Bright Lights, Big Dreams (and Surprisingly Short Filming Schedules): Movies Shot in Music City
Nashville! Land of hot chicken, twangy tunes, and...Hollywood? That's right, folks. Music City might be better known for its rhinestone-studded boots than red carpets, but it's actually graced the silver screen more than a few times.
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| What Movies Were Filmed In Nashville |
Classics with a Country Twang
Nashville takes the cake (or maybe that should be a slice of pecan pie) for movies filmed right in its heart. The 1975 film simply titled Nashville is a sprawling Altman masterpiece that captures the city's vibrant music scene in all its messy, glorious detail. Think "A Star is Born" meets "Boogie Nights," but with way more cowboy hats.
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Then there's Walk the Line, the Johnny Cash biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. While most of the filming took place elsewhere, they couldn't resist capturing the magic of the Ryman Auditorium, a Nashville landmark steeped in country music history. Fun fact: Cash actually performed his final concert there in 1970!
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Beyond Boots and Banjos: Unexpected Silver Screen Gems
Nashville isn't all about country crooners and guitar pickers. Believe it or not, Tom Hanks's heartwarming The Green Mile filmed some scenes at the Tennessee State Penitentiary. Though let's hope your visit to Nashville involves a lot less prison and a lot more line dancing.
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Speaking of unexpected twists, the fantasy flick Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief used the grandeur of the Parthenon replica in Centennial Park for a scene. We're guessing Zeus wouldn't have been a huge fan of country music, but hey, a god's gotta get his Greek fix somewhere, right?
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So, Hollywood Doesn't Exactly Flock to Nashville?
Now, Nashville isn't exactly Hollywood South. A lot of movies are set there (think the TV show Nashville), but filming-wise, it's not a constant contender. Maybe they're worried the constant lure of hot chicken and live music will make the actors forget all about their lines?
How To Hunt Down Filming Locations in Nashville:
Still curious about where your favorite movie scenes were shot in Music City? Here's a quick guide:
- Hit the Tourist Trail: The Ryman Auditorium and Centennial Park are no-brainers. These iconic landmarks are bound to have been featured in something!
- Do Some Online Sleuthing: Websites like [IMDB]([imdb com]) often have detailed listings of filming locations.
- Ask a Local: True Nashvillians have a wealth of knowledge about their city. Strike up a conversation at a honky-tonk and see if they can shed some light.
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