What better way to celebrate the Independence Day this weekend than to enjoy a great movie or two with the family?

The Sandlot

It’s a 1993 movie about America’s favorite pastime — baseball. Scotty Smalls reminisces about the summer of 1962 when he first discovered the sandlot and the neighborhood kids who taught him more than just how to throw a ball.

“The Sandlot” has arguably one of the most patriotic scenes of all time. While everyone else in the neighborhood is barbecuing and playing with sparklers, the sandlot gang decide to play ball under the bright colors of the fireworks exploding above them. With “America the Beautiful” playing in the background, there are not many other scenes that capture what the Fourth of July is all about better than this movie.

Whether you grew up playing the game or not, you will love watching these kids and the shenanigans they get themselves into.

“The Sandlot” is 100 percent worth your time and appropriate for ages 8+ on Ok.com.

Independence Day

When aliens invade Earth and attempt to annihilate the human race, the last chance of survival is a giant, world-wide counter attack launched on July 4.

Will Smith stars as Captain Steven Hiller, the lone survivor of a Marine Corps squadron, who captures a single alien to find out how to defeat the attacking alien force. Leading the aerial attack is the president of the United States, played by Bill Pullman. As the troops assemble, the president gives a stirring speech about what it means to be free and the cost of freedom. Even though it’s an American holiday, Independence Day takes on a new meaning as humanity fights for survival.

This 1996 epic adventure was a blockbuster hit and is still just as exhilarating today, and Pullman’s speech is one of the most inspiring expressions of patriotism there is.

On Ok.com, “Independence Day” is appropriate for ages 12+ and has a 78 percent worth-your-time rating.

Forrest Gump

If you haven’t seen the 1994 drama “Forrest Gump,” you are missing out on a great movie that covers many of the defining moments of the last part of the 20th century in America. Granted, the depictions of events aren’t exactly historically accurate, but this movie provides an entertaining perspective on the dramatic changes that swept the nation between 1944 and 1982.

Tom Hanks plays a naïve Southerner who shares his amazing and unexpected life experiences, as well as his unconditional love for a woman named Jenny. There are lots of laughs to be had as you watch Forrest accidentally influence history time and again.

“Forrest Gump” won six Academy Awards including best picture and best actor. It’s a beautiful movie filled with words of wisdom from Forrest’s mama you’ll never want to forget.

This movie has an Ok.com age appropriate rating of 14+ and is 83 percent worth your time.

The Patriot

The 2000 drama “The Patriot” is about a family during the American Revolutionary War. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) leads a Colonial Militia against the British Army to protect his family. Even though Martin initially disagrees with the war against England, he learns to believe in his new country with new ideas of freedom.

Like “Forrest Gump," this movie isn’t celebrated for its historical accuracy, but instead “The Patriot” tells a story full of emotion and action during an important time in history. The movie includes an array of dynamic characters that show the many different ideas expressed by early Americans.

“The Patriot” is rated R for strong war violence. There are quite a few scenes of graphic hand-to-hand combat, as well as emotionally intense material that may not be appropriate for younger audiences. That being said, the movie attempts to show what the Founding Fathers fought for and is a great choice to watch for the Fourth of July.

“The Patriot” has an Ok.com 100 percent worth-your-time rating and is appropriate for ages 15+. Sarah Bringhurst is recent graduate from Utah Valley University and currently an intern with Ok.com. EMAIL: sarah@ok.com

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