Millions of July 4th celebrations all over the United States include steady diets of barbecues, pool parties, fireworks, and laughter, but this holiday is also a great day for a movie! Well, that’s because every day is a great day for a movie, of course.
If you find a few spare hours on Independence Day, why not catch a movie at home? Here are five films which pay homage to the U.S.A. in various ways, and you can stream them one or all at home.
Happy Fourth!
“In America” (2002) – The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and director Jim Sheridan crafts a moving film about an Irish family trying to financially survive in New York City while still mourning the death of their little boy. Exceptionally well-acted, the picture bathes in themes of love and the strength of a close family unit, as Johnny (Paddy Considine), Sarah (Samantha Morton) and their two little girls embrace their new American surroundings during the early 1980s. Balancing emotions and tension throughout the picture, Johnny’s attempt at a carnival game might be the most stressful moment that you will see all year. Djimon Hounsou also plays a key supporting role.
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Miracle” (2004) – Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) only has seven months to construct and train a hockey team to compete in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. Rather than slip into convention, he takes unique approaches to build his team, including avoiding the best players and selecting the “right” ones. Director Gavin O’Connor and Russell create a rousing, behind-the-scenes look at Brooks’ out-of-the-box thinking which inspired 20 young hockey players and an entire nation. Do you believe in miracles? Well, after seeing this movie, we all should. ⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) – Politics has become a figurative combat sport in recent months, but after watching this Jimmy Stewart classic, one realizes that the fight has endured for decades and decades. Jefferson Smith (Stewart) is a brand new senator and arrives in D.C. with a squeaky clean image, as a colleague tells him, “This is no place for you. You are halfway decent.” This movie certainly is leaps and bounds above decent, as director Frank Capra engineers a timeless David vs. Goliath story with the nation’s capital at the very center. Senator Smith does not own a slingshot, but his inspiring principles certainly aim true. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Rocky IV” (1985) – Admittedly, “Rocky” (1976), “Rocky II” (1979), “Rocky III” (1982), “Rocky Balboa” (2006), and “Creed” (2015) are better films than the fourth installment in this storied franchise, but “Rocky IV” features a slugfest between our hero (Sylvester Stallone) and a big, bad, blonde-haired Russian (Dolph Lundgren). Hey, that is something to celebrate on Independence Day! Other than the fight, the picture is a shallow series of clichés, including a dopey, eye-rolling musical montage of Rocky training in an isolated ranch by cutting wood and lifting rocks, while Drago (Lundgren) enjoys pumping iron and gladly accepting modern science and chemistry. On the other hand, it is very difficult not to wave the ole red, white and blue when Rocky and Drago square off.
⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Summer of Soul” (2021) – The Harlem Cultural Festival featured about two dozen blues, jazz, Motown, and gospel acts over six Sundays during the summer of 1969. Over 300,000 people – primarily black audiences – attended this beautiful and massive celebration of music and culture. Have you ever heard of it? Me neither. The video sat in a basement for 50 years, and director Questlove – one of the founding members of The Roots – poured over 45 hours of footage and constructed a remarkable 112-minute documentary that features Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Fifth Dimension, a 19-year-old Stevie Wonder, and much more. This doc isn’t just a musical event, as Questlove also captures the struggles and thoughts of this time in American history as well as interviews of the concert goers who remember their experiences and marvel at the video. Wow, “Summer of Soul” is the best film I’ve seen this year, and it’s my favorite doc since “Searching for Sugar Man” (2012), which was my #1 film of 2012.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Image credits: Searchlight Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Columbia Pictures, MGM
