What I Did on My Summer Vacation...A List of Movies to Say You Saw!!!

Summer's here and with it all the fun a day can bring. And don't worry. Stepping inside to take a break from the sun doesn't mean the good times have to end. Check out these ten cool movies that work overtime to keep the summer heat cooking.

10.Summer School: Obviously, we have to put this movie last because no one wants school anywhere near a summer list. But that doesn't mean this flick should be given early dismissal. It's funny, launched an unknown Courtney Thorne-Smith and it has shown staying power. Kids today still dig the gory antics of Dave and Chainsaw. And as well they should.

9. Meatballs: The only reasons to put Bill Murray's theatrical debut low on the list are because a). not everyone went to summer camp and b). some who did flat out hated it. But since there have always been kids who can't wait to get there, Meatballs appears. And coincidentally there were kids at Camp North Star who felt both ways, so no matter where you stand on the subject, you will find your kindred soul.

8. Independence Day: There have been many blockbuster summer movies. However, nothing says big time summer release AND summer holiday fun like Will Smith's Independence Day. Well, okay. Maybe more of the folks in the flick were getting flame broiled than actually having a good time standing around a grill. But in the end, the good guys won and a lot of money was made by all.

7. Caddyshack: Ah, golf. Is there anything more relaxing than the game of kings played on peaceful greens? That is, unless you're Carl Spackler stuck chasing that darn Mr. Gopher who remains resistant to your subtle charms and overt explosions. "It's in the hole! It's in the hole!"

6. National Lampoon's Vacation: Road trip! Time to pack up the car, stash some snacks in the cooler and tie the dog to the bumper. Next, hit the overdrive button and cruise with the Griswolds as they take their hijinks and hilarity on the road to Wally World. So who's the moosiest moose we know? Why Marty Moose, of course!

5. The Great Outdoors: Okay. Raise your hand if you've ever gone out for vacation dinner, stared at the mondo meal du jour (think Fuddruckers) and thought, "Yeah. Sure. I could eat the 96 ouncer Paul Bunyan style. And I'd even eat the gristle" (because you gotta eat the gristle!) Throw in some pretentious, holier-than-thou relatives and a crazed, insatiable raccoon and you got yourself a grand ol' time. On second thought, maybe next year you should see if your employer lets you carry over vacation time. It'll be less stressful that way.

4. JAWS: In keeping with a beach theme, there are many choices including the two obvious namesakes, The Beach and Beaches. But who can ignore the one film that changed the entire culture of the berm? Remember the summer it came out? You couldn't go to the snack bar without fearing for your body parts. Phew. And how we coming on that bigger boat?

3. A League of their Own. There's a ton of baseball movies out there and so many of them are really, really good (thank you Kevin Costner for most of them). But I gotta go with a girl's heart and for me that makes A League of their Own the simple choice. It's got oppressed woman who dance anyway, dueling sisters, Madonna and Geena Davis flying into the splits whenever she feels like it. And how about quotes that even MLB great Pedro Martinez references? So there, girls can to play ball!!!

2. The Sandlot: Is there anything more summer Americana than fresh-faced, freckled kids playing baseball? And anyone who's ever lost a priceless autographed baseball can relate to the drama of The Sandlot. The rest of us can relate to being the new kid, fearing spooky things that lurk behind scary doors and friends who end up being there for us just when we need them the most.

1. Dirty Dancing: And finally, the best invention of summer? Why summer romance, of course! And what better example of it than forbidden love behind your father's back with a smokin' hot dance instructor while on vacation in the Catskills. That's why we love Dirty Dancing. It made girls want to dance like Jennifer Grey so boys like Patrick Swayze (hey-are there any boys like Patrick Swayze?) would lift them high over their heads. I don't know about you but I had the time of my life!