Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Old, we’re counting down our favorite movies set on the beach. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Of all the roles you might expect George Clooney to play, it’s unlikely that one of them is a man who desperately tries to keep his cool in the wake of an accident that put his wife in a lasting coma, leaving him to take care of his two teenage daughters in the middle of a giant real estate deal that involves his entire extended family. Over the course of The Descendants, Clooney’s character Matthew King travels the islands of Hawaii with his daughters Alex and Scottie (Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller), informing friends and relatives of his wife’s condition to invite them to come say goodbye to her and discovers a secret his wife has kept from him that he needs to come to terms with, all while dealing with the pressures of his relatives egging him on to sell the land his family has been entrusted to for over a century. The Descendants is a wonderfully human film that focuses on holding onto the things that matter and letting go of the things that don’t, and it does so with fully realized characters with flaws and struggles against the backdrop of the paradise that is Hawaii. (Chris Bakker)
Back in 2001, Disney set out to market a new animated movie that would be their most creative and hilarious movie since Aladdin. Trailers for this movie showcased scenes from their beloved classics getting ruined by a small, blue, adorable, mischief maker named Stitch. After seeing them, I was sold. So when Lilo & Stitch premiered the following summer, I saw it opening weekend. It has since become my favorite Disney animated feature. I love the characters, the Hawaiian backdrop, the themes of family, and the uncharacteristically dark humor. It’s hilarious from start to finish but it also is profoundly touching and heartfelt. Every time I rewatch it, I find something new to love, whether it’s a blink-and-you-miss-it joke or a meaningful moment that adds another layer of emotion. It’s also one of the most quotable movies and its Hawaiian-influenced score is some of my favorite music Disney has ever given us. This summer you can watch several movies that have “family” as a theme, but I implore you to seek out this underrated and underseen classic. If you don’t, I will be forced to “back up sewers, reverse street signs, and steal everyone’s left shoe!” (Nick Ferro)
“LOOK WHAT I HAVE CREATED!!! I HAVE MADE FIRE!!!” Witnessing the sheer triumphant joy exploding from Chuck (Tom Hanks) as he creates his first campfire is reason enough to watch Cast Away. That, and the unique experience of becoming emotionally invested in a volleyball covered in human blood, of course. Now, if by some misfortunate miracle you have not seen this movie, please see past the admittedly unappealing premise of a story that focuses on a one-man season of Survivor being played by a FedEx systems analyst. Because if any actor can pull it off, you know it’s Tom Hanks, and boy, has that man got my number. I don’t care if he’s on a beach, in a department store… or even a terminal, like most of us, I will watch that man do anything. And in Cast Away, you get to see him do everything, and he nails it like no other Hanks performance. This movie will take you through all of the emotions, from fear, to panic, to acceptance, back to panic, to frustration, to joy, back to panic, back to frustration, to hilarity, to determination, to defeat, to loss, a quick trip back to panic and then sheer relief… then heartbreak. But you can always skip that last bit, trust me. (Ian Whittington)
“Soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, towards which we have striven these many months.” These words, written by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, opened a letter to the allied forces who participated in Operation Overlord, the invasion of occupied Europe, the events of which are chronicled in the 1962 war epic The Longest Day. Telling the story of the D-Day invasion from the French, German, American, and British perspectives, this film depicts the events behind and on the beaches as allied forces stormed “Fortress Europe.” This film does an awesome job at portraying both the concerns of each side, and the fateful decisions made, of the war while showing the actions of allied troops as they began the liberation of France. You see an awesome depiction of the day, from Eisenhower deciding to begin the landings to General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.’s decision to “Start the war from right here,” from paratroopers securing locations behind the beaches to the Rangers storming Pointe Du Hoc, and from the hell of Omaha beach to the landings on Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches. Not only that, but you get a who’s who of actors of the day, with Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Kenneth Moore, and Sean Connery gracing the screen, just to name a few. What makes it all the more impressive is the fact that the filmmakers went above and beyond regarding research, consulting with those who had been involved in the battle, further deepening the layers of authenticity. While this film can be a slog, clocking in at nearly three hours, this film portraying one of the most consequential moments in world history is more than a must watch in my eyes. (Joseph Davis)
What is the most shocking finale in the history of cinema? One can easily argue that the reveal of the identity of the simian world at the end of the original Planet of the Apes takes the cake. Charlton Heston gives an iconic performance as Taylor, a cynical astronaut who finds the horrors in humanity. His swagger and presence are undeniable all the way up to his powerful delivery of his legendary final words. This sci-fi classic is unexpected, filled with state-of-the-art makeup, and delivers poignant societal commentary that is still relevant today. What might be mistaken for a B-movie flick with a silly premise is actually one of the most influential and important films of the genre. (Shane Conto)
