KAYLEE BREWSTER
When the heat turns up outside it can be nice to sit in a dark room with the air conditioning cranked all the way up and cool down with a movie.
Movies are all about sharing experiences, and those experiences can also be about surviving the elements — in this case the heat. Whether you are looking for someone whose situation is worse than yours so you can feel better or someone to share your misery with, here’s a list of hot movies:
“Do the Right Thing” (1989) What’s it about: It’s the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn, which adds to the hate and racism that eventually explodes.
The heat element: Anyone can relate to being stuck in a hot city on a hot day. And the racial tensions only add a layer of symbolism to the racial tension that is felt.
“12 Angry Men” (1957) What’s it about: A jury has to come to a decision on a murder charge that turns out to be more complicated than it appears.
The heat element: Being stuck in a hot room while everyone’s arguing. No wonder the men are angry.
“Chinatown” (1974) What’s it about: A private detective gets in over his head as he investigates an affair of the man involved with the Los Angeles water system.
The heat element: Not just heat but drought, which means people fighting over water. All of a sudden refilling the Brita pitcher in the fridge doesn’t seem so bad.
“Rango” (2011) What’s it about: Rango (Johnny Depp) winds up in Dirt and decides to play sheriff right when the water supply is about to go out.
The heat element: Rango is basically a more kid-friendly version of “Chinatown,” so more fighting over water and access to it. This time with cute animated animals.
“Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) What’s it about: T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) unites Arab tribes to fight the Turks in World War I.
The heat element: It largely takes place in a desert and by the time you’re done you feel like you crossed the dunes yourself.
“Holes” (2003) What’s it about: Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) is sent to Camp Green Lake detention camp to dig holes, but it’s why they’re digging holes that’s the real question.
The heat element: Working in the heat, in the desert, with no shade and little water with rattlesnakes, scorpions and poisonous lizards. I’ll stay inside, thanks.
“Sahara” (2005) What’s it about: Based on the Clive Cussler novel featuring Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey), who’s searching for a Civil War ship in the desert.
The heat element: Again, features a lot of desert, escaping from the desert, surviving the desert, but then going back to the desert.
“Mad Max” (1979), “Mad Max 2: The Road Warriors” (1981) , “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985), “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) What’s it about: General chaos in a world full of war and famine in a dystopian future ruled by warlords as people try to survive.
The heat element: No matter which film you pick, the original in 1979 or the most recent film, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” you’ll get lots of sun and sand and zero water, making you glad for a cold drink.
“The Way Back” (2010) What’s it about: Siberian gulag prisoners escape and travel across snow, mountains and desert. The heat element: This one features both extremes: cold and heat. So you can cool down in snow and then roast in the sun.
