When the temperatures soar, there’s nothing quite like a fizzy plunge into the nostalgic delights of a summer film. Emory Film and Media faculty share their favorite enduring films for the season.
Matthew Bernstein, Goodrich C. White Professor
“Out of Sight” (Director: Steven Soderbergh)
This comedic caper film from 1998 remains a surprising, smart, quick-witted account of the irresistible romantic attraction between accomplished bank robber Jack Foley (prime George Clooney) and Karen Sisco (did Jennifer Lopez make a better film?) — the U.S. Marshall who happens to get stuck in the trunk of his getaway car with him.
Its virtues arise from crime maestro Elmore Leonard’s novel, Scott Frank’s witty, Oscar-nominated adaptation and a raft of great actors in secondary roles (Ving Rhames, Albert Brooks, Dennis Farina, Catherine Keener, Don Cheadle and the up-and-coming Steve Zahn). They play a variety of crooks and cops who range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Presiding it over it all, with deft timing and an impeccable sense of style, is Atlanta native Steven Soderbergh. You feel like you are in good company — so good, my then-teenage son and I went to see it twice the summer it came out. The hip score, leading with the Isley Brothers’ “It’s Your Thing,” doesn’t hurt either.
“There’s Something About Mary” (Directors: Bobby and Peter Farrelly)
The other great summer film of 1998 was this genre-busting gross-out rom-com. I had seen “Dumb and Dumber.” I had seen “Kingpin.” But nothing could prepare me — or anyone else — for this no-holds-barred depiction of total loser Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller, fully committed) and his yearning (well, stalking) fixation on his high school crush, the dazzling, smart, sweet Mary (Cameron Diaz), a ridiculous male fantasy.
Ted tracks Mary to Miami, where he must compete with the endlessly inventive, shady detective Pat Healy (Matt Dillon) and several other creative imposters. This film’s not for everyone — an aggressive dog is repeatedly drugged, body parts are contorted and bodily fluids flow — but it is ultimately a good-natured, playful and often hilarious parody of the rom-com. No one has been able to equal it.
Jennifer Porst, associate professor
“Point Break” (Director: Kathryn Bigelow)
Growing up, we learn that summer is a time when we are free from school and the constraints of a routine and schedules. This 1991 film asks if it’s possible to live an endless summer (a nod here to “Endless Summer,” the excellent surf documentary from 1966).
“Point Break” tells the story of a group of adult surfers, led by the late, great Patrick Swayze, who try to finance that dream by robbing banks. A young FBI agent, played by Keanu Reeves, and his partner, played by Gary Busey, attempt to stop them. The result is an epic summer blockbuster filled with action, humor and lots of surfing.
“Dirty Dancing” (Director: Emile Ardolino)
If you are looking for more of a landlocked, summer-camp vibe, then head to the Catskills with Baby, played by Jennifer Grey, and her family, for her last summer as “not a girl, not yet a woman,” in the immortal words of Britney Spears.
There, she falls for Johnny, a dance instructor, played by … yes, Patrick Swayze! Baby also must confront serious issues such as abortion and the upstairs-downstairs class conflict at the wealthy resort. As in all good Hollywood movies, differences are resolved by the end of this 1987 hit, and we cheer her on as she soars above the crowd, dancing to “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life.”
Daniel Reynolds, associate professor
“Happy Gilmore” (Director: Dennis Dugan)
The title character of this 1996 Adam Sandler comedy is a hockey player with anger issues who takes up golf to try to make some quick cash. Backed by great comedic performances by Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Carl Weathers, Sandler found the unique balance of clownishness, sweetness and rage that would define his screen persona in the decades to come. “Happy Gilmore” is sunny, silly and re-watchable. See it this summer and be ready for the legacy sequel coming in July!