Top 15 Movies Filmed in Washington, by US Box Office

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Lights, Camera, Washington! Explore the Movie Magic in the Evergreen State!

Lights, camera, action! Looking for a little excitement? Well, buckle up because we’re about to take you on a thrilling adventure through the silver screen! Imagine strolling down the very streets where your favorite flicks were filmed, feeling like a star in your own blockbuster movie. Welcome to Washington, where the stage is set for some incredible cinematic masterpieces!

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover the magic behind the scenes of Hollywood right in the heart of Washington
  • Explore iconic film locations and immerse yourself in the world of your favorite movies
  • Get a taste of the star-studded life and share that perfect Instagram-worthy moment

Are you a movie buff in search of a new thrill? Look no further! Washington has played host to countless movie sets over the years, enchanting filmmakers with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cityscapes.

As you walk through the streets, you’ll be able to recognize iconic landmarks from the silver screen, transporting you directly into the world of your beloved movies.

Picture this: you’re standing on the same street corner where Superman saved the day or at the park where Bella and Edward had their first encounter in Twilight. Wandering the very paths where Hollywood legends once tread, you can almost hear the echoes of the director yelling, “Action!”

Immerse yourself in the magic of the movies as you visit these filming locations, and who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the next big thing being filmed right before your eyes!

But what makes exploring movie filming locations so much fun, you ask? Well, aside from getting a chance to relive your favorite scenes in real life, it’s also an incredible opportunity to discover new hidden gems within the city or state.

Filmmakers often choose stunning locations to bring their stories to life, and as a result, you get to experience the beauty and charm of these places firsthand. So, grab your camera and get ready to capture some movie magic in every frame!

And hey, let’s not forget the bragging rights! Imagine being able to casually drop into conversations, “Oh, you know that beautiful bridge in Sleepless in Seattle? I’ve been there. NBD.” It’s like being part of an exclusive club where the only requirement is having an insatiable love for cinema and a thirst for adventure. So, why not channel your inner explorer and embark on the ultimate movie-themed trip?

Lights, camera, let’s get going! Whether you’re a local looking for some excitement or a wanderlusting movie enthusiast seeking an unforgettable adventure, exploring the filming locations in Washington is an absolute must.

Grab your popcorn, cue the movie marathon, and start planning your epic journey through the Evergreen State’s silver screen wonders!

Now that we have whetted your appetite for movie magic, it’s time to dive into our handpicked list of movies filmed in Washington. Lights, camera, click! Let your Hollywood adventure begin!

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – US Box Office: USD$300,531,751

Director:  David Slade

Main Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner, Xavier Samuel, Billy Burke, Justin Chon, Anna Kendrick

Release Date: June 30, 2010

Filming Locations: Seattle, Washington, USA; Langley, British Columbia, Canada; Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Washington, USA

Main Plot: After her brief breakup in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Bella must muster the fortitude to face her conflicted feelings for the deadly yet charming Edward. She is also savagely attracted to Jacob. Their long-awaited high school graduation day also approaches. Now, amid brutal killings and fierce clan rivalries in Seattle, a ruthless and furious enemy has gathered. They are an unstoppable army of immortals bent on revenge. Passion requires sacrifice, and an honorable but fragile promise timidly emerges in the name of love. The brave suitors are forced to put aside their profound differences to protect Bella. This is an impossible love triangle, but will Bella’s enemies be willing to accept her difficult choice in the wake of desire?

Famous quotes:

Charlie Swan: “[seeing Edward & Jake close to physically fighting each other] Hey, hey, hey… Easy, guys, easy… Let’s take it down a notch, all right? What’s going on?”

Jacob Black: “And she broke her hand.”

Jacob Black: “It was a complete misunderstanding.”

Jacob Black: “[to Edward] Let’s face it, I am hotter than you.”

Jessica: “When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronauts, president… or, in my case, a princess.”Jessica: “When we were ten, they asked again. We answered a rock star, cowboy, or in my case, a gold medalist. But now that we’re grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how about this? Who the hell knows?”

Sequel: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1; The Twilight Saga: Breaking dawn – Part 2

Fun facts about The Twilight Saga: Eclipse:

  • In the original scene, Jacob hugged Bella to cover her scent, and Taylor was about to push Kristen into the stroller. But it doesn’t look real enough. So Tyler agreed to take Christine with him. After filming so much and filming all day, his hands hurt.
  •  The film was released in theaters worldwide on June 30, 2010, and was the first Twilight film to be released in IMAX.

