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"A Summer of Cinema" - 5 Essential Films to Watch this Summer

Updated: Jul 2

Just in time for Summer, Matador Pictures' Founder Chris Toro shares with us his top film picks for the season.


It’s 11:35AM, and the sun rays are blazing through the window. Temperatures reaching a high of 99 degrees. The cold glass of water sitting in front of you begins to sweat (condensation) as you ponder on what to do today Ennio Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” fades in. Summer is here and the festivities are many, but since its super hot outside…lets turn on the greatest invention ever, THE AIR CONDITIONER…and watch a movie or two…or three…four is good…you know what, since we made it this far…lets make it five!Here are my 5 Favorite Summer Movies.


"Jaws" directed by Steven Spielberg (1975)

The moment I started thinking of this list, a haunting tuba started to play in the back of mind…swimming closer & closer each second…dunnn dunnn….dunnn dunnn…dunnn dunnn dundundundun! JAWS! Our stage is set. The beach town of Amity Island is getting ready for their 4th of July Celebration, until a terrifying Great White Shark puts its razor sharp teeth into everyone’s plans. The Local Sheriff played by Roy Scheider, A Marine Biologist (Richard Dreyfuss), & A Weathered Sailor (Robert Shaw) have to not only confront this crisis in the ocean…but also deal with a money crazed Mayor who strongly opposes the closure of this annual celebration…we’re going to need a bigger boat!


JAWS is a timeless classic. A movie that is equally terrifying & exhilarating. A summer haven that we daydream of, quickly turns into a real life nightmare…and when you speak to almost anyone of that generation, they’ll tell you how scared everyone was (and probably still is) to swim at the beach. A 26 year old by the name of Steven Spielberg crafted this masterpiece, alongside the maestro of cinematic scores, John Williams. The dynamic duo went on to make 29 films together.


This killer shark sensation won 3 Academy Awards, became the first film to reach more than $100 million dollars in the U.S. Box Office & according to the Guinness World Records, JAWS is the very first Summer Blockbuster…dunnn dunnn….dunnn dunnn…dunnn dunnn dundundundun!


"Dazed and Confused" directed by Richard Linklater (1993)

Alright, alright, alright lighter flickers now that the shark has been taken care of puff on joint lets kick back, buy some booze, sit in our 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 exhale and celebrate the end of another school year with the wild bunch of Richard Linklater’s, DAZED AND CONFUSED.


Its the Summer of 1976 here in Austin, Texas and school is out! Once the final bell rings, the exuberant youth burst out of their classrooms & into the muscle cars roaring in the lot…engines ready to speed off into a wild night! Parties are being planned, beers are cracking open, weed is rolling up, pranks are being pulled, freshman are being hazed by seniors, love is in the air, and the night is just getting started. This coming of age story features an ensemble cast that made me whisper, “oh wow so and so is in this?!,” every so often…Joey Lauren Adams, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp, Parker Posey, Rory Cochrane, & Matthew McConaughey.


I was lucky enough to see a 35mm screening of Dazed and Confused at The Metrograph recently. It was my first time, and I fell in love. It’s one of those rare movies that doesn’t feel scripted. As if you’re watching this moment in time that actually happened. The characters are so colorful & the situations they get into are hilarious.

A stoner night for the ages & one of the coolest car movies as well if I might add. It seems like everyone in the audience got the memo, and sparked one up right before going in.


Amongst all of the crazy fun, there are moments that confront more serious themes of growing up…or not wanting to for that matter… It made me think of the night I graduated from high school…driving around & partying…every so often, thinking of my future and feeling uncertain…not wanting to let go of my youth…its a critical time in our lives…but like McConaughey wisely says

“You just gotta keep livin’! L-I-V-I-N”



"Do The Right Thing" directed by Spike Lee (1989)

Ok, now its getting hot! Did someone turn off the A.C? It broke?! Not today…its the hottest day of the year here in the Bedford - Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY…and as the scorching heat continues to rise, so does the tension amongst the community. Batting 3rd in this lineup…is the fiery Spike Lee joint, DO THE RIGHT THING.


