Table Of Content
- Lights, Camera, Action in Grand Rapids: Explore the Filming Locations of Iconic Movies!
- Road to Perdition – US Box Office: USD$104,454,762
- Why Him? – US Box Office: USD$60,323,786
- 30 Minutes or Less – US Box Office: USD$37,053,924
- The End of the Tour – US Box Office: USD:$3,002,884
- What If… – US Box Office: USD$814,906
Lights, Camera, Action in Grand Rapids: Explore the Filming Locations of Iconic Movies!
Lights, camera, action! Are you ready for a blockbuster adventure in Grand Rapids, Michigan? Whether you’re a die-hard movie buff or simply searching for new and exciting things to do, this is the perfect opportunity to step into the spotlight and explore the very locations where your favorite films were brought to life.
Forget about sitting through another rerun on TV – it’s time to become the star of your own cinematic escapade!
Key Takeaways:
- Uncover the magic of the silver screen by visiting the filming locations of movies shot in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Experience the thrill of standing where famous actors once stood, immersing yourself in the stories that unfolded on these iconic sets.
- Discover the hidden gems and unique attractions that Grand Rapids has to offer while journeying through the world of cinema.
Lights, camera, adventure! Embarking on a journey to explore movie filming locations is not only a fun-filled escapade but also a gateway to untapped excitement and wonder!
Imagine strolling down the same streets that Leonardo DiCaprio roamed or standing in the exact spot where action-packed car chases unfolded. By stepping onto these hallowed grounds, you’re not just visiting a place, but becoming a part of its rich cinematic history.
As you wander through the streets of Grand Rapids, it’s like stepping into a real-life movie set. Take a moment to soak in your surroundings and envision the scenes that played out right before your eyes. Feel the energy and anticipation that crackles in the air as the director shouts “Action!” It’s as if the fictional characters and gripping plots come to life, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
In addition to the thrill of standing in the footsteps of cinematic icons, exploring movie filming locations unveils a treasure trove of unique attractions and hidden gems. While hunting down the sites where your favorite scenes were shot, you’ll stumble upon charming cafes, vibrant street art, and picturesque parks that may have captured the attention of the camera crew.
Take a detour, sample local delights, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Grand Rapids.
So, are you ready for your starring role in this whirlwind adventure? Grab your camera, unleash your inner explorer, and set off on a quest to unravel the secrets of Grand Rapids’ cinematic lineage.
Whether you’re solo or with a group of fellow film enthusiasts, this journey promises entertainment, excitement, and memories to last a lifetime. It’s your chance to blend the boundaries between reel and reality and discover the magic that happens when dreams come to life.
Lights, camera, explore! Unleash your inner movie star and embark on a thrilling cinematic adventure in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Begin your journey through the captivating world of film by exploring the list of iconic movies filmed in the city below. Lights, camera, action – there’s no better time to make movie magic of your own!
Road to Perdition – US Box Office: USD$104,454,762
Director: Sam Mendes
Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Liam Aiken, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds
Release Date: July 12, 2002
Filming Locations: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zeeland, Michigan, USA; West Olive, Michigan, USA; 120. Main St. West Dundee, Illinois, USA; Aurora, Illinois, USA
Main Plot: In 1931, Mike Sullivan and Conor Rooney were two followers of John Rooney, the Irish-American mob boss of Conor’s father in northern Illinois. In many ways, John sees Mike more as his son after Mike became an orphan than the cranky Connor, who still sees himself as the heir to the family business. One night, Mike’s oldest son, 12-year-old Michael Sullivan Jr., witnesses Connor and his father shoot and kill an accomplice and his men caused by Connor’s actions. Michael witnessed the incident and promised to keep what he saw a secret. Either way, Connor didn’t want to loose ends when he tried to kill Mike, his wife, and their two sons. Mike and his surviving family know they must flee because Connor, who is in hiding, will be protected by the loyalty of the crowd, especially John, who cannot support himself.
Famous quotes:
John Rooney: “Let’s drink to Danny’s honor. Let’s wake him to God and hope he gets to heaven at least an hour before the devil finds out he’s dead.”
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: “I saw then that my father’s only fear was that his son would follow the same road. And that was the last time I ever held a gun. People always thought I grew up on a farm. And I guess, in a way, I did. But I lived a lifetime before that, in those six weeks on the road in the winter of 1931. I always give the same answer when people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man or if there was just no good in him. I just tell them… he was my father.”