Twilight – US Box Office: USD$193, 962,473

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Main Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison, Billy Burke, Sarah Clarke, Matt Bushell, Gil Birmingham

Release Date: November 21, 2008

Filming Locations: Seattle, Washington, USA; Belcarra Regional Park, Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Capilano University, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Langley, British Columbia, Canada; Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

Main Plot: Bella Swan is a mature high school student. She moves to the rain-soaked town of Forks to live with her father after her divorced mother decides to remarry. However, because life is as exciting as it is unpredictable, the quiet newcomer has a life-changing encounter in the place. She has an unhappy but good-looking classmate, Edward Cullen. From the start, she senses the intoxicating effects of a dangerously suppressed annoyance at him. Edward’s insatiable thirst for warm blood now stands in the way of experiencing a much nobler yet unfulfilled feeling. He carries the deep and dark secret of vampiric immortality. As shocking revelations pave the way for an all-consuming romance, Bella’s mortal flesh yearns for the certain wonders of immortal love. Even if her uncontrollable desire may lead to her death. Is this unusual union just a fantasy or the beginning of an endless young passion?

Famous quotes:

Jessica: “When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronauts, presidents, or in my case, a princess.”

Jessica: “When we were ten, they asked again. We answered a rock star, cowboy, or in my case, a gold medalist. But now that we’re grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how about this? Who the hell knows?”

Jessica: “This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions; this is a time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere.

Jessica: “Fall in love… a lot. Major in philosophy because there’s no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind, and change it again, because nothing’s permanent. So, make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask what we want to be, we won’t have to guess… we’ll know.”Edward Cullen: “I’m from a different era. Things were a lot less complicated.”

Sequel: The Twilight Saga: New Moon; The Twilight Saga: Eclipse; The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1; The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2

Fun facts about Twilight:

  • In the scene where Bella first goes to the Cullen house, Nikki Reed actually cuts her own hand when her character needs to break a bowl. That is why she wears gloves in some movie scenes.
  • There are over 5,00 actors auditioned for the role of Edward.

An Officer and a Gentleman – US Box Office: USD$129,795,554

Director: Taylor Hackford

Main Cast: Richard Gere, Debra Winger, Louis Gossett Jr.,  Paula Pokrifki, David Keith, Sid Worley, Robert Loggia, Byron Mayo, Lisa Blount, Lynette Pomeroy.

Release Date: August 13, 1982 

Filming Locations: The Tides Inn – 1807 Water Street, Port Townsend, Washington, USA; Mountain View Commons Pool – 1919 Blaine Street, Port Townsend, Washington, USA; The City of Olongapo, aka Olongapo City, Philippines; Fort Worden State Park – 205 Fort Worden Way, Port Townsend; Fort Worden State Park – 262 Alexanders Loop, Port Townsend, Washington, USA

Main Plot: Zack Mayo’s mother committed suicide. As a teenager, he didn’t have much parental advice growing up. At the time, his father was a naval marine stationed in the Philippines. He was made his official guardian, but his father later revealed he did not want it. As a result, Zack developed into a loner with neither a strong sense of belonging nor mature responsibility. He joins the navy as a young man to train as a jet fighting officer. His initial thirteen-week training will occur at the naval air station on Whidbey Island in Washington. Even if it means breaking the law and using shortcuts, he intends to make training as simple as possible.

Famous quotes:

Mayo: “Don’t you do it! Don’t! You… I got nowhere else to go! I got nowhere else to g… I got nothin’ else.”

Byron: “I’m at sea three weeks out of every month, and when I’m back at port, I don’t have time for this daddy stuff ’cause that’s not who I am.”

Byron: “Wait for a second, kid, you don’t understand. I’m too old for this. I don’t care what the Navy says. This is no place to bring up a kid; as I told you on the telephone, you’re better off at that state school back in Virginia.”

Young Zack: “[TV edit] I’m never going back there. They treat me like trash.”

Byron: “Maybe that’s not for you to say. Goddamn it, don’t look at me like that. What happened to your mother had nothing to do with me.”

Young Zack: “You promised you were gonna come back.”Young Zack: “I found your letters right after she did it. They said you were coming back for us! You said you loved her, so now who’s the liar?”

Sequel: Footloose

Fun facts An Officer and a Gentleman:

  • Director Taylor Hackford deliberately had Louis Gossett Jr. live separately from the rest of the cast to reinforce his character’s intimidating presence as a drill instructor.
  • Richard Gere told Barbara Walters that he only made the film for the money. It became her biggest box office hit until Pretty Woman (1990).

