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A virtual remake of Alfred Hitchcock's capable 1955 thriller, Dial M for Murder, Chicago native Andrew Davis' update replaced the formidable team of Ray Milland and Grace Kelly with Michael Douglas and Gwenneth Paltrow. Ignoring the fact that Paltrow is some six years younger than Douglas' own current way-too-young-for-him wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones (who is roughly 25 years younger than Douglas is), Davis proceeded forward. Davis truly enjoys shooting on Chicago turf, as can be seen with his previous films The Fugitive, Chain Reaction, The Package and Above the Law and had planned to shoot A Perfect Murder in Chicago as well until Douglas' people reminded Davis that Douglas would far prefer to remain in New York City than in Chicago during the course of production. And thus, the setting was moved from Chicago's Gold Coast to New York City's Central Park West.
American Beauty was supposed to be set in a sort of "every suburb", an anonymous place that people could easily identify with, but not single out by name. With this in mind, screenwriter Alan Ball purposely avoided giving Lester Burnham's (Kevin Spacey) suburban hell a name. As it turned out though, American Beauty is set in Chicago's northwestern suburbs, judging from the prominent 847 area code on the 'For Sale' signs that are posted throughout the film. Kind of makes you wonder what's going on up in Barrington and Winnetka, doesn't it?
Bedazzled
Since taking a hiatus during the late '80's and early '90's, Chicago resident writer/actor/director Harold Ramis has (somewhat) consistently been churning out likable, engaging and truly humorous tales of modern fantasy. Beginning in 1992 with Groundhog Day, continuing in 1996 with Multiplicity and returning (after the comical Analyze This) in 2000 with a remake of the '60's British comedy, Bedazzled. Bedazzled's international premiere came at the Musicbox Theatre (on north Southport) during the second week of the 2000 Chicago International Film Festival. Ramis himself attended the event and was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Festival.
Being John Malkovich
Actor John Malkovich has always had an on-screen charisma and panache that other actors just can't seem to tap. Despite his baldness and average looks, Malkovich comes alive on the screen, enchanting all those who watch him. Charlie Kaufman's screenplay attempts to capture this essence (those things that are Malkovich) in his script, Being John Malkovich. Unusual and intriguing, Kaufman's script was truly original--in an interesting twist, a filing clerk finds a portal that allows a person to be John Malkovich for 15 minutes at a time. Malkovich was the screenplay's original choice for celebrity du jour and luckily (for Kaufman and director Spike Jonze) Malkovich agreed to do the movie. Malkovich is one of Chicago's true acting stars. He was born in Chicago in 1953 and lived here for the duration of his childhood before attending Illinois State University. After graduating, Malkovich returned to Chicago where he co-founded the illustrious Steppenwolf Theatre. For further history on Malkovich, watch the movie. Being John Malkovich also starred Chicago native John Cusack in one of his most off-beat performances.
Chasing Amy
I've often found filmmakers to be some of the most organized and on-the-ball professionals in the business world. So much goes into the making of a movie that I'm honestly amazed that so many incompetent hacks are able to get most of it right in their pathetic efforts. Judging from his command of material, writer/director Kevin Smith must be one of the most prepared directors in the business today. As the characters of Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) exits a New Jersey diner, Holden (Ben Affleck) asks the two slovenly vagrants where they are headed. Jay mentions that they have to catch a bus to Chicago. At the very beginning of Smith's next film, Dogma, the two have finally reached Chicago and are in the right place at the right time to help save the world from evil. To be able to, essentially, work a film ahead of yourself, as Smith has done here (with one movie's dialogue setting up the next movie's scenes) is very, very impressive and rarely seen.
The Contender
In writer/director Rod Lurie's crafty political thriller, The Contender, Chicago actress and Steppenwolf alum Joan Allen gives a wonderfully deep and poignant performance as Ohio senator, Laine Hanson. Nominated to fill the position of vice-president--due to the untimely passing of the original vice-president--Hanson is subjected to an McCarthy-istic, all probing inquiry conducted by Republican senator Sheldon Runyon, who hails from the fine state of Illinois (not that we Illinoisans would ever elect a total egomaniac asshole like Runyon to be our senator, but I digress). Heading the sub-committee that will confirm Hanson's appointment to the vice-presidency, Runyon runs a smear campaign against her in hopes of getting a different vice-president appointed. Spoiling nothing, it is well worth the price of a rental to see what happens to Runyon in the end.
