August is a big vacation month. Who doesn’t want to get out of the scorching heat of the city or the burbs to cool off at the beach or escape to a mountain retreat? Unfortunately, we’re in our third year of a pandemic that seems determined to rear one of its ugly variants when we let down our guard.
If like me, you find yourself reluctant to hit the road, here are a few movie suggestions to help you vacation from the comfort of your couch. No mask is needed.
Information about streaming availability may change at any time.
The Way (2010) - Martin Sheen stars as Dr. Tom Avery, a father trying to come to terms with the death of his son Daniel by retracing the last days of Daniel’s life. When Tom travels to France to claim his estranged son’s body, he decides to complete the journey Daniel was on when he died. Tom takes Daniel’s ashes with him to walk the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James), a Christian pilgrimage route from France to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Along the way, Tom meets three other travelers; each has their own reason for their journey and the bond along the way. Tom comes to understand what motivated his son’s search for greater meaning in his life and begins his own quest. This film was produced and directed by Emilio Estevez, Sheen’s son who wrote the screenplay and plays Tom’ son Daniel in the film.
You can rent or buy The Way on Amazon Prime or Google Play Movies & TV.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) – Ben Stiller stars as Walter Mitty an employee at Life magazine. Mitty spends his days developing photos from around the world instead of taking them himself. To escape the boredom, he travels to exciting places in his imagination. Walter finally gets his chance for a real adventure when he is assigned to obtain the perfect photo for the magazine’s final issue. This movie received high marks for cinematography and it’s soundtrack. It’s available to stream with a subscription to HBO Max or a premium subscription to Hulu. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video starting at $3.99.
A Walk in the Woods (2015) – stars Nick Nolte, Robert Redford, and Emma Thompson. Acclaimed Author Bill Bryson (Redford) returns to the United States after spending ten years in the UK. He and his wife settle in New Hampshire and Bryson lives the quiet life until a news story sirs that he is writing another book which he had no intention of doing. After attending a friend’s funeral, he goes for a walk and stumbles onto the Appalachian Trail. Now in his sixties and contemplating his own mortality, Bryson yearns for one more adventure and decides to hike the length of the trail – 2,200 miles through fourteen states. His wife tries to discourage him, but finally relents if he finds a suitable traveling companion. Bryson contacts his friends and finds no takers, except his old friend Stephen Katz (Nolte). The two men set off and quickly realize the hike won’t be so easy. Still, they press into one misadventure after the other. It’s a funny, yet poignant story about friendship, aging, and knowing your limitations. A Walk in the Woods is available to steam free on Pluto TV and Tubi. You can watch it with a subscription to fubo TV or a premium subscription to Sling TV or Amazon Prime Video. It can be rented on Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, or purchased on Apple TV.
Encounters at the End of the World (2007) – is an American documentary film by Werner Herzog about the people who choose to live and work in Antarctica. Herzog examines the dreams of these people and the rugged landscape of Antarctica where they have created a community. Why are they there? What do they hope to accomplish? This film received a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s available to rent from $2.99 on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video, and can be purchased on Apple TV.
Tracks (2013) – this Australian drama based on a true story stars Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver. It chronicles author Robyn Davidson’s 1700-mile (nine month long) journey with her dog on four camels across the Australian desert (from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean). Adam Driver stars as Rick Smolan, the National Geographic photographer who documents her journey. This film received high praise for the performances of Wasikowska and Driver and excellent cinematography. It’s available to stream free on YouTube, Pluto TV, Tubi, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. You can rent it from Google Play Movies & TV or Apple TV.
Wild (2014) – is an America drama based on the true story of Cheryl Strayed who leaves her home in Minnesota to hike 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail by herself in memory of her mother who died from cancer. Reese Witherspoon stars as Strayed. It’s available to rent from $3.99 on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV.
On the Road (2012) – It took over 55 years for Jack Kerouac’s iconic novel to make it to the big screen. Garret Hedlund stars as Dean Moriarty and Sam Riley stars as Sal Paradise. This is an R rated film because of language, depictions of drug and alcohol use and sexual situations. It’s available to rent on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video. It can be purchased on YouTube or Google Play Movies &TV.
2 Days in Paris (2007) – Julie Delpy writes, produces, directs, and stars as Marion, a French-born photographer living in New York City with her neurotic interior designer boyfriend Jack (Adam Goldberg). After an unsuccessful trip to Venice to rekindle the romance in their relationship they head to Paris to pick up Marion’s cat from her parent’s house and end up spending two days there where Jack struggles with the language and his jealousy of Marion’s former lovers. Marion must decide if she can reign in her impulsive nature to save her relationship with Jack. It’s available to stream free on Pluto TV, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and PLEX. You can rent it from $3.99 on Vudo.
Better Nate than Ever (2022) – Rueby Wood stars as Nate Foster, a 13-year-old Pittsburgh boy who dreams of becoming a Broadway star. Nate sneaks off on a bus with his best friend Libby to New York to audition for a musical. What could possibly go wrong? It’s available to watch on Disney+ with a subscription.
Jungle Cruise (2021) – stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Jack Whitehall, and Paul Giamatti. Johnson stars as frank, a steamboat captain who takes a botanist, Dr. Lilly Houghton (Blunt) and her brother MacGregor (Whitehall) through the jungle in search of The Tree of Life. They are in a race to find it before a German expedition and cursed conquistadors. It’s available on Disney+ with a subscription and can be rented on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, or Apple TV.
Sources:
https://fullsuitcase.com/best-travel-movies/