Where We Live: Connecticut As The New Hollywood!
A look at the top ten movies filmed in Connecticut
There’s a big policy dispute over what real economic benefit comes from Connecticut’s film tax credit. Reports from Connecticut Voices for Children say that only a very small percentage of the millions given out in tax credits ever gets spent in the state. But advocates for the credits say they’ve spawned a burgeoning industry that’s brought TV shows and film crews, large and small, from around the country.
But, that dispute seems to evaporate when Bob DeNiro comes to town.
And not just DeNiro…but Julia Roberts, Harrison Ford, Leo DeCaprio, Kate Winslet and Tom Cruise. Yes, even though we’re used to having movie stars actually live among us in many parts of the state, we still get a thrill thinking about a big Hollywood production coming to our town.
The fact is, movies do get made in Connecticut. Not so much because of Government policy, but because of our perception as Manhattan’s back yard…a place that almost perfectly represents suburban life…provides a stunning fall backdrop…and can easily transform into colonial-era New England, with little more than the donning of a few powdered wigs.
So today, where we live, we’re going to look at some of the best movies ever made in Connecticut. Who better to take us on the cinematic tour than Hank Paper, movie guru and owner of Best Video in Hamden.
We’ll hear Hank’s top 10 picks for films from where we live…I’ll share some of my least favorites, and we want to hear from you:
What are your favorite Connecticut movies? Did you get to play a bit part? Pop some popcorn, and join the conversation
Hank Paper's Top Ten Movies filmed in CT:
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Movies Filmed In Ct.
Jacknife was an amazing forgotten piece of filmwork.I can't believe it wasn't even acknowledged at oscar time either.But the one movie filmed in Ct that I was shocked not to see on here,was Mystic Pizza.It starred a bunch of unkowns at the time,who became popular Julia Roberts,Annabeth Gish,Vincent D'Onofrio,Lilly Taylor,Conchata Ferrell,Adam Storke,William R. Moses,and a little cameo by a very young looking Matt Damon.
The portrayal of CT on film
My 2 cents: I thought that FAR FROM HEAVEN with Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid offered a riviting portrait of a certain Connecticut, one that corresponds the model put forth on the program this morning. Suburbia. Outer layers of an onion that disguise inner drama. A controlled tension between the external and internal. Rolling hills and autumnal landscape. Julianne Moore does an excellent job in this film of capturing this tension.
The Inscrutable Americans was
The Inscrutable Americans was an Indian film shot in CT—mostly on the University of Hartford campus. The film was released in India back in 2000 but, never came to the United States. http://www.hartford.edu/NewsEvents/ObserverPast/ObserverMarch00/CampusNe...
CT doesn't fit the action genre
CT is one of the few states that does not match up with any of the popular action-subgenres for U.S. films: Westerns, big-city-cops, border security, etc. This is also a factor in keeping most films set in CT in the "family dysfunction" category.
Movie Crews in CT
Next time you cover a movie shot in Connecticut, poll the crew to see how many live in CT. As a member of IATSE, I am yet to get a single call or call back from any production shot here. Maybe the state incentive program should take a closer look at who their hiring and start insisting that they hire more locals. It's hard to get excited about the filming as long as they exclude Connecticut hiring in favor of New York and Los Angeles crew members.
movies made in ct
i think the 1960's movie 'parrish' was filmed in/around west hartford (prospect ave, possibly the genras house?) and windsor. the movie was about the teenage son of a big tobacco family.
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