We are more than halfway through the season. The McFlurry machine is still out of order. After the 4th of July, summer zips by. But before the beaches close, a list must be made. I'm not going to get into subsets of summer. Bennett Media has that covered. So here are the things that immediately come to mind when I think of the hot and sticky season.
FILM
DO THE RIGHT THING
The ultimate summer movie for me. Spike once said that the impetus for this movie was him finding that during heat waves, the level of crime in a city rises. The textures and colors of the movie courtesy of Ernest Dickerson's photography along with the energy from Spike make this film vibrantly alive.
MIAMI VICE
In the heat of the night. A movie to be watched with the sound all the way up. Preferrably with a mojito.
THE OPENING OF FALLING DOWN
A line can be drawn directly from the opening to 8 1/2 to the opening of this movie. Only that that was about making movies. This is about a man being pushed to his breaking point. There are several scenes that can be related back to everyday inconveniences. The overpricing of a can of Coca Cola, just missing the breakfast hour at a fast food place. Like Do the Right Thing, you can make a case for the heat contributing to the boiling rage of a character. Crank that A/C.
THE OPENING OF DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE
I can't think of many franchises that have a one foot firmly in Christmas/winter and the other in summer. While the opening has a clear influence from Dog Day Afternoon, Summer In the City really hasn't been used better.
TELEVISION
THE CALL/MR. TASTEE
It was either this figure or the episode 'The Call. So I picked both! Pete and Pete encapsulates the experience of summer during childhood better than just about any show. The Call centers around an ominous ringing phone during the hottest, doggiest, dog day of the summer.
On the other hand, if the season ever called for a mascot, I can't think of a better one than Mr. Tastee.
THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Everytime the IIRC puts out a study on how dire our future is from climate change, I get more and more entrenched into a mood of despair. When that happens, this Twilight Zone episode comes to mind. A story submitted for all of you thermometer watchers out there.
SUMMER SONG from THE WONDER YEARS
The beauty of this show is it's simplicity. A guitar strumming along. Daniel Stern's narration. "I keep that letter in a shoebox. It was the only one she ever wrote me." Kevin has shared one offs with many a girl. Terri represents a specific time and place where you spend a night with a person and never see them again.
THE HAMPTONS
"It's like I'm Neil Armstrong! I turn around for a sip of Tang, and you jump out first." It was not the summer George in this one.
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