Top 5 Films: New Hampshire

It's been a while, but the Top 5 has returned! I was inspired to pick New Hampshire because I just met a friend's dad who is visiting from there. I didn't find a ton of films that take place there for certain, but that wasn't a problem because so many of the films I did find are so damn good. Please be sure to tell me if there's a glaring omission.

The Devil and Daniel Webster

I can't type this title without having to think about it's Webster or Johnston. It'd be much less confusing if more knew it by its alternate title, All That Money Can Buy (of course, the documentary might then be called All That Daniel Johnston Can Buy). This film has been parodied countless times, most notably by The Simpsons (isn't that the case with all popular culture?):

A man sells his soul to the devil for seven years of luck and wealth. When the devil comes to collect, the man wants to reneg on the deal and gets Daniel Webster, a skilled speaker to fight on his behalf. The film is basically a courtroom drama played out in a barn. Walter Huston is amazing as Mr. Scratch (the bad guys get to have all the fun) and Bernard Hermann won an Oscar for the score before he started his most famous work with Alfred Hitchcock. The film was edited by Robert Wise, so between Hermann and Wise, it was like a mini Citizen Kane reunion.

In the Mouth of Madness

What is it with evil forces and New Hampshire? I didn't care much for In the Mouth of Madness the first time I saw it. It was OK, but not John Carpenter's best. Then, not long ago, some friends picked it to watch and I loved the crap out of it. In fact, I recommended to a friend who'd felt the same way to rewatch it and he had the same experience as me. I don't know what we missed the first time around, but it's creepy and unsettling and off-the-walls. I like watching Sam Neill in borderline crazy mode (even in Event Horizon, which I don't particularly care for). Sutter Cane is a fantastic name for a horror novelist. Just the sound of it conjures images of some reclusive, dark, tormented soul. It fits in perfectly with the excellence of the other films in Carpenter's "Apocalypse Trilogy," The Thing and Prince of Darkness. It saddens me that this, like most of Carpenter's films, are confined to cult status and more people don't experience them.

Ok, that tag line sucks.

Lolita

Lolita isn't my favorite Kubrick film and I've never read the book, so I can't say how it stands up to that (though more and more, I'm less concerned with how faithful a movie is to its source than I am that it gets the spirit of the source right). My biggest problem is that Lolita loses its momentum the minute Lolita and Humbert start road tripping it (the film runs 152 minutes which is WAY too long for the subject matter). Until that point, everything is great. Shelley Winters is batshit crazy the way she always is, but it's perfect for the role and James Mason makes for a great pedophile. But Peter Sellers steals the movie. Every scene he's in is alive with humor and tension. Claire Quilty is a great counterpoint to Humbert. Funny, suave, confident. The role was smartly expanded for the film (seriously, you can't waste someone as great as Sellers who seems to be training for his multi-part performance in Dr. Strangelove with this role).

That's the first time I've seen this trailer and it's amazing!

The Rules of Attraction

I was reluctant to see The Rules of Attraction when it was initially released. Call it "van der Beek-lash." I hated both Dawson's Creek and Varsity Blues and thought him quite the smarmy douchebag. When I finally caught up with the film, I was pleased to see that not only is it more of an ensemble piece, but he's not at all unappealing in it (as a person, not a character, if that makes sense). The film is darkly comic and features one of the most intense suicides I've ever seen on film. Seriously, the scene made me woozy. Also, regarding the character that commits suicide, I'm pretty sure a device used in the film that shows her at various parties and whatnot around campus was used in a Tiny Toons episode where Buster and Babs were competing to see who could get in more pictures in the yearbook. The device is the reveal of the winner at the end of the episode (I wonder what the crossover of Rules of Attraction and Tiny Toon Adventures enthusiasts is that will understand what I'm referencing).

What About Bob?

I saw this in the theater with my mom and I felt like for the longest time I was the only person in the world who liked it. What About Bob? is directed by Frank Oz, which I'd forgotten, but makes me intensely happy because I want to love anything made by people involved with the Muppets (which, sadly, isn't possible). I still think variations on "baby steps" to myself, especially when doing something mildly challenging. Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss make a great pair, watching one become more comfortable and overcoming his neuroses while the other descends into madness. I'm particularly a fan of entertainment that features one person with a view of someone that isn't matched by anyone in the community. It works for comedy, drama, thrillers... well, everything! It's kind of sad that Murray seems to mostly play pseudo-comic, understated depressives these days, but I guess his '90s run of playing happy-go-lucky goofballs didn't get the critical plaudits he's getting now. I just miss this particular Bill Murray (see also: The Man Who Knew Too Little).