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: “Did you like Peter more than me?”
Michael Sullivan: “No. I loved you both the same.”
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: “You were always… different with me.”
Sequel: Philadelphia
Fun facts about Road to Perdition:
- In a bank robbery scene, Tyler Hoechlin (Michael Sullivan Jr.) has to learn to drive, and he’s more than happy to do so.
- Hoechlin took it all in stride, but to be safe, a stuntman sat in the back with his own set of ride controls.
Why Him? – US Box Office: USD$60,323,786
Director: John Hamburg
Main Cast: Zoey Deutch, James Franco, Tangie Ambrose, Cedric the Entertainer, Bob Stephenson, Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally, Zack Pearlman
Release Date: December 23, 2016
Filming Locations: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles, California, USA
Main Plot: Stanford student Stephanie Fleming invites her boyfriend, Laird Mayhew, to “Netflix and chill.” Meanwhile, back home in Grand Rapids, Stephanie’s father, Ned, celebrates his 55th birthday with friends and family at an Applebee restaurant. During a slideshow presentation in his honor, Stephanie approaches via webcam to congratulate him when suddenly her boyfriend approaches her, and the camera flashes. Stephanie goes to Laird’s huge house with her family (her parents, Ned and Barb, and her fifteen-year-old brother, Scotty) to meet him. She explained to Ned that Laird was the CEO of a video game company that made him very rich. Laird shows the family around his house with swear words and exaggerated compliments on Barb’s appearance in front of Ned. He even sports a back tattoo from the Flemish Christmas card that reads “Happy Holidays” at the bottom. In the living room, there is a basin with a moose filled with urine. Are they going to accept Laird?
Famous quotes:
Laird Mayhew: “I don’t know how to talk to the guy. It’s like we speak two different languages or something.”
Gustav: “He speaks English, and you speak English with resounding amounts of “fuck.””
Ned Fleming: “I mean, what in God’s name is a double dicker?”
Ned Fleming: “There’s bukkake floating all around me!”
Ned Fleming: “Oh, Laird told me; it means when you’re overwhelmed and have too much going on.”
Sequel: Neighbors; Tag
Fun facts about Why Him?:
- According to Megan Mullally, the cast was given free access to improvise as much as they wanted, and ultimately, 240 hours of film were shot on camera, which had to be cut down to 90 minutes for the final film.
- The bedroom scene between Megan Mullally and Bryan Cranston was not in the original script but was suggested by Mullally during rehearsals.
30 Minutes or Less – US Box Office: USD$37,053,924
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Nick Swardson, Aziz Ansari, Dilshad Vadsaria, Michael Peña, Bianca Kajlich, Fred Ward, Sam Johnston
Release Date: August 12, 2011
Filming Locations: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Ludington, Michigan, USA; Michigan, USA; Taco Boy, 75 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Pizza, 658 Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Main Plot: The not-so-smart Dwayne plans to open a massage parlor with his partner Travis, but he has no money to invest. He hires an assassin to kill his father, Major, who won the lottery many years ago, but the killer demands $100,000. Dwayne and Travis kidnap the pizza delivery boy Nick and put Nick in a vest with a timer and a couple of balls. Dwayne told Nick he had ten hours to withdraw $100,000 from the bank. Once he does, he will give Nick the code to unlock the vest. Nick enlists his best friend Chet to help him with the heist, but the plan doesn’t go as Dwayne had planned.
Famous quotes:
Chet: “[gasp as Nick shows the bomb vest] What the fuck? Is that thing real?”
Nick: “Chet, if I don’t get to the money in time. This thing gonna blow.”
Chet: “[angry] And your first thought was to come to a school filled with young children.”
Chet: “Okay, climb through the window.”
Nick: “You climb through the window!”
Sequel: Accepted; Adventureland
Fun facts about 30 Minutes or Less:
- The restaurant that Jesse Eisenberg is driving for is a real restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the film is set. It’s called Vito’s Pizza, as shown in the movie. As of January 2021, it is still in operation.
- The film’s plot is similar to the true events that happened in 2003 to pizza delivery man Brian Douglas Wells.
