How cinema should celebrate our country.

This 4th of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To celebrate, I have a list of some of the best movies to celebrate our country or at least express some of the issues. All these movies are otherwise gems. Some of them are now 20 years old. And I’m not talking about “Independence Day,” because I didn’t care about that movie nor its pitiful sequel subtitled “Resurgence.”

“Forrest Gump”

Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 gem has created a delightful character-a mentally disabled young man named Forrest Gump. Played here by the exceptional Tom Hanks, we see him going through many challenges of his life. And most of which has him involved with some of America’s most important events, such as the Vietnam War, Hurricane Carmen, and the Watergate break-in. This is a human film about a human being, and the miracles and inspirations he has given to people. And as he says: “Life is like a box of chocolates…..you never know what you’re going to get.”

“Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima”

20 years ago, Clint Eastwood made both WWII movies that reflect on both sides of the battle of Iwo Jima: “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima.” There’s a strong sense of whatever humanity the soldiers have during such a battle, and the direction and performances help represent this side of WWII.

“Born on the Fourth of July”

In Oliver Stone’s 1989 gem, Tom Cruise plays Ron Kovic, the U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, who became paralyzed during the Vietnam War and then also became an anti-war activist. Anyone can put a Tom Cruise movie about the American spirit like the “Top Gun” movies, but this one remains one of his most powerfully acted performances. And on a minor note, I did tell Kyra Sedgwick I loved her in this movie, and her performance really sells it as the girlfriend who inspired him to become an activist.

“Borat”

20 years ago, we got one of the funniest comedies of all time. Sacha Baron Cohen plays Borat, the reporter from Kazakhstan, who comes to America to see how it differentiates from his own country. Using real people and situations in the mix, there’s a certain complexity within his politically incorrect views and the reactions he receives. This comedy is bad……NOT!!!

“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”

A few months ago on NEWHD Radio, I celebrated its 80 anniversary. This inspired the Adam Sandler comedy “Mr. Deeds,” but it was an American classic that not only had charming leads: Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, but it also raised good arguments about society. There are greedy men with the power of money and there are cynics who would believe a person is “pixilated” by how he does certain things. We’re all pixilated by how we do things, but that doesn’t mean we’re crazy.

“JFK”

Oliver Stone focuses on that fateful day when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. What is the conspiracy behind it all? What changed the course of history? And how can New Orleans DA Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) get to the bottom of this? This is one of the best three hour movies cinema has produced, and you owe it to yourselves to see it.

“Jaws”

Do you really think Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) was going to cancel the 4th of July weekend, despite a shark attack? Not really. Steven Spielberg’s shark movie proved to be the greatest of the genre, especially with Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfus collaborating to the save the day. And for those of you planning a trip to Martha’s Vineyard next week, the island is going to have a special screening where people can watch it on tubes in the water. Now, that is beyond creepy. You’re gonna need a bigger tube.

“Get Out”

Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning directorial debut has helped open our eyes to the racism that is still going on in America. In this case, a white family is placing their loved ones inside African-American people they abduct. It probably would have been a spoiler alert at the time of its release, but now, with the right twisted nature, humor, and narrative, this is an urgent movie.

“North by Northwest”

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s best movies has a great climax set on Mount Rushmore. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint are two strangers who find themselves avoiding dangerous men. Hitchcock and writer Ernest Lehman both add the kind of mystery, thrills, and humor to keep you entertained from start to finish. The crop duster plane chase, the Mount Rushmore dodging, and the blank guns; all of these keep you at bay, and are great to look at and feel, too.

“The Grapes of Wrath”

I remember seeing this film adaption of John Steinbeck’s novel at a matinee screening in Tampa, Florida, and I thought it was a consistent film about what the Great Depression had brought on the Joad family. With brilliant direction by John Ford and universal performances from the likes of Henry Fonda and John Carradine, this is a road trip movie representing a time and place.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”

In Capra’s other classic, Jimmy Stewart is a young man coming to Washington DC as the United States Senator, and proving a speech so memorable and poetic, he represents what it truly means to have a voice. This was controversial when it was released in 1939 with politicians claiming that it brought the nation’s capital in disrepute, but as time goes on, we realize that this is urgent and allows us to acknowledge the humanity here. And I’m glad Mel Gibson’s remake was just a “Simpsons” joke.

I’m sorry if I can’t name every movie, but I can celebrate what my selections have to offer. So Happy 250th America.