And, with some minor tweaking, it could've been this:

Top 5 Films: Georgia

It's been a while, but unlike Sufjan Stevens, I'm returning to my 50 states project. I'm sure in my process I missed some films that take place in Georgia, but I'm pretty happy with what I've got. I really wanted to add The Walking Dead to the list, but sadly, TV isn't cinema (and that's not meant to be a statement about quality, just fact). In alphabetical order...

Deliverance -- John Boorman
An epic example of wilderness trips gone wrong. It's not nature that will get you, but the backwoods hillbillies. I can't imagine that there's a person over sixteen that doesn't give a knowing cringe when they hear the words "squeal like a pig!" Poor Ned Beatty... A terrific adventure from the man who would bring us Zardoz.


Dutch -- Peter Faiman
Dutch was a cable staple of my middle/high school years. Those years also coincided with my peak appreciation of Ed O'Neill and hell, let's throw Christopher McDonald in there, too. It's a road trip movie, so Georgia is only a factor at the beginning, but that's where we learn what kind of movie Dutch is going to be (which happens to be an awesome movie). Who doesn't love seeing a grown man stick it to a spoiled brat kid? Bonus for lovers of the '80s: it's written by John Hughes. Double bonus: directed by the guy who directed Crocodile Dundee.
(Trailer disabled. Click here to see it)

The General -- Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman
Another road movie (rail movie?), but he's a Confederate "soldier" from Georgia! I can't leave The General off the list. Seriously, it's one of the best movies of all time and certainly one of my favorites. Super-hilarious and incredibly inventive. Of course, I'm a total Keaton mark and think he does everything better than Chaplin. If someone was averse to silent films (which I fear many are), this would be the first movie I show them. Dear lord, this trailer doesn't do the movie justice:


The Gift -- Sam Raimi
The movie that will forever be known as the film that introduced the world to Katie Holmes' boobs. I know when I first saw The Gift I thanked Sam Raimi for that. It's also notable for being the first film since Bill and Ted that featured a Keanu Reeves performance that didn't make me want to claw my eyes out (I hadn't seen Point Break yet). It's a cool little movie that frequently gets overlooked in discussions about Raimi (although, that description could be applied to any film of his from 1995-2000). Also, it wouldn't be bad to keep this film in mind for game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.


Gone with the Wind -- Victor Fleming (among others)
OK. I haven't seen this. And I'm sure I would've heard about it if it wasn't included. Having no real desire to spend 238 minutes with Gone with the Wind (I've seen bits and Clark Gable's eyebrows are far too distracting), I'm just going to accept that it's an amazing piece of epic filmmaking and we can all go home happy. Yay diplomacy!

Top 5 Films: Kansas

The Ice Harvest
Harold Ramis as a weird career as a director. His successes are classics (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day), but his failures are far more numerous and easily forgotten (Analyze This/That, Bedazzled, Year One). Of course, his work as a writer helps puff up his resume into respectability, again. So, while in my mind, I'm a huge fan of Ramis as a director (and I am a huge fan of his, in general), in reality, I'm pretty indifferent on his work. It was his involvement with The Ice Harvest that put it on my radar at all and I'm glad it did. The Ice Harvest is a pretty great black comedy that doubles as a Christmas movie (and Billy Bob Thornton's second Christmas-related black comedy). The twisty script was co-written by Robert Benton who really has a stand-out career. Definitely an enjoyable movie. Perhaps watch it with Grosse Point Blank for the Cusack double feature.


National Lampoon's Vacation
We've already had our discussion about Harold Ramis, so I'll leave it at that aside from the fact that, clearly, I think this is one of his successes. I suppose one could view this as a cheat because it's a road trip movie and can therefore be attached to a number of states. Certainly, Kansas isn't the first thing one thinks about when one thinks about Vacation. My reasoning regarding road trip movies is that if a major or memorable plot point happens in the state, it qualifies and what could be more memorable than Cousin Eddie and his family? Not only are we introduced to Eddie, but they load the Griswold's down with Aunt Edna and her dog, both of whom are treated pretty poorly in death.


Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
And while we're talking road/John Candy/John Hughes-written movies, let's hit up Plains, Trains, and Automobiles, unintentionally making an appearance just in time for Thanksgiving. This film is more about trying to get out of Kansas (which, come to think of it, all of the films on this list are to a degree) as Neal Page (Steve Martin) is rerouted to Kansas on the way home to Chicago from New York. Del Griffith (Candy) tags along, much to Neil's chagrin and their first night in Kansas, most of their money is stolen. The film is hilarious and sad, mostly due to Candy's fantastic performance. In lieu of a trailer, I'm giving you my two favorite scenes.



Mars Attacks!
I have know link between Mars Attacks! and the films above, though it seems impossible that there isn't one with this cast. Nicholson, Close, Bening, Brosnan, DeVito, Short, Parker, Fox, Steiger. It seems like there isn't a no name in the cast. Even Jack Black and Christina Applegate (at the height of my desire for her... hey, I was 14) are in there. It's a fun homage to the B-movies of the '50s and I can't help but think it would be received better had it been released in this decade, what with success and continued success of Tarantino, Rodriguez, and Wright, all of whom where their influences proudly. OK, so maybe they have mostly cult appeal and Mars Attacks! is right where it belongs. That doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Plus, the way to kill the aliens is discovered in... Kansas!


The Wizard of Oz
I suppose this was inevitable. My antipathy towards leads me to not care for this as much as others and I generally like it more because of the who Dark Side of the Rainbow thing. However, the film is amazingly impressive. The Wizard of Oz also represents my only experience as a stage actor (when I was 11-years old, I believe). I've never understood it's relationships to Christmas, as shown in A Christmas Story, so if anyone can explain that to me, that would be great. Interestingly, perhaps the most famous line from the movie states, "we're not in Kansas any more." I may have to rethink this entry.

Top 5 Films: Montana

I've finally hit a state for which I can't find five films to recommend. Not only could I not find five, I couldn't find one that I could really get behind. A random suggestion brought about this inevitability prematurely, but I'm kind of glad it happened. No sense in always taking the easy way out in life. This no one has seen fit to use Montana as a setting for their great opus, I'll still list five movies for you, but they will represent five separate, arbitrary categories of my choosing. Note that it's apparently impossible to set a contemporary movie in Montana.

Best of the Bunch: Little Big Man
There's nothing wrong with Little Big Man, in general. I just found my mind drifting in and out through the film. Perhaps it's because the scope of the film entails following a man's exploits (Jack Crabb, played by Dustin Hoffman) essentially through his 121-year life. It's told in flashback, which I don't particularly care for as a narrative device and it gives the film a very episodic feel. I also think that I like Arthur Penn, the director, better in my mind than in actuality. That all said, the film is great to look at, well-acted, and features Faye Dunaway at the peak of her beauty. It's also interesting for the fact that Hoffman plays the character as a 17-year old all the way to the 121-year old (even Martin Short in Clifford couldn't compete with that).


Best Movie that Mentions Montana: The Hunt for Red October
Not so much an endorsement for the film, though it's pretty good, but more for Sam Neill. A Russion submarine crew goes AWOL with their newest sub and Sean "I can only speak with a Scottish accent" Connery leading the way. Sam Neill plays Captain Borodin and has but one desire: to see Montana. Notably absent from the trailer... Sam Neill.


Movie to Avoid Ever Seeing: A River Runs Through It
One of the coaches of my undergrad baseball team put this on while we were traveling back from a game. I've never heard so much outcry to have a movie turned off and be banned from ever being played again. It's, to put it simply, boring. The only thing more boring that fishing is watching other people fish. I can't even make it through the trailer. May you have better luck. And yes, that is a very young Joseph Gordon-Levitt


Best Movie that My Older Sister Loved: Legends of the Fall
Much like A River Runs Through It, it stars Brad Pitt and takes place in Montana. I've never seen it, but my older sister loved it (clever category title, eh?).


