Admit it. You're not going to a barbeque on the Fourth of July. You're not going to a party. You're not going to spend time with friends. You're not even going to be in the presence of other humans watching fireworks. You're going to sit alone in your room, surfing the Internet and bitterly cursing all those obnoxious people out there having fun like the bunch of losers that they are.

Okay, fine. Yes, I'm talking about me.

But I certainly won't be alone in doing what we here at do as much as possible - watch movies. After the beer and burgers and women and fun and all that other good stuff you miserable, wretched people with lives will engage in, you'll want to hunker down in front of the tube and watch a good Fourth of July flick. Your biggest concern will be, what flick? Thankfully, our staff has a lot of time on its hands, what with all that surfing and weeping and all. And that means we have a list of movies for you to watch while the fireworks go "pop!" Because we don't want to be alone in our loneliness on July 4th.

John Felix Recommends: The Twilight Zone
It's hard for me to look back on the Fourth of July as a cause for celebration because, as you know, my entire family perished in The Battle of Hattin. So, instead of looking that far back in history, I decided to consider my own childhood. In the mid '80s, there were a few things to expect every single holiday, every year; screaming matches, and the fact that there was going to be a Twilight Zone marathon on local television. It didn't matter what holiday it was. Sure, it was a staple of Halloween - but for some reason only known to the fine programmers of the local television station, the marathon showed up every single Goddamn holiday. So I implore you, instead of getting hammered, setting off illegal fireworks and infuriating the neighbors, why not shack up with all five seasons of the original Twilight Zone? And don't bother leaving the house until you're finished - I plan to get hammered and set off all these illegal fireworks I purchased. You don't want to lose an eye, do you?

Shawn McLoughlin Recommends: Rocky
The 4th of July has always been difficult for me since, as you are no doubt aware, my entire family perished in The Battle of Hattin shortly after slicing through those bastard Felixs en route to the Sea of Galilee. But enough about me - a holiday isn't a holiday without an awesome movie. So for this Fourth, I expect you to watch Rocky. You may think that Rocky has little, if anything, to do with Independence Day. This is very true, but Rocky does take place on the streets of Philadelphia, which is synonymous in my mind with cheese steaks, Hall & Oates, the Liberty Bell, and AIDS. I can think of few things that greater symbolize America and freedom than this unlikely lot. Plus boxing rules, so light up some fireworks, light up the grill and light up that DVD player and let Rocky inspire you on July 4th.

Larry Phillips Recommends: Sappy Patriotic Movies
Patriotism seems to be a bit of a bittersweet thing these days. I find that in times like these, it is always best to reflect back on to the sacrifices made so that we Americans have the freedom to be critical of our own government. For me, I get refreshed and renewed by revisiting titles like The Patriot, Glory, The Fighting Sullivans, Tora, Tora, Tora, and others. While these aren't always the greatest films, they certainly show that we are here only because we are standing on the shoulders of greatness. And of course, don't forget to get drunk and blow some shit up. It's the American way.

Chris Hughes Recommends: Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yankee Doodle Dandy: obvious choice, right? And why not? After all, the Fourth of July is the ultimate patriotic event and Yankee Doodle Dandy is the ultimate patriotic movie. It's an unabashed celebration of the American ideal and of our collective mythology. Think of it like this: on the Fourth 'jingoism' isn't a bad word, it's required behavior. On July 4th citizens of every political stripe can set aside differences and unite behind their common enthusiasm for the Great Jeffersonian Experiment. Yankee Doodle Dandy is built from the very fabric of the American ideal. The film's protagonist, George M. Cohan, a first generation immigrant, works his way out of poverty and obscurity through Vaudeville (a uniquely American dramatic form) with nothing but his talent and winning personality to become a world-renowned celebrity with the ear of the President himself. The film became an effective propaganda tool during World War II, was directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, arguably the best loved American movie), stars the emblematic Hollywood tough guy James Cagney, and features such instantly recognizable tunes as You're a Grand Old Flag, Over There and Yankee Doodle Boy. Could a film get more American? Don't bet on it! If you try and bring an ironic, hip or post-modern viewpoint to Yankee Doodle Dandy you'll be bitterly disappointed. Your only choice is to surrender to its unabashed flag waving. Yankee Doodle Dandy is best viewed on the Fourth in the same way that It's A Wonderful Life works best on Christmas Eve.

Eric Preston Recommends: Saving Private Ryan
As a patriotic American, World War II buff, lover of films grounded in reality, and an audio video-file, on July 4th I like to wrap my emotional state in the sacrifices that helped to build America into what we can openly criticize today. When Saving Private Ryan first came out, it was the realization of a film fantasy for me. A movie that puts you in the place of an American soldier on what was arguably the bloodiest and deadliest mission ever asked of a soldier. Head straight into a well-defended enemy line with no possibility of retreat. Having digested as much information on these events as an insomniac with expanded cable could, I'd imagined what these men went through a million times. I am to this day choked up thinking about their sacrifices, but D-Day films only hinted at the soul-clawing horror that was the actual event. Until Saving Private Ryan finally let loose the flood gates and brought us as close to that experience as modern technology and creative wisdom would allow, that is. Just as Christian groups bring younglings to The Passion of the Christ, I believe every kid who is remotely mature enough to appreciate it should see Saving Private Ryan.

"Comedian" Recommends: Undeclared
Nothing schlocky or war-themed for me. I'll have enough of a battle getting to and from the liquor store the day before, and overt patriotism makes me puke. This Fourth of July will be dedicated to Judd Apatow's Undeclared. It's a fantastic slice of American college life - the kind of life our forefathers intended for us all when they wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I will partake of the extended scenes and commentaries on my DVDS as well, because it's my duty as an American. After that, if time allows, I will watch another brilliant but cancelled by Fox show, Action!, starring a funny Jay Mohr. As opposed to the Last Comic Standing Jay Mohr, who is not funny. Action! is a show about Hollywood, of which the groundwork was laid in the seminal Thomas Payne work Common Sense. So perhaps what I am celebrating are great shows that idiot network owned by that bastard Aussie (probably a closet Socialist) cancelled way too soon. Sounds positively American to me.

"Pender" Recommends: Buffalo Soldiers
Ever felt the urge to get plastered and set off explosives? Well, you are probably a perfect American. Not sure what I am talking about? Well, watch the DVD of the 2001 movie Buffalo Soldiers and you can glimpse the ever-present urge that drives the American psyche - getting fucked up and blowing shit up. The story is simple in its telling. You follow an enlisted soldier - who happens to be an American opportunist that Donald Trump himself would be proud of - during part of his tour of duty in Europe (prior to the Berlin wall coming down). This is the opportunist that may seem familiar from other military films out there, including Mister Roberts, The Dirty Dozen, The Green Berets, and many others. But, it is not the same shadow play that we have seen before. This is a true opportunist in a modern world and in a modern military, caught fully in the spotlight of one of the best performances I have ever seen by Joaquin Phoenix. Add in a script that doesn't shy away from its amoral protagonist and you get a film the Germans re-titled Army Go Home - they possibly could have entitled it American Army Go Home - a title that conveys a feeling I am sure many countries share while playing "host" to an American military presence. Also a title that shows that the Germans got the deceptively simple message of this film. Afterwards, it's okay, you'll still have time to fuck some shit up with your fireworks.

The entire staff of wishes you a safe, happy and drunken Fourth Of July!