🇺🇸 Happy Saturday before Memorial Day Weekend,

Spring is in full bloom and Flick has been waiting for his invite out on the boat! Little does he know, it’s never coming…🤫

In the meantime, he’s been compiling a list of his favorite films to rewatch for Memorial Day. And to be honest, it’s one of his best (except for #4)…

So, whether you’re on the lake, at a pool, or somewhere in the shade, invite some family over and rewatch these films (Flick’s favorite is in green)

🎥 Our Top 5 Favorite Memorial Day Films (in no particular order)

1. Fury (2014) - 🍅 76%
   Stream: Tubi, Amazon Prime
   
   

2. Saving Private Ryan  🍅 94% 
   Stream: Peacock, Rent: Amazon Prime
   
   

3. Inglourious Basterds (2009) - 🍅 89%
   Stream: Starz, Hulu, SlingTV
   
   

4. Transformers (2007) - 🍅 57%
   Stream: Paramount+, Amazon Prime
   
   

5. 13 Hours (2014) - 🍅 51%
   Stream: MGM+, Amazon Prime, SlingTV

Honorable mention
Band of Brothers (2001) - 🍅 94%
Stream: Netflix, Max

🎥 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

🇺🇸 What happens when a squadron of American soldiers is deep behind enemy lines to rescue a single man during an all consuming World War?

The story, written by Robert Rodat, was inspired by the real-life Niland brothers and a desire to humanize the enormity of war through one emotionally charged mission.

Rather than glorifying combat, the film leaned into raw brutality, moral ambiguity, and the psychological cost of violence—reshaping what a war film could be.

Director Steven Spielberg, fresh off Schindler’s List, brought his unmatched eye for detail and human emotion. His signature mix of technical mastery and intimate storytelling turned Saving Private Ryan into more than a war movie.

Tom Hanks led a stellar ensemble cast, while performances by Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, and a young Vin Diesel added authenticity and grit. Combined with Janusz Kamiński’s handheld cinematography, the film didn’t just depict war—it brought audiences into it.

Pretty wild huh? Now, here’s some film resources for you as you rewatch…

🍿 What soldiers were eating during WWII: Saving Private Ryan

Typically on Rewatching, we give you customized drink and food options, BUT to be completely honest: we’re feeling a little historical on this newsletter…

In honor of those who sacrificed their lives, here’s what they were eating…

K-Ration for WWII

Though these were the baseline rations, American soldiers would’ve foraged for food the further they moved inland collecting fruits, fish, and wild game, among other things.

Enjoy reasonably.

▶️ Rewatch-worthy Scene from Saving Private Ryan

This historical drama is full of heart pumping action moments from the beaches of Normandy to the final battle for the bridge, but none speak louder than this interaction between Captain Miller and his soldiers…

Tbh, Tom Hanks definitely gives off teacher vibes…

“My Mission”

Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg approached this scene with intensity and restraint, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the Captain Miller.

This scene, where Miller reveals his background as a schoolteacher, was deliberately understated and meant to humanize the man behind the uniform and remind the squad (the audience) what they’re fighting for.

In behind-the-scenes interviews, Spielberg noted that this moment was a turning point for the film’s tone, grounding the story in personal sacrifice over patriotic bravado. Much of the emotion came from Hanks’s subtle delivery—no theatrics, just a man trying to hold his team together while unraveling inside.

Scenes like this echo similar moments in war films where quiet reflection reveals more than any battle could—think Colonel Nicholson’s dilemma in The Bridge on the River Kwai, the letter-writing scenes in Letters from Iwo Jima, or the campfire conversations in Band of Brothers.

💬 Some Trivia from Saving Private Ryan

It’s one of the most iconic lines, and it gets you every time. Bit of a tangent, but it would be fun to explore some lines they could’ve put that would have completely ruined the film. Maybe for another time…

I mean, last words are pretty important…

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Thanks for reading! This email was written by me Flick, the self-aware remote control and the official mascot of Rewatching Films.

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See you next time!
- Flick