The End of the Tour – US Box Office: USD:$3,002,884
Director: James Ponsoldt
Main Cast: Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Anna Chlumsky, Jesse Eisenberg, Mickey Sumner, Joan Cusack, Ron Livingston, Javon Anderson
Release Date: November 12, 2015
Filming Locations: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA; Grand Haven, Michigan, USA; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Muskegon County Airport Terminal, Muskegon, Michigan, USA
Main Plot: The film goes back to the period shortly after the book’s release. Although initially skeptical of Wallace’s book’s critical acclaim, Lipsky – a writer who has only marginally achieved success – is stunned after reading it. He convinces his editor of Rolling Stone magazine to give him the assignment to interview Wallace during his book tour. The reporter meets Wallace at his home in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois (near Illinois State University, where the author writes). Lipsky finds the young author modest and lovable but indifferent to being interviewed. Wallace allows Lipsky to record their conversations. Lipsky will not use the direct quotes that Wallace allegedly pulled from the “archives” five minutes later.
Famous quotes:
David Foster Wallace: “It may be what was known as a spiritual crisis in the old days: feeling as though every axiom in your life turned out to be false… and there was actually nothing. And that you were nothing. And it’s all a delusion, and you’re so much better than everybody ’cause you can see how this is just a delusion, and you’re so much worse because you can’t function.”
David Foster Wallace: “I’m not saying watching t.v. is bad, or a waste of your time any more than – like – masturbation is bad or a waste of your time; it’s a pleasant little way to spend a few minutes – but if you’re doing it 20 times daily; if your primary sexual relationship is with your hand – something is wrong.”
David Lipsky: “Yeah, except with masturbation, at least some action is being performed, right; isn’t it that that’s better?”
David Foster Wallace: “Ok; you can make me look like a real dick if you print this.”
David Lipsky: “[laughs] No, I’m not going to – but if you can, speak into the Mike.”
Sequel: Jeff, Who Lives at Home; Obvious Child
Fun facts about The End of the Tour:
- The scene when Wallace and Lipski are first found in the house of the Wallace is the first meeting of Jason Sigel and Jesse Eisenberg in real life.
- In the scenes taken in the home of the Wallaces (Jason Sigal), David Foster Wallace (Segal) and David Lipski (Jesse Eisenberg) were forced to put meat in their pants. In the scenes where the dogs wake up, Lipsky (Eisenberg) puts peanut butter on his face to attract the dogs again.
What If… – US Box Office: USD$814,906
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Main Cast: Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, John Ratzenberger, Debby Ryan, Kristin Minter, Toni Trucks, Taylor Groothuis, Kevin Yon, Tom McElroy, Grant James, Brittany Risner
Release Date: April 23, 2010
Filming Locations: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Manistee, Michigan, USA; Ludington, Michigan, USA
Main Plot: The Turtles live at April O’Neil’s new apartment with Master Splinter while they are between homes following their rooftop battle with the Foot Clan. They are also relying on pizza delivery from “Roy’s” Pizza. Splinter recognizes the initials from the canister of mutagen that caused them all to become mutants, as April reports on the cleanup effort being carried out in the city by TGRI. The Shredder is still alive and well, has taken back control of the Foot, and seeks vengeance on Splinter and his pupils. He kidnaps Professor David Perry of the TGRI. He forces him to help create two aggressive mutants to serve as his own students after finding that the ooze can alter animals into minions.
Famous quotes:
Ben: “I don’t know, maybe he didn’t love Jesus the way he was supposed to.”
Ben: “Five minutes from now, I’ll be sucking down a half-caff chai latte…, and you’ll be eating crow.”
Mike the Angel: “I don’t think so. Consumption of carrion birds is prohibited in Deuteronomy 14… I’m old-fashioned that way.”
Kimberly Walker: “[through tears] Daddy paid Dylan Jordan, the most popular guy in Clearville, 80 dollars to stay away from me.”
Ben: “When Ben was asking to see the rich man, Henryk Zimmerman, who was dying, the nurse said.”
Sequel: Chuck Konzelman; Overcomer
Fun facts about What If…:
- This film shares a very (very) similar story with Nicolas Cage’s film The Family Man. The title of this film was even a slogan for this film.
- The scripture Hebrews 13:1-2 printed on the tow truck indicates Brotherly love continues. Do not forget to entertain strangers: for by this, some ignorant angels have entertained.
