After looking at Amazon.com for "patriotic movie" lists, it would seem that their list makers aren't that patriotic in their selections to celebrate our Fourth of July in true couch-potato comfort. Or at least, these list makers broadened the meaning of the term "patriotic" beyond the USA's borders.

So, here is a patriotic movie list that focuses squarely on feeling patriotic about being part and parcel, wholly, inseparably, part of the United States of America. (One list from Amazon included "Gladiator" for goodness sake!)

Hang your flag with pride; don your favorite red, white, blue attire. Make sure there's a Made-In-The-USA frozen apple pie in the freezer (unless you're talented enough - I'm not - to bake your own), and settle in with these movies between now and sunset, when the real ceremonies begin!

These ten movies were not chosen due to any judgment of mediocre, better, best, extraordinary. They were chosen because they are uniquely stories of the USA, stories that proudly, heartwarmingly, sadly, humorously remind us of those who want to protect everything that's good about our country. Remember, no matter our faults, the USA is still the brightly shining beacon of individual freedoms and generous provider and protector of its citizen's rights, such as the world has still never seen before.

First up - The Patriot. Chosen to be first because it's the only movie on the list that actually centers on our War for Independence. Starring Mel Gibson in a plot based loosely on the life of Colonel Francis Marion. Marion noted to be an important "inventor" of guerilla tactics that would prove so crucial to the USA's success against the powerful and enormous British army. Hand-to-hand combat scenes enough to please any war movie fan, and definitely enough heartwarming family scenes for the more tender-hearted viewer. If you're not proud of the colonists who gave it everything they had to create the United States of America after watching this movie...you need to find another country to call your home.

Watch The Patriot on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at 8pm or 11pm on TNT channel.

Second...hoping this one takes some readers by surprise...Born Yesterday. This 1993 movie starring Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson and John Goodman is often overlooked for inclusion in "patriotic" movie lists. Originally written decades ago by Garson Kanin, the writer of many of the Katherine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movies, this reveals two parallel individuals and their interactions with the inside workings of politics. One is a Billy (Griffith). She grows from ignorance into wisdom, learning the best that USA's founding fathers have to offer. The second, (Goodman) learns that a pattern of bribes, corruption, and manipulation can really come back to haunt you. Don Johnson portrays the journalist who is the catalyst to improving the first, and destroying the second. The scene where Billy (Griffin) teaches her constitutional amendments version of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is worth watching this patriotic romantic comedy.

Third...Patriotic romantic-comedy. The American President. Starring Michael Douglas, Annette Benning, Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox. Don't let the love story element keep you from thinking that this won't be a full out "feel patriotic" movie. Created by Aaron Sorkin, who went on to make the TV show "The West Wing." This movie is all about loving one's country while also standing up to political bullies. Great humor, great patriotism, great heart.

HBO shows American President on Mon. Nov. 23, 2009, at 3:05PM.

Fourth...the life of one unique citizen becomes a portrayal on epic scale...Forrest Gump. Starring Tom Hanks in his Academy Award winning role as the simple young man who changed for the better every life he touched. From the rural south, to the jungles of Vietnam, to the hurricane riddled gulf coast, to Anti-War protests in Washington D.C., and fully across the USA, one running step at a time...this film serves as a powerful reminder of the fullness, good times and bad, for richer or poorer, that one life can encompass. Winner of six Academy Awards.

Forest Gump is on SPIKETV at 6PM and 9PM on Sat., Nov. 28, 2009.

This column will go on forever at this rate, so quickly now ... plus, the rest are well-known to viewers...just a reminder here that all of these will give you a great "feel good" fix on being a citizen of the USA.

5) Patton, 1970. Swept the Academy Awards. Trivia? Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola. Moving Bio-pic of a great general, a man fully ready for his moment in time. Awarded seven Academy Awards.

6) Independence Day, 1996. Will Smith at his action-hero best with great cast. USA against the Universe! Whoa!

7) Pearl Harbor, 2001. Maybe not the best movie, according to many reviews, but some great moments here to help us understand visually what happened that fateful day.

8) Dave, 1993. Kevin Kline steps in as substitute president and shows how to really get the job done. Plus, how important a good first lady really is for accomplishing one's agenda.

9) Air Force One, 1997. Harrison Ford shows the consequences of the "we will not negotiate with terrorists" position.

TNT channel shows Air Force One on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at 1AM and 3PM.

10) National Treasure, 2004. Nicolas Cage's character reminds us that our founding fathers were willing to commit high treason to obey their inner sense of responsibility to bring about the right result. Lots of great patriotic location shots here from Independence Hall to Boston and lots of Washington DC's most scenic sights.

Take a few moments before the Fourth is over, and count your blessings if you're NOT flooded out of your home, had it destroyed by wildfires, lost your job as hundreds of thousands of USA workers have since 7/4/07, or suffered serious illness or accidental injury with no insurance. If you are one of these who've endured unfathomable hardships recently... know that many of us pray for you daily, we give blood, we donate to our local Red Cross, we volunteer at veteran's hospitals, we avoid Made-in-China products, and many other acts in order to help our fellow citizens.

And for those who haven't made the slightest effort to aid your USA neighbors...what are you waiting for?

If you missed the Fourth of July for hanging your (USA made, please) flag...here are other officially noted "flag days." New Year's Day; Inauguration Day, Jan. 20; President's Day, 3^rd Monday in Feb.; Armed Forces Day, 3^rd Sat. in May; Memorial Day, Last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14^th; Labor Day, First Monday in Sept.; Sept. 11 to commemorate World Trade Center and now Federally proclaimed to be Patriot Day as of 9/10/04; Columbus Day, 2^nd Monday in Oct.; Navy Day, Oct. 27; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day, 4^th Thurs. in Nov.