill Murray and Harold Ramis join the army and give a hilarious new look at boot camp. But John Candy steals this movie!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wr3imOyEZw
Honorable Mention:
Private Benjamin - 1980 Warner Bros. - Its like stripes, but replace Bill Murray with Goldie Hawn.
Back to the Future Trilogy - Great look at the US in the Old West, 1950's, 1980's and future 2010's
Talladega Nights 2006 Columbia - NASCAR, a truly American Sport as told by Will Ferrell.
Just Because
These could have fit into other categories but didn't quite fit any criteria. But they need to be included on this list. Go America!
Forrest Gump - Tom Hanks as the titular character, takes a simple look at the major events in US history in 1950's-1990's. Great performances from the supporting cast of Sally Fields, Gary Sinise, and Robin Wright.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIEn0M8su0
Easy Rider - Motorcycles road trip from LA to New Orleans searching for America. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper are two counter-culture hippies looking for a way to support a simple life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjlxqANj68U
The Godfather I & II - How about the classic tale of a crime family being shaped and shaping the country during the early to mid 1900's. I reccomend taking all day to watch both back to back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY1S34973zA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJr92K_hKl0
Titanic - One of the greatest tragedy's in US history told around a love story, treasure hunt, and historical fiction. Another epic film the is long viewing to eat up chunks of the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCy5WQ9S4c0
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