Tag Archive for movies

The Sea in Cinema: A Brief Overview

May 8, 2013 / / No comments

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Looking at the picturesque, even cinematic ocean views from The Mansion at Ocean Edge on Cape Cod got us thinking: What are some of the most classic beach scenes in modern cinema?

There are tons to choose from, of course, so we tried to pick a few you may not think of right away … and one you definitely would think of–each and every time you set foot in the ocean.

All images courtesy of imdb.com

Quirky: The Life Aquatic – Wes Anderson’s films are the embodiment of “offbeat,” perhaps none more so than this tale of a washed-up undersea explorer searching for the shark that ate his friend. A forlorn, bearded Bill Murray steals the show as the movie’s protagonist, Steve Zissou.

Inspiring: The Karate Kid – This 1984 classic has lots of memorable moments–Wax on/wax off, “Sweep the leg!” and that ridiculous shower stall Halloween costume–but the image of young Daniel-san practicing and perfecting his crane technique on the beach remains the most iconic.

Romantic: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – There are lots of easy choices for this spot–From Here to Eternity is an obvious one. But we like Eternal Sunshine for its unique look at love and heartbreak, and memorable scenes set on the sand in wintry Montauk.

Scary: Jaws – OK, so maybe this is obvious, but come on–each one of us probably knows at least one person who no longer swims in the ocean after seeing Jaws. Set in the fictional beach town of Amity, but filmed all over Martha’s Vineyard, this movie still has teeth almost 40 years after it was released.

Category: The Big Screen / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Alaska on the Silver Screen

April 9, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Alaska is known for many things: Endless natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and the stunning midnight sun. Our current offer at Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn & Adventure Spa sums it up well: Towering jagged peaks, deep glacial lakes, lush forests.

White Fang movie poster, courtesy of imdb.com

Thing is, it’s pretty remote for those of us in the lower 48. Fortunately, Alaska’s scenic glory makes for a wonderful movie backdrop.  Here are four movies set in Alaska, just in case you want a quick visit:

Big Miracle: The film was a bit of a flop, but nevertheless, it tells the true story of a 1989 mission to rescue gray whales trapped under the ice in Point Barrow, Alaska. The movie was filmed in several Alaska locations, including Seward, Anchorage, and Barrow.

Into the Wild: Another true story, this film traces the journey of Chris McCandless, who gave away his entire savings and spent two years winding his way toward Alaska where he hopes to live a simple life in the wilderness. Much of the movie was filmed in Alaska’s Denali National Park.

White Fang: This Disney adaptation of the classic Jack London story tells the tale of a Yukon gold hunter who rescues and befriends a wolfdog. The movie was filmed in Haines and Skagway, Alaska.

Runaway Train: This classic 1985 thriller earned Academy Award nominations for lead actor Jon Voight and Eric Roberts, and follows (you guessed it) a runaway train carrying two convicts. Filming locations included Whittier Branch, Alaska.

 

 

Category: The Big Screen / Tags: , , , , , ,

Get in an Aloha State of Mind

March 21, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Aloha. It’s amazing how one simple word can transport you from the dreary Boston weather to a warm and tropical beach, where even cocktails need umbrellas to find shade from the sun. We have the Coconut Waikiki Hotel to thank for this lovely daydream, and we’re just not ready to return to the reality of an impending snowstorm.

Since we can’t hop a flight to the Aloha State anytime soon, we’re going to pretend we’re there by watching Hawaii-centric movies and drinking a piña colada (or two).  Care to join us?

Photos courtesy of Amazon.com

The Descendants: Hawaii simply steals the spotlight from George Clooney in this dramatic film. It’s true. Even George can’t hold a candle to its beauty.

50 First Dates: This is what happens when a romantic comedy meets gorgeous scenery. It’s unforgettable.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Heartbreak doesn’t stand a chance against the magnificence of Hawaii in this quirky tale of lost love.

Blue Hawaii: Elvis. Singing. Hawaii. Need we say more?

Category: The Big Screen / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

And the Award Goes to … The Santa Monica Pier!

January 10, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Blame it on the Academy for releasing their 2013 Oscar nominees earlier today. Point fingers at the buttery smell of popcorn wafting through our office. Or cast your knowing stare in the direction of two past Academy Award Winners for Best Picture: Forrest Gump and The Sting.

All of these things—as well as the Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica located only a hop, skip and a jump away—have got us thinking about the Santa Monica Pier and the movies that have put it on display.

With that in mind, we would like to tip our hat to the films that have given a nod to this iconic setting, and at the same time transported us to a different time and place. Plus, do we really believe that it’s just a coincidence that two films that featured the Pier’s historical carousel, twinkling lights and lively amusement park have won Oscars? We don’t think so.

Photos courtesy of Amazon.com

The Sting: Paul Newman. Robert Redford. Sigh, need we say more?

Forrest Gump: When the sweet-spirited Mr. Gump goes on his epic run across the country, he turns around on the Santa Monica Pier. We also happen to think this iconic setting is a real head-turner.

The Net: It may not have won any awards, but Sandra Bullock steals the show as a target of a computer conspiracy in this “cyberthriller.”

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Our Favorite Golf Movies

November 5, 2012 / / Comments Off

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Photo courtesy of comcast.com

While writing up the sale for the fabulous Pinehurst Resort, which boasts a rich golfing history, it was difficult to resist making references to classic golfing cinema. After all, golf is a gentleperson’s game, rife with tradition and class. It has its own clapping style for crying out loud—a polite, reserved version of the raucous applause more typical of a hockey game.

That said …

There are too many good golf movies not to share. Here are a few of our favorites—not all of which poke fun at the game.

Caddyshack – The original golf comedy takes aim at upper crust stuffiness with countless famous scenes that can’t be mentioned here (this is a PG-13 blog). And it teaches us a useful lesson: The cute rodent always wins (see: Ratatouille).

Tin Cup – If Kevin Costner isn’t your thing, please move along. However, the story of a reluctant (and often inebriated) golf pro reaching the U.S. Open final is both humorous and heartwarming, in its own way.

Happy Gilmore – Adam Sandler’s slapstick comedy about a slap shot-wielding hockey player-turned golfer is famous for its famous fist fight between Sandler and Bob Barker. The movie also featured a cameo from golf legend Lee Trevino.

The Legend of Bagger Vance – A mystical caddy. Southern accents. Lots of golfing action. Throw in Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, and Will Smith and you have yourself a pretty darn good golfin’ film!

Category: The Big Screen / Tags: , , , , , , , ,
 
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