Dunkirk is definitely a film by the “mighty” Christopher Nolan. What I mean by that is you have a high concept where we watch three stories that intertwine. So far, there’s nothing too high concept about that, right? But did I mention those stories happen within different time frames? Yep, one hour, one week, and one month. When you watch this film for the first time, it definitely takes you some time to realize what is happening. And yet, this might be one of Nolan’s most accessible films, from the great work with sound effects and soundtrack, how the stories come together, to the ultimate ending. In the hands of another director, the ending could have been too sweet or too sugary, but in his hands, it seems just right. Or at least, I never felt manipulated in any way. Dunkirk is definitely a great film that you won’t forget and will reward you if you watch it more than once. But I don’t think you have to watch it multiple times, as it’s not that hard to comprehend. And yet, you might very well be inclined to watch it again. It is definitely a war movie like no other, full of great performances, that leaves you (surprisingly) happy, as there might be a hope, when people cooperate together towards one common goal. (Luke Burian)
If I had a nickel for the amount of times I’ve used the BEC to watch a film that I’ve been looking for an excuse to see, then I’d have a lot of nickels, including one for this week as I take the chance to watch Y Tu Mamá También. I won’t lie, I wasn’t sure about this film at the beginning as I didn’t expect the R rating to kick in the door so soon, but as the movie progressed and the relationships between Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Lua) grew and progressed, it helped this film turn into one I can appreciate and adore. As they journey to the beach with Luisa (Maribel Verdú), who is on the run as she learns of her husband’s infidelity, each moment just builds into a beautiful story with a fulfilling climax by the end. It’s also a wonderful example of how narration can work well in a film, where the film provides details over time that deepens the characters and their stories and makes their arcs all the more heartwarming and heartbreaking. This, coupled with amazing camerawork, just puts this film over the top for me. (Joseph Davis)
While the sea shanty that has been haunting the ears of the current generation of parents everywhere may go by, “Baby Shark doo doo ta doo,” there once was something even more terrifying to hear: a shanty of a different tune by a shark who goes by one name…. Duh Dunah…. Jaws. 1975 gave an audience a reason to rethink their beach vacation plans in the form of Steven Spielberg’s legendary blockbuster adaptation of Peter Benchley’s original work. While famously making an entire generation afraid to go back in the water, it also gifted us one of the most iconic film scores to ever exist. Now living in a coastal city, this film makes me question even more where the nearest oxygen tanks and rifle are when I head to the water. So before you put on your favorite anchor patterned blazer, grab a bad hat, find a bigger boat, and relive this classic! (Matt Lawson)
You can always sign me up for a movie about someone questioning faith, God, morality, and people. It works in Silence, it works in The Grey, and oh boy, does it work in The Seventh Seal. This is in many ways the predecessor to the films I love, largely because of how its narrative is formed. The film, directed by the great Ingmar Bergman, follows a knight named Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), who returns home from the Crusades to find himself face-to-face with the personification of Death (Bengt Ekerot) on the beach. The rest of the film plays out as Block encounters a handful of different people, each with their own thoughts on life, death, and God. You’ll come out of the movie with lots to think about and digest, which is exactly what I want from a film like this. (Robert Bouffard)
The opening re-creation of the assault on Normandy’s beaches is arguably one of the greatest segments in the history of film. It was so visceral and authentic that it was famous for having members of the audience, particularly veterans, having to walk out of the theater for the emotional trauma that it boiled to the surface. Saving Private Ryan is considered possibly the greatest war film ever made for a reason, and its beach assault is a massive part of that. Looking beyond, it’s still an amazing exploration into the cost/benefit analysis that we bring to exchanges in our every day life. Is it worth it to send a whole squad of troops to rescue one man? The movie challenges you on this concept throughout the whole film, especially after you develop attachments to these fully fleshed out and realized characters. This was given to us by Steven Spielberg and embodies his view on peak American individual exceptionalism. This movie is an absolute treasure, it remains my favorite movie of all time. If you’ve never seen it, you absolutely have to give it a chance. If you haven’t seen it lately, throw it on for a rewatch, it’s better than you probably even remember. (Heath Lynch)
The Talented Mr. Ripley
