Hat tip to Bill for the list.
UP IN THE AIR carries the banner for Michigan. I can't really argue with that. But I always have loved ANATOMY OF A MURDER with its more rural setting, which is what most of Michigan is like. And I like that a Michigan writer wrote it.
And if I were going to pick a movie that best expresses my neighborhood, there is one set there: THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.
Check out your state on the list. Do you agree with it? If not, what would you choose. I wonder how many states we can get represented here?
39 comments:
Well, I suppose WALL STREET covers one aspect of New York. But so does CITY ISLAND. And SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. And ANNIE HALL or MANHATTAN.
I'll let someone else take a shot at upstate New York in movies.
Jeff M.
You have both an easy job of it and a hard one with so much to choose from. If I were picking New York, I might choose On the Town or 42nd Street, preferring to dwell in the theater district.
The list has WALL STREET as the New York State pick. That might be okay for New York City, but Western New York is more like FARGO.
What a cool list!
For Colorado, I also thought of MISERY, but now I'm doubting if it was even set there...
ON THE TOWN
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
All are Manhattan movies. As George said, upstate is a whole other story.
It's more like ANIMAL HOUSE or GROUNDHOG DAY (though neither are NY movies) up there.
Jeff M.
Not so easy to track down, is it? Virgin Suicides took place in my suburban Detroit neighborhood but was filmed in Canada. The film crews were actually on my street for a week before they decided to move on.
Well, Buffalo has its own feel--different from the rest. When Megan taught up there (Oswego), there was a sheep farm across the street from her house and I knew her days were numbered. She is a downtown girl for sure.
Parts of Western New York, like Oswego, could be represented by WINTER'S BONE, Patti. Very rural.
My niece went to Oswego, Patti. Her sister went to Buffalo.
I do have one: NOBODY'S FOOL, based on the Richard Russo book.
Jeff M.
So is Michigan--and most states. I guess there are very few states that actually have just one movie that stands in for all of it-maybe western states the most. But a movie may sum up more than a look. It could also sum up an historical moment, or a person, or something else. THE ALAMO, not a great movie, but a good example of one that does that. But LONESOME DOVE might be better (mini series though).
It's a fun list, but I live in Maine, and am a little disturbed that Lake Placid defines my state. I enjoy the movie. It's fun, and I get that, but for a true look at the state, check out a film like In the Bedroom. That film nails the small communities (which despite the pretty brochures) that most residents live in. Plus, that film is spectacular.
Movies filmed at least partially in my neighborhood: SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, LITTLE ODESSA (set in Brighton Beach, mostly, but the father's apartment building is in Bay Ridge), LOOKING FOR AN ECHO, OUT FOR JUSTICE, 25th HOUR.
Jeff M.
Somehow I'm a bit offended that the state I'm about to live in is represented by The Goonies. Bah. Not that I can think of an others.
IN THE BEDROOM on of my favorite stories and movies. Devastating.
Jeff, surprised you haven't turned up in one with that many.
Yes, some of the choices are absurd and don't seem to have anything to say about a place. There must be others in a place like Portland.
Here's a huge list of movies shot in Portland, now whether they have anything to say about it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_Oregon
It's funny, Patti, The Virgin Suicides is set in your neighborhood, but it was filmed in mine.
That's why no movie represents my neighborhood, the only thing Toronto does is stand in for American cities.
But some of us are trying to change that ;)
I think now--with the screen industry kicking up in Detroit--it would have been filmed here. But ten years ago, we were not film-friendly.
Cannot imagine why more movies about Canada are not made--other than Atom Egoyan. Your books would be perfect for a start.
I always thought of Canada as a more non-violent society than ours. Then I started watching FLASHPOINT... .
Jeff M.
I'm just looking at the list now. Didn't "Mr. Blanding Build His Dream House," take place in Connecticuit? And, of course, "Christmas in Connecticuit," and even "The Ice Harvest."
