The Ultimate Boston Movie Bracket
Listen kid, what started as a discussion about a “Boston movie marathon” has lead to this. A competition that’s runnin on Dunkin. A chance for one more champion to take a seat among the giants of Title Town.
Our staff (most of whom have lived in Boston for over a decade) compiled a list of movies that come to mind when one thinks of “Boston movies”. Then they went down to a local Dunkin, Revere Beach, and Chez Vous to vet it with the locals. I would also like to send a personal thanks to the native Bostonians who suffered my constant texts and debates about what should make the tournament and what should be kept off.
The primary criteria was as follows. First, the film had to be set in the Boston Area (including commuter rail towns) and primarily filmed here. Second, to quote one of our native consultants it has to have “the accent and the feel.” Third and final it had to have “locals as extras”, none of these bootleg LA pretty faces.
Our panel of experts.
This means that even though a movie like Legally Blonde takes place in Boston, since it was not filmed here and lacks “the feel” it’s out. This also explains how movies like Manchester by the Sea, The Fighter and Hubie Halloween, though they may not take place in Suffolk County still made the cut.
Personally I was really trying to find a loophole to get JAWs on the list, mostly as a way to throw a curveball into the mix but in the end, Fitzy pulled me aside at O’Doyles in West Roxbury and was like “Guy, if ya gotta work that hahd to justify it, it shouldn’t be on the list. It’s naht a Boston Film dude.” He was right.
(Authors note: I’m talking about Big Fitz from Watertown not Little Fitz from Southie. Little Fitz is still doing two years up at Cedar Junction for that robbery in Eastie).
The first round of the tournament will open tonight at 10pm Boston time, winners will advance based on popular vote. You can vote by either going to our story on instagram where the voting will be easier or list your picks for winner in the comments below. Rounds will take place everyday till only one remains. This page will continue to be updated until a champion is crowned.
If you don’t know a movie do your research below kid.
The contendahs (in no order all of this was randomized) are as follows:
Yeah it’s Gloucestah. So what? You’re not bettah than me.
A Cohp stahts going looney toons in the Harbor.
Beacon Hill and Woburn, name a more iconic duo.
4. Mystic River
True story: I went on a first date to the movies the weekend this opened. My date chose this over Underworld (about werewolves fighting vampires). There was no second date.
5. The Departed
No matter who wins this, one thing is indisputable…Mark Wahlberg is the real MVP.
6. The Heat
I wasn’t going to add this but people brought it up and then I noticed one of the characters wears numerous Pawtucket Red Sox shirts the whole film and that cracked me up so much it made the list.
A heavy one. The Quincy Quarry hasn’t played a role this important since Tooley lost his virginity to Becky Shaughnessy there in the summah of ‘98
8. Black Mass
Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger…I fell asleep but I’m originally from Vermont.
Northshore is wicked depressing, bettah drink some depressants.
10. Fever Pitch
Only made the list cause Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon made an appearance (we don’t talk about Johnny Damon).
It takes place in Boston. It’s shot in Boston. Walpole Prison is in it and it stars a Wahlberg. This ain’t rocket science.
12. Southie
Triple deckers and dysfunctional families abound. Donnie Wahlberg bringing the right stuff.
13. Hubie Halloween
A pretty accurate depiction of life in Salem per the weekend I spent there wrecked on Jager bombs and model glue.
“Carmine, it's me. It's me, Will. Remember? We went to kindergarten together.”
15. Spotlight
I was gonna say “Another good but heavy one” but that’s like 85% of the list.
16. The Fighter
Never has Lowell shined brighter. The sisters alone make this one of the strongest.
17. Blue Hill Avenue
This used to be on BET every weekend, not really a great flick but man at least someone made a movie about Boston that’s not just about being sad and Irish.
18. The Town
Doug MacRay: I need your help. I can't tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later, and we're gonna hurt some people.
James Coughlin: Whose car are we gonna take?
(One of the greatest bits of dialogue ever written).
19. Celtic Pride
It aged me a year just sitting through this preview.
20. Mission Hill
Mission Hill wasn’t always MassArt students tripping their brains out and eating slices. Used to be the real deal baby.
21. Ted
“Stay outta Braintree!”
22. Boondock Saints
Anyone Born and raised in MA in the 80s or 90s got a Celtic Cross tattoo after repeated viewings of this film. If the Vatican had focused more on vigilantism and less on protecting child predators / stopping gay marriage it would be number one right now.
23. The Verdict
A Boozah lawyer tries to get justice starring the tomato sauce guy.
24. Patriots Day
The Watertown street battle alone is epic enough, add to that Mark Wahlberg. Ah yeah.
Let the games begin.
Update: Do. You. Like. Apples??? Well Good Will Hunting won, how you like them apples? Thank you to all who voted and participated!
Suck it Harvard.
THE BRACKET:
