Movies from every state day 18-Rhode Island

I guess Rhode Island can't make up it's mind. Tourism names it "The Ocean State" because it's Like on the Ocean! It's also known as the "Plantation State" due to it's official name of  "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" It's very appropriate that it has the longest name of any state being that it also suffers from the "Smallest State Syndrome".  Since I'm comfortable with my manhood, tonight we'll be watching "27 Dresses". This one was filmed all over the place in RI. including Club Hell in Providence. Weddings are all great and everything, but there has to be some kind of cruel conspiracy against the Maid of Honor. That closet has got to be full of the most impractical collection of dresses ever. I have it on good authority (Karrie) that no one ever actually cuts them down to wear later. I guess my appreciation of movies is well rounded, because this one was very entertaining and just plain fun. Who can't have fun singing out loud B B B Benny and the Jets. Just watch out for siblings, coworkers, writers and if you're actually going wear dresses of those styles and colors, and pay for them, OMG, figure out some way to recycle them. Don't, under any circumstances, let them wilt in the closet or worse yet multiply. For Heavens sake watch out for those repressed feelings too!!

Movies from every state day 17-North Carolina

Where in the heck did they come up with the Tar Heels? Well like the rest of my state blogs, I'm going to tell you whether you want to know or not! There are several versions of the origin of the name, but I really like the one on the States official web-site. They trace the nickname as far back as the Civil War when retreating soldiers left a column of North Carolinians to battle the enemy alone. Later, they met the fleeing troops and told them that for the next battle they were going to put tar on their heels to make them stick. Gen. Lee exclaimed " God bless the Tar Heel Boys". For our viewing pleasure tonight we'll watch a movie where the final scene was shot at Lake James, Burke County, North Carolina. The Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite Sean Connery films, right up there with all his Bond, James Bonds. I love the quote in it "The hard part of playing chicken is knowing when to flinch'. It's amazing what might go on under the surface of our oceans. There's no way I would have made it as a submariner, in a metal tube, under water with no windows.

Movies from every state day 16- Florida

Florida "The Sunshine State". Well, I guess that one doesn't need much explanation, although this past week people weren't fleeing the state because of it's sun. The Sunshine State nickname wasn't adopted by the legislature until 1970, I guess they thought that "The Alligator State" wasn't a great nickname if they wanted to be known as a family vacation paradise or a retirement haven. One of Karrie and my favorite "pick me up" movies was partially filmed at Hialeah Race Course in South Florida. Richard Dreyfuss as Trotter is "Having a Really Good Day!" Let it Ride, with Richard Dreyfuss as Trotter, Terry Garr as Pam, Jennifer Tilly as Vicky, along with a bunch of other great characters make this a must see fun movie. It's fun to dream, but personally, I don't have the guts to "Let it Ride". Another important aspect of this one is the lesson learned about the proper etiquette(s) involved in the consumption of fortune cookies.

Movies from every state day 15-Virginia

What the heck is The Old Dominion State. Well, I'll tell you. It seems that in 1663 Charles 11 of England added the area of Virginia to his dominions that included France, Ireland and Scotland. Not that exciting, but I didn't name the place. Tonight we visit Richmond,VA. It just so happens that this will be Karrie's second visit to Richmond. She and her family visited while Karrie's dad was a Lt Colonel in the US Marines. Richmond was used in one of the scenes in "DAVE". Some poor schmuck that happens to look like the President and is currently doing impersonations of him. He is pushed into filling in for the President who happens to have a stroke while doing something very un-presidential. I shouldn't be so judgmental, this may be normal Presidential behavior. It's one of those no brainier movies that's just entertaining to watch without taxing ones mental capacities.

Movies from every state day 14- New York

New York "The Empire State" Some think it's because of the states Wealth and Resources, but they've been unable to verify the source or date. President Washington wrote in a letter to the mayor of New York in 1785 and mentioned in it that he thought of the city as "the seat of the Empire". So, I'm sticking with Washington starting the whole thing. I know I said we were going to New York for a change of pace and to get away from the emotional touchy feely stuff, but I decided to go with the second in a series and watch Bourne Supremacy. You're thinking, what is he thinking. This is filled with violence and evil government agencies. Well, this whole series Bourne Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum are very touchy feely, it's just that everyone Jason Bourne touches ends up dead. Even if you don't like this kind of movie, Matt Damon plays the role very well. All of them are shot on location in many different and exotic countries including the last few seconds of this one in Manhattan, New York, New York.

Movies from every state day 13- New Jersey

I know, I know. We didn't finish New England, but I'm having trouble finding films from our collection for the last three states there. Never fear we will be back and tonight we're not going far. New Jersey "The Garden State"? The governor even vetoed the name in 1954, but was overridden. I remember Fort Dix, NJ, but I suppose that's not giving the state an even break. A part of tonight's movie takes place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. To me "When Harry Met Sally" is best known for the scene in the restaurant when Sally (Meg Ryan) shows Harry (Billy Crystal) how his previous dates may have been actually faking their orgasms. The best part of that scene is the response from a near by dinner.
A quirky love story that years to get them together. I'm a quart low on action, destruction and general badness, so we might hop to New York next.

Movies from every state day 12-Connecticut

Next stop Connecticut "The Constitution State" something to do with the The Fundamental Orders of 1638-39 comprised, which may or may not have been the first written constitution in history.
Our video library does have it's limits. Although the movie tonight may not ever mention Connecticut it is a verifiable fact that in the show the home of Beck's parents is actually located at 16 Essex Street in Fairfield, Connecticut. There may be those, I'm not saying who KS, that think this is close to cheating, but the object was to visit every state and Fairfield is in Connecticut isn't it? 
Oh, I guess I should say something about the movie.
The Shopaholic.
If you tell anyone I think this one is just plain fun to watch, I'll deny it, but
I have and it is!

