Motor City Moviedom

By Erika Waddell

With the Tigers headed to the World Series Saturday, the nation turns its eyes to Detroit. But what does America really know about the Motor City? They make cars that no one buys. It's always listed as one of the top five murder capitals in the country. Belle Isle, the nation's oldest aquarium is located there (of course, it closed last year). But one lesser known fact is that many films have been made about "The D." Here's a list of our picks for the best and worst motion pictures set there.

The Best

1. True Romance (1993)
As the story of a poor hipster (Christian Slater) who falls in love with a gorgeous hooker (Patricia Arquette) and attempts to save her from her tumultuous past, this Quentin Tarantino-penned shoot-'em-up has all of Detroit's finest elements: pimps, whores, guns and drugs. Add Brad Pitt smoking a bowl out of a honeybear and you have an instant cult classic. But who would've pegged The D as a place to fall in love?It's also notable for the great scene when Dennis Hopper gives Christopher Walken a lesson in the history of Sicily, and many of us wondered if either actor was aware the camera was rolling.

2. 8 Mile (2002)
This film tells the story of an aspiring white rapper named B-Rabbit who looks like Eminem, raps like Eminem and had pretty much the same problems growing up in Detroit as Eminem. In a shocking move that can only be called a high water mark for casting, the role of Rabbit went to Eminem, who was more than convincing. In real life, 8 Mile Road is not only the infamous barrier between The Detroit ghetto and the suburbs, but also the birthplace of many "yo mama" jokes.Jokes aside, it's true that there is a great divide between city and the 'burbs; Detroit suburbanites avoid the inner-city at all costs. If you've seen this movie, with its shootings, muggings, vandalism, arson and thugs, you know why. If you haven't, it's worth a look for its honest portrayal of gritty street life, the plight of Detroit's youth, and also because it's fun to pretend that you too grew up with friends who had nicknames like Papa Doc and Cheddar Bob. Props to Eminem for putting the city back on the map and for making urban strife look sexy.

3. RoboCop (1987)
There's one word to describe the idea of transforming a murdered cop into a crime-fighting robot: awesome. The original "RoboCop" is perhaps the best big-budget action movie to focus on Detroit, but what brings it to our attention is its accurate, though unfortunate, prediction of the future of the city, namely the fact that in Detroit today, if you illegally park, you will be given only 20 seconds to move your car before being shot to death by a machinegun toting super robot. Oh, wait. That's not the true part. We don't think. Either way, in the film, The D is the second most dangerous city in the country and has a corrupt Mayor, who rides around in Lincoln Navigator. Or is that Detroit today? Either way, "I'll buy that for a dollar!"

4. Out of Sight (1998)
"Out of Sight" follows two cons (George Clooney and Ving Rhames) making their way to Detroit to pull off a diamond scam, when Clooney gets caught in the trunk with a federal marshall known for, well, having some junk in the trunk herself (Jennifer Lopez). OK, so you know how when Hollywood puts together a bunch of sexy, famous super-hot movie stars it rarely seems to be a good film? Well, shockingly, it works this time. This movie brings the heat to Detroit in a way the Renaissance Center never could.

5. Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
If you've ever spent time in Detroit, we bet you'd sum the place up as a dark comedy in itself, which is why "Grosse Pointe Blank" makes our list. Also impressive is John Cusack's acting, which is good enough to convince us that it's possible to fall in love with Minnie Driver. The film's plot of hitman-develops-conscience serves a great parallel to how the affluent neighborhoods surrounding the city keep it alive (at least that's what we learned in our college film appreciation class). In the same way that a suburban high-school reunion revives a down and out assassin (Cusack), the rich white folks keep the Motor City in business (or at least from burning itself down.) Plus, we love the scenery, the "Live and Let Die" Muzak edit, and all those Detroit-area references (watch out for thin ice on Lake St. Clair!).

6. Narc (2002)
"Narc" is the story of two detectives (Ray Liotta and Jason Patric) trying to hunt down the killer of an undercover cop. It depicts dirty cops and The Drug trade in graphic fashion, with all the right Detroit fundamentals. Let's run down the list, shall we? Crackheads? Check. Cop killers