What to Watch This Independence Day 2021

For Bright Musical Celebration of Life: In The Heights (Theaters and HBO Max)
Nothing says America like an immigrant story, and In The Heights is a celebration of life, love, family, community, and hard work with a bright, colorful style and catchy and impactful music.  For more information, check out the review!

For a Powerful Sports Drama: Miracle (Disney+)
One of my favorite sports dramas of all time has a great message of hard work, teamwork, and patriotism.  And it has some of the best sports drama you will see on film.

For the Classic Independence Day Film: Independence Day (HBO Max)
Will Smith's classic film is the quintessential Independence Day movie, that will have you cheering at the cheesy 90s plot and the all star cast.

For A Powerful Musical Documentary: Summer of Soul (Theaters and Hulu)

Showcase some great American artists and a wonderful celebration of black culture and music.  Summer of Soul revives a powerful and empowering cultural moment with great music, beautiful footage, and insightful commentary.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Beautiful Immigrant Experience: Minari (Digital Rental)
Minari is a slow but exquisite film, one that tells the immigrant story with beautiful cinematography, sharp dialog, and a slow burning, bittersweet story of hard work, dedication, and loss.   For more information, check out the review!

What to Watch Independence Day

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.  

What to Watch This Quarantine: Uplifting Movies

As many of us are stuck indoors for extended periods of time, the only options for entertainment are streaming.  Luckily, we have you covered with a selection of themed movies.  This time, we are highlighting some uplifting movies to help raise everyone's spirits during quarantine.  

Always Be My Maybe (Netflix)
A charming romantic comedy featuring Ali Wong and Randall Park, this film has a great sense of humor, really fun characters, and real emotions.  It also is set in San Francisco, so this might be the only way you can see the city for a little bit.

Blinded By The Light (HBO)
Blinded By The Light is the inspiring true story about following one’s dreams and unlikely passions.  Our review said that “[t]hose hoping to chase their dreams should watch this and just might find a Reason to Believe.”  

East Side Sushi (Amazon)
This movie was previously on streaming but took a haitus.  It was recently added back and it is defintely worth a watch.  The film is a great underdog story about a working-class, single mother, who decides to take a job at a local Japanese restaurant and pursue a dream of becoming a sushi chef. 

The Intouchables (VUDU)
The movie is simply phenomenal. It was remade for America with Kevin Heart and Bryan Cranston, and although the remake is a fine film, the original is just phenomenal.  It tells the story of a wealthy paraplegic who takes a chance on a guy from the streets when he hires him as a caretaker. The two begin an interesting, funny, and wonderful friendship that grows throughout the movie.

The Kids Are All Right (Cinemax)
A wonderful, modern family drama follows a lesbian couple about to send their oldest daughter off to college.  However, a chain reaction of events tests the strength of this family.  

The Kings Speech (Showtime)
Starring Colin Firth as Prince Albert during the build up to World War II, this inspiring historical drama shows the Prince dealing with drama at home, a rising threat abroad, and conquering his own severe speech impediment.

Miracle (Disney+)
Need inspiration?  Look no further than inspirational sports movies.  Miracle tells the tale of a hard nosed hockey coach trying to mold the young men of the 1980 U.S. Hockey team.  With some truly inspiring performances in an equally inspiring story, this is a great one to turn on during this quarantine. 

Slumdog Millionaire (Cinemax)
A young man has the chance of a lifetime when he gets on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."  The movie follows him on the show but also flashes back to his life, showing the harsh realities of his upbringing and how those experiences shaped him to be exactly where he was.  

The Upside (Showtime)
The American version of the fantastic French film, the Upside keeps almost everything that made The Intouchables such a phenomenal film.  Sure, it is not necessary, but if you haven't seen the original, just want to revisit this touching story, or would prefer English audio over subtitles, then give The Upside a watch.