50 states, 50 movies that define them

We're coming up on our country's midterm elections, and no matter what side of the aisle you confess your allegiance to, we can all agree on one thing: Movies are awesome! So, in honor of our fine, upstanding union, and the people that populate it, we're gathering together a list of movies that define each state. Some of these movies are intricately entwined with the states they represent and others feature much of the state's scenic beauty because most of the filming took place there. Whatever the reason they were chosen, we find that American cinema is intrinsically connected to each and every state we live in.

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Alabama -- To Kill a Mockingbird

Alabama is the setting for one of Harper Lee's famous novels and also for Robert Mulligan's ever-memorable movie. Alabama can be proud that it was home to one of the most beloved and celebrated protagonists in movie history, one Atticus Finch.

Alaska -- Insomnia

Alaska was the perfect setting for Chris Nolan's Insomnia. I've never been there, but someday I'd love to witness days without darkness. The endless days worked against Insomnia's sleep-deprived Will Dormer. While searching for a sadistic killer, Dormer couldn't get to sleep. The light pierced not only his eyes, but his brain, leading to hallucinations and madness. Alaska is a beautiful place, but suffice it to say if you're hunting down a killer, you best bring some heavy sleeping pills and an eye mask.

Arizona -- Raising Arizona

The Coen brothers direct a hilarious romp that notably features much of the state of Arizona (plus its name is in the title). I'm not saying that Arizona is full of kidnapping felons that steal babies and pass them off as their own, but Raising Arizona is tied to its state in name and place. You also get a good view of the grand deserts that stretch across Arizona.

Arkansas -- Sling Blade

Sling Blade, starring Billy Bob Thornton as Karl Childers, was set and filmed completely in Arkansas. Karl is a mentally impaired man who lives in rural Arkansas. Sling Blade is also directed by Thornton, and he does a great job of taking in the surrounding rural Arkansas area with every shot.

California -- Mulholland Drive

I guess we had to pick Mulholland Drive to represent California after the LA Film Critics Association singled it out as the best film of the last decade. This is one of those movies that I know I'm supposed to love, but I just can't get there. However, when the assorted film critics of California agree that a movie set in California is the best movie of the past 10 years, then it's a shoo-in that that movie finds itself representing the state.

Colorado -- Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

This one is a stretch, but stick with me. Jimmy "The Saint" Tosnia (Andy Garcia) has retired from his gangster life to live in Denver. I guess this speaks highly of Denver, as it could be used as a place where an ex-Mafia guy can go get some rest and relaxation.

Connecticut -- A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Hank Martin (Bing Crosby) is a Connecticut man who is knocked out and when he comes to he finds himself in medieval times. I had to go with name association here; Connecticut was a tough one to think up a movie for.

Delaware -- Wayne's World

"Imagine being magically whisked away to Delaware." Sorry, Delaware, whenever I think of Delaware I only think of Wayne and Garth on their public access show.

District of Columbia -- Casino Jack and the United States of Money

Speaking of midterm elections, is there another movie out there that sheds more light on the backroom dealings of Washington D.C. than Alex Gibney's Casino Jack and the United States of Money? I saw this at Sundance, and it still gets me angry. Without starting an endless political debate, I think we can all agree that the way money bought power, positions, and politicians is reprehensible.

Florida -- Recount

Come on, how could we forget all those hanging chads and the way Florida swung the history of America into the favor of George Bush? There are plenty of films out there that deal with the serene beauty of this tropical state, but if we're going for a movie that defines what kind of impact Flordia has had, it has to be Recount. Packed with stars, Recount tells the story of how the history of our nation came down to one state and a room full of people manually counting votes. It may seem tedious when you're thinking about tropical, bikini-clad Florida, but it's the only movie that really gets to the heart of Florida's most recent impact on our nation.

Georgia -- Gone With the Wind

This one was a no-brainer. One of the most beloved films of all time and number six on the AFI greatest movies list, Gone With the Wind had to be picked for Georgia. In 1939 this classic told the love story of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara juxtaposed with the Civil War and Georgia's secession from the Union. Gone With the Wind not only tells the history of a tumultuous time for our nation, it's made history as one of cinema's most revered films. Georgia should be proud to be represented by such a prestigious and historic film.

Hawaii -- Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I struggled picking a film that accurately reflects and depicts the state of Hawaii. There's Elvis' Blue Hawaii, which is a classic in every sense of the word, but it just didn't do it for me with this list. There's Blue Crush, which featured the surfing culture of the state, but that seemed too narrow-minded. I finally settled on Forgetting Sarah Marshall, because not only does it show some of Hawaii's spectacular tropical sights, it also paints Hawaii as an escape. Most people, including myself, have vacationed in Hawaii. Forgetting Sarah Marshall gives us a glimpse of what we can expect if we head off to Hawaii for vacation, and it also features Turtle Bay, one of Hawaii's most prominent and famous hotels.