The Ring – US Box Office: USD$129,128,133

Director: Gore Verbinski

Main Cast: Naomi Watts David Dorfman, Martin Henderson, Daveigh Chase, Brian Cox, Shannon Cochran, Jane Alexander, Lindsay Frost

Release Date: October 18, 2002

Filming Locations:  Port Townsend, Washington, USA; Deception Pass Bridge, Whidbey Island, Washington, USA; Yaquina Head Lighthouse – 750 NW Lighthouse Dr, Newport, Oregon, USA; 21729 50th Ave NW, Stanwood, Washington, USA; Seattle, Washington, USA

Main Plot: Rachel Keller is a journalist who decides to investigate the mysterious death of her niece and her three friends. All seemed to have died on the same day at the same time – 10:00 p.m. After learning that her niece was found in a closet with a horrible expression on her face, she searches her room. She finds photos of the cabin where her niece and her friends had stayed a week before the death. Rachel finds the shack and encounters an unknown video there. She decides to watch it there and only has a limited time left to live. She and her ex-husband Noah research the footage and found facts about Anna Morgan and her daughter Samara Morgan, the director of this video. With just a week to go, Rachel and Noah will uncover the untold secrets of Samara Morgan’s life and, hopefully, for her, a way to break the curse.

Famous quotes:

Noah: “I can’t imagine being stuck down a well all alone like that. How long could you survive?”

Dr. Scott: “You don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Samara Morgan: “But I do, and I’m sorry. It won’t stop.”

Aidan Keller: “What happened to the girl?”

Samara Morgan: “singing by the well]: Here we go, the world is spinning. When it stops, it’s just beginning.”Samara Morgan: “Sun comes up, and we all laugh. Sun goes down, we all die.”

Sequel: The Ring Two

Fun facts about The Ring:

  • Killer videos were used as advertising long before the movie premiered. The ad didn’t mention a single film for almost a month. 
  • The Japanese maple fruit in the movie is  called “wing fruit.”

Contact – US Box Office: USD$100,920,329

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Main Cast: Jodie Foster, Eleanor Arroway, Matthew McConaughey, Palmer Joss, James Woods, Michael Kitz, John Hurt

Release Date: July 7, 1997

Filming Locations: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA; Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico; Very Large Array, Socorro, New Mexico, USA; Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Labrador, Canada; Kennedy Space Center, Titusville, Florida, USA

Main Plot: Dr. Ellie Arroway, an astronomer, has long been fascinated by people from other cultures. Her father, Ted Arroway, who died when she was nine years old, instilled this interest in her as a young child. Based on that passion and in part as a tribute to her father, her current work with SETI—the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence—is based on it. Ellie and her fellow rascal scientists have been searching for funding wherever they could find it to continue their work. This is because the National Science Foundation (N.S.F.) withdrew funding from the project that some, including her N.S.F. superior David Drumlin, referred to as “more science fiction than science.” Will Ellie be able to save their company and continue their project?

Famous quotes:

Alien: “You’re an interesting species. An interesting mix. You’re capable of such beautiful dreams and horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, cut off, and alone, only you’re not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.”

Ellie Arroway: “[to a group of children] I’ll tell you one thing about the universe, though. The universe is a pretty big place. It’s bigger than anything anyone has ever dreamed of before. So if it’s just us… It seems like an awful waste of space. Right?”

Young Ellie: “Dad, do you think there are people on other planets?”

Ted Arroway: “I don’t know, Sparks. But I’d say if it is just us… seems like an awful waste of space.”

Panel member: “Doctor Arroway, you come to us with no evidence, no record, no artifacts. Only a story that, to put it mildly, strains credibility. Over half a trillion dollars was spent, and dozens of lives were lost. Are you going to sit there and tell us we should take this all… on faith?”

Sequel: The Abyss

Fun fact about Contact:

  • Writer and producer Carl Sagan died during production. He reportedly took great care to portray the science in the film accurately. A phrase from another character in the movie, if humans were the only life in the universe, would be “a terrible waste of space,” a famous quote from author Carl Sagan. He cites Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), who talks about the potential world of other stars; “A sad sight. What a miserable and stupid place it would be if they were inhabited. What a waste of space if no one lived there.”

All the President’s Men – US Box Office: USD$70,600,000

Director: Alan J. Pakula

Main Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards, Jane Alexander 

Release Date: April 9, 1976

Filming Locations: Marina del Rey, California, USA; Howard Johnson Motor Lodge – 2601 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Marina del Rey, California, USA; Library of Congress – 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, USA 

Main Plot: Factual reporting by Washington Post investigative reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their coverage of the Watergate break-in ultimately led to the resignation of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. The film focuses on the period from June 17, 1972. Another they show crime to Nixon’s re-election in November, more than a year later. Their persistence – and the support of their editors – revealed that the break-in at the Watergate office complex was just a small part of a much larger web of intelligence activity, much of it illegal. The story also focuses on the role of Woodward’s now-legendary secret source known as Deep Throat (now identified as FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt) and the encouragement he offered when reporters encountered obstacles in their investigation.

