By Thomas Sellers Jr.
U.S. America needs a weekend to celebrate its 244th birthday.
Our nation’s day of independence falls on a Saturday this year. With 2020 being a year testing the ideas, visions and principles of our founding fathers, those who call the United States home need at least 48 hours of happiness.
A pandemic and protest have ripped away the norms heading into the Fourth of July. In years past, barbecue, fireworks, gatherings and concepts of American pride were par for the course.
Now the holiday version of 2020 will be used as a platform to make a statement, whether on battling the coronavirus or racism. On the other side, people will use Independence Day as a chance to illustrate the defeat of COVID-19 and make a stand for traditions.
As we all know, the United States of America has a few stains on her. The country’s red is the blood of those who died under oppression, racism and the Civil War. Blood was also shed in wars fighting for our freedom on this land and afar.
And the blue represents the bruises from internment camps, a Trail of Tears, slavery and laws of segregation. Blue is also the collar we wear as a nation. Our work ethic has made us the leaders of the world and creators of amazing things.
Finally, the white in our nation’s colors represents hope, resiliency, redemption, opportunity, fate and freedom. When this country is at its best, the word “unite” in United is clear to see. The United States of America is a relatively young nation but has been a worldwide leader for decades.
Whether it is sports, space travel, wartime or overcoming a nationwide tragedy, the United States uses red, white and blue for strength.
In the final week of the Best Sellers’ List going out to the movies, it is time to count down the top 10 movies that exemplify American pride. These films I have enjoyed and made me pride to be an American.
- “World Trade Center”
2006: Starring Nicolas Cage and Maria Bello
Just five years after one of our nation’s worst tragedies, director Oliver Stone was ready to add to his list of movies based on America like “Platoon,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “W.,” and “JFK.”
Stone is normally accused of being un-American with his depictions of the past. But in “World Trade Center” the movie was a timely, inspirational piece. Stone didn’t focus on the worst terrorist attack on American soil. He didn’t put the spotlight on the deaths or conspiracies.
“World Trade Center” was a look at the heroes of that sad Sept. 11, 2001, day. Several men sacrificed their lives for strangers, answering the call of duty. Sometimes to be a great American means to give your life for a cause. This movie reminds of us that. - “Patton”
1970: Starring George C. Scott and Karl Malden
Some might think his name is really General George C. Scott. But the legendary actor gave a scary accurate performance of General George S. Patton in the 1970 epic biographical war flick. Scott was phenomenal in the role winning the 1971 Academy Award for Best Actor.
In Patton-fashion, Scott refused to accept the award in protest of the voting practices. I guess Scott was still in character. Playing Patton, Scott brought to life to a man who was complicated and sometimes controversial. This movie was well done and worthy of all the praise and awards it received 50 years ago. - “Independence Day”
1996: Starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum
Summer blockbusters saw a renaissance after the release of “Independence Day” is 1996. This is the first movie on my countdown not based on a real-life event. But it illustrates U.S. American pride and resiliency.
“Independence Day” was action-packed entertainment. It combined elements of science-fiction and fantasy to create an epic movie. To be a blockbuster you need action, a great plot and an all-star cast like Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein, Vivica A. Fox and Harry Connick Jr.
The film focuses on disparate groups of people who converge in the Nevada desert in the aftermath of a worldwide attack by an extraterrestrial race of unknown origin. With the other people of the world, they launch an all-out counterattack on July 4 — Independence Day in the United States.
Of course the elite forces of the United States saves the day. The cohesive unit that fought off the invaders were a diverse group displaying unity. - “Top Gun”
1986: Starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer
American muscle is usual reserved for automobiles made in the United States. But in this 1980s cheesy flick, muscle is on display during a beach volleyball game, fighter jets and great nicknames.
We take a journey to the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School is where the best of the best train. The daredevils of the sky experience highs and lows in this movie.
Maverick, Iceman and the rest of the characters do a great job being the backdrop of the great Kenny Loggins’ music. I’m a bigger fan of “Danger Zone” and “Playing with the Boys.” - “Glory”
1989: Starring Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington
Let’s get back to the based-on-true-story type of Americana. The Civil War comes to life in the 20th Century through the lens of “Glory.”