Movies from every state day 11-New Hampshire

Self-sufficiency and geology were reasons for naming New Hampshire "The Granite State. The draw of a great summer home on the water, very talented actors and boats make "On Golden Pond" a must see. This one has some fantastic humor along with extremely emotional scenes. I know I cried my eyes out when they wrecked the 1951 Chris Craft. Those that have been long term couples can relate to how these two communicate with each other. Personally I relate to Norman because I too can enjoy rereading books since I can't remember how the ended last time. Saves on money too! Filmed at Squam Lake, Holderness, New Hampshire. The scenery is spectacular although it's certainly not what I'd call a pond. The owner of the summer home allowed the film crew to modify the house for the movie as long as they returned it to it's original condition. They added a second story and deck to it. The owner loved it so much he asked them to leave it as is.

 

Movies from every state day 10-Massachusetts

We need to apologize to our hordes of faithful fans. We've been away a week with late nights at work and a weekend at Karrie's family tree farm. We really regret the neglect that you all must be feeling.
Thank goodness we're back to visit more of New England. Tonight we're in Massachusetts, which if you don't count South Carolina, which you can't because South is a direction not a name, has the longest name of all the states. Most people probably think of it as the Bay State since it's close proximity to several large bays. Cape Cod is our destination. Although a lot of the movie happens in Chicago and North Carolina, one of the main characters, while on vacation to Cape Cod, finds a bottle with a message in it. It may or may not be just the writers imagination, but this show portrays the ability of men to be sensitive. Since we're a quart low on salt air, this is a good one. Karrie says this movie is one of many that makes me cry. You would think that after all these years she'd know that it has nothing to do with emotion, it's just that we always seem to watch these while someone somewhere is dicing onions.

Movies from every state day 9-Delaware

Today we're in "The First State"  Delaware. Just so happens it was the first state to ratify the US Constitution. We'll visit St. Andrews school in Middletown, DE which for some reason they decided to rename it Welton Prep. Personally I like St. Andrews better, but what do I know. Robin Williams plays the quirky teacher we all wanted, that none of the stuffed shirt administrators or instructors wanted anything to do with. Many emotional highs and low in this movie, but the moral is"Carpe Diem" Seize the Day or just plan make every day count because you don't know how many you've got or if you're anything like me, just try not to screw it up too much, if possible!
See you tomorrow we're headed into New England.

Movies from every state day 8-Maryland

Tonight we go to the "Old Line" state Maryland. Seems these folks had sturdy ancestors that drew a line to stop the northern march of the South. We're going specifically to Hale Maryland to watch " The Runaway Bride" a hardware store owner flee, yet another wedding. She's on number four, but she really knows her hardware, so she's got to be OK! With Julia Roberts and Richard Gere has to be good, right? Karrie wants a dang koon hound like Skipper. Lots of good characters in this show.

Movies from every state day 7-Pennsylvania

Day 7 on 8/6/11 brought us to the Keystone state, Pennsylvania. Seems PA was the Keystone with it's central location to the 13 colonies. You can't think of PA without thinking of "Rocky" all residents of PA might want to forget. I can't imagine anything more thrilling than watching one guy beat the hell out of another by smashing his face into their fists as many times as possible.

Movies from every state day 6-So.Dakota

Day six on 8/5/11 we went east one state to visit the biggest stone faces around in South Dakota the Mount Rushmore State with "National Treasure 2". Many fun things about this one. Is there really a presidents book? I want a remote helicopter with camera. Of course finding a city of gold would be nice too!

Movies from every state day 5-Montana

Day five was 8/4/11. It's been a little humid in the south so we headed to the Treasure state, because of it's big time mining, Montana. We're going there for the greatest 30 seconds, or so, of fishing scenes. Because of the rivers and the fly fishing "A River Runs Through It" is one to watch. It's packed with family sadness but if you know how to time your bathroom breaks you can miss most of them.

Movies from every state day 4- So.Carolina

Day four was 8/3/11. We decided to hang out in the south one more day to watch "Doc Hollywood" In the Palmetto state, named for it's tree the Sabal Palmetto, So. Carolina. I love the car. I love the pig, the house calls to read family gossip letters and who the heck wouldn't want to visit the squash capitol of America?

Movies from every state day 3-Tennessee

Day three was 8/2/11 and we visited the Volunteer, because of it's record number of volunteers for the War of 1812 and Mexican War, state of Tennessee to see the best and worst in lawyers. "The Firm" makes you think twice about what might constitute billable hours. I can't watch it and see the two Chicago mob guys and not think of them when they were in "See Spot Run" and the boss ended clicking as he walked.

Movies from every state day 2-Georgia

Day two was 8/1/11 and we traveled to the Peach state of Georgia for my favorite Will Smith movie of all time "Bagger Vance" as a want to be good, but falling way short of it, golfer, I have always loved the views on every course I've played, I would really like to go to this one. Especially if they didn't have the large wildlife in their hazards.

Movies from every state day 1-Alabama

With many movies of our own and little time and money for travel we decided to have some fun and travel the country by movie. This may not be "Julie and Julia" at least I hope not!
Day one Sunday 7/31/11 We start our journey in the Yellowhammer (woodpecker) state of Alabama with
"Sweet Home Alabama" Always like this one. Does lightning really do that in sand?
One down, forty nine to go. Do we include Wa. DC for fifty one?