Famous quotes:

Ben Bradlee: “You know the results of the latest Gallup Poll? Half the country had never even heard of the word Watergate. Nobody gives a shit. You guys are probably pretty tired. Well, you should be. Go on home, get a nice hot bath.”

Ben Bradlee: “Rest up for 15 minutes. Then get your asses back in gear. We’re under a lot of pressure, and you put us there. Nothing’s riding on this except the first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the country’s future. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys fuck up again, I’m going to get mad. Goodnight.”

Howard Simons: “Did you call the White House press office?”

Bob Woodward: “I went over there; I talked to them. They said Hunt hadn’t worked there for three months. Then a PR guy said this weird thing to me. He said, “I am convinced that neither Mr. Colson nor anyone else at the White House had any knowledge of, or participation in, this deplorable incident at the Democratic National Committee.”

Bob Woodward: “I never asked about Watergate. I asked what Hunt’s duties at the White House were. They volunteered he was innocent when nobody asked if he was guilty.”Howard Simons: “Be careful how you write it.”

Sequel: The French Connection

Fun fact about All the President’s Men:

  • The two leads memorized each other’s lines to interrupt each other. This upsets many actors playing them, resulting in a greater sense of realism. A few days later, security guard Frank Wells, who discovered the Watergate incident, was fired without explanation. He was unemployed for three years until he played himself in this film (a day’s work). He never found a full-time job again. He died in 2000 at the age of 52.

Vice – US Box Office: USD$47,836,282

Director: Adam McKay

Main Cast: Christian Bale, Dick Cheney, Amy Adams, Lynne Cheney, Steve Carell, Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell, George W. Bush

Release Date: December 25, 2018 

Filming Locations: Kern River, California, USA; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Santa Clarita, California, USA; Washington Dulles International Airport – 45020 Aviation Drive, Sterling, Virginia, USA; United States Supreme Court, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Main Plot: The movie depicts the political life of Dick Cheney. He culminated with his vice presidency in the George W. Bush administration. His political life was largely assisted by his equally ambitious wife, Lynne Cheney. His political ambitions have generally been hampered by his less-than-charismatic demeanor, which most politicians need to succeed. These policies have drifted to the right of the spectrum rather than shifting to the right by conscious ideological choice. But being elected as the sole representative under the Republican banner has sparked some definite thoughts about the top job in the White House. Some factors hindered those thoughts, including how he could have protected his daughter Mary Cheney. She had just declared herself a lesbian, from public scrutiny while reconciling his support for her with the Republican Party’s strong social-conservative base. The political fate of the Cheneys changed when Dick, in the private sector as Halliburton’s chief executive, was asked by the relatively inexperienced George W. Bush to be his running mate. In the process, Dick began manipulating the system in his favor. In his position as eventual vice president, he could be a more powerful politician. The race and the spotlights were on.

Famous quotes:

Anonymous: “Beware the quiet man. For a while, others speak, and he watches. And while others act, he plans. And when they finally rest, he strikes.”

Dick Cheney: “I’m having a heart attack, you idiot.”

Dick Cheney: “[Speech before end credits roll] I can feel your incriminations and judgment, and I am fine with that. Do you want to be loved? To be a movie star. The world is as you find it. You have a deal with the reality that there are monsters in this world. We saw 3,000 innocent people burned to death by those monsters, yet you object when I refuse to kiss those monsters on the cheek and say, “pretty please.” You answer me this, what terrorist attack would you have let go forward so you wouldn’t seem like a mean and nasty fellow?”

Dick Cheney: “I will not apologize for keeping your family safe. And I will not apologize for doing what needed to be done so that your loved ones could sleep peaceably at night. It has been my honor to be your servant. You chose me. And I did what you asked.”

George W. Bush: “Whaddaya say?… I want you to be my VP. I want you, and you’re ma vice.”

Dick Cheney: “Well, George, I, uh… I’m the CEO… of a large company. And I have been Secretary of Defense…, and I have been White House Chief of Staff. The Vice Presidency is a mostly symbolic job.

George W. Bush: Uh-huh.”George W. Bush: “[Finishes cleaning chicken grease off his fingers and stares at Cheney for a few seconds, then points at him] That sounds good!”

Sequel: The Big Short

Fun fact about Vice:

  • Because Chaney had well-documented heart problems for much of his adult life, Christian Bale was forced to study heart attack prevention as part of his diet. His advice inspired John Adam McKay after he suffered a heart attack during the survival stages of post-production. The film’s director, Adam McKay, suffered a mild heart attack while working on post-production. He decided to include black and white photos of the stent procedure in his heart, which he thought was short. McKay attributed his heart attack to weight loss and increased smoking under the pressure of filming and decided to quit smoking.

