Are you a movie fan? You likely would want to know about one of the world's most famous film cities- Chicago. When the new film, Masterful Widows (Steve McQueen), was released not long ago, many film enthusiasts got thinking about Chicago's long movie history. Most people know about famous names like Steve James and John Hughes- these are the people who have made Chicago cinematically famous. Undoubtedly many popular films that have gone on to achieve success have used Chicago's resources to the full. So, which are some of the most well-known movie locations in Chicago?
Widows (2018)
One of the most recent movies on this list is Widows (in photo), shot in 2018. This is another one of Steve McQueen's masterful thrillers. The film stars Collin Farrell, Liam Neeson and Viola Davis. Widows has been described as a particularly insightful Chicago politics production. The film director fully uses the city with a runaway physical beauty right from the opening to the final scenes.
About Last Night (1986)
The 1980s mostly underrated comedy, About Last Night is primarily based on Sexual Perversity, a brilliant play by David Mamet. It doesn't come short of the source materials' titular setting as well. This production was literally filmed all over the city. It features stars like Jim Belushi, Rob Lowe, Elizabeth Perkins and Demi Moore. If you'd like to know how life was like in the mid 1980's for anyone who was single and ";sexual";, the film is a must watch.
Backdraft (1991)
The great firefighter thriller by Rowan Howard that starred William Baldwin and Kurt Russel is today a primary part of Chicago's folklore. As such, the Brighton Park firehouse that appears many times in the film later converted into an iconic restaurant known as the Chicago Firehouse. It eventually became a mayoral favourite that hosted a US President. The restaurant was burnt in 2014 but later reopened. The film Backdraft took full advantage of Chicago's prominence; scenes were shot all over the city, beginning from Chinatown all the way to the Uptown Theatre.
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Some have wondered whether the Blue Brothers can be classified as the ultimate Chicago movie. Undoubtedly, it ranks among the top 3 contenders. This is another film- a comedy hit- that was shot all over the town. Yes, the movie was shot everywhere- from the Pilgrim Baptist Church to the downtown areas where the climax takes place. Do you remember where the Sweet Home Chicago was recorded? Obviously, it goes without saying.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
Many 1980s movies were filmed in Toronto. Just think about Chris Columbus' favourite 1980's productions like Climax; in this movie, Elizabeth Shue's hellish night of babysitting ends on top of the Crain Communications famous building as she slides down the iconic roof near Michigan avenue. Indeed, this is a nostalgic film that brings back the memories of the city's film accolades.
Home Alone (1990)
Home alone is one movie that closely identifies with the Chicago suburbs. It has been described as a massive holiday hit- the kind that made Macaulay Culkin a household name. The movie was mostly shot in the Winnetka area, which neighbours the Northbrook suburb where John Hughes himself was raised. The movie Home Alone particularly captures how the northern suburbs looked; it takes the audience on a quick trip to the Oak Park Church area. This is- certainly-one nostalgic film about Chicago.
Cooley High (1975)
Years before Michael Schultz, John Hughes captured how life was like in the mid-1970s for teenagers in this epic movie. This was another film shot all over Chicago city. Eric Monte, the scriptwriter wanted to relate a more human story depicting how life was for the kids of that era. He also describes his time while learning at the Cooley Vocational School. The film vividly captures the events of the 1970s Chicago. It also features shots of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Navy Pier.
Candyman (1992)
And next comes Candyman. You probably know that few films of the 1980s era have survived in the mould of Candyman. This is one film that's ever evergreen in terms of its analysis of the usual racial conflicts in Chicago and its urban legends. The film is a veritable historical document, so much that the filmmakers themselves would be surprised. Of course, Candyman tells more about Chicago's ever-widening racial divide than anyone ever imagined. However, the film is generally categorized as a great horror movie that has more significance than many other films. Do you love Chicago? Then Candyman has much meaning for many.