Best Movie Shot in Montana that Destroyed a Studio and a Career: Heaven's Gate
Ego, cost over-runs, and horrible press pretty much crushed United Artists and Michael Cimino's (The Deer Hunter) career. It's pretty famous, actually, and most of you probably already knew this. Interestingly, you can't really see the theatrical release anymore to understand what the hubbub was about. You have to sit through the 219 minute version as opposed to the 141 minutes of the original. Even more interesting is that this longer version is somewhat praised. Maybe one day I'll work myself up to sitting through it. Maybe.

Top 5 Film: Ohio

I have certain friends that would literally spell this one out for you, as they went to a certain school in Ohio that shall remain nameless. There's really no reason that I picked Ohio other than saying to my girlfriend, "Pick a state" and she gave me this one.

I'm getting a little bit nervous about being able to find 5 worthy candidates for each state and may have to adapt the arbitrary number accordingly. I do like a challenge, though, so we'll see what happens together. If anything changes, you'll be the first to know. On with the list!

American Splendor
I'll admit that this one is a bit of filler. I enjoyed the film when I watched it and thought Giamatti was great. A lot of mileage is gotten out of using the real life subjects and their actor counterparts, but aside from that and some interesting images, American Splendor kind of went in one ear and out the other. I've been meaning to give it another shot, but there are so many movies to see that it's always pushed to the backburner. However, this is the sort of "comic book" movie I want to see. No more superheroes.


The Faculty
I'm not a huge Robert Rodriguez fan. I've been entertained by some of his stuff, but mostly I'm uninterested. Of his films, The Faculty is probably my favorite (aside from the offensively bad covers of Another Brick in the Wall Parts 1 and 2). The cast is comprised of an impressive variety of performers (something Rodriguez has a knack for): Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Jordana Brewster, Salma Hayek, Bebe Neuwirth, Famke Janssen, Robert Patrick, Usher, Christopher McDonald, and Jon Stewart(!). I remember stories from the set about John Stewart being the only adult who really hung out with the kids. Makes sense. Some complain about the film just being a bunch of references, but I kind of dig it in the way I dig Shaun of the Dead (a much better film). I like seeing the huge The Thing set piece (where they test who's an alien). Hell, if I didn't, I wouldn't be allowed to like the X-Files episode, Ice, which is a bigger riff on The Thing that The Faculty could ever be. It's just a fun, silly, high school aliens-are-taking-over-our-bodies type of movie.


Major League
This movie is in my veins. It's one of the earliest films I remember watching repeatedly. I'm not really sure why my parents let me watch an R-rated movie so much, but it's appreciated. I even remember hiding my eyes at the sex scene (where there wasn't any nudity) because I didn't want them to think that I was interested in it. Like most baseball movies, the team to beat in the end is the Yankees. My only consolation is that being the case, the Yankees tend to lose in the end (unless the movie is, you know, about the Yankees). Probably the most surprising thing about Major League for me today is that Dennis Haysbert plays Pedro Cerrano. That man is ripped! Also notable, my nickname as a young pitcher was Wild Thing, probably because the first game I ever pitched I didn't get an out or give up a hit, but proceeded to walk (or bean!) every batter I faced. Finally, James Gannon is the classic manager in my mind. Sadly, he passed this year. The man had the best voice in film.


Tommy Boy
An undisputed classic of dumb comedy. Not a moment is unquotable or unfunny and it has a huge heart. This amuses me because apparently Roger Ebert said of it, "No one is funny in Tommy Boy. There are no memorable lines. None of the characters are interesting..." I guess there's no accounting for taste, though it makes one think how much nostalgia influences the viewing of movies. Someone at avclub.com suggested that the appeal of Ghostbusters was purely nostalgic, an opinion to which I can only respond, "FIE!" Anyway, it still makes me sad that Chris Farley's choices led to an early grave. I'm incredibly intrigued to see how his version of Shrek would've come out. I like to think he would've made a few more bad movies then become a stellar character actor. Sigh...


A Nightmare on Elm Street
So I could've burnt up every space on the Ohio Top 5 with Nightmare movies (including Freddy vs Jason, which is awesome!). I even left off Jason Goes to Hell, which allegedly takes place in Youngstown just so I wouldn't overload you with horror. So, we'll just go with the best out of them all. I love the way Nightmare blurs the line between dream and reality. At any moment, the film could turn into some surreal, well, nightmare. The image that always sticks in my mind is Freddy's form pushing through the wall above a victim's bed. So creepy. Who cares if I've been afraid of Freddy Krueger for about 20 years or that I still have dreams where he pops up and leaves me afraid to return to slumber after he scares me awake because I know he kills in dreams? The movies are just so damned entertaining! Even when they get cartoony and kind of bad they are tons of fun, especially when Johnny Depp returns for a cameo Freddy's Dead (Depp also gets one of the best deaths in horror history).

