This 4th of July, beat the heat and the virus, stay indoors and stream some movies. We have a collection of patriotic and holiday movies to help keep you entertained.
Jaws (HBO Max)
One of the original movies that shows the consequences of not listening to medical advice and the advice of experts, Jaws is a good reminder that sometimes, it is better to stay indoors and safe.
Hamilton (Disney+)
Celebrate America's independence with the Broadway musical detailing the life of one of the Founding Fathers. Hamilton is simply one of the best Broadway musicals around and is a great choice for the fourth. For more information, check out the review!
Band of Brothers (HBO Max)
One of the best war series ever, Band of Brothers tells the stories of soldiers in World War II, with amazing acting and booming special effects. It is gritty, entertaining, heart wrenching, and inspring.
Captain America (Disney+)
Celebrate America with America's ass. All the Captain America movies are available to stream on Disney+, so take your pick. Many think Winter Soldier is the best, but I'm always a fan of the original.
Forest Gump (Starz)
Tom Hanks's American epic about a man who runs through much of American history is the perfect film to watch on the Fourth. I'm sure you've seen it many times already but give it another watch for old times sake.
Air Force One (Netflix)
Harrison Ford as the president fighting terrorists on Air Force One? Sign me up. This is a classic action movie that I'm sure you've already seen, but watch it again for the holiday.
Glory (Roku Channel)
A film about the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first all-black military unit that fought in the Civil War. The movie stars Denzel Washington (who took home an Oscar for best supporting actor) and put him on the map.
Miracle (Netflix, Disney+)
The story of USA hockey's amazing Olympic run in 1980 is an inspirational sports film that will gt your blood pumping and have you rooting for team USA.
Release date: July 3, 2020
Running time: 160 minutes
Starring: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.
Hamilton, the Broadway musical. You have heard of it, you've probably listened to the soundtrack a thousand times, and maybe you've seen it in theaters once or twice or more. For those that haven't seen it or heard about it, Hamilton is the Broadway re-imagining of the life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. The musical takes some liberties with his life and events, but does provide an entertaining show about his life and interactions with major historical figures. The Disney+ version was filmed live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theatre with the original Broadway cast.
There is a lot of magic in Hamilton. The soundtrack is simply stellar. The songs are catchy, have some hip-hop influences that should appeal to young and old listeners alike, and also seamlessly blend historical information with modern social issues. The songs are so good that if you haven't listened to them before, you likely will include them on your playlist after your first viewing. The historical setting is also magical, telling the story of one of America's founding fathers that probably doesn't get enough credit for what he did. Most people probably only know him from high school history and the famous milk commercial. However, he had a fascinating life and influence on America, and Hamilton puts all of that front and center while relating his life to current trends and social issues. Lin-Manuel Miranda has deservedly received all the praise for this show but it goes without saying that this is one of the best Broadway shows ever made, that can now be seen whenever you want.
Additionally, this show provides a good avenue to learn about history or introduce it to your kids in an entertaining way. Although some liberties are taken, there is enough historical fact presented in this show to jump start any historical deep dive. And Lin-Manuel Miranda's casting should be commended. He made an effort to include a diverse cast in this show, highlighting that emotional, fantastic performances outweigh any sort of racially motivated historical accuracy. And although I have seen this show on Broadway, seeing it on Disney+ provides a whole new level of enjoyment. The live show lets you appreciate the spectacle and the performance, this Disney+ filming lets you appreciate the individual cast members. I sometimes forget how much acting is required in Broadway, but seeing the close up shots gives you a perspective on how good these performers really are. It is simply a treat to see and one that should not be missed.
Hamilton on Disney+ gives the service its silver bullet in the duel with other streaming services. One of best and most celebrated Broadway shows is now available to stream whenever you want. Don't throw away your shot and stream it now.
Watch it.
Amazing Broadway Musical: Hamilton (Disney+)
Possibly the biggest, most popular Broadway musical of all time comes to the home on Disney+. Hamilton will entertain you while teaching you about history and social justice. It is a smart, wonderful, and thoroughly enjoyable experience, made even better in the comfort of your own home.
Glitter-Filled Kids Movie: Trolls World Tour (Digital)
Trolls World Tour keeps the same style and characters that made the first movie a surprise hit, and adds a bunch of new and interesting music trolls and locations to the band, while also providing an avenue to talk to your kids about diversity and tolerance. For more information, check out our review!
Serious, Thoughtful Documentary: Athlete A (Netflix)
Athlete A is a thoughtful, thorough look into the worst sports story in recent memory, as well as the failings of USA Gymnastics that led to this scandal. For more information, check out our review!
Hilarious Girls Trip: Desperados (Netflix)
Desperados's strong cast, hilarious moments, and wonderful personalities will keep you invested and entertained throughout this crazy girls trip. For more information, check out our review!
Entertaining Genre Film: Becky (Redbox)
Becky wins with its smart casting and gruesome, creative fight sequences. You have an angsty teen fighting against a gang of Nazis led by Kevin James! What is not to like.
Shining Sequel: Doctor Sleep (HBO)
Doctor Sleep pairs a stellar cast, with a big score, and enough nostalgia from the original movie to keep you entertained. Whether you are a fan of the novel or have seen Kubrick's original masterpiece, you will thoroughly enjoy Doctor Sleep. For more information, check out our review!
Creature Feature: Crawl (Amazon and Hulu)
Crawl is a fun creature feature that goes a little over the top, but will leave you holding your breath as a father and daughter team try to avoid some seriously dangerous predators during a hurricane.
Anime: Mirai (Netflix)
The Oscar nominated animation film, Mirai is an enchanting tale about family and a child's wonder that should not be missed.