In 1999, writer-director Anthony Minghella gave audiences the psychological thriller, The Talented Mr. Ripley, an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel. The story follows a young man, Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), who charms his way into the life of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) with disastrous consequences. While all of the cast members deliver top-notch work, it’s Damon’s subtle, disquieting lead performance that immerses you in the dangerous game in which he involves himself. Minghella’s screenplay and filmmaking skills deliver an anxiety-inducing narrative that will show you how far Tom will go to maintain his charade. When you mix all of this with the gorgeous locations in which the film takes place, you have an absorbing experience that grips you as you wait to see what will befall these characters. As a movie that has both emotionally-driven moments and understated, yet palpable thrills, this is one you must watch. (Vincent Abbatecola)
Dr. No
The first Bond movie. The world builder. The trope builder. The Bond. James Bond. The gambling. The Walther PPK. The SPECTRE. The… other things I won’t mention to keep this review positive. For its time, it is easy to see how Dr. No captured the zeitgeist at exactly the right time, playing successfully off the intrigue of the Cold War, nuclear bombs, and megalomaniacs. When you mix a suave, debonair and unnaturally handsome international man of mystery with exotic locations, it is hard to not let your imagination be captured as easily as “Bond girl.” (I’ve always disliked that phrase.) For me, what makes Dr. No so memorable is the intrigue that is built by the spy and espionage genre, exotic locations and beautiful scenery, mustache twirling bad guys set on destroying the world, and the action and hint of gadgets that Dr. No introduced to us all. Also, Sean Connery literally shines off the screen and is beyond being the highlight. (Adam Ritchie)
The Way Way Back
If The Way Way Back passed you by when it was released in 2013, I wouldn’t be surprised. It stars Liam James as Duncan, a teen who goes on a summer vacation to his mom’s jerk boyfriend’s beach house. To escape, he finds solace in the local waterpark and its ragtag group of employees. This film is an utter delight. That’s in large part thanks to its incredible cast, which includes Toni Collette as Duncan’s mom, Steve Carrell as her jerk boyfriend, Sam Rockwell and Maya Rudolph as two of the waterpark employees, AnnaSophia Robb as the love interest for Duncan, and Allison Janney as a neighbor. Though Rockwell and Rudolph are the standouts, every member of the waterpark crew gets their chance to shine as part of their quirky little family of sorts. The standout of the overall film, though, is Carrell, who we see as we’d never seen him before up to that point. The aforementioned “jerk” descriptor is kind, and you will likely want to come through the screen and punch him in the face. If you missed this coming-of-age indie gem, give it a chance. (Jake Bourgeois)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Forgetting Sarah Marshall gets lost in the shuffle of great comedies due to Judd Apatow and Adam McKay largely controlling the comedy scene from 2003 onward. Written by star of the movie, Jason Segel, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a wonderful movie that deals with the very relatable act of getting over a heartbreak. There is an extra layer here that I also believe to be more relatable, as the person at the cause of your heartbreak continues to be involved in your life whether you like it or not. This is Segel’s first leading role in a film, he absolutely kills this part. He is the perfect everyman who is trying to get over the girl of his dreams by retreating to a resort that just so happens to be the same destination as Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) and her new boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russel Brand). Segel hits every emotion of a heartbreak; he is crippled by depression, feeling like nothing will ever get better, trying to put on a brave face to show he is not upset, and even finds someone just as equally out of his league in new love interest Mila Kunis. What truly makes this movie great is the chemistry and line delivery of everyone involved. Still to this day I quote “why doesn’t anyone want to go snorkeling with me?” (Scott Batchelor)
Point Break
Before there was Fast and the Furious, Kathryn Bigelow directed the prototype film in the shape of 1991’s Point Break, starring established star Patrick Swayze and young, up-and-comer Keanu Reeves. Bigelow and the cinematographer really encapsulated early ’90s Los Angeles in all it’s glory. An urban jungle with a smokiness about it joined with the beautiful and scenic beaches really set the tone for this film. This movie has it all in spades as it concerns action of all types. Everything from gunfights, heists, skydiving, and last but not least, surfing. It combines all of these elements into a pleasing helping of ‘90s action nostalgia. No action movie marathon is complete without this film in the rotation. (Joe Vargas)
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Do you ever find yourself mourning the loss of the unapologetically goofy comedies of the ’90s like Wayne’s World, Bill and Ted, and Austin Powers? If so, look no further than Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo portray Barb and Star, two middle-aged Midwesterners on a life-changing vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida. This movie is a miracle. Every tacky costume, throwaway sight gag, and kooky one-liner feels instantly iconic. Wiig and Mumolo are quirky and hilarious, though Jamie Dornan deserves a special shout-out for his hysterical supporting performance. Barb and Star is one of few movies which I genuinely hope gets a sequel. This movie’s sense of humor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly works for me! (Foster Harlfinger)
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!
