When compiling the final list of 15 summer titles, I had no conscious intention that the last five movies would be stories focused on children and preteens, yet here we are.
‘The Sandlot’ (1993)
Set in 1962 California, the main character is recent arrival Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry), a kid merely looking to make new friends. Scotty gets an in when he joins a ragtag group of likeminded local misfits who play baseball at a rundown field near his home.
After suffering through the usual “slings and arrows” testing by the local brat pack, Scotty begins getting a bead on his eclectic newfound clique.
Things get interesting when the ball the boys play with disappears into the yard owned by Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones) whose Mastiff absconds with it.
‘Independence Day’ (1996)
One of the last Hollywood blockbusters to exhibit unbridled American patriotism and pride, “Independence Day” cemented Will Smith’s status as an A-list action star.
In addition to being the highest grossing movie of director Roland Emmerich’s otherwise unimpressive career, it’s also his most critically acclaimed.
Credit goes to Emmerich and his co-writer, producer Dean Devlin, for making the story about an alien invasion instead of nuclear war with the Russians; it was refreshing and commercially wise. Well over half of the worldwide gross came from outside the United States.
‘The Parent Trap’ (1998)
A rare instance where a remake is on a par or better than the original, this is also one of the few Lindsay Lohan movies that’s actually good (“Mean Girls” is the other).
Lohan stars as twins Hallie and Annie who were separated as infants. Neither knew of the other’s existence until they meet at summer camp a decade later and start comparing notes.
When their parents divorced, Annie relocates to England with her mother Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson) while Hallie remains in California with her father Nick (Dennis Quaid).
A convoluted plot twist involving a body swap is introduced. While it stretches the bounds of believability, it segues nicely into the second half with the twins acting as matchmakers.
‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (2012)
For those unfamiliar with his work, director Wes Anderson regularly straddles a fine line between edgy and twee. “Moonlight Kingdom” is no different.
The big difference here is that this movie is designed to appeal mostly to preteen audiences. Those who think Anderson’s animated “Fabulous Mr. Fox” is a children’s or teen movie should reconsider their position.
Set in 1962 at a summer camp on a fictional New England island, the story centers on Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward). The two 12-year-olds are introverts and wise beyond their years without much in common with their peers.
‘The Way Way Back’ (2013)
A perfect bookend piece to “Moonrise Kingdom,” is another sometimes awkward coming-of-age story taking place at a summer New England retreat.
The son of divorced mother, Pam (Toni Collette), the shy Duncan (Liam James) can’t stand her new boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), or his obnoxious daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin).
As soon as the quartet arrives on their vacation, Duncan starts falling for local girl Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb) and gets a job at a local amusement park managed by Owen (Sam Rockwell). Susanna and new father-figure, Owen, provide Duncan with much-needed ports in the storm while also boosting his self-confidence.
The fantastic ensemble cast also includes Allison Janney as a boozy neighbor and Amanda Peet and Rob Corddry as a mercurial married couple.
