• From Here to Eternity • South Pacific • Raiders of the Lost Ark • Jurassic Park • Pearl Harbor • Punch Drunk Love With “the” red carpet gala of the year officially behind us, filmmakers around the world are busy churning out
• From Here to Eternity • South Pacific • Raiders of the Lost Ark • Jurassic Park • Pearl Harbor • Punch Drunk Love
With “the” red carpet gala of the year officially behind us, filmmakers around the world are busy churning out their next Oscar-worthy production in hopes of winning the prize of all prizes in the world of cinema. Prior to the award-winning (Best Adapted Screenplay) “The Descendants,” Hawai‘i certainly had its share of silver screen praise from these movies filmed on the islands:
“From Here to Eternity”
This drama is about a career soldier’s mistreatment from superior officers and a forbidden love affair between the superior and the wife of another officer. Set in 1941 and filmed at Schofield Army Barracks on O‘ahu, this film won eight out of 13 Academy Award nominations. The movie’s wins included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
“South Pacific”
Filmed on Kaua‘i in 1958, this romantic story based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical of the same name, the movie centers on a young nurse and an older French plantation owner and the war that tests their love. “South Pacific” was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning in the Best Sound category.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
In this action adventure gem, archaeologist Indiana Jones sets out to find the Ark of the Covenant. Produced by George Lucas, directed by Steven Spielberg, and partially filmed in Kaua‘i, this 1981 picture won five Academy Awards including Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects.
“Jurassic Park”
In the film that made dinosaurs cool and was shot partially on Kaua‘i, Steven Spielberg gives us another box office hit about a new live dinosaur theme park gone wrong. Released in 1993, this movie won three Oscars for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects, and Best Visual Effects.
“Pearl Harbor”
From Hollywood bad boy Michael Bay comes the epic war story of the attack on Pear Harbor and how best friends and the woman they both love deal with the battle. Nominated for four Academy Awards, this 2001 movie starring Ben Affleck won for Best Sound Editing.
“Punch Drunk Love”
From writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson, this film received one of the most coveted awards in Hollywood history. Anderson took home the Best Director Award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Partially filmed on O‘ahu, this quirky love story about a humdrum business owner and his romantic journey of the heart won awards from many critics associations.
The past has obviously paved the way for the future, and the presence of Hollywood in Hawai‘i can only flourish.
