Long Island Movies A to Z
May 31 '05
The Bottom Line Long Island has produced some great actors and great films - here are some of them.
Thanks to romasuave for a great idea for a write-off. As I started jotting down movies, I noticed a recurring theme in the movies relating to Long Island, New York - where I’ve lived my whole life up until this coming October. I decided to build on that and searched out movies either filmed on Long Island or about Long Island. To make my list complete, I ended up with movies about Long Island, filmed on Long Island, starring someone from Long Island, or by someone from Longs Island. In a couple of cases, I got desperate. Do not expect me to do this for New Hampshire!
Some of the links are to my reviews. In other cases, I found reviews I liked better than my own, or movies I haven‘t written a review of. I could go A to Z with my DVD collection, but this seemed far more interesting.
Amistad - Matthew McConnoughey stars as Roger Baldwin, a lawyer who tries the case of slaves who rebel on the ship bringing them to America and end up off the coast of Long Island. A decision must be made of what to do with them under American law - are they property or free? Good film about an event not taught in most history classes.
The Brothers McMullen - Three brothers are left to figure out life on their own in Valley Stream, NY. Edward Burns directed, wrote, and stars in this film. The oldest brother is married and having an affair, while the younger two try to figure out what they want to do with their lives and who they want to spend it with. It’s a good coming of age/slice of life film.
Capturing the Friedmans - This is a full-length documentary on the effects on one family when the father is caught with child pornography and accused of being a pedophile. Parts were filmed in Great Neck and Mineola, NY.
The Devil‘s Own - Harrison Ford stars as a New York Cop and Brad Pitt is the Irish Terrorist he unwittingly lets live under his roof. It’s a good thriller with terrific performances by Pitt and Ford.
Ruben Blades is great in a supporting role and some of the scenes were filmed in Greenport on Long Island as well.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet star in a film about a couple who each undergo a procedure to have all of their memories of the other erased once they split up. Joel (Carrey) has problems letting go of the good memories. One of Carrey’s best roles. Parts were filmed in Montauk, NY.
(Forty Eight) 48 Hours - Eddie Murphy (from Roosevelt, NY) stars as a convict sprung by a cop (Nick Nolte) for 48 Hours to help him out with a case. Don’t miss it, if only for Murphy’s rendition of Roxanne - it’s one of my fondest memories seeing this part in the theater with my friends when I was younger.
Goodfellas - Based on the book Wiseguy and directed by Martin Scorsese, this tells the story of a poor boy from Brooklyn who grows up to be an integral part of the Mafia scene, and soon descends into the throes of drug addiction. Terrific performances by Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, and Paul Sorvino. Filmed partially in Valley Stream, Atlantic Beach, and Lawrence, NY.
Hamlet - Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this adaptation of the famous play by William Shakespeare. If you haven’t tried Shakespeare before, this could be a great place to start. Billy Crystal - who grew up in Long Beach, NY - portrays a gravedigger in the film.
In & Out - During an Academy Award acceptance speech, a former student thanks Howard (Kevin Kline) and “outs” him. The only problem is that he’s not gay… or is he? I’m sure his about-to-be-bride would like to know. Great comedy and parts were filmed in Cold Spring Harbor and Northport, NY.
Jaws - Set in fictional Amity Island, ostensibly off the coast of Long Island, a town is terrorized by a giant shark just as the busy, money-making, summer season begins. It’s a great story that still holds up well after all these years thanks to some fine acting and a good script.
Kate & Leopold - The story of a man from 1876 who falls through a time portal and ends up in modern-day New York City. He falls in love with Kate, but must return to his own time or wipe out his great-great-grandson’s existence. Kate states that she’s “Kate McKay of the McKay’s of Massapequa”
L.I.E. - A teen is left to fend for himself after his mother dies and his father emotionally abandons him. He begins o rob homes and soon learns a dark secret about one of a community’s pillars which may just be the key to keeping him from going to jail, but also could be the worst thing that happens to him. Parts were filmed in Dix Hills and Greenlawn. NY.
