By: Alex Patt
The City of Chicago has seen numerous film production over the years. Some films have been very successful, others not so much. Which ones are the very best? I narrowed it down to my top eight films that both take place in Chicago and also reflects on the city’s vast culture.
8. Rookie of the Year (1993)
The family-friendly story of 12-year old Henry Rowengardner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) who was just an ordinary kid who had a freak accident involving him breaking his arm after slipping on a baseball. Henry’s arm injury results in an odd healing of the tendons which allows him to throw a baseball over 100 MPH. His new given gift leads him to pitch for the Chicago Cubs, in attempt to lead them to a World Series for the first time since 1908.
7. The Untouchables (1987)
The story of a federal agent named Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) who assembles a team to take down the world’s most famous mobster, Al Capone. In addition to Costner, the film stars Sean Connery, as well as Robert De Niro as Capone.
6. The Fugitive (1993)
In this thrilling action flick, Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) is accused of killing his wife even when he did not. He knows who the real killer is as he is hunted in down in the Windy City.
5. Home Alone (1990)
One of several John Hughes flicks that makes this list, the film stars eight-year old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who is accidentally left at home by his family who flies to France for Christmas vacation. While “home alone,” Kevin protects himself and his house from two burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who want to steal his family’s belongings. The film also feature’s the famous “Macaulay Culkin Scream”.
4. The Sting (1973)
Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this comedic crime drama when the friend of two con men is killed by a mob boss in 1930’s Chicago. The two con men’s mission is to even the score with the mob boss.
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Another John Hughes classic, which was filmed at old Maine North High School in Des Plaines, Illinois, tells the story of five kids who spend an entire Saturday in detention. Each kid has a different high school-stereotype personality (jock, nerd, trouble-making rebel, popular beauty queen, quiet/odd type) as they go from no interest in each other to becoming friends. Throughout the day, they avoid getting into more trouble from their principle as they ignore the “sit and don’t talk rule.
2. Ferris Bueller’s Day off (1986)
“Bueller?..Bueller?…” High School senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) ditches school and brings along two of his best friends, Sloane (Mia Sara) and Cameron (Alan Ruck) on an adventure around the city of Chicago. They go to a fancy restaurant, drive along Michigan Avenue, sing “Twist and Shout” at a downtown Chicago parade and catch a ballgame at Wrigley Field, all while they should be in class. However, the determined Principle Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) is on Bueller’s tracks and will do anything to prove he is ditching school and not home sick.
1. The Blues Brothers (1980)
“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.” This film reflects the spirit of Chicago in so many ways. From car chase scenes on Lower Wacker Drive, to Illinois Nazis showing up at Wrigley Field. The story of two musicians, Jake Blues (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) who get the old band back together in an attempt to raise money for their childhood Catholic orphanage to be saved. The film features other legendary names like James Brown, Cab Calloway and Ray Charles.
