27 Jan Lights, Camera, Long Island!
With the Academy Awards announced this week, it’s film awards season and now is the time to catch up on all the films that are nominated for this year’s awards. La La Land has garnered the most nominations tying the all-time record with Titanic and All About Eve. The film musical takes place throughout iconic areas in the city of angels.
Films often spark an interesting connection with us, especially when we recognize the locations in which they were shot. The locations are a canvas to the broad strokes of the plot. Whether it is a street you’ve walked on in Manhattan, a beach on Long Island or even a vineyard on Long Island’s East End it’s always a great feeling to say, I’ve been there, I’m familiar with that place and I want to go back.
We of course believe that Long Island should win an award for one of the best locations to film a movie. Here are some memorable movies that were filmed on our beloved Long Island.
Annie Hall
A Woody Allen classic where there director himself stars alongside Diane Keaton. Allen plays a neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer who falls in love with the spacy Annie Hall played by Keaton. Parts of this film were shot in the Hamptons. The film,which Woody Allen wrote, directed and starred in, won at the 1978 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, Actress (Keaton) and Original Screenplay.
Citizen Kane
In 1941, Orson Welles’s first feature film, Citizen Kane was released. The film is a mystery-drama and is considered by many fans as a must-see classic. It was nominated for 9 Academy Awards back in 1942 and walked away with the award for Best Original Screenplay. Oheka Estate in Huntington was used for exterior shots for Kane’s estate, Xanadu.
The Godfather
An instant gangster classic, Francis Ford Coppola released The Godfather in 1972. Soon everyone knew who the Corleone family was and the film went on to win Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay. Several scenes from this masterpiece were shot throughout Long Island including scenes shot in Garden City and Sands Point Reserve.
Pollock
Released in 2000, the independent film only created a dent at the box office but it gained momentum and attention by awards season. It earned Ed Harris a Best Actor nomination for portraying the artist and won Marcia Gay Harden a Best Supporting Actress award for her performance as Pollock’s wife.
The Wolf of Wall Street
An American biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. Adapted from the book by Jordon Belfort, the film follows his journey as a rising stock broker who gets involved in penny-stock scams.The film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Actor (DiCaprio) and Supporting Actor. Although the film didn’t walk away with any statues. Several scenes from the movie were shot throughout Long Island, including: Oyster Bay, Wayville, Mill Hill Farm and Wainscott.
Still Alice
In 2015, Julianne Moore walked away with the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Alice…., a college professor who comes to terms with being diagnosed with Alzheimers. Specific scenes from the film were shot in Lido Beach.
The list could go on because more films have been filmed and continue to be filmed on Long Island. We look forward to seeing our favorite locations on the big screen.
On Sunday, February 26th we will learn who will walk away with an Oscar this year from the wonderful list of nominees. To view the entire list Oscar.go.com.
If you’re looking for a theater to catch up on the latest films before the big night, here is a listing of local theaters on the East End:
East Hampton Cinema 6 – UA
30 Main St., East Hampton NY 11937 Tel 631-324-0598
Greenport Village Cinema
211 Front St., Greenport NY 11944 Tel 631-477-8600
(Open Seasonally)
Hampton Bays 5 – UA
119 West Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays NY 11946 Tel 631-728-8535
Mattituck 8
10095 Main Rd., Mattituck NY 11952 Rt 25, Tel 631-298-7469
Southampton 4 Theatres – Regal UA
43 Hill St., Southampton NY 11968 Tel 631-287-6235
Westhampton Beach Hampton Arts Cinemas
2 Brook Rd., Westhampton Beach NY 11978 Tel 631-288-2602