Idaho -- Napoleon Dynamite

Let me get this out there: I loathe the movie Napoleon Dynamite, but it put Idaho on the map in regards to movies being filmed there. After Sundance, the story about a goofy teenager living in Preston, Idaho, exploded and made more money than most of us will see in a lifetime. Given its paltry budget, the movie was a huge box-office success. Maybe Idahoans don't want to be known as the state that fathered the gangly red-haired, tetherball-loving dork, but too bad. It will have to do until an inspiring movie is made about the Boise State football team and how they overcame all the odds to play for a national championship in the rigged BCS system. I can see it now: Bringing Down the BCS: A Boise State Story. Until then you're stuck with Napoleon and Pedro.

Illinois -- The Fugitive & Ferris Bueller's Day Off

One thing that's always bothered me about The Fugitive is when Tommy Lee Jones' character says, "You must have ears like an eagle," when he's responding to his fellow U.S. Marshal who was able to tell the difference between the sound of a regular train and the sound of an elevated train. Ears like an eagle? Really? Well, besides providing us with some humorous dialogue, The Fugitive featured Illinois, Chicago specifically, as Harrison Ford ran for his life trying to find the one-armed man.

Another movie that features the sights and sounds of Chicago is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I would be remiss if I didn't include Ferris' day of high school debauchery on this list when we're talking about Illinois. One of the great teen movies of the '80s, it remains one of the most beloved comedies and the entire thing took place in the Windy City. Kind of weird how both these movies depict someone on the run from the authorities, but we'll chalk that up to the fact that there's just a lot to see and do in Chicago -- you've got to hurry up or you'll miss it.

Indiana -- Hoosiers

Basketball is life in Indiana and in the '50s, when Hoosiers takes place, the entire state and its high school teams competed in a statewide basketball tournament. If there was ever a time where basketball completely took over an entire state this is it. The story about Milan High School reaching and winning the championship is one of the most memorable sports films ever made. It's hard not to think of Indiana without thinking about Hoosiers.

Iowa -- Field of Dreams

Ray Kinsella carved out a baseball field in his Iowa cornfield because of a voice he heard in a dream. Ever since then Field of Dreams and its story about baseball's greatest heroes gathering in a lonely cornfield has been embedded into the state of Iowa and its history.

Kansas -- The Wizard of Oz

"We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto." One of the most famous lines in all of cinema has to do with this state. Poor Dorothy is transported from Kansas to the land of Oz through a tornado. The Wizard of Oz also drew attention to how dangerous it can be to live in the tornado-torn state of Kansas.

Kentucky -- Secretariat

Think about Kentucky and the first thing that pops into my head is horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. The greatest race horse tracks have ever seen is tied to Kentucky with his unbroken record at the Kentucky Derby. Also, much of the film was shot in Kentucky.

Louisiana -- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

Post-Katrina, New Orleans is still under water and trying to rebuild. In Warner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant, Nic Cage is on the verge of complete insanity as he tries to walk the fine line of good cop/bad cop. Not only is Bad Lieutenant a superb movie, and one of Cage's finest acting performances, it also features a Louisiana reeling after the worst natural disaster in our nation's history. While I'm sure Louisianans don't want to be remembered only for Katrina, it's still hard for the rest of us to forget just how bad it was and how long it will take for the ever-resilient folks of New Orleans to build it back up.

Maine -- Lake Placid

Seriously, how could I not pick Lake Placid to represent the lovely state of Maine on this list? I failed to find a rousing documentary on clam chowder, so a movie about a gigantic crocodile, fed cows by an insane Betty White, had to do. Thank heavens the lake the crocodile terrorizes, Black Lake, is a fictional lake. Nevertheless, the movie is set in Maine, leaving us to wonder, how does a crocodile live in such frigid temperatures? Oh, who cares, it tears people limb from limb and even attacks a helicopter at one point. I'm sure Maine is proud of its rambunctious reptilian friend and its penchant for devouring everything in sight.

Maryland -- The Blair Witch Project

Can we blame the shaky-cam epidemic on The Blair Witch Project? The Blair Witch Project was thrust into the spotlight as one of those "you have to see this" movies. The faux-documentary style hasn't gone away, so it seems like Blair Witch has influenced cinema as the years have passed. The famed Blair Witch is located in Burkittsville, Maryland, and that's where our ambitious filmmakers head in order to make their movie. Congratulations, Maryland, you're known for harboring a ghost story that has routinely scared millions of Americans over the years.