Mookie (played by Spike Lee) works at the local pizzeria called Sal’s Pizza, on Stuyvesant Avenue between Lexington & Quincy. A vibrant neighborhood full of unique characters such as Buggin Out, Radio Raheem, Mother Sister, Mister Señor Love Daddy, & Smiley. Inside this pizzeria, a Wall of Fame showcases Italian stars…now, most of the customers that spend money in this place, are African Americans…and its only right that they get represented on this wall too…but Sal sternly disagrees…which ignites the flame that will soon set off the dynamite waiting for us at the end…


Racial tension, gentrification, & police brutality are confronted head on throughout the film. Written in such a style that only Spike Lee is capable of, this one of a kind Comedy/Drama masterpiece still holds relevance 35 years later…giving Spike his first Oscar Nomination for Best Original Screenplay. With an iconic ensemble cast featuring Danny Aiello, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro, Rosie Perez, Samuel L. Jackson, & many more. No other film captures the hottest day of the year better than this. I actually felt hot watching it…which makes me think…is the A.C working?



"The Sandlot" directed by David Mickey Evans (1993)

The 4th hitter in a Baseball lineup is usually a player with a ton of Power…Someone that can call their shot, point out to the center field wall, and hit a home run…like Babe Ruth…So that’s why I saved this diamond of a film for the Clean Up spot…a VHS tape that I played countless times as I grew up playing baseball…

THE SANDLOT


It’s the Summer of 1962 & Scottie Smalls is the new kid in town…and he’s having trouble making friends. So much so that his mom begs him to go outside, keep trying, and maybe even get into some trouble for crying out loud. A local baseball prodigy by the name of Benny Rodriguez, takes him under his wing and introduces him to a rather lively group of boys. Smalls does his best to fit in & become a part of the team…then he puts himself in the biggest pickle…you see, when they needed a baseball to play with one hot summer day, Smalls thought it was a good idea to grab his step fathers baseball signed by some lady…Ruth…Baby Ruth…and actually play with it…


The Sandlot is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it defined some of my summers the best. I grew up in the 90’s - early 2000's & played a lot of baseball. It’s a fun story full of memorable moments that I still quote to this day.  A summer of adventure, pool diving, tree house sleepovers, a mythical dog called THE BEAST & tobacco chew at the carnival…all of the big leaguers do it. The Great Bambino wisely says in a dream, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die…follow your heart kid…and you’ll never go wrong.” That always stuck with me.



"Moonrise Kingdom" directed by Wes Anderson (2012)

We defeated the shark terrorizing Amity Island, drank a few beers in Austin, Texas, sweated all day in Brooklyn, played with a Babe Ruth signed baseball…I think we should call it a night & run away into the wilderness of Wes Anderson’s, MOONRISE KINGDOM


The year is 1965 & a storm is approaching the island of New Penzance, somewhere off the coast of New England. A 12 year old boy scout named Sam meets a girl named Suzy dressed up as a Raven performing at the local play . The two become pen pals and quickly plot to run away with each other. Once the two meet & begin their journey, panic ensues across the island & search parties begin to form…frantically trying to find these kids before the storm reaches their shores.


As most Wes Anderson’s movies are, this quirky lighthearted charming adventure is so much fun. I am always in awe of how he can craft stories into these doll like houses. The colors are always so distinct, the staging of a scene is perfectly placed, and the quick witted dialogue keeps you on your toes. Led by usual suspects such as Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, & more.


I was a boy scout myself so I quickly related…but I think we can all relate to that feeling of wanting a summer adventure…but as long as the sun keeps blazing, we can turn up that A.C, and enjoy a couple of movies, cheers!


- by Chris Toro


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Excellent choices!

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Love these picks!!!

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