Married to the Mob - Jonathan Demme directs this comedy about Angela (Michelle Pfeiffer), a woman who’s mafia-husband is killed. She decides to put that life behind her but is soon receiving the attentions of Tony, Frank’s old boss. Co-stars Alec Balwin who grew up in Massapequa, NY and parts were filmed in Cedarhurst, NY.
North by Northwest - When an advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent, he’s pursued across the country by a crime syndicate. Hitchcock produced a great thriller starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. Parts were filmed on the Phipps Estate in Old Westbury, NY.
The Others - Nicole Kidman stars as a woman in war-torn England who is convinced her house is haunted., adding to the stress of living with children who are photo-sensitive and must be kept out of the sunlight. Great thriller/ghost story that I enjoyed with my teenage daughter. Parts were filmed at the Oheka Castle in Huntington, NY.
The Preacher’s Wife - Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington star in this Penny-Marshall-directed remake of The Bishop’s Wife. Washington is an angel sent to help Houston and her husband (Courtney Vance as the Rev. Biggs) as they struggle to keep their church going and marriage alive. Parts were filmed in Lake Success, NY.
The Quick and the Dead - Sharon Stone comes to a western town looking to avenge her father’s death. Directed by Sam Raimi. Stars a whole bunch of actors who live in New York. I’m sure they’ve been on Long Island at one time or another.
Running Scared - Billy Crystal (Long Beach, NY) and Gregory Hines are two Chicago Police Officers who retire to Key West to run a bar and are then drawn back into the case which made them quite the force when the drug dealer is released on bail.
Sabrina - Julia Ormond is Sabrina, the chauffeur’s daughter who grew up on the estate of the prestigious Larrabee family on Long Island. When she returns from two years in Paris, both Larrabee brothers (Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear) find themselves falling for her. Parts were filmed in Glen Cove and Locust Valley, NY.
Trees Lounge - Steve Buscemi wrote, produced and starred in this film set in his hometown of Valley Stream, NY about a man who defines “loser”. He spends his evenings in the bar with the same name as the title. During the day he loses his job as a mechanic for his ex-fiancee’s new husband, then drives an ice-cream truck. From there he tries to seduce another friend’s teenage daughter, all the while seeming to have no direction in life.
The Unbelievable Truth - Mechanic Josh Hutton returns to his home on Long Island after serving time in prison. His behavior turns many people’s world upside-down and no one seems really sure of exactly what he did that got him sent to prison in the first place. Parts were filmed in Lindenhurst, NY.
Vampires - Directed by John Carpenter, James Woods is a vampire hunter who is working for the Catholic Church. This is a good horror/thriller where the hunters and master vampire do battle and try to unravel the mystery behind it all. Costars Daniel Baldwin who grew up in Massapequa, NY.
Wall Street - Oliver Stone directs the film that gave us the Greed is good.. mantra, for better or worse. Charlie Sheen is a young, eager stockbroker who is willing to do anything to earn approval (and the account of) successful financier Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). Parts were filmed in Westhampton, NY
Xchange - A sci-fi thriller set in the future where people travel by “xchanging” minds from body to body. When an upper-class man accidentally changes bodies with a terrrorist who only has two days left to his life, he must race against time to get back to who he was. Stars Stephen Baldwin who is from Massapequa, NY.
Young Guns - In 1878 New Mexico, a group of young gunmen attempt to avenge the death of their benefactor at the hands of a man who has all of the local law enforcement and government on his payroll. Great acting by a hot-looking young cast. Look for Tom Cruise in a “extra” role. Co-stars Jack Palance who once worked as a lifeguard at Jones Beach.
Zoolander - Ben Stiller is a hot male fashion model who is on his way out and is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Only his fellow fashion model Hansel (Owen Wilson) can possibly save him, with a little help from a reporter (Christine Taylor). Natalie Portman, who grew up in Syosset, NY, has a cameo.
© 2005 Patti Aliventi
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Member: Patti Aliventi
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