Massachusetts -- The Town

Ben Affleck has made it a point to feature Boston boldly in his movies. He did it with Gone Baby Gone and Good Will Hunting. This year, with The Town, he tore up the streets of Boston as we watched him and his band of bank robbers go on a spree of terror. We also discovered a little secret: This tiny town in Boston is known for producing the most bank robbers in the world. While this isn't the most reputable claim to fame, it is still pretty cool. Not to mention Fenway Park, what amounts to a holy shrine for most Bostonians, is featured prominently in the plot of the film.

Michigan -- Up in the Air

Michigan and the automotive industry have been hit hard during these tough financial times. Not that Up in the Air features Michigan prominently, but the overall tone of the show reflects what's happened all over the state. People got laid off by the thousands, and sad saps like Ryan Bingham probably had to do much of the firing. Up in the Air isn't just a movie that shows the overall state of what's happening to jobs in our nation, but it gives us a glimpse of how tough it must be to live in Michigan at a time like this.

Minnesota -- The Mighty Ducks

Out of all the pairings on this list, this is probably my favorite. No one in America takes hockey as seriously as Minnesotans, and no movie features hockey and Minnesota more prominently than The Mighty Ducks. Gordon Bombay and his rag-tag band of misfits overcome all odds, fly together, and become Pee Wee League champions. Minnesota, be proud of your Mighty Ducks heritage. Even though all the kids have moved on in their acting careers, we can always look back and realize that, no matter how many times we revisit this movie, somehow it never gets old.

Mississippi -- Mississippi Burning

It's true, many of the southern states in our list are associated with racial injustices that occurred there during the Civil Rights movement. This isn't a knock on the states as they are today, but we'd be remiss if we didn't remember the trials and struggles during that time. Loosely based on the murder investigation of three civil-rights workers, Mississippi Burning stars Willem Dafoe and Gene Hackman as the investigating FBI agents. Dafoe's character isn't well-versed in the ways of the South, whereas Hackman's character knows how racial relations work there. They are met with hostility and by hooded members of the KKK. It's a terrible history, but films like this make sure we don't repeat the past.

Missouri -- Winter's Bone

One of the best films to come out of this year's Sundance Film Festival features the cold, barren woodlands of Missouri as a backdrop to a world of unimaginable violence and an almost completely male-dominated society. As Ree Dolly walks through the leafless forests in her hat and coat we are given a glimpse of some of Missouri's most bleak, yet beautiful, landscapes.

Montana -- Legends of the Fall

Col. William Ludlow retires to the farthest reaches of wild Montana with his family and friends. So many of the movies on this list are mentioned for the sole fact that the movie gives us amazing glimpses of the scenery in that state. This movie is no different. Although the movie was filmed in Canada, the wilderness of both places is almost identical and just as awe-inspiring.

Nebraska -- Children of the Corn

Have you ever taken one of those cross-country trips? Have you ever driven through Nebraska? No wonder they have a college with "husk" in their name. The only sight you see when you're driving through Nebraska is corn, corn, and more corn. As far as the eye can see, it's just corn. I would like to thank Nebraska for growing a lot of our food supply, but when I think of Nebraska and movies together, I think of Children of the Corn. According to IMDb, from 1984 to 2001 there have been seven Children of the Corn movies and they've all been set and filmed in Nebraska. Sorry, Nebraska, but those giant fields of corn are inherently scary. Imagine how many wayward children are hiding in those vast fields just ready to pounce on the next lone voyager passing through.

Nevada -- Casino & The Hangover

Between Casino and The Hangover I couldn't decide which one truly defines Nevada as a state. Let's not kid ourselves, Nevada is bigger than just Las Vegas, but The Strip is what makes the state unique. Casino is more or less the origins of how The Strip as we know it today got started, with more help from the Mafia than Las Vegas would like to admit. Knowing how Las Vegas grew into what it is today is only half of what makes Vegas America's Playground.

We need to know what it's like today; enter The Hangover. Remember back in the late '90s when Las Vegas tried to reinvent itself into a "family town"? Roller coasters popped up at every casino as the gambling empire tried to lure parents and their children to its oasis of fortune. The fact is, Las Vegas was never a family town, and it's just now realized that. "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," is now the motto, and The Strip has finally embraced once again the fact that it's a place for adults to play. The Hangover represents everything that can happen in one night in Las Vegas if there's enough alcohol (and roofies) involved.