Dogma
When writer/director John Hughes created his teen world, complete with high schools, sympathetic water towers and preppy teens named Ferris and Jake, rather than actually give his world a real name ala Winnetka or Evanston, Hughes called it Shermer, Illinois. The kids went to school at Shermer High School (think Sixteen Candles), studied at the Shermer Public Library and so forth. Enchanted by this fantasy world, writer/director Kevin Smith's two most famous creations, Jay and Silent Bob made the trek from their New Jersey homes to the Chicago area in an effort to find Shermer, Illinois. Arriving in Chicago and learning that there is no Shermer, Jay and Silent Bob swear a lot and say nothing respectively and meet up with Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) at the abortion clinic where she works in north eastern Illinois, beginning the adventure at the core of Dogma.
Dr. T and the Women
Director Robert Altman's 2000 film, Dr. T and the Women, was a true Altman spectacle. Filled with numerous stars and a winding, complex plot that encompasses life&--not a single story&--in a Dallas gynecological office run by Richard Gere's Dr. T, Dr. T and the Women was a sight to behold, until the last five minutes of the film when everything that Altman had set up, blew up in his face. Returning to the big screen in a large supporting role here was Northwestern University's Shelley Long (best known&--only known?&--for her role as Diane on Cheers). Displaying actual acting acumen, something that had sorely been lacking from her silver screen career thus far, Long gave a solid and credible performance as Dr. T's head nurse. Dr. T. and the Women also premiered at the opening night of the 2000 Chicago International Film Festival at the Chicago Theatre. Altman, Gere, Long and Tara Reid were all present to promote the film. Gere's co-star, Helen Hunt was nowhere to be seen. Prior to the premiere, Gere was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Festival, allowing more cynical people to question: for what?
Granted, it doesn't initially seem as though a movie set in 19th century east Africa focusing on attempts of the British to build a railroad there would have any ties to our fair Midwestern city, but the strange truth of the matter is that the only remaining links to the events that took place in Tsavo&--the bodies of the two lions that killed the nearly 200 railroad workers there&--are currently and permanently on display at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. The movie itself took time at the close of the film to mention this, daring audiences to visit Chicago and The Field Museum and to stare the killer lions in the eyes.
In Love and War
This silver screen adaptation of author and noted Oak Park resident Ernest Hemingway's life as a reporter during World War I and his relationship with a nurse, received little critical fanfare when it was release. Primarily because the movie was terrible. In Love and War starred two photogenic young stars, Chicago's Chris O'Donnell and North Carolina's Sandra Bullock. However, there wasn't any chemistry between the two and the film's script was a rather meager attempt at drama. To celebrate Hemingway's history (what the film was based on), New Line Pictures threw the movie's international premiere at the Lake Theater in downtown Oak Park--where tourists can see no less than three childhood homes of Ernest. O'Donnell really got into his role as Hemingway, even touring Oak Park River Forest High School to gain the right perspective on his character. More cynical viewers might question what this perspective was? primarily because the movie was terrible.
Meet the Parents
When you hear the film title Meet the Parents, the images of Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro instantly pop to mind. With the success of Universal&'s huge (nearly $200 million) comedy smash, it&'s doubtful that any other thought would be triggered at the mention of Meet the Parents. However, the Jay Roach (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) directed film wasn&'t the first film to bear this name; the Jay Roach film wasn&'t even the first film made that focused on the exact same idea. Roughly five years ago, two Chicagoans wrote and filmed a small comedy (its budget was under $100,000) called Meet the Parents, about a man meeting his future in-laws for the first time. The movie played at the Musicbox Theater (on north Southport) for a week or two and that was it. The two producers shopped their film around and met with only a few takers? one of whom was Universal Pictures. Universal agreed to buy their film, but only if they could remake it. The two consented, not even receiving executive producer status on the current film, and thus the Jay Roach helmed film was created.
Michael Jordan to the MAX
The name of this film, of course, is a play on words. Originally produced for IMAX theaters, this was a fairly typical Jordan film, filled with game footage of the star, some of which was actually shot specifically for these biggest of big screens. Jordan looms impressively large on the silver screen as he was shot playing against Utah in the last series of his career. A Matrix-esque shot of Jordan dunking is worth the price of the rental. Sadly, this film comes at just the right time to make suffering Bulls fans remember that a mere three years ago, we had a kick ass team.
Mission: Impossible
The Drake Hotel is Chicago's most famous hotel (the Ambassador East used to hold the distinction but has lost it in recent years). From The Drake's prominent position on the Chicago skyline&--dead center looking south from North Avenue, right in front of the John Hancock Building&--to its old world architecture, everything about the hotel is top notch. So, when it came time for the producers of the 1996 blockbuster, Mission: Impossible to pick a swanky hotel for IMF leader Jim Phelps (Jon Voight) to stay at, The Drake was their choice. While never actually appearing in the movie, The Drake plays an integral part in the plot, as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), eventually discerns that Phelps is behind the current espionage because of a bible he purloined from The Drake.
