From New York to Hawaii, Five Great Summer Movies for Satellite TV Subscribers

While those who enjoy temperate climates year-round might not understand the importance of longer daylight hours and better temperatures, anyone who lived through the past winter on the eastern seaboard understands the importance of being able to escape for sunnier climes and why it's such a big deal once great weather hits. And while certain chunks of the country might prefer to avoid sweltering temperatures by staying inside in front of an HDTV set, many others hit the beach or end up going away to the mountains on weekends, delighted at the chance to embrace nature, enjoy some grilling out, and generally have a nice time. In fact, a huge part of the summer tradition is the summer movie, a new round of which tend to get released each year. Instead of focusing on previous blockbusters that hit theaters in June, July, and August, here instead are five great films that chronicle just how great summer days can be.

#1 - Dazed and Confused. Sure, it might not immediately seem like a summer film, but Richard Linklater's excellent pick at what it means to be on the brink of being something more (whether it's going to high school for the first time or graduating from it and being done with those days forever) is one of the best chronicles of graduation night shenanigans to ever be made. Forget the "American Pie" lot of summer comedies; this is a true and endearing look at what it means to feel young, and the ensemble cast, which includes not-yet-famous Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey does a great job at capturing the magic of the beginning of summer.

#2 - The Graduate. Part of the appeal of this incredibly cutting edge 1970s film is the fact that it focuses on what a college graduate is going to do in an increasingly banal-feeling world. But a big message--and one that people tend to miss when focusing on the ennui of one's first post-college summer--is that Dustin Hoffman's character has a world of opportunity available that his seductress couldn't even dream about. A dark comedy that takes aim at the standards of living put in place by the comfortable upper middle class and brings it down accordingly. An excellent and edgy pick on satellite tv.

#3 - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. A more contemporary take on the themes explored in "Stand By Me" and "Now and Then," this film chronicles the promise of four best friends to stay in touch while apart during the summer months. There's also a plotline that centers around a pair of jeans that happens to fit each individual girl perfectly, despite their differences, but the real message about friendship even when one cannot be close to those who matter is what makes a great bet for those with young daughters and satellite tv.

#4 - Jaws. You can't really have a list of films about the summer months without featuring Jaws. Easy to find on satellite tv once the mercury rises, this classic tale of a shark to end all sharks showing up in the waters off of a scenic New England beach is one that continues to captivate, and while sometimes campy, it manages to keep its ability to make people jump, even when they happen to be giggling a bit.

#5 - Do the Right Thing. Not all summer movies are about fun and games. Spike Lee focuses on racial tensions in Bedford-Stuyvesant in this classic film from 1989 and does an incredible job at showing just how much the heat can get to New Yorkers, causing tensions to flare. The film is also famous for its lighter moments, including those parts that feature scene stealer Rosie Perez as the protagonist Mookie (played by Spike Lee)'s high-strung but sweet girlfriend. A good choice for those who want something more substantial on their HDTV screens.

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