Top 5 Films: Colorado

I've really been spending too much time on either coast for this series, so I thought I get right to the heart of it all. Colorado. Home of the Rockies (the mountains and baseball team) and my second cousins. I'm more than certain that I'm missing a ton of Westerns that at least dabble in the state, but I'll have to rely on you to fill in those blanks. So let's get on with this!

About Schmidt
It's kind of a road movie, but everything is building to Warren Schmidt arrives in Denver (plus, the Denver section features perhaps the films most memorable scene). Jack Nicholson at his least Jack Nicholson. A run down man trying to figure out what to do with himself now that he's retired. Much like Alexander Payne's other films (Election, Sideways, the postal woman's segment of Paris je t'aime), the comedy is very low key (Nicholson won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama) and there is a considerable amount of pathos.


Dumb and Dumber
While we're dealing with road trip movies, I may as well get Dumb and Dumber out of the way. One of the great dumb comedies of all time (and if you like this, check out The Brothers Solomon!). A particular sense of humor is required, sure, but the enthusiasm of Harry and Lloyd (Jeff Bridges and Jim Carrey, respectively) is so infectious that it's near impossible not to at least smile with this film. And Mike Starr makes an appearance (now I'm sad the TV show Ed isn't on DVD). I don't think there is a male of my generation who can't quote Dumb and Dumber ad nauseum. In fact, I'm just going to leave you with this: "That John Denver was full of shit."


Harvey
I don't think Jimmy Steward has ever been as likable as he is in Harvey. Of course, with a giant invisible rabbit for a friend, who wouldn't be? Perhaps it's because I've been watching The X-Files lately (almost done with season 3!), but Harvey (the movie) feels like it could've been an episode of the aforementioned show. Most of the time Mulder has to fight for his theories and can occasionally get some tread on the non-believers (is that a stretch? I'm going with it anyway). I really like the fact that the audience identifies with a man who may be an alcoholic or insane just because he's sweet.


The Shining
Sure, it was filmed (partially) in Oregon, but Stephen King wrote the book inspired by his stay at the Stanley Hotel near Estes Park, Colorado. Really, The Shining is one of my favorite films ever. Depending on how you approach it, it's a terrifying exploration of a disturbed man's psyche or a hilarious comedy about a crazy guy. You don't believe the latter? Just watch the "Give me the bat, Wendy" scene. Or pretty much any scene with Shelley Duval (who is really the scariest thing about the film). The Shining is hypnotic and bizarre. The imagery does more to scare than anything that actually happens in the film.



Misery
Man! Stephen King, Kathy Bates, and road trips. That's what Colorado is all about. From now on, the only people who should be adapting Stephen King's works are Rob Reiner and Frank Darabont. They just seem to get him better than anyone else (Reiner's other King adaptation is Stand By Me). Also in it's favor, Misery was written by William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride). In a world where fans have been known to attack those stars they love, Misery is a reminder that fame has a price. Finally, it references the events of The Shining mentioning "a guy who went mad in a hotel nearby." Using that as a leaping point, I'm going to go on thinking that all of the films above exist in the same world and that Harry and Lloyd went to the Overlook Hotel at the end of Dumb and Dumber to rescue Mary.

Top 5 Films: Florida

Continuing with the theme of picking states I have a personal connection to, I've chosen Florida as I visit there at least once a year and will be flying down at the end of the month to visit my grandparents.

As always, I'm sure I missed some great films that take place in Florida so feel free to chastise me (though some, like Some Like It Hot, have been left off on purpose and I will rebuke you appropriately if that's the case).

Day of the Dead
It's kind of a disappointed after the epic greatness of Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. In fact, Day of the Dead kind of drives me crazy with all of the shouting and irrationality. The characters aren't particularly complex or likable... but zombies! People trapped in an underground silo! Awesome gore! Bub! I really think that most of my problems with the film are that it's not exactly what I wanted it to be (which is a balls-out zombie apocalypse), which isn't exactly fair. Also, it just doesn't seem right that it doesn't take place in Pennsylvania. Still, vital for any zombie fan.


