Houston: Where Hollywood Meets the Bayou City (and Sometimes Pretends To)
Ah, Houston. The land of sprawling freeways, delicious barbecue, and... surprising amounts of movie magic! You might not think of H-Town as a filming hotspot, but those shiny skyscrapers and iconic landmarks have graced the silver screen more times than you might think. So, grab your cowboy boots (or whatever footwear suits your fancy), some sweet tea, and settle in for a whistle-stop tour of Houston's cinematic history.
Lights, Camera, Action... in the Astrodome (RIP)?
We can't talk Houston movies without mentioning the legendary Astrodome, that Eighth Wonder of the World (well, maybe not the eighth, but definitely top 20). This dome did it all, folks: hosting baseball games, concerts, even serving as a giant birdcage for a misguided young man named Brewster McCloud (played by a pre-falcon-punching Robert Duvall). Speaking of birds, the Astrodome also played a role in the classic baseball comedy, "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training." Although, let's be honest, those kids probably would've caused chaos anywhere they went.
Houston: It's Not Just for Space Cowboys (Although They Filmed Here Too)
Of course, Houston and space go together like peanut butter and jelly. Naturally, the Johnson Space Center has made its fair share of appearances. Tom Hanks got into the astronaut spirit (minus the whole space travel thing) in "Apollo 13," while "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" used the JSC to add some out-of-this-world action (though some might argue the robots themselves were already plenty strange).
Houston: We've Got More Than Just a Problem (Though That Movie Was Filmed Here Too)
Okay, so maybe "Houston, We've Got a Problem" wasn't a blockbuster hit, but it certainly captured the essence of Houston's can-do spirit in the face of adversity (and, you know, technical difficulties in space). But hey, it's not all dramatizations and documentaries. Houston has also been the backdrop for coming-of-age stories like the critically acclaimed "Boyhood," and teen flicks like "Everybody Wants Some!"
Houston: We'll Make a Movie Out of Anything (Almost)
Let's be honest, Houston's not exactly Hollywood. Sometimes, directors get a little... creative. Remember that epic war scene in "Pearl Harbor?" Believe it or not, that wasn't actually filmed in Hawaii. Nope, they used the Battleship Texas, which just happens to be docked right here in Houston (though they did have to remove the giant "San Jacinto" sign for the film).
So, there you have it, folks! Houston: a city with a surprising amount of movie magic. From space adventures to teen comedies, H-Town has proven it can be a versatile backdrop for any story. And who knows, maybe you'll catch a glimpse of the next Hollywood blockbuster filming on your next trip to the galleria. Just be careful not to wander into the shot – you might end up an unexpected extra in a space alien invasion flick!