National Lampoon's Vacation
One of the very first John Hughes success stories (coupled with the box office success of his script for Mr. Mom allowed Hughes to direct Sixteen Candles), the Harold Ramis directed Vacation was the first of five 'Vacation' movies and arguably the best. Crafted by Hughes, the Vacation series follow the humorous exploits of the Griswold family, which live in the Chicago suburbs. Despite their close ties to the city, it is interesting to note that the Griswolds are never filmed on location in Chicago. In Vacation, the Griswolds begin a cross-country trek from Chicago to Los Angeles (in high hopes of going to Wally World--a DisneyLand-esque amusement park) by driving east... Suffering from another dehabilitating case of Chicago Movie Syndrome (CMS), Ramis had a second unit film the Griswold's station wagon driving on Lake Shore Drive, a far more beautiful route out of Chicago that the 290. Look for Chicago native Brian Doyle-Murray (Bill's older brother) and Second City alum Eugene Levy in supporting roles.
Probably the most mainstream Japanese animated (anime) film of all time (Princess Monoke would be a close second), Perfect Blue was released to video outlets across America courtesy of Chicago based video distributor Manga Entertainment. One of the biggest distributors of anime in America, Manga Entertainment is located downtown on Hudson Street. A sister company with Palm Pictures, both Manga and Palm Pictures a relatively new companies. Palm Pictures only recently started to team with other production companies to produce live-action feature films. To date, director James Toback's live action tale, Black and White is the more recognized film produced by Palm. For more information about Manga anime or Palm Pictures, see www.manga.com
Pushing Tin
There was a fascinating sense of triangling going on here on the Pushing Tin shoot. Focusing on the tumultuous and stress filled lives of several New York City air traffic controllers, the entirety of the script's action was to take place in and around New York City. To save money, the filmmakers shot the grand majority of their footage in and around Toronto. Moving north of the border to shoot material that is set in America isn't anything to take note of (anymore), but what made principal photography for Pushing Tin so interesting was that the filmmakers sent a camera crew to Chicago's O'Hare Airport to shoot some exterior scenes involving landing aircraft. So, the story was in New York, photography was in Toronto and the exterior of the New York airport came from Chicago. Is it any wonder that the movie turned out to be such a mess? Pushing Tin's lead is played by Chicagoan John Cusack. After scoring the big comedy hit Grosse Point Blank, Cusack turned his sights on this screenplay, apparently seeing some value in it that the whole of America missed.
Schindler's List
In 1994, director Steven Spielberg turned his attention from big dinosaurs (Jurassic Park) to that of World War II. Interested in finding some good in the magnificent display of evil that was collectively known as the European portion of the Second World War, Spielberg delved into the story of Oskar Schindler, a Polish business man whose selfless acts saved the lives of over a thousand Jews during the war. Beautifully shot in black and white film stock, Spielberg created what was critically viewed as the best film of the '90's. However, Spielberg's vision of Nazi Germany was created only with the help of renowned cinematographer (and Academy Award winner), Janusz Kaminski. Kaminski's eye and knowledge of lens' and camera functions brought Schindler's List a crisp black and white feel and Kaminski an Oscar. Kaminski gained a lot of this knowledge during his undergraduate work at the Loop's Columbia College, or the forgotten college in Chicago.
Shadow of the Vampire
One of 2000's front runners for the supporting actor Academy Award is actor Willem Dafoe, for his role in the film Shadow of the Vampire. Acting alongside Chicago native John Malkovich (who now only ventures out of his southern French castle for strange roles like this or Steppenwolf Theatre reunions) who played F.W. Murnau, Dafoe captured the hearts of critics for his performances as the real life Max Schreck. Shadow of the Vampire received its American Premiere on the closing night of the 2000 Chicago International Film Festival. The film played at the Musicbox Theater (on north Southport) to much acclaim.
Shadow of the Vampire
One of 2000&'s front runners for the supporting actor Academy Award is actor Willem Dafoe, for his role in the film Shadow of the Vampire. Acting alongside Chicago native John Malkovich (who now only ventures out of his southern French castle for strange roles like this or Steppenwolf Theatre reunions) who played F.W. Murnau, Dafoe captured the hearts of critics for his performances as the real life Max Schreck. Shadow of the Vampire received its American Premiere on the closing night of the 2000 Chicago International Film Festival. The film played at the Musicbox Theater (on north Southport) to much acclaim.
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