Enough – US Box Office: USD$40,007,742

Director: Michael Apted

Main Cast: Jennifer Lopez,  Billy Campbell, Tessa Allen, Juliette Lewis, Dan Futterman

Release Date: May 24, 2002

Filming Locations: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA; Port Townsend, Washington, USA; Seattle, Washington, USA; Piru, California, USA

Main Plot: Slim works as a waitress in a restaurant in Los Angeles. She meets Mitch Hiller, who is trying to hit a violent man. They later marry, have a daughter, Gracie, and live in an expensive house. A few years later, Slim learns that Mitch has been cheating. When she threatens to leave, he starts beating and threatening her. Since she is the provider, Mitch insists on what she will do. He won’t end the relationship unless she wants to fight him. Slim goes to Mitch’s mother to tell her about the abuse, but she is unkind and insinuates that Slim is to blame for the abuse. Her best friend Ginny (Juliette Lewis) tells her to leave him and press charges, but when she goes to the police, they can’t help. Mitch tells Slim that he knows he talked to his mother about the abuse and hits him again. She realizes that she has no choice but to get Gracie and leave. Slim calls her friends to help her and Gracie escape late at night, but Mitch has a plan. Will they be able to survive and escape?

Famous quotes:

Ginny: “You have a divine animal right to protect your own life and the life of your offspring.”

Mitch: “All right, man against woman. Is that fair?”

Slim: “[Slim has just finished explaining to Gracie why they need to run away and change their identity] … but you cannot call me Slim.”

Gracie: “But I never call you Slim. I don’t think you are that slim.”

Gracie: “I like going by Grandma’s, but do we have to drive for 55 hours to reach some phone booth? Can we call Daddy this time?”

Slim: “Stop begging. You look like a dog.”

Sequel: Maid in Manhattan

Fun facts about Enough:

  • The character played by Jennifer Lopez was originally given to Sandra Bullock.
  • Actress Tess Allen was asleep when Slim did his car monologue while Gracie slept. The filmmakers tried to film while Tessa was awake, but the young actress tried to keep her eyes completely still throughout the hour-long shoot. Instead, they waited until she was about to nap, and her mother picked her up and carried her into the car.

Assassins – US Box Office: USD$30,303,072

Director: Michael Pressman

Main Cast: Sylvester Stallone,  Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore, Anatoli Davydov

Release Date: October 6, 1995

Filming Locations: Portland, Oregon, USA; Seattle, Washington, USA; 150-154 Calle O’Donnell, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Everett, Washington, USA; San Juan, Puerto Rico

Main Plot:

Robert Rath is considered the highest-paid assassin in the world. However, after retiring and killing an assassin, he increasingly finds retirement as he is tired of his job and lifestyle. He also feels quite alone since losing his best friend and mentor, Nicolai Tashlinkov. He was murdered 15 years ago. But Rath is offered another contract. A mobster to attend his brother’s funeral. Rath disguises himself as a man with a broken arm. He uses the cast arm to hide his gun and stands in front of the mobster. As he is about to fire and retreat from the target, he notices someone else has already shot and killed the target. Rath then trades fire with the unknown killer, who is arrested by the police. Rath tries to follow the car but is blocked by traffic and loses the police car.

Meanwhile, the killer dislocates his thumb and takes off his handcuffs before killing the police driver who causes a car accident. Rath finds the wrecked car and the police officers dead. Then he gets the idea to steal a taxi and look for the killer.

Famous quotes:

Electra: “Once upon a time, there was this little sparrow, who, while flying south for the winter, froze solid and fell to the ground. And then, to make matters worse, the cow crapped on him, but the manure was all warm, and it defrosted him. So there he is, he’s warm and happy to be alive and starts to sing.”

Electra: “A hungry cat comes along, and he clears off the manure, and he looks at the little bird, and then he eats him. And the moral of the story is this: everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy. Everyone who gets you out of crap is not necessarily your friend, and if you’re warm and happy no matter where you are, you should keep your big mouth shut.”

Miguel Bain: “Killing a woman, it’s not the same as killing a man. You have to pull the trigger a different way.”

Miguel Bain: “[One rifle shot into a mango, Miguel bites in another one] I’ve just killed your brother.”

Miguel Bain: “Honey? I’m going to tear your heart out.”Miguel Bain: “Step outside, and I will set you free.”

Sequel: The Specialists 

Fun facts about Assassins:

  • The buildings used for “banks” and “abandoned hotels” are not exactly opposite each other. They weren’t even the same Richard Donner claimed the film would have been better if he replaced Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas.

