Fireworks for cheaters
Where to see the best explosions—without dealing with crowds
Will Smith: American hero
Big Willie style
By Brett Buckalew, Special to Metromix
Few things say summer in America like biting into a perfectly BBQed hamburger, hitting the beach or watching a charismatic former rapper dispense catchy wisecracks in earnest-yet-irreverent action movie spectacles. At least that's been the case since the 1996 release of "Independence Day" catapulted Will Smith from cheesy ‘80s hip-hop artist Fresh Prince to box-office juggernaut Big Willie.
There's just something about Smith that embodies the American Dream, from his onscreen mix of goofy humor, brawny athleticism, and aw-shucks charm to his tendency to open movies on the Fourth of July weekend. His latest, “Hancock,” is even named after the Founding Father who left the most ostentatious, bling-like autograph on the Declaration of Independence. (Fortunately it's about a modern day superhero, and not a period piece set in 1776.)
Here’s a collection of moments from Smith’s past summer releases that further reveal—sometimes covertly, sometimes with flag-waving heavy-handedness—the actor getting jiggy with the red, white, and blue.
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Calendar of Events
Today's Events
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Hollywood Laff Festival at the Ford Amphitheater
John Anson Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East - Hollywood
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4th of July with Cinefamily
Silent Movie Theater - the Cinefamily - 611 N Fairfax Ave - Fairfax District
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Mr. & Mrs. Venice Beach
Venice Beach - 1800 Ocean Front Walk - Venice
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American Apparel 4th of July BBQ and Raffle
American Apparel - Echo Park - 2111 Sunset Blvd. - Echo Park
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Ooga Booga 4th of July party
Ooga Booga - 943 N. Broadway, #203 - Chinatown
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