This year, I’m skipping the crowded parades and overly charred hot dogs in favor of something quieter, stranger, and oddly more American: a movie marathon under the stars. Call it an act of digital independence. Call it screen time with meaning. I call it my Fourth of July dreamscape.
Because nothing says “patriotism” like aliens, ancient conspiracies, and a presidential meltdown delivered with Emmy-worthy profanity.
My Freedom Flicks: Part Myth, Part Mess, All Mine
Independence Day
If Jeff Goldblum saving Earth with a PowerBook doesn’t scream exceptionalism, what does? This is the movie that gives us a global crisis, heroic sacrifice, and the most rousing fictional speech a president has ever given, with bonus points for Bill Pullman not being the president we had, but the one we wanted. It’s America in surround sound.
National Treasure
Some people study history. Others steal it.
If Independence Day is about defending freedom, National Treasure is about decoding it. Nicolas Cage kidnaps the Declaration of Independence to protect it from even worse thieves, because of course he does. It’s historical fiction by way of a theme park ride: dusty archives, impossible puzzles, and founding fathers who left Easter eggs. This is patriotic escapism with a treasure map and a flashlight.
Veep
Now for the reality check. Veep is what happens when idealism crashes into ambition, ego, and infinite Wi-Fi.
Selina Meyer is the founding mother of political dysfunction. Watching her fumble, gaslight, and bulldoze her way through office is like watching a bald eagle try to land on a spinning Roomba. Glorious, cringe-inducing, and completely captivating.
If Independence Day shows us how we wish leaders would act, Veep reminds us how they usually do.
Freedom may ring, but sometimes it sounds like a very uncomfortable laugh track.
More Stars, Less Noise
Some people wave flags. Some light fireworks. I fire up the Wi-Fi and let fictional America remind me why real America is so messy and so worth watching.
From galaxy-saving speeches to meme-worthy meltdowns, my July 4th is part movie night, part meditation. On myth. On meaning. On how we tell stories about who we are and who we want to be.
So no, there’s no parade this year.
Just red, white, blue… and a screen glowing quietly in the grass.