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home – US Box Office: USD$30,077,111

Director: Dwight H. Little

Main Cast: Jason James Richter, Micahel Madsen, Francis Capra, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Jayne Atkinson,  Mykelti Williamson

Release Date: July 19, 1995

Filming Locations: San Juan Islands, Washington, USA; Astoria, Oregon, USA; Offshore Marine Basin, 578 Enterprise Street, Escondido, California, USA; Stage 9, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios – 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA; Young River Falls, Clatsop County, Oregon, USA

Main Plot: It’s been two years since Jesse rescued and freed his orca friend Willy. Jesse, now 14, was adopted by Glen and Annie Greenwood. They prepare to go to the San Juan Islands for a camping trip and to visit Randolph at his new job. Glen tries to teach Jesse to drive the Little Dipper speedboat, but Jesse is more interested in girls. But before leaving town, Dwight informs Glen and Annie that Jesse’s birth mother was found dead in New York, leaving behind another child. Jesse is devastated after numerous attempts to find her but agrees after talking to Glen about his feelings. When Jesse’s half-brother Elvis arrives, he is grumpy, overly talkative, and mischievous. He is also prone to lying and easily angered. He is invited on their journey so that the boys get to know each other.

Famous quotes:

Jesse: “How could she ditch me and have another kid?”

Glen: “I don’t know, Jess. I can’t answer that one for you.”

Jesse: “I thought if I was good and I believed enough, she’d come back for me.”

Glen: “She’s not coming back, Jesse.”

Jesse: “It’s the cold air. It gets in my eyes.”Glen: “Forget about that. It’s okay. Listen, your little brother’s gonna come live with us for a couple of ks. Dwight and Annie got it worked out already. It’s called, uh, “kingship care.”

Sequel: Free Willy 3: The Rescue

Fun fact about Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home:

  • In addition to the orca figurine from the first film, other items seen in Jesse’s room included a Sound garden tour poster with the date the band stopped in Hamburg, Germany, on March 24, 1992, an Oregon sticker, a Wayne Campbell statue, a Christian Rhys Larsen poster. There is also a poster of guitar fingers on the wall. The VHS version includes a replica of Jesse’s amulet. Unlike the movie version or the replica adoption kit, this necklace has a broken cord attached to a smaller ceramic pendant.

Arlington Road – US Box Office: USD$24,756,177

Director: Mark Pellington

Main Cast: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins,  Joan Cusack, Hope Davis, Robert Gossett, Mason Gamble

Release Date: July 9, 1999

Filming Locations: University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas, USA; Fort Bend County, USA; Evergreen Drive, Pearland, Texas, USA

Main Plot: In Washington, D.C., Michael Faraday was on his way home from the suburbs when walking along Arlington Road. He saw the son of neighbor Brady Long, who was burned and injured. He took the child to the hospital and befriended his neighbors, Oliver Lang and Cheryl Lang, in the waiting room. Michael, a widower, was a professor of history at George Washington University, where he now teaches terrorism. His son Grant Faraday was raised alone by his late beloved wife, Leah. She was an FBI agent killed during a mission along with her partner, Whit Carver. Michael is now in a relationship with his former student Brooke Wolfe. Michael soon suspects Oliver may be a terrorist, initially based on what his neighbors tell him about the mall projects. Still, Michael thinks it’s a building and has returned the letters to the mailbox. However, Whit and Brooks dismissed his conspiracy theory. Michael becomes obsessed and investigates the lives of his neighbors. Is Michael paranoid, or are his suspicions correct?

Famous quotes:

Michael Faraday: “You know, when Leah died, all I wanted was someone to tell me, “We made a mistake.” Do you know? “We made a mistake. Your wife suffered for it, and we’d take it back a hundred times if we could.” But they don’t say that. She would’ve.”

Oliver Lang: “[Talking about Grant] If you want to be his father, you will walk to your house, sleep in your bed, teach your classes, and live your life!”

Michael Faraday: “What are you doing? How many people are you going to kill?”

Oliver Lang: “Well, if I see any strange cars on my street, if you feel compelled to talk to someone, a federal agent perhaps, I imagine we’re just going to kill one.”

Oliver Lang: “Michael, my son is alive because of you. I would like very much to return the favor.”Michael Faraday: “They asked you what you stand for. You tell them you stand for blowing up families. For orphan sons. Your father killed himself, you son of a bitch? Or is that where you got your start?”

Sequel:  Frailty

Fun fact about Arlington Road:

  • The crash in the climactic chase scene is unplanned; the plan is for the car to hide behind an oncoming bus and make a left turn. At the moment of impact, the car’s trunk suddenly opened to reveal the bright blue sandbags placed there for a stunt. A quick cut is required after the collision to avoid exposing the sandbag. Subsequent footage, including the car, has been filmed and shows the vehicle with significantly less damage.

