Our wonderful island is a vacation spot for many Hollywood actors. Over the years, we’ve seen Will Smith (“I am Legend”), Brad Pitt (“Ocean’s Eleven”) and, of course, two years ago we hosted George Clooney (all three are kind, humble
Our wonderful island is a vacation spot for many Hollywood actors. Over the years, we’ve seen Will Smith (“I am Legend”), Brad Pitt (“Ocean’s Eleven”) and, of course, two years ago we hosted George Clooney (all three are kind, humble men and respectful of locals). Before these Oscar-winning (or nominated) humantarian mega-stars came to Kaua‘i, we had a little 1990s movie, “Honeymoon in Vegas.” It was a semi-cheesy classic that starred Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage (“Leaving Las Vegas”), James Caan (Oscar-nominated character Sonny from “The Godfather”) and, yet to be known for the hit series and movies “Sex in the City,” Sara Jessica Parker.
While in Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage loses his fiance Parker to James Caan in a card game. This starts out great — date-comedy-chase movie were Cage must win back his bride. Caan takes her to Kaua‘i. We see the Westin (now the Marriott), the old Kaua‘i Police Department before it resembled the Hyatt, and the classic scene with Nicolas Cage trying to prounce Kapa‘a.
The movie itself, you must take for what it is: fun, laughs and over-the-top hijinks. There are even flying Elvises. One truly special thing is that in the Kaua‘i scenes, we see aspects of the island that don’t exist anymore due to development. This movie, like last week’s “From Here to Eternity,” is a special time-capsule view into what Hawai‘i, Oah’u and Kaua’i once were.
The movie has a great central theme about appreciating who we are and what we have. I mean, how many guys gamble their fiance away? Ok, don’t answer. I believe this movie is still at Lihu‘e Blockbuster, which has a great Hawai‘i DVD section.As Kaua‘i movie-lovers, we must see Hawai‘i films, especially as the islands change. There are a lot of gems like “South Pacific,” “Wackiest Ship in the Army” and cornballs like “Throw Momma from the Train” and “Tropic Thunder” (althought Robert Donwey Jr. was worth it). To date, the best Hawai‘i-made movie is “The Descendants;” I hope it wins best picture, because Kaua‘i deserves it.
If you have a movie suggestion, email me at pkb_1@hotail.com. Take the time to enjoy these movies, respect Kaua‘i and keep it alive. Aloha and Happy Holidays, whichever Holiday is your choice. Peace to all.
