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Top Movies To Watch for Independence Day

Our Top Independence Day Movies

The sound of BBQ ribs sizzling on the grill, fireworks being set off, and the warm summer evenings can only mean one thing – It’s Independence Day weekend! And what better way to get in the spirit than to release your inner American and patriotic pride with a list of our top ten Independence Day films. From inspirational action cinema such as Captain America to All-American classics like Yankee Doodle Dandy, this list could keep you inside all weekend long! Why? Because America, everyone. Because America.

10. Miracle

 
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Is enjoying the retelling of our boys beating the pants off a Russian juggernaut wrong? If so, we don’t want to be right. Based on a true story, Miracle encompasses everything you need to prepare for a patriotic Independence Day. In 1980, USA hockey coach, Herb Brooks, united a group of college students and turned them into some of the least likely Olympic champions in history. Warning: Viewers of the movie Miracle may experience overwhelming pride for the United States.

9. Rocky IV

 
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If you’re not a big fan of hockey, here’s another iconic sports film that easily makes our Top Ten list. After the top Soviet boxer killed Apollo Creed in a cut- throat match, Rocky Balboa decides to take on the challenge to defeat the USSR and avenge his best friend, Apollo Creed.

8. The Sandlot

 
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Who doesn’t love this comical, light-hearted film about a bunch of neighborhood boys playing baseball and taking on adventures? The new kid in town, Scotty Smalls, makes a rookie mistake when he accidentally hits a ball signed by the one and only Babe Ruth over the fence of the so-called Beast. This film will bring you back to the carefree, curious days of your childhood. The Sandlot is a great movie to sit down and watch with the entire family this weekend.

7. Top Gun

 
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The famous Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun, will have you sky-high as you ride along with the pilots of The Top Gun Naval Fighter Pilots School. One pilot in particular, Maverick (Tom Cruise), stands out as he shows off to win the affection of his attractive flight instructor. His confidence and talent make this arguably one of Tom Cruise’s greatest movies. And besides, who doesn’t love an action movie with fighter jets?

6. The Patriot

 
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This film will have you on the edge of your seat as you learn why this movie got the name, The Patriot. Benjamin Martin, a peaceful plantation owner and former war hero, wishes to stay uninvolved in the American Revolution unfolding around him. His wishes quickly turn on him when his son enlists without his permission and when his home and family are threatened by the war. The Patriot will inspire you to hold your head up high and your loved ones close

5. Captain America

 
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In the midst of World War II, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, begins his assault on Hydra and the Nazis. Fans of the Marvel Comic aren’t let down with this movie that stands out among a crowded field of great Marvel movies. If you’re watching this with your kids, be prepared to buy them a red, white, and blue shield afterwards!

4. Yankee Doodle Dandy

 
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Yankee Doodle Dandy is patriotism overload- this film is perfect if you’re in the mood for a good old American musical. In 1942, George M. Cohan was called to the white house to receive an award from the president of the United States. While talking to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cohan has a series of flashbacks from his childhood.

3. Apollo 13

 
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Another popular Tom Hanks movie, Apollo 13 tells the story of a space mission that goes terribly wrong when something unexpected happens. Three astronauts deal with the unthinkable after an oxygen tank explodes during the mission. If you’re into dramatic science based films, this Ron Howard movie will leave you on the edge of your seat. Keep an eye out for the technically accurate effects, courtesy of NASA’s input!

2. Born on the Fourth of July

 
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During his service in the Vietnam war, character Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise) gets into an accident that leaves him permanently paralyzed. After returning to a world of understanding, he then pursues political justice through human rights activism to restore his faith in his country. Reviewers enjoyed the powerful message behind Born on the Fourth of July more than other Oliver Stone films.

1. Independence Day

 
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Was there any doubt that this would be the top movie to watch on our Fourth of July weekends? In case you’ve never seen it, Independence Day is an intense Science Fiction film starring Will Smith. Humankind is put to the ultimate test while getting an unexpected visit from extraterrestrial beings. The fate of the world is in the hands of a group of unlikely heroes. With excellent actors and mind blowing effects, this film easily makes it to the top of our list. Make the experience even better with Seatcraft Home Theater Chairs powered by SoundShaker to enhance the audio effects of the film.

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Home Theater Designs We Love

7 Home Theater Designs We Love

You’re finally ready to get that home theater all set up and the anticipation is continuing to build! The idea of having a fully immersive cinema experience right in the comfort of your home is enough to make anyone quiver with excitement! There’s just one main question that is eating away at you: Where do I even start?!

With the options literally being endless, take into consideration both the technical and financial aspects of building a home theater. What’s most important to you? The seats vibrating during various parts of the movie to make it truly come to life? Or maybe it’s the candy and popcorn bar you’ve been dreaming of for months? Whether or not you have the specifics figured out, it’s best to start with design. Here are a few home theater designs we love:

Mimic Real Life Theater Designs

 
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Play copycat and adapt the big screen to your personal home theater! Invest in track lighting, wall accents, and the perfect projection screen to showcase your next big cinema showing. Looking to kick it up a notch? Seek out movie poster frames and manifest your own walk of stars!

Go Big Or Go Home

 
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Take inspiration from the real movie theater and spring for the bigtime – you won’t regret it! In this home theater, the TV is the main centerpiece that pulls the entire home theater set-up together. The big screen captures your attention, radiating your gaze from the inside out. The muted color palette emphasizes the screen beautifully with bonus points for the pop of color paintings on the back wall!

