Summer Time Nostalgia! - Veda Rains

 It's that time again. Students are graduating, the weather's getting warmer and Memorial Day is just around the corner! This got me thinking about some films I just happen to enjoy watching during this time of year. Each is a coming of age story that takes place during the summer months. A few are nostalgic, involve first love, and finding your way between college and the "adult" world.

Summer Movies

The Man in the Moon (1991)
Reese Witherspoon had her breakout role in this touching film about a tomboy who discovers first love. Witherspoon plays the tomboy, Dani, who falls for her neighbor, Court. Unfortunately, Dani's older sister, the pretty (and smart) Maureen falls for Court too. Expect tears with this one.

Sandlot (1993)
Summer, Baseball and the Beast! This is a film for all ages. When Scotty Smalls move to a new town, he's taken under the wing of Benny Rodriguez, a talented baseball player. Smalls learns the ropes of baseball and makes friends with the local sandlot kids. But when he makes a grave error and a very important baseball goes over the fence into The Beasts' yard, the kids have to band together and find a way to save the day! This movie involves everything I love about summer: sports, 4th of July, carnivals, the pool and more! Very funny.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
You don't need to see the first of these films to enjoy this movie. Four friends are at a crossroads as they go their separate ways for the summer: Carmen goes to Vermont for a play workshop, while Tibby stays in New York to complete her studies, Bridget goes on an archeological dig and delves into her past and Lena visits her family's home country. There's a lot going on in each of these girls' lives (and money is clearly not an option-the one big complaint I have about this film), but the situations and subject matter are relatable for girls in their teens through their 20s, trying to find their way in life.

Adventureland (2009)
Experience the 80s through the eyes of James, a recent college graduate (and virgin) who takes a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland, when his parents can no longer afford to support him financially. James makes friends, develops a crush and somehow is able to make a bag of weed last the entire summer. Yes, this movie is funny, smart, dramatic, and best of all, realistic!