Summer Comedy Marathon
Suffering from swamp ass? The best remedy is always some serious laughter (and maybe a hand towel).
1. Wet Hot American Summer (Wain, 2001)
Wain's cult classic follows the misadventures of a group of campers and counsellors on their last day of summer camp in 1981. It's full of outrageous scenes, plus it's stacked with "before-they-were-famous" stars, like Bradley Cooper and Amy Poehler. Watch this film and try to tell me that Bradley Cooper in tiny lil' short shorts doesn't just scream, "Summer!" Or Amy Poehler shooting up, for that matter. Whatever gets you going.
4. Superbad (Mottola, 2007)
A bromance for the ages, Mottola's film crudely chronicles the mishaps of three teenage boys as they attempt to buy alcohol and win over their high school crushes. Superbad's refreshingly honest take on the perils of teenagerdom will bring you right back to your most awkward moments--and that's totally awesome, as long as they didn't involve anyone named McLovin'.
2. The Way Way Back (Rash and Faxon, 2013)
The Way Way Back garnered quite a bit of attention as the summer sleeper hit of 2013. Rash and Faxon take viewers back to the insecurity of adolescence by following a young boy, Duncan, as he attempts to find his place one summer while on vacation with his mother and her new boyfriend. Sam Rockwell is effortlessly charming as the waterpark employee who takes Duncan under his wing--while getting him into a bit of trouble along the way. Seriously, though, The Way Way Back will have your heartstrings in a death grip. Warning: While watching this film, you will become inexplicably attracted to Sam Rockwell.
5. Moonrise Kingdom (Anderson, 2012)
Let's change up the mood a bit with a Wes Anderson contemporary classic. Centered around two childhood sweethearts who run away together, Moonrise Kingdom is Anderson's deadpan, efferevescent style at its best. Featuring some of his staple actors, such as Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Tilda Swinton, this fantastical and whimsical comedy will distract you from the summer heat.
3. National Lampoon's Vacation (Ramis, 1983)
One man's mission to get his family to a famous theme park becomes complicated. Is there really anything else to say? Check out this film for some rollicking summer laughs, courtesy of a cast including the incomparable Chevy Chase and Anthony Michael Hall.
6. The Seven Year Itch (Wilder, 1955)
It's the middle of a summer heat wave, and Richard Sherman can't get his mind off of the neighbour girl-next-door--played by bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. I won't give anything else away, but get ready to see the origin of Monroe's iconic white-dress shot. The Seven Year Itch will have you itching for more (sorry I had to).