Yes, that’s right, the current world-wide pandemic means that Summer 2020 is essentially cancelled.
As it stands, the closest thing 'summery' you can do is meet one person from another household in a park and sink a crate of Strongbow Dark Fruits, as long as you sit two meters away from them, but prepare for a £100 fine if, god forbid, you accidentally bump into someone else you know.
Anyone who renewed their passport for this summer is now wishing they used that money to upgrade to Zoom Premium meaning their nightly online quizzes don’t end after 40 minutes.
As households sit and debate what’s going to come first; Premier League football, the first pint in a pub or the Ryan Air refund they claimed for six weeks ago, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Below are five fun summers films that will make you look back at previous summers and get you excited for Summer 2021.
Please note: none of these films are major award winners and will most likely never be your favourite film. But they're fun and epitomise summer and experiences that we've all had, or are due to have.
The Inbetweeners Movie (2011) - All 4 or (Channel4.com)
Director: Ben Palmer - 97mins - Age Certificate: 15
It’s a classic, if you’ve not already seen it, where were you in the summer of 2011? – yes, it really was that long ago. Following up from the hit E4 series, The Inbetweeners Movie sees school friends Will, Jay, Simon and Neil embark on their first lads’ holiday to Malia.
The boys hope that a week away from their family and people who actually know them will allow the 18-year-olds to become overnight hits with the opposite sex. However, it turns out Simon has dragged the boys along to the Greek island to pursue Carly, a girl he’s been in love with since the start of his school days.
This film was the third-highest grossing film in the UK that year, behind The King’s Speech and the final Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The film's success also meant that you couldn’t leave your house without hearing Yolanda Be Cool’s We Speak No Americano.
If you ever participated in the British ritual of turning 18 and heading to a Spanish or Greek island to get pissed for a week with your school mates on watered down alcohol, then this is ideal. Five cocktails for five euros, anyone?
We Are Your Friends (2015) - Amazon Prime Video
Director: Max Joseph - 100mins - Age Certificate: 15
If this film doesn’t give you serious summer feels, then I’m not sure what will. We Are Your Friends is definitely my favourite summer film, despite a harsh 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
With a star-studded cast of Zac Efron (High School Musical, Bad Neighbours), British model Emily Ratajkowski and Wes Bentley (Hunger Games, Interstellar), this film is also armed with a fantastic EDM* soundtrack featuring the likes of Justice, Kygo and Pyramid.
After dropping out of college, Cole (Efron) aspires to become a world-renowned DJ. While DJing at a local club he meets big-name DJ James Reed (Bentley) who spots Cole’s potential and agrees to take him under his wing, but things soon become complex as Cole becomes fond of Reed’s girlfriend, Sophie (Ratajkowski).
I can’t emphasise how good the soundtrack is, and director Max Joseph (cinematographer for Catfish: The TV Show) grabs some stunning visuals from the LA hills. Get that surround sound on, prepare some cocktails and watch this excellent summer banger.
*Electronic Dance Music to save you the embarrassing Google
The Festival (2018) - Amazon Prime Video
Director: Iain Morris - 98mins - Age Certificate: 15
Even the most optimistic person in the UK wasn’t surprised when Reading and Leeds Festival became the last of the major festivals to be cancelled this summer, but this film will help you reminisce the memories of drinking a can of warm Fosters in the rain while your mate is passed out naked in the tent next to you.
Nick (Joe Thomas – Simon from The Inbetweeners) is humiliated after his girlfriend Caitlin (Hannah Tointen – Tara from The Inbetweeners and Joe Thomas’ real-life fiancé) breaks up with him just before graduation. In order to try and get over his heartbreak, his friend Shane persuades him to still attend Giant Music Festival, despite that Caitlin is going to be there.
Shane is determined to meet DJ Hammerhead, while Nick attempts to try and rekindle things with Caitlin. The Festival is hilarious, relatable and just doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a great summer watch.
Camp Rock (2008) - Disney+
Director: Matthew Diamond - 97mins - Age Certificate: PG
In 2018 I headed off to Pennsylvania on my own to work in an American summer camp for eight weeks. After reading some forums online I saw that it was ‘highly advised’ to watch this film on the plane to America to get you ready for camp; it didn't disappoint.
This cheesy Disney musical, that was released to the middle-class kids who had the Disney Channel way back in 2008, launched the careers of the Jonas Brothers and help make Demi Lovato a house-hold name.
Mithcie (Lovato) is an aspiring singer and heads to Camp Rock for the summer. As her family can’t afford the fees, Mitchie’s Mum arranges the food for the camp and works in the kitchens, but Mithcie is determined to keep this a secret.
Shane Gray (Joe Jonas), a spoilt lead singer from the band Connect 3, reluctantly agrees to help record a single with the winner of Final Jam; the camp’s talent contest. The songs may bring back some fond memories, and it’s another fun summer film that brings a sense of nostalgia, while exploring summer romances and friendship.
Ibiza (2018) - Netflix
Director: Alex Richanbach - 94mins - Age Certificate: 15
Harper, a single New York PR worker, is sent on a work trip to Barcelona to meet an important client, however her two friends Nikki and Leah feel they can’t pass on the opportunity and decide to join her.
After taking a handful of drugs on their first night, Harper meets DJ Leo West (Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden) and they hit off straight away. They exchange numbers, but after a series of unfortunate events they never get chance to meet again that night.
The girls discover that Leo is playing in Ibiza the following night and they take a flight out to follow him, but Harper must be back for her client meeting at 11am the next day.
Ibiza is not going to be anyone’s favourite film of all time, and you probably don’t want to watch it again, but it does a job. Romance, sun, alcohol, drugs, partying; it’s got all the recipes for a fun summer film.
BEWARE: Americans annoyingly pronounce Ibiza how it’s spelt (rather than the UK pronunciation of Eye-beeth-a), turn a blind eye to this and you’ll be just fine.
Comments