Lions for Lambs – US Box Office: USD$15,002,854

Director: Robert Redford

Main Cast: Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Michael Peña, Andrew Garfield, Derek Luke, Peter Berg 

Release Date: November 9, 2007

Filming Locations: White House – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA; Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; United States Capitol – 545 Seventh Street SE, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Main Plot: The US administration is taking a hit in public opinion polls for losing the war on terror. Despite the president’s earlier statement that the war had been won and its earlier decision to declare war on Iraq based on “flawed” information. He almost completely ignored the rise of an enemy regime in Afghanistan. Journalist Janine Roth works for an organization that used to be a reliable news organization that was bought by corporate interests. The financial profits are key plans to use this premise as the essence of her upcoming one-hour exclusive interview with a Republican senator and presidential candidate, Jasper Irving. Irving convinces Roth to change the focus of her story to one of the latest news. He wants her to focus on the government launching a new offensive in Afghanistan based on hostile regimes in Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan working together against US forces.

Famous quotes:

Professor Stephen Malley: “The decisions you make now, bud, can’t be changed but with years and years of hard work to redo it… And in those years, you become something different. Everybody does as time passes. You get married, you get into debt… But you’re never going to be the same person you are right now. And promise and potential… It’s very inconsistent and might not be there anymore.”

Todd Hayes: “Are you assuming I already made a decision? And also that I’ll live to regret it?”

Professor Stephen Malley: “All I’m saying is that you’re an adult now… And the tough thing about adulthood is that it starts before you even know it starts when you’re already a dozen decisions into it. But you need to know, Todd, that no Lifeguard is watching anymore. You’re on your own. You’re your own man, and your decisions now are yours and yours alone from here until the end.”

Senator Jasper Irving: “We walk, and Afghanistan reverts to the Taliban. The Taliban has metastasized into something infinitely more vicious and potent because they’re now 2-0 versus superpowers.”Senator Jasper Irving: “They butcher the people who helped us, who voted and were stupid enough to put their faith in our word. So call it not only the end of hope for 10s of millions of Afghans but the end of American credibility, the end of America as a force for righteousness in the world. And when we’re forced to go back in a couple of years, and please quote me on this, we’ll be squared off against a shattered Iraq, a hopeless Afghanistan, and a nuclear Iran. How many troops are we going to need, then? I guarantee you’ll be adding some zeros.”

Sequel: Born on the Fourth of July

Fun facts about Lions for Lambs:

  • The film’s script was blacklisted in 2006; this year’s “favorite” list of unproduced screenplays.
  • Irving’s office state flag is Illinois.

Snow Falling on Cedars – US Box Office: USD$14,417,593

Director: Scott Hicks

Main Cast:

Ethan Hawke, Reeve Carney, James Cromwell,  Max von Sydow,  Youki Kudoh, Anne Suzuki, Richard Jenkins, James Rebhorn, Sam Shepard as Arthur Chambers, Rick Yune

Release Date: January 7, 2000

Filming Locations: Fort Ebey State Park, Whidbey Island, Washington, USA; Kaslo, British Columbia, Canada; Nelson, British Columbia, Canada; Greenwood, British Columbia, Canada; Kootenay Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Main Plot: Commercial fisherman Carl Heine Jr. died from a head injury when his crew pulled the body from the water with a fishing net. Kazuo Miyamoto was charged with murder. Karl and Kazuo were friends and had known each other since childhood. However, World War II created tensions between the Japanese in the region and the Caucasus. They were and still are a large island population. Karl had a motive for the land dispute between the two families. His mother eventually sold the land to the Miyamoto family, which Karl had just bought back. Evidence also suggests that Kazuo may have been on the island with Karl during his last voyage. Kazuo knew of the evidence that would incriminate him. He was Japanese and decided not to report it to the investigating sheriff when it happened. He discovered that he was asked. Fears for Kazuo and his wife Hatsue came to the fore when prosecutor Alvin Hooks asked racist questions to address anti-Japanese sentiment. Among the many locals following the case was local newspaper owner/editor Ismael Chambers, who took over after his father’s death, former owner Arthur Chambers.

Famous quotes:

Nels Gudmundsson: “It takes a rare thing, a turning point, to free oneself from any obsession. Be it prejudice or hate, or even love.”

Nels Gudmundsson: “Accident rules every corner of the universe… except perhaps the chambers of the human heart.”

Ishmael Chambers: “I know you’ll think this is crazy, but all I want to do is hold you, and I think that if you let me do that just for a few seconds, I can walk away and never speak to you again.”

Judge Fielding: “That’s quite enough horseplay, Nels. Try and act your age.”

Nels Gudmundsson: “I think if I did that, Your Honor, I’d be dead.”