Take It Outdoors

 
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Think outside the box and bring the great outdoors indoors! Create the perfect staycation spot right inside your home with a stargazing option built into the ceiling. Accent the space with warm colors and cozy pillows to create the ultimate, relaxing ambiance.

Lighting Is Essential

 
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Lighting can make or break your new man cave or home theater! Remember, it’s all about creating an established experience to limit distractions. Keep in mind that suspended or hanging fixtures and lamps could cause uneven lighting or reflections on the screen. If it’s in your budget, go for dimmable and remote-controlled lights. For a bolder look, try adding LED lights to frame the screen and fiber optic lighting strips around the floor or baseboards.

It’s All About the Seating

 
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Building a home theater around the comfort of the seating is a great place to begin. An in-home theater viewing experience is amazingly enhanced with an organized seating scheme. Choose a seating style and design that fits your needs and desires for the space. If you’re going for the traditional cinema theme with stadium seating and dramatic curtains, then plan to search for theater seating that is traditional as well. However, if your home theater is a smaller affair and more of a media room, skip the dramatic experience and consider more traditional seating such a wrap around sofas complemented with 1-2 arm chairs.

Preserve Space, Prioritize Shelving

 

 
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You don’t need a four-story mansion to incorporate a great movie room! Even a small space can be transformed – all with the help of good shelving and storage! It can be a challenge to navigate cramped quarters, making utilization of every available inch more important than ever. Minimize clutter and avoid furniture that refuses to conform to corners. Ditch the bulky TV and accompanying stand for a mounted TV and counter space that doubles as a shelf to accommodate your gaming systems and extra storage.

Don’t Miss the Game

 
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Watch all the games all at once in this man cave built for every sports fanatic! Complete with a bar, pool table, and football field carpet, this man cave gives every home theater a run for its money. Every in-home theater should be catered around your desires and needs for a personal getaway. Make it as unique as you!

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How to Get Rid of Cable Clutter

6 Tips to Reduce Cable Clutter

Chances are if you have a TV (and a pulse), you have an astronomical number of cables to go with it. Include a gaming console and/or sound system, and the number of cables may double or even triple! Feel like you’ve weaved a web of cables? Here are some quick, easy tricks to declutter and get organized:

Cable Ties

● Cable ties are the fastest way to clean up cable clutter. Rather than having 15 separate cords hanging from your TV, these ties combine multiple cables into a few larger groups. Consider opting for velcro instead of the traditional single-use plastic. They’re a little pricier, but are worth it in the long run as they can be reused. If those are too pricey, try using zip-ties or pipe cleaners.
● This method requires you to go through the cables you currently have. In this process, you might find some unused cables you can give the boot!
● If you want to go the extra mile, consider replacing your current cables with color-coded ones. Have a red bundle for video-related cables, a blue bundle for audio-related cables and so on.
● This trick will also allow you to shorten your cables. Most cables come in different size increments. Purchasing the smallest possible reduces clutter, but doesn’t allow for very much wiggle room if you need to move your TV or use it for something else. Pick longer cable lengths, and then coil the excess cable. Use a cable tie to secure the loops.

 
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Label Your Cables

● Labeling your cables will prevent any confusion later on. Some cable ties even come with little labels that you can write on for an extra level of organization. If you have the space, get specific. “HDMI” won’t help you in the long run, but “Samsung TV HDMI” sure could help down the line.

Mount It

● Mounting the TV on the wall is an easy way to reclaim space. With the TV on the wall instead of a media table, you free up space to tidy up the boxes and cords that rested on or within the table.
● For a wall-mounted TV, consider drilling holes in the wall to organize those pesky cables. Simply tuck the cables out-of-sight without worrying about them dangling down the wall from the TV. If you live in a rental or are otherwise unable to drill holes in the wall, you can purchase a cord cover at most home improvement stores. These adhere to the wall over your cords and can be painted to match the wall color. Need a cheap alternative? Use a shower curtain rod for similar results.

Use Cord Clips

● Cord clips are similar to cord ties– they both hold cables together. However, cord clips attach to a wall or table to hold cables up, rather than just tied together. Try attaching cord clips to the backside of tables to avoiding sagging cable. It’s best to place them 12 inches apart and to hang skinnier cords across these clips to prevent cables touching the floor.

 
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Use What You Have

● Still feeling inclined to let those cables drag on the floor? Embrace it! Adjust your baseboards. Many baseboards can be altered to allow for space for cable to be threaded behind them.
● Disconnect rarely used items. Only use that Wii twice a year when you have your younger cousins over? Pack it away and connect it when you need it.
● Large binder clips can also be used in a pinch for the same purpose as cord clips. Put a screw with a small washer through one of the handles of the clip and screw it into the table or wall. Then do the same as you would with the cord clips, and thread your cords through.

 
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Decorate

● Place extra cables in decorative boxes. Sometimes, the best trick is to hide your clutter in plain sight! This can also work for things like routers or gaming consoles. Just check to make sure your remotes still work properly while the router or gaming console is in the box.
● If the box method doesn’t work for your bigger items, use it for your power strip. Simply cut holes in the side and thread the cables through.
● When in doubt, cover up the cables!
● Use an over-the-door shoe rack to keep extra cables in storage. Dedicate one pocket for each cable or cable type. Alternatively, use a box with empty paper towel rolls standing straight up inside. Put bundles of cables inside and pack the box away. No more giant and tangled ball of cables in your garage!

Cleaning up your cables can seem like a daunting chore. However, breaking it up into smaller tasks will make it more manageable in the long run. Happy decluttering!

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