As the spring quarter moves towards its close, it can be easy to get caught up in the stress of finals and forget that summer is almost here. So, to get in the spirit of summer, here are some of my favorite movies, books and albums for the season.
Movies:
“Little Miss Sunshine”
The film follows a family on a roadtrip to California where their daughter competes in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant as they incur constant roadblocks. It is filled with the pain of rejection but the redemption of love. The family’s embrace of their quirks and their vulnerability is genuine and moving.
The bright yellow van they roadtrip in, the depictions of the American West and the lively soundtrack composed of DeVotchKa and Sufjan Stevens personify summer.
“Raising Arizona”
“Raising Arizona” is the Cohen brother’s second film and it has all the charm and wit of “The Big Lebowski” and “Fargo.” It stars Nicolas Cage as a former robber who is unable to have kids. Desperate for a family, he kidnaps one, putting a bounty on his head.
The fast-paced chase scenes are complemented by the sincere moments where Cage reflects on his relapse of crime. The offbeat, dark humor, zany camerawork and stark cinematography have become staples for the brothers. As the name suggests, it is set in Arizona and the shots of arid desert heat mingled with the breezy tone, make it a fitting summer watch.
Books:
“The Eye of the World” by Robert Jordan
“The Eye of the World” is the first in “The Wheel of Time” series which follows a group of farm boys prophesied to defeat a growing evil force. It is a traditional epic fantasy novel that is easy to lose yourself in. The world building is engrossing and the conflicts are dramatic. It is a cure for the boredom that can linger through the summer.
“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize winning novel takes place during The Great Depression when an Oklahoman family loses their farm. Hearing California has work, they migrate only to discover that the country as a whole is riddled with injustice. Even though it was written 85 years ago, Steinbeck’s critiques of post-industrial America are just as sharp today.
The book is both brutal and inspiring, depicting humanity through disparity. While the novel is far from a light summer read, it is ripe with the heat and restlessness of the season.
Albums:
Summerteeth by Wilco
Unlike most Wilco albums which favor a folk rock sound, Summerteeth is reminiscent of late 1960s pop. The melodies are infectious and the energy is tangible. The band employs a range of instruments from the mandolin to the mellotron, giving the album an intricate sound while maintaining its poppy spirit.
It is a more modern, lyrically rich alternative to bands like “The Beach Boys” that have become analogous with the relaxation of summer. My favorite tracks from the album are “She’s a Jar,” “Shot in the Arm” and “When You Wake up Feeling Old.”
Dreamboat Annie by Heart
Heart is infamous for their vocals on songs like “Barracuda” and “Alone” but I think they are most powerful in Dreamboat Annie. Just as impressive are the complex riffs that keep every second of the album alive. The songs alternate between hard and yacht rock making the sound electric yet sophisticated.
Heart captures the best parts of summer, mastering both leisure and liveliness. The highlights of the album, for me, are “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You” and “Dreamboat Annie.”
