If there's one universally enjoyed activity among people of all ages, it's watching movies. Whether at the movie theater with friends, at home with your family or in your dorm room with a pint of ice cream (no judgement there), watching movies is one of the best ways to escape the reality of your responsibilities, relieve stress and wind down after a long day. With summer around the corner, here are five movies that will get you through the last leg of the semester and make you hate the teasing of spring's weather a little less.
1. "The Sandlot" (1993)
Centered around a group of nine boys who live and breathe baseball, "The Sandlot" remains a classic summer hit filled with comedy and family fun. Nerdy protagonist Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to a new town at the beginning of a 1960s summer with no friends and a new stepdad to get used to. When Benny (Mike Vitar), resident baseball-star and all-around cutie teaches him to play baseball and introduces him to the rest of the guys, he finds his place on the team and his eight best friends. After a prize baseball goes over the fence and into the clutches of the Beast, Smalls, Benny, Squints, and the rest of the gang need to figure out a way to dig themselves out of the biggest pickle of their lives. The madness that ensues leads to some great situational comedy and some of the best one-liner's in history (No, I'm not biased. It's just my favorite movie ever).
2. "Meatballs" (1979)
This Bill Murray classic will leave you hysterically laughing at the expense of resident klutz Spaz (Jack Blum), the humorous antics of counselor Tripper (Murray), and the misfortunes camp director Morty (Harvey Atkin). Watch as the CITs wrangle all the campers and fall in love with each other, while Tripper pulls hilarious pranks on Morty, pines for his female counterpart Roxanne (Kate Lynch), and mentors resident loner-camper Rudy (Chris Makepeace). The love interests, pranks, and camp rivalry will have you wishing you were at camp again, diving into the lake, going on campouts and screaming "It just doesn't matter!" over and over again (most likely for no reason).
3. "Jaws" (1975)
This 1975 summer thriller focuses on police chief Martin Brody (Roy Sheider), oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) as they set out to capture and kill the shark responsible for terrorizing their small island of Amity. The three men set out on the Orca on an adventure that ends up being more than they bargained for as they encounter the teasing and dangerous great white multiple times. As the movie progresses, one thing becomes clear: they're gonna need a bigger boat.
4. "Couples Retreat" (2009)
Although not usually regarded as a summer classic, this Vince Vaughn comedy is set on a gorgeous, tropical island with waters blue enough to make you wish you were on vacation in the middle of July. Following the endeavors of four couples in marriage-counseling program set in the island-resort of Eden, watch and laugh as they reluctantly undergo relationship counseling and trust building exercises. One of the best parts of the film: the scenery! The ocean, beach huts, beautiful white sand and alluring waterfall will have you yearning for summer to begin so you can escape to the beach, sans martial-counseling. Although Salvadore, the hot yoga instructor, is always welcome to come along. (Have you seen his abs? That's enough encouragement for anybody).
5. "The Way, Way Back" (2013)
This underrated indie film follows awkward teenager Duncan (Liam James) as he summers with his mother and her monstrous boyfriend (Steve Carell). After befriending fun-loving waterpark worker Owen (Sam Rockwell), who gives him a job and is a trustworthy confidante, he finds confidence and temporary solace at the waterpark. As familial troubles ensue and life at the beach-house becomes less and less like paradise with every passing day, his bond with Owen and next-door-neighbor Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb) helps him stand up for his mother, get the girl, and love himself during a summer of self-discovery and life lessons.
