Title: The Best Summer
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Tamra Davis
Starring: Tamra Davis, Kim Gordon, Kathleen Hannah
Runtime: 1 hr 24 mins

What It Is: During the intensity of the California wildfires in 2025, director Tamra Davis found some old tapes while evacuating. Contained within those tapes was a time capsule from late 1994 and early 1995, when her now-husband’s band, The Beastie Boys, went on tour with bands such as Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Pavement, Rancid, Beck, The Amps, and Bikini Kill, all in their prime. It is through Tamra’s lens that we get a unique glimpse of that time and place, along with a look at bands that would go on to gain worldwide notoriety.

What We Think: I love these kinds of documentaries. The ones that give us a far more intimate look into bands or the people behind them. What makes a band are the people within it, and what makes the music are those same people. Seeing alternative music legends like Kim Gordon, Dave Grohl, and Kathleen Hanna in such an intimate and personal environment is a real treat. The authentic nature of the videotapes used to make this film is incredibly cool to see. Getting to hear the music itself is also a treat for someone like me who loves ’90s alternative.

Our Grade: B+, This gives hints of a documentary from a few Sundances ago, Meet Me in the Bathroom. This is a much better film. For one, Tamra Davis edits this beautifully. None of it feels inauthentic. We feel like we are part of the tour’s crew. To be able to take us on this incredible journey, especially one that began out of tragedy, is nothing short of miraculous. I am dazzled and amazed by it. I do wonder what we were not shown or what was left unused, because the film is only 84 minutes and I think I would have been fine with maybe 20 minutes more. You all know me. That is not something I say lightly. See this. It is fantastic.

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