Okay, I know this isn’t the best movie on this list. In fact, it might not even be a good movie at all. But if anything, it is fun! Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! features the endlessly catchy music of ABBA, which is the film’s starting point. Basically, they chose some ABBA songs they wanted to make music videos for and then formed a loose story around it. What makes the movie so fun is that it’s a bunch of rich and beautiful people being rich and beautiful… on a beach… while singing catchy songs. I mean, this movie manages to have Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, and so many more. Against my better judgement, I’m going to end this blurb by using the lowest hanging fruit of a reference of all time and say you just might have the time of your life watching this movie. (Robert Bouffard)
The Shallows
Tell me somethin’, reader. Are you happy with modern movies? Or do you need more? Is there somethin’ else you’re searchin’ for? I love Jaws, but in all the good times I find myself longing’ for a movie on the beach. I’ll tell you somethin’ reader. I’ve been trying to fill the void. Because I need more (Shark movies). Sharknado just isn’t so hardcore. The sharks are out of the deep end, watch as Blake Lively dives in, she tries to leave the sharks. They’ll crash through the surface, it’s where they can hurt us, but she’s stuck in The Shallows now. OhHAaHohoHoOhAhAhaaaaah Ahhhahhhhhh. Frank’s gone off of the deep end, watch as he’s crashin’, he might never write again. Vodka’s in his thermos, it’s how he can hurt us. He’s far from the guidelines now. Just watch The sha-ha-sha-ha-llows. (Frank Kemp)
50 First Dates
From 1999 to 2006, Adam Sandler starred in some of my favorite movies of his including Big Daddy, Little Nicky, Mr. Deeds, Anger Management, 50 First Dates, and Click. 50 First Dates stars Sandler and Drew Barrymore in their second film together andtells the story of playboy Henry Roth (Sandler) who, after a failed boating expedition, meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) at a diner, and finds out she suffers from short term memory loss after an accident. 50 First Dates is an interesting love story because of Lucy’s condition. She cannot form new memories, thus Henry must keep meeting her for the first time everyday for them to fall in love. Would a story like this play over well in 2021 as it did in 2004? Probably, because of some of the ways Henry persists in trying to date Lucy. 50 First Dates was and is the only of the three movies Sandler and Berrymore have starred in together that was number one at the box office. The film is charming and has some humor, and I love Adam and Drew together — they bring the story together nicely. The film is problematic in some areas, especially with how everything is handled with Lucy, but I still think I would recommend it. If you haven’t seen the movie, definitely check it out. (Austen Terry)
The Beach
To use what now is an overused meme… Tell me The Beach is made in the year 2000 without telling me it’s made in the year 2000. It has all the hallmarks of its time, and you know what? I’m not mad at it for that. The music, the editing (especially the random video game scene), and the expectation that Richard was supposed to be the type of guy girls aren’t interested in but then cast Leonardo DiCaprio to play him all give it away. I really wish I was drinking something when the one guy was like, “Oh, she’s just playing with you. You’re not good enough for her. You play video games; look at your hands.” just so I could force myself to do a spit take. I mean, come on, he was a straight up hottie back then. He was going to get the girl. Speaking of Richard, he’s a hat. If you identify with him in any way, rethink your life choices. Go to therapy, get a plant, basically do what you gotta do to fix yourself. You might think I dislike this movie, but I don’t. I just hate Richard so much I feel physical pain every time he’s talking or narrating. He’s the type of dude that will play his acoustic guitar for you at parties while you make a mental map of your soon-to-be escape plan. The rest of the cast you kinda want to take them by the hand, look them deep in the eyes, and say, “Oh honey, she’s trying to make a cult.” It was fun to see Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin. (Kimberly Hausen)
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