Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hot Film in the Summertime

There are certain films that truly convey the summer scorching heat in which they are set. You feel it. Below are some of my favorite "summer" films to watch in front of a fan with a lemon coke with lots of chipped ice.

Sounder (1972)
What a classic. This story of a 1930s sharecropper's son is one that I can never ignore on TV. I get pulled in immediately. The kids are real and honest. The southern locales are the genuine article. This movie has so much heart it makes you feel more alive after viewing.



Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
You can't take your eyes off the screen. Terrific. You'll feel sweaty just watching Al Pacino as a dumb cluck bank robber in his astounding performance.



Miss Firecracker (1989)
Holly Hunter's brilliant stage role brought to film is full of fun performances including Mary Steenburgen (who was never better than in this film as selfish, conceited Cousin Elaine) and Alfre Woodard (as sweet seamstress "Popeye") -- well, I fell in love with Alfre immediately.




A Streetcar Named Desire (1984)
I prefer the Ann-Margret TV-version. She is incredible - and pulls off hot mess Blanche Dubois better than most.


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Spike Lee's Summer of Sam and Do the Right Thing are pretty classic summer films too.



What are your fave films that take you to a hot and sticky summer day?
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6 comments:

  1. Donna LethalJuly 30, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    "I need dress shields!"

    I stay up late and watch old movies late into the night. Mostly noir; lately it's been "Nora Prentiss" with Ann Sheridan; the French classic "Children of Paradise" and other old crime dramas I've tivo'd on TCM. Two that always remind me of summer, and of living in NY is "While the City Sleeps," and "The Window." I'll do a blog on them. Oh - and "Naked City." You can practically smell the grime.

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  2. Donna LethalJuly 30, 2009 at 10:41 PM

    And "Pickup on South Street." That's another "hot in the city" one. Hot Jean Peters on the subway.

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  3. DustyJuly 31, 2009 at 2:12 AM

    "Desire and Hell at {the} Sunset Motel"
    "Wonder Women"
    "Desperately Seeking Susan"
    "Claudine"
    "Lil' Abner"

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  4. glyphjockeyJuly 31, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    Donna:
    BAPTISTE!!!!

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  5. Pantheon ZeusJuly 31, 2009 at 1:51 PM

    DL, I would love to know more about these grimey NY noir films.

    Despertaley Seeking Susan -- why ofcourse! the armpit blowdry by Madonna - classic.

    OMG -- "Claudine" !!
    Dusty, right on! I was on a Jet Blue flight to NYC with Dihann Carroll just weeks after I watched 'Claudine' on TCM for the first time. I tapped her shoulder to tell her I was fan and just saw Claudine and loved it. She was her regal bejeweled self and said "Thank You". ha

    ps -- Geraldine Page's A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL (1985) really gets the Texas city humidity and fields crickets chirping. She also wipes her brow every minute. Bless her.

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  6. Mavis MartiniAugust 1, 2009 at 10:00 AM

    It's August in NC--I need some COOL movies!
    I've never seen "Streetcar" with A-M!

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