Yeah, "Flashpoint" was based on something that happened in front of Union Station.
And don't forget, in prohibition all the booze came from Canada and today we're the largest exporter of marijuana. It helps to live next door to the world's biggest market ;)
But it sometimes seems like we're all in on it and trying to keep it secret...
Patti - As far as Philadelphia goes, I'd say there are two movies: Rocky (as if I wouldn't mention that!) and Philadelphia. Both are astounding movies.
Or 1776. But yours are better.
Oh, of course! *Smacks forehead*. 1776! How could I forget that one!?! Thanks for mentioning it... And I love Old City, too!
So many choices for Michigan -- awesome! I like your picks, and more to toss in there. Detroit Rock City! The Funk Brothers movie -- In the Shadow of Motown.
PA gets Rocky -- chuckles. How about Scotland, PA? The Molly McGuires? Witness? Wonder Boys?
NC -- no idea what that flick is.
Cape Fear!
TX could add a zillion, too: No Country for Old Men, Blood Simple, W., . . . . . . .
Great list, Erik. How could he forget CAPE FEAR. Yikes.
Divided ties: MD = Blair Witch? Okay. I've been in those woods (actually I've also been to the house at the end--it's in Patapsco State Park outside of Baltimore), and, damn, those north Maryland woods are THAT creepy. NJ? Yes, on GARDEN STATE, but if you're going to shake the Atlantic City tree, why not ATLANTIC CITY w/ Burt Lancaster? Or THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS? Or even the idependent DUANE HOPWOOD? Again, for Jersey quirkiness my all time favorite would have to be THE STATION AGENT.
And what about GOODBYE COLUMBUS and BABY, IT"S YOU. And the Piney episode of THE SOPRANOS or the whole series for that matter.
dare I say, "Deliverence?"
S-C-A-R-Y. You can visit me in Detroit instead of my visiting you.
I grew up in PA and I wish it were like "The Philadelphia Story" but then what is?
I've lived in the greater Boston area for about 20 years and I think I still go for "The Friends of Eddie Coyle." Book too. I haven't seen or read the book of "The Town' but it looks great.
Dan Luft
I grew up in Philly and my part was nothing like the Main Line. Actually I lived near David Goodis.
I grew up in Waterville, Maine and I thought the miniseries of Richard Russo's "Empire Falls" really "got" that town.
I lived for some time in San Diego and the new series "Terriers" is a spot-on portrait of that city.
I love the portrait of LA in Steve Martin's "LA Story." But there are so many LA films, it would be hard to choose one: Chinatown, LA Confidential, Mulholland Drive, etc.
But I don't know if any film has got the essence of the part of coastal CA where I live now. Maybe I'll have to write it...
Great choices. I have just come on Terriers. Really cool show.
Write it-we want to see it.
Russo is incredible. I love his first four especially.
"Lonesome Dove" and "Home From The Hill"--- the two halves of Texas, west and east.
That guy was dead wrong on "There Will Be Blood" exemplifying Texas since it concerned the development of the oil business in California. Filmed in Texas, yes, but a movie representing Texas (or any other state) should have that state as a subject.
I live in a contstant State Of Confusion. That would be ...
Pink Flamingos? Gimme a break. Blair Witch? Diner and Avalon were good flicks, but do they define Maryland?
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I live in the State of Confusion.
Well, DINER is good for Baltimore. I guess it depends where in a state you live. The rest of Michigan would find it very hard to choose a movie like Eight Mile. But Eight Mile captures a lot about Detroit.
I can't get on board with Legends of the Fall for Montana. We get a lot of tourists out here because of A River Runs Through It, so I could swallow that one. I'd need to think a little bit to come up with something better.
I have yet to find a movie that capture the Maine I grew up in. The only stories that come close are by Sanford Phippen, who I was lucky enough to have a teacher and a dear friend.
Maybe one day someone in the movie industry will be smart enough to make his stories/books into a movie. Until then, the Maine I knew will only be a memory.
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