Movies from every state day 33- Texas

Since our family came from 27 years in Alaska, I don't mind visiting the second largest state tonight. "The Lone Star State" Is this place really our 28th state? Many believe the origins of the "Lone Star" was from Mexico trying to uphold it's rights to the Lone state of Mexico under the constitution of 1824. Others believe the star represents the wish of many Texans to achieve statehood with the United States. It's part of us now, and that's a good thing. In 1839 the design of the golden star on a blue background was introduced to symbolize the republic and the " Lone Star State" and has ever since.  Tonight we all get reminded not to give up our dreams. "The Rookie" takes us to Big Lake, Texas and a high school coach that talks to his team about achieving their dreams only to have them make a deal with him. They win games and he tries out for the "Bigs". They do and he does! This small town was founded on the dreams of two nuns who take a chance and bless the site with rose petals and prayers to Santa Rita. It looks like praying to "Saint Rita the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes" still works. If you like Dennis Quaid, baseball, long shots, Texas or big dreams, you'll like this one. It's based on a true story too! It's even rated G, but watch out Dennis does say Damn once. Never too late to chase those dreams, but don't forget Saint Rita and the yellow roses!

Movies from every state day 32- Nebraska

 We are experiencing a great test of our film library while trying to cross the heartland of America. Not many movies were either shot in or possessed by us that covers a few states we're trying to visit. Don't worry, we will eventually prevail. We are lucky that a fine, if not small portion of our film tonight was shot in Scottsbluff, NE. 
The 1945 Legislature made official " The Cornhusker State " nickname. Unlike may University athletic teams who got their name from the State, Nebraska got it's from the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers who received the name in 1900 from Charles "Cy" Sherman a sportswriter.  I like " Elizabethtown" for several reasons. It could have satisfied the requirments for several states, it's got a good, no really good, soundtrack, shows small town in all it's glory and horror. It's basically about a young shoe designer that kind of goofs to the tune of slightly less than a Billion Dollar loss to his now former employer. As he's about to do himself in, he finds out his father died and he's thrown into family, town and past that he'd just as soon avoid. With his mother and sister on one side of the country and him with  the extra extended fathers side of the family. On the way he meets a flight attendant and they have kind of a weird bond that develops in a weird way, during a weird road trip she sends him on. It ends in a most logical way after a lot of fun, sorrow, confusion and more fun.

Movies from every state day 31- Missouri

Tonight's feature takes us Down Under. No I'm not talking about Australia, we're in the USA remember?
I'm talking about the largest underground lake in the world. It just so happens to be located in a mine at Bonne Terre, Missouri.The lower levels of the mine form a 17 mile illuminated lake. Jacques Cousteau even dove this baby. All of this is located under "The Show Me State". The name is attributed to Rep. Willard Van Diver in 1899 and connotes a certain self deprecating stubbornness and devotion to simple common sense. I might need to move there!
Our movie used the clear water with visibility to 100 feet year round to shoot many of the underwater scenes in "The Abyss". At 2000 ft plus underwater we get to witness the end and rebirth of a marriage,
military "Intelligence", bravery, self sacrifice . I know I held my breath too long a few times. They also toss in a bunch of cool underwater toys with a pinch or two of science.

Movies from every state day 30- Louisiana

Early European settlers were impressed by the abundance of and the generous nurturing attitude toward their young that the Brown Pelicans displayed. The Brown Pelican completely disappeared
for a time, they had quit nesting in the area due to the heavy use of pesticides. They were put on the endangered list and years later repopulated with birds from Florida. They are doing well now. Louisiana has several nicknames, like, Bayou State, Sugar State, Creole State and others including one that I like "The Child of the Mississippi" because silt from the river has added land mass to the state. Since the Pelican is the state bird, on the state flag and seal, it wins the nickname honors.
If you're going to visit the state you can't miss New Orleans.  A error in a medical check causes our star to quit her job, cash in her retirement and pursue her "Possibilities". As she tries to live the good life before she dies by spending every dime she has, amazing things start to happen including winning a bundle at the gaming tables, impressing a bunch of stuck ups, meeting her idol chef and getting the guy and career of her dreams. Queen Latifah is a perfect fit for this role. Remember the secret to life is Butter!
 

Movies from every state day 29-Iowa

 There is absolutely no other movie for " The Hawkeye State" than the choice for tonight, but first we must take care of  another little tidbit of history. The nickname got official recognition by "Territorial Officials" in 1838. It was introduced by two Iowa promoters from Burlington, Judge Rorer and News Publisher Edwards after the 1832 Black Hawk War to pay tribute to Chief Black Hawk. There you go!
We will visit Dubuque, Dyersville and Farley, IA home of the PTA meeting of the "Book Burning Nazi Cow" Field of Dreams is a favorite in the Sadler household. When you're total broke and your only hope to survive is your corn crop, what better thing to do than mow it down to create a fantastic baseball field to satisfy the voice in your head that you alone can hear, then go on a road trip in an old VW bus. Things work out, the farm is saved and everyone can hear the voice and see the ghosts. Oops, I shouldn't have given away the ending, but too late now! Enjoy!!

Movies from every state day 28- Minnesota

Minnesota 'the North Star State" because it's given people a sense of direction over time.? Not sure where that came from. I can understand where "Land of 10,000 Lakes" on their license plates comes from even though they sell themselves short, since they have closer to 12,000.

I really like tonight's show and since it takes place in so many Minnesota locations it's now number one as far a shoot locations in one state, so far.  Joe Somebody, with Tim "The Toolman "Allen is funny with Joe who wants to become a new man, be noticed, take on the big bully, only to find out that the ones that mattered like him the way he was. He's got a great daughter who helps him get straightened out. 

The karaoke scenes take place at Grumpy's Bar and grill in Minneapolis, Target store shoot was in Plymouth and the Fine Arts Resource School located in Crystal help round out the plethora of MN locations. Joe works as a AV guy at a pharmaceutical company putting out a new medication that " Makes You Better Than You Really Are" with minimal side effects, like depression, distorted vision, dizziness, dry mouth, lockjaw, heart palpitations, .............................................................................................. and possibly sudden death, 

but Makes You Better Than You Are!!

 

Movies from every state day 27-Wisconsin

 The badger is one ferocious little bugger and has been has been associated with tonights state since territorial days but became the official state animal and nickname of Wisconsin in 1957. Another of the shows I've watched several times and don't tire off is "Iron Will".  It's the "Rudy" the "Rocky" of dog sledding. During the race we'll visit Oliver and Superior Wisconsin. The story of a young man that looses his father and enters a long distance dog race to save the family farm. Will Stoneman is like the badger in that he bit into an dream and refused to let go. A great Disney movie that would have made Walt proud.