Sequel: White Fang

Fun facts about Snow Falling on Cedars:

  • While Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps, many additional Japanese Americans were sent to the bases in the 1940s.
  • Ethan Hawke later admitted that the film was “not a very good acting experience.

Super Size Me – US Box Office: USD$11,536,423

Director: Morgan Spurlock

Main Cast: Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu Rmaileh, Amanda Kearsan, Christian Baucher

Release Date: June 11, 2004 

Filming Locations: Appleton, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oak Brook, Illinois, USA

Main Plot: Several lawsuits have been filed against McDonald’s restaurants, alleging that they knowingly sell unhealthy food. Some court decisions suggest that plaintiffs will file claims if they can prove that eating every day at every meal is dangerous. That’s why documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock conducted an unscientific experiment in which he used himself as a guinea pig. He eats only Mcdonald’s three meals a day for thirty days. If the clerk asked him if he wanted a big meal, he had to say yes. At the end of the thirty days, he must eat at least every item on the menu. Before the trial began, he was examined by three doctors – a family doctor, a cardiologist, and a gastroenterologist. They found out that his general health was excellent. They will also monitor him for thirty days to ensure his health is not permanently damaged. He also consulted a dietician/nutritionist and an exercise physiologist, the latter of whom also found his fitness to be above average.

Famous quotes:

Morgan Spurlock: “I guess the big question is, who do you want to see go first? You? Or them?”

Morgan Spurlock: “[to kids] I’m gonna show you some pictures, and I want you to tell me who they are.”

Children: “Good. Who was he?”

Children: “He was the 4th president. He freed the enslaved people. He could never tell a lie.”Morgan Spurlock: “[voiceover] Still, the impact of this lawsuit is being seen far and wide. School districts in New York, Texas, and San Francisco have banned sugary soft drinks in schools. And all-natural healthy options are popping up everywhere. McDonald’s joined, sponsoring events that showed how health-conscious they’ve become and creating a new line of premium salads.”

Sequel: Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!

Fun facts about Super Size Me:

  • The documentary premiered at Sundance in January 2004. Less than two months later, McDonald’s announced that it would no longer sell any of its menu items in “Super Size.” However, it officially denied that this decision was a response to this film.
  • Morgan Spurlock shot 250 hours of footage. Only about 0.66% of these frames appear in the final edit. Some additional recordings are included in the DVD version.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – US Box Office: USD$144,738

Director: Frank Capra

Main Cast: Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold. Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette Beulah Bondi 

Release Date: October 19, 1939

Filming Locations: Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Union Station – 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios – 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Main Plot: After the death of Senator Samuel Foley, Governor Hubert Hopper, after carefully listening to the advice of his closest confidants, appointed the young Jefferson Smith to fill the void. How Jeff embodies patriotism: He sings Lincoln and is the leader of the Boy Rangers. Hopper is known to many as the political mentor of the corrupt and influential businessman Jim Taylor. Most did not know that another of Taylor’s political henchmen, Joseph Bain, the state’s senior senator, had ambitions for the White House. The opportunistic Hopper knew he could not accept Taylor’s recommendation due to previous efforts. Still, he saw Smith as someone Paine and Taylor could easily manipulate since Paine, Taylor, and Foley had worked while he was alive. Approval of the dam project behind a political veil, all for self-interest, buried in a flawed bill.

Famous quotes:

Jefferson Smith: “You see, boys forget what their country means by reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men. They forget even more. Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders.”

Jefferson Smith: “Men should hold it up in front of them daily and say: I’m free to think and speak. My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.”

Jefferson Smith: “I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr. Paine. All of you people don’t know about lost causes. Mr. Paine does. He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for, and he fought for them once. For the only reason, any man ever fights for them. Because of just one plain simple rule.”

Jefferson Smith: “Love thy neighbor. And in this world, today of great hatred, a man who knows that rule has a great trust. You know that rule Mr. Paine, and I loved you for it just as my father did. And you know that you fight harder for the lost causes than others. Yes, you’d even die for them. Like a man, we both knew Mr. Paine. You think I’m licked.“Jefferson Smith: “You all think I’m licked. Well, I’m not licked. And I will stay here and fight for this lost cause. Even if this room gets filled with lies like these. And the Taylors and all their armies come marching into this place. Somebody will listen to me.”

Sequel: It Happened One Night

Fun facts about Mr. Smith Goes to Washington:

  • Outraged by accusations of corruption, officials in Washington condemned it. Still, fast European countries banned it, fearing it was a sign of democracy.
  • In 1942, when German-occupied France imposed a ban on American films, Title Cinema chose Mr. Smith to Washington (1939) as the last film before Prohibition took effect. A theater in Paris reportedly showed the film non-stop for 30 days before the ban.

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