The Birdcage
The first R-rated film I saw in theaters at the age of 13. Why? I have no idea. There is no violence or promise of nudity. It's about a gay couple trying to pose as a straight couple with one cross-dressing. There's little in it that should appeal to kids in the first place. Maybe I just really liked Robin Williams then (which would be ironic since I can barely stand him now). Certainly, I didn't put together that the mincing house keeper was the voice of Apu, Chief Wiggum, and Moe. I'm not even sure if I understood it at the time. I just know that I like it now.


Black Sunday
I watched Black Sunday (not to be confused with the Mario Bava film, which does not take place in Florida) with my dad when I was quite young. Before I started paying attention to actors and directors. All I needed to know was that a blimp was heading for the Super Bowl and there's a bomb on it! Sign me up! A blimp? Are you kidding me? That's awesome! If there's one thing I've always said, it's that there aren't enough blimps in movies these days. John "The Manchurian Candidate" directs. Thomas "The Silence of the Lambs" Harris wrote the source material. Robert "I'm a Badass" Shaw stars. Watch out for a bit of hyperbole at the end of this trailer.


Caddyshack
The first of two cheats in that there is no specified location (other than fictional Bushwood Country Club) to Caddyshack, but the film was shot in Florida. And since so many people go to Florida to golf, it plays. There isn't too much more to say about Caddyshack. It's pedigree speaks for itself. Bill Murray. Chevy Chase. Harold Ramis (directing). Ted Knight. Rodney Dangerfield. Michael O'Keefe. OK, so many that last one (and main character) never achieved quite what the others had/have. However, my mind was significantly blown when I found out Michael O'Keefe played Jackie's accidental impregnater on Roseanne.


Edward Scissorhands
Filmed in and around Tampa, which is where I'll be heading soon, Edward Scissorhands makes the cut, though admittedly, until I looked up the filming locations, I'd always associated it with California (possibly because Tim Burton conceived it around his childhood in Burbank). This film is a great fairy tale with a stellar cast. This is Vincent Price's last feature film role and I feel the need to tell you all to go out and watch his old movies. He's a great actor and not the caricature he is portrayed as in pop culture. Also of note is Edward Scissorhands marked Anthony Michael Hall's change from put-upon nerd to bully (or at non-nerd roles, though he did eventually played notable nerd Bill Gates). It's a beautiful film.

Top 5 Films: Massachusetts

Since I've been hitting the states in which I've lived first, there was only one choice left for the Top 5. I'm not sure how I'll choose next time, but I'll find a way. Perhaps I'm way to picky about the movies I like, but I really thought that Massachusetts was going to be easy compared to Oregon. Boy was I wrong. I haven't enjoyed any of the Dennis Lehane adaptations and late-stage Scorsese doesn't cut it for me. Good Will Hunting? No. Legally Blonde? Not really my thing. The Boondock Saints? Forget it. Fever Pitch? I'm still mad at them for tainting the 2004 World Series Celebration. I don't need to see Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore running around the field in my moment of elation.

Field of Dreams
Look at this. The first one and I already picked a movie indelibly linked to Iowa. It'll get more appropriate later, I promise. I sacrifice Little Children for Field of Dreams for the simple reason that a huge plot point send Ray Kinsella on a road trip that culminates at Fenway Park with Terrance Mann. It just doesn't get more Boston (hell, even more Massachusetts-ian) that Fenway Park.

PS -- I reserve the right to reuse this film at a later date.

The Verdict
Sidney Lumet, David Mamet, Paul Newman. And let's not forget James Mason and Jack Warden. Newman plays an alcoholic Boston attorney (I think that's a requirement of attorneys in Boston) in need of redemption. Not much more to say other than this is a great film. Also, I have a man-crush on Paul Newman.