New Hampshire -- What About Bob?

New Hampshire is one of those places that doesn't get much notoriety when it comes to movies. So I guess it's fitting that even though Bill Murray's hilarious comedy What About Bob? was supposed to be set in Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, it was actually filmed in Virginia. Not one piece of filming took place at the real Lake Winnipesaukee, but New Hampshire has the honor of being associated with one of Bill Murray's greatest comedic performances.

New Jersey -- Snake Eyes & Garden State

I'll admit, I got stumped every now and then while making this list. I kindly asked Film.com's intrepid editor Laremy Legel for some help. He put down a lot of great suggestions for a few of the states I was missing. He also put down some suggestions for states I had already made picks for. New Jersey was one of those states. I had already picked Snake Eyes starring Nic Cage, because I thought that it was a fun movie that portrayed Atlantic City with a seedy charm. You need a movie that represents Atlantic City in order to talk about New Jersey. If we were talking TV I think we'd just use The Sopranos and be done with it. What totally slipped my mind was the Zach Braff movie Garden State, which is actually named after the state in question. A miss on my part, but I'm grateful to have an editor that's on top of things. So New Jersey, like Nevada, gets two movies to represent just how awesome it really is.

New Mexico -- Independence Day

Sorry, New Mexico, you'll always be famous for the Roswell crash that thrust the idea of aliens into the mainstream. Is it true or not? We'll never know, but we do know that movies like Independence Day wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't been for Roswell and the conspiracy surrounding it. Even the movie purports that the alien space craft that Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum fly is the exact one that was found at the Roswell crash site. New Mexico will always be remembered for its history of Little Green Men, and that's that.

New York -- Wall Street

Wall Street is the epicenter of New York, and the cause of much controversy over the past few years. Oliver Stone's character Gordon Gekko is the perfect representation of how we picture Wall Street fat cats. He's conniving, greedy, and will stop at nothing to get richer and richer. Wall Street thrusts us into the cutthroat world of stock trading and how much of what we do in our everyday lives is run in one way or another by people on Wall Street.

North Carolina -- A Walk to Remember

I could have picked any Nicolas Sparks movie for this spot, because North Carolina has the dubious distinction of being the place where romance author Nicolas Sparks was born. Many of his stories are set in North Carolina. Depending on how you look at it, this is either a good or bad thing for the state. Sparks' rant comparing himself to Shakespeare didn't help his cause much, but whenever I hear about North Carolina I will instantly think of his tear-filled, star-crossed love story where Mandy Moore is our generation's Juliet.

North Dakota -- Fargo

Does North Dakota want to be associated with a movie that is famous for stuffing a man into a wood chipper? Well, they have no choice, because this is one of those movie association givens. It has to be Fargo, right? Although much of the movie was actually filmed in Minnesota, the vast frigid snow scenes were filmed in Fargo. If that isn't representative of one of our coldest states, then I don't know what is.

Ohio -- Major League

What better way to represent a state with the most disappointing sport outcomes than with a movie about one of the most down-in-the-dumps movie baseball teams out there? Not to mention in the film they are actually the Cleveland Indians. Who would have thought that Charlie Sheen and his brother Emilio would star in three films on this list?

Oklahoma -- Oklahoma!

Oh, the classic Roger and Hammerstien's play turned movie, Oklahoma!. There's no other movie out there that could have represented this state. Around the turn of the century people are moving west and claiming land. Oklahoma! is a fun tale about life and love in Oklahoma as the state was just starting out.

Oregon -- The Goonies

If you're visiting Oregon it's an absolute must that you visit Astoria and see where The Goonies was filmed. Sure, most of the film takes place under Oregon's surface, but the two are linked forever now. The movie features many of the wonders that make Oregon such a beautiful place to visit: lush green forests, coastline roads, and steep cliffs plunging into the ocean. Sidenote: Is it just me or is it trippy to see Josh Brolin that young?

Pennsylvania -- Rocky

One of the most iconic film characters in the history of cinema has his own statue honoring him in downtown Philadelphia. Rocky grew up on the streets of Philly and has always been synonymous with the city and state. I couldn't think of any movie that better represented Pennsylvania than that of Rocky. Period.

Rhode Island -- Dumb and Dumber

This would be an easy one if we were talking about TV shows -- I'd say Family Guy and be done with it, but this is movies we're talking about. This film was shot on location, in Providence, and featured a pair of fellas who had no money or job prospects. Also, their pet's heads were falling off.