Following the Battle of Antietam, Col. Robert Gould Shaw played by Matthew Broderick is offered command of the United States’ first all-black regiment. We get an inside look at the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
The unit features escaped slave Trip (Denzel Washington) and the wise gravedigger John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman). We watch these men get trained for battle, a battle for their freedom.
The scene when Trip is whipped and his face is stoic as tears stream out of his eyes is powerful. There are prices to pay for freedom. - “Rocky”
1976: Starring Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire
America loves an underdog story. And struggling actor Sylvester Stallone took a screenplay about a white boxer given a chance at the heavyweight championship against the best in the world. That great white hope holds his own and pushes the black champ to the limits. This was the foundation for the story of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. He takes on the role of the small-time boxer from the streets of Philadelphia. That is the birthplace of our nation. Opportunity finds the Italian Stallion when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) issues him a challenge.
We take the journey with Rocky, watching him find love, a purpose and motivation to take on the professional challenge. Rocky trains for his big chance and uses his heart to stand tall as the bell rings. He didn’t win the title that night, but he captured the hearts of the nation. - “Armageddon”
1998: Starring Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton
America has had a love affair with outer space since the late 1950s. Normally our movies depict the genre as a fantasy or chase for something special. Going into space takes heroes exploring the universe. But as the year 2000 was nearing and a lot of screenwriters were thinking about the end of the world, a more particular scenario was brought to life in “Armageddon.”
An asteroid is on a collision course with Earth. NASA’s Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb.
There is one man for the job, played by Bruce Willis as Harry Stamper. He agrees to put his life on the line, not only for his country but for the entire world. - “Miracle”
2004: Starring Kurt Russell
Sports is vital to the American way of life. And when the Olympics or other worldwide competition is played, we are ready to chant “U.S.A.”
While we dominate basketball and have a strong presence in baseball, our claim to fame is American football. But one sport where we’ve never been the clear-cut best is hockey.
But for a moment in time back in 1980, the United States was the best. When college coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) is hired to helm the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey team, Brooks challenged his team of college players to improve.
Brooks knew his squad would face the other countries who play hockey religiously. And those other nations used grown men and professionals.
Brooks used a mental approach to get his boys ready for battle. He united them against a common enemy, the Soviet team.
Do you believe in miracles? That team beat the mighty Soviet squad and captured the gold medal in the finals. Simply a miracle. - “Forrest Gump”
1994: Starring Tom Hanks
He’s back again in another countdown on the Best Sellers’ List. This is one of my favorite movies of all time because Hanks is the best. Hanks created an industry with this one character. Forrest Gump is an overachiever, underdog and American icon.
He met U.S. Presidents. Gump saved several of his fellow troops in Vietnam. He also inspired a famous T-shirt. Parts of the movie are based in Washington D.C., which displays our nation’s capital.
“Forrest Gump” is a roller coaster of emotion, but one of those highs is feeling like a proud American. - “Rocky IV”
1985: Starring Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren
The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union is the backdrop. This fictional tale puts an individual twist on the Miracle on Ice game. Rocky, played by Stallone, is the representative of the red, white and blue. And the dirty, oversized Soviet Union is exemplified by Ivan Drago (Lundgren).
Just in case we needed more of a reason to hate the steroid-using Soviet, Drago killed our beloved Apollo Creed while he wore his famous American flag trunks.
Rocky will make all things right and show the world that good old-fashioned American hard work, training and determination can overcome any odds.
On Christmas Day in Russia, Rocky overcomes the odds. He took a beating and had moments of pure pain. But like so many Americans before him, Rocky knew had had to keep fighting because it was bigger than him.
THOMAS SELLERS JR. is the editor of The Millington Star and both the sports editor and a weekly personal columnist for West 10 Media/Magic Valley Publishing. Contact him by phone at (901) 433-9138, by fax to (901) 529-7687 and by email to [email protected].
