Watch these movies to officially get into the summer spirit
By Negin Khodayari
The weather is finally starting to look appealing and I can’t help but shift into full "senioritis" gear and pretend like I’m already on summer vacation, burying my weight in gelato under the Italian sun and dancing my way around every Greek beach in search of my one true love.
But, I do still have finals to submit and well, it’s mid-April, so I could use all the help I can get to forget my deadlines and start basking in the summer glory. I’ve compiled a list of movies that scream “SUMMER!” and I wanted to share them with you so we can all start romanticizing the next few months.
Mamma Mia (IDEALLY The first, but why not both)
photo Retrieved from IMDb
I’m sure you’ve all heard of this one but you can’t blame me for putting it at the top of my list. A movie musical set in the Greek Islands to ABBA’s greatest hits starring Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan AND Meryl Streep. That’s it, that’s the pitch.
Monte Carlo
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Three friends take on France one summer after saving up for the trip for months (sounds like a page out of my diary). Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy’s characters could not have prepared for a more romantic, hectic and luxurious whirlwind. This movie is filled with all the European fantasy storylines you could think of, making it a must watch on my summer list.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
photo Retrieved from IMDb
“Sing to me Paolo!” Yes, that's right, this iconic line is from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and the internet will never be the same. On a school trip to Rome, Hilary Duff’s most notable character, Lizzy McGuire, meets a young musician, Poalo, whose duet partner, Isabella, happens to look EXACTLY like her. If that doesn't sound intriguing, I don’t know what does.
Under the Tuscan Sun
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I repeat: Under. The. Tuscan. SUN. This movie combines my two favourite things: Italy and warm weather. Who hasn't considered running away from their life in North America to take a long tour of Italy and impulsively buy a villa along the way? Well, for those of us who can’t afford that just yet, this movie will tie us over until we can.
Eat, Pray, Love (This was inevitable)
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This movie follows Julia Roberts as she leaves the comfort of her home, career and former husband to embark on a journey of self-discovery in Italy, India and Bali. Eat, Pray, Love shows us different cultures, foods, rituals, languages, and how despite being from different places around the world, we can all learn from shared human experiences.
Call Me By Your Name
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It’s the ‘80s in an Italian cottage country and you're biking around with a 17-year-old Timothée Chalamet during the beautiful summer days under the sun. This movie is vulnerable, honest, scandalous, and all tied together with beautiful scenery and breathtaking performances.
Cheaper by the Dozen 2
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Now, I’m not going to lie, my admiration for this movie may very well be tainted by my admiration for a young Tom Welling, but any movie with Steve Martin is worth a watch. This comedy takes you on a classic family cottage trip, but with 12 kids, so you can expect the storylines to get messy. Featuring a young Taylor Launter and Hilary Duff, this star-studded cast is hard to beat.
Camp Rock 1 and 2
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This was my favourite Disney musical series as a kid and I would be doing my younger self a disservice if I didn’t add it to the list. Despite some questionable lying, this group of musically ingenious high school students made me want to pick up an instrument and go to camp. I never did, but I did learn all the songs and sing along to Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers every time these movies were on TV. It's literally in the name, what screams summer louder than “CAMP.”
High School Musical 2
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I tried so hard not to add this one, but let’s be honest, no summer movie list is complete without the sequel of this ICONIC High School Musical. This classic follows the East High Wildcats on their summer vacation filled with glamor, friendship, heartbreak, drama… and let’s not forget impromptu performances on golf courses and in pools. Just watch it, you know you want to.