The Last Detail
Another pseudo-cheat because it's a road trip movie that travels through several cities on the east coast. The Boston set piece is an effort to deflower the tragic sad sack Meadows (Randy Quaid) before he gets placed behind bars for 8 years. Jack Nicholson leads the trip up the east coast and Carol Kane, Nancy Allen, and Gilda Radner all pop up. Underrated 70's director Hal Ashby (Harold and Maude, Being There) wrangles everything together. What's most remarkable about the film is that it hearkens back to a time when Randy Quaid wasn't a joke, but a talented character actor (he picked up and Oscar nod for his role here). Poor guy got stuck as Cousin Eddy.


Altered States
Altered States is a mindfuck. I can't even begin to describe it. I'd imagine it's as close one can get to being on drugs without having actually taken any (and I'd hate to think what might happen if one did while watching this movie. Would a wormhole open? Would it be like John Malkovich entering his own mind?). Ken Russell directs and it's based on a book by Paddy Chayefsky, but I care mostly because Bob Balaban is in it and Bob Balaban rocks!



Jaws
Not officially indicated as Massachusetts but filmed on Martha's Vineyard with Massachusetts residents as extras, I'm going to allow it. Easily the best Spielberg movie, it's endlessly entertaining. Funny, scary, whimsical, not afraid to kill children or dogs, and rated PG. And then there's the epic USS Indianapolis speech before all hell breaks loose. Jaws is one of those films you can't help but watch if it's on TV. I'll still take a man-eating shark over jellyfish any day, though.

Top 5 Films: Oregon

This project my end up being more daunting than I'd expected. It's quite easy to find lists of films shot in a particular space, but finding films that are set in those states is another thing. I'm worried about when I have to pick five films for, say, Idaho. Of course, maybe I'm just too picky. I'm not in love with The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, Free Willy (which I've just dubbed the Astoria trilogy), or the films of Gus Van Sant. That alone makes this task about 30% more difficult.

Old Joy
Old Joy kind of hypnotized me when I watched it. I'm pretty sure the combination of the music (by Yo La Tengo) and the scenery subliminally implanted the idea to move to the Pacific Northwest in my head. The film is slight and simple, but damned if it isn't affecting. Plus, Will Oldham rocks! Still need to catch up with Kelly Reichardt's follow-up, Wendy and Lucy.



Stand By Me
A fictional town in Oregon is still a town in Oregon, right? For me, Stand By Me is a much prefered Corey Feldman vehicle than The Goonies (which is still fun, just not as great in my mind as everyone else's). It's one of the great Stephen King adaptations and comes in the middles of an amazing Rob Reiner run (This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally..., Misery. OK, so at the beginning of the middle). Also, the four leads (hell, let's call it five to include Kiefer Sutherland) couldn't have had more different career trajectories. Death (River Phoenix), nerd-god (Wil Wheaton), burn-out/joke (Corey Feldman), B-list "star" married to a supermodel (Jerry O'Connell, marriage status noted only since he was so rolly-polly in the film), and legitimate but troubled A-Lister (Kiefer Sutherland).


One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
A veritable classic, no matter what Ken Kesey may say. This film would fight for a spot if I was doing a top 5 for every country (note: I will not be doing a top 5 for every country). It's no surprise that great cast + great script + great director (or at least very good) = a great film. Louise Fletcher is so identified as the loathsome Nurse Ratched that I was surprised to find that not only has she been working consistently for over 35 years, but that she was pretty sexy in The Cheap Detective just three years later. I didn't think that was possible. And good on the casting director for seeing the inherent chemistry between Christopher Lloyd and Danny Devito. It must have made casting for Taxi (also) three years later that much easier.


Zero Effect
This is kind of a cheat because, while I remember thoroughly enjoying Zero Effect, I don't remember too much about it. The film basically hinges around your feelings about Bill Pullman, which is fine for me, because I like him (and even better that it doesn't hinge around your feelings of Ben Stiller because he's pretty restrained here). It's a clever and bizarre detective story. I'm kind of predisposed to it because the director, Jake Kasdan, directed some Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared episodes plus The TV Set, which is hilarious.


The Phantasm Series
I'm including the whole series because I know for a fact that II and III take place in Oregon and there is some debate about whether the first takes place in Northern California or Oregon, but I think it's Oregon, so it stays. Simply put, Phantasm is awesome. Flying silver orbs, other dimensions, grave robbing, the Tall Man, Reggie Bannister. They've got everything. I'm envious of our UK brethren because they get the entire series in a boss box-set.