South Carolina -- The Patriot

The Patriot was filmed almost entirely on location in South Carolina. Taking place during the American Revolution, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) is forced into the war after Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs) kills his son. According to Roland Emmerich's film Benjamin Martin is the person who turned the tide of the war and taught our troops to fight guerilla style as opposed to the British way of standing and dying in an open field.

South Dakota -- North by Northwest

One of the greatest thrillers of all time coupled with one of the best directors of all time equaled one of the most memorable cinematic climaxes of all time. How could we ever forget Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint hanging perilously off the face of Mount Rushmore? One of my favorite movie posters for North by Northwest has Alfred Hitchcock's profile added to the famous men on the mountain, right next to Abraham Lincoln. If there were a cinematic Mount Rushmore, he'd be one of the first to be included.

Tennessee -- Get Low

There are only a few states that come to mind when I hear of a hermit living in the backwoods, and Tennessee is one of them. Sure, it's got Nashville and Elvis -- heck, I could have picked any Elvis movie to put here just because Tennessee is famous for Graceland. Still, Get Low is a perfect example of backwoods living, and a great film at that. Another film that comes to mind when thinking of the awe-inspiring wilderness that surrounds Tennessee is the relatively new film with Hal Holbrook, That Evening Sun, which features some stunning shots of Tennessee's mountains, hills, and fields.

Texas -- There Will Be Blood

Oil! It's what Texas is built on and There Will Be Blood tells the story of how oil exploration began here in our country. Daniel Plainview is a ruthless oil tycoon who will stop at nothing to create the largest oil empire, which is how I picture most oil tycoons. Not only was a lot of the movie filmed on location in Marfa, Texas, but the movie's plot is intricately woven into the fabric of Texas' oil exploration past and its oil production future.

Utah -- The Sandlot

I'm a native Utahan. I've lived here all my life and regularly drive by Vincent's Drug Store in Midvale, Utah. I'm proud that The Sandlot was filmed almost exclusively in this state. Not that Utah has much to do with baseball, but it's an iconic movie for Utahans as you can drive around the state pointing out places where the movie was filmed. It helps that The Sandlot is one of the best kid-oriented sports movies out there, and one of those movies that pretty much everyone holds in high regard.

Vermont -- State and Main

State and Main is one of my all-time favorite comedies. When a Hollywood production moves into a small Vermont town the simple country folk are bombarded by big stars and big egos. I don't know too much about Vermont, but when I picture it I picture quaint little antiquing towns, bed and breakfasts, and comfortable diners where everyone knows everyone.

Virginia -- Remember the Titans

Even though most all of the film was shot in Georgia, Remember the Titans is set in Virginia, dealing with the racial strife that surrounded the Civil Rights movement. T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, brings on a black coach in hopes of guiding their team to victory. The team deals with bonding issues as race becomes the underlying issue of what coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) is really trying to fix.

Washington -- Sleepless in Seattle

With Washington's most famous and populated city named in the title, the rom-com starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is the one that came to mind when thinking of a movie to represent this state. I was actually stumped here; this was one that Laremy helped out with, and when he suggested it I gave myself a good face palm -- duh! Sleepless in Seattle not only shows us the sights of Seattle and Washington, it also lets us in on the corny love stories that could be taking place there right now.

West Virginia -- October Sky

October Sky is based on the true story of the Hickam family who live in Coalwood, West Virginia. While most of the movie was actually shot in Tennessee, this is one of those stories that define an area and its people. Homer Hickam doesn't want to work in the mines with his father; he wants to build rockets after seeing Sputnik take off. Against all odds a miner's son becomes a rocket scientist. Oh, and just like every true story of this nature, the rift between father and son slowly closes as the father accepts his son's true wishes. Tender.

Wisconsin -- Mr. 3000

Stan Ross, played by Bernie Mac, played for the Milwaukee Brewers and then retired after he got his 3,000th hit. In true situational comedy fashion, Ross finds out that he's actually three hits short of 3,000 and has to put the uniform back on if he's going to get to 3,000. Focusing on the Brewer organization, the film also contains some great shots of Miller Park that any Brewer's fan would love.

Wyoming -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Richard Dreyfuss constructed a mountain out of mashed potatoes. That mountain is located in Wyoming, and parts of the movie containing that mountain were filmed there. Dreyfuss sculpting his mashed potato mountain is one of those scenes that just sticks with you after you've seen it.

The collective states of our union hold some wondrous wilderness and cities that we discover every time we watch a new movie. Movies have been set and filmed all over this nation, and working through this list gave me more appreciation for the country we live in and how the films we watch portray it.

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