Go away, snow! I’ve been watching all of these heat-themed movies all day that I forgot I was still stuck in this darn ice. Thank goodness, we’re only halfway through this list. That’s right, we still have Part 2 of the Top 10 Movies to Forget The Snow. Let’s review the past five…
10. Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
9. The Beach (2000)
Directed by Danny Boyle
8. Desperado (1995)
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
7. Finding Nemo (2003)
Directed by Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich
6. The Birdcage (1996)
Directed by Mike Nichols
That list is hot. Okay, sorry. I’m just so excited to reveal these next films that I’m losing control of my play-on-words-filter. Let’s just finish this off so we can all enjoy this collection of works, so take out your dominant hand. Get ready to put down the fingers. This is Top 5 Movies To Forget The Snow:
5. The Hurt Locker (2008)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
I’m just going to assume that if you a male between the ages of 18 and 34 that you’ve already seen this movie and loved it. It’s a movie about bomb-specialists in Baghdad. Better than that, it’s also a well made film. If you don’t begin to feel warm after watching these fellas, in the Iraqi heat, wearing stuffy explosion-resistant suits, than you probably just have your windows open.
4. Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Great Scott! A third film in a franchise that is still worth watching? You betcha. If I could justify the original 1985 film on every list, I would, but unfortunately I wasn’t accepted to law school (or debate camp). However, Part III fits perfectly on a ranking of hot weather settings. It’s western, and as we all know, the air conditioner did not exist in the late 1800s. Sure, this film is arguably the worst of the series, but many also grumble for its acceptance due to tie-ins with Part II. Besides, who really cares? It’s the classic set-pieces we love anyway.
3. Point Break (1991)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
If you saw Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz without screening this film first, then you definitely laughed a lot less than the rest of the theater. Point Break will go down as the greatest surfing-themed bank heist movies of all time. I know that seems like a very specific title, but some sort of pedestal needs to be built for this film. Keanu Reeves performs at his best (or perhaps, worst) as undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah. The bodacious Patrick Swayze plays a surf gang leader named Bodhi, and Gary Busey pretends to be sane. This movie is one of those movies that is so bad that it turns out to be wonderful; ergo, this movie is wonderful.
2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Directed by George Roy Hill
That’s right, it’s that movie your teacher made you watch in Film Lecture. Good thing too, because this is a piece of art worth knowing. Starring the late, great Paul Newman and the still handsome Robert Redford, this western is a celluloid metaphor for changing times. Ladies, I know it’s a western, but you’ll want to watch this film just to see how charming these characters are. Gentlemen, you’ll want to watch this film to remind yourself how charming these characters are. Yes, men and women will both feel affection for these actors for the very same reason: on some level you have a crush. Deal with it.
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
You may better know this movie as “Indiana Jones”, but compared to its successors, it is a film that stands out stunningly from the lot. Do yourself a favor. Forget the past installment and set aside two hours to remember why you still mistake Harrison Ford as your male role-model. Spend the afternoon watching this American hero sweat it out under the desert sun, because we all know by now that the best weapons against the Nazis happened to be the mind of Dr. Jones and the crack of his bullwhip. I don’t have to hope you’ll like this movie; I know you will.
On a more UATV-related note, Raiders of the Lost Ark is also only one of two posters featured on this season of Razorback Reels (Mondays @ 8:00 PM CT).
And another list comes to a close. Screening (or thinking about) these movies may be the closest you get to a beach this winter, so plug in your Roku and get to work. Right now, the best things the outdoors has to offer is mild hypothermia or some crazy car wreck you may survive. I guess you could go to the cinema, but if your taking the time to read this, then you’ve already seen Avatar. Stay inside. Turn on the tube. Snow is so overrated.
As always, leave your cheers and jeers in the comments section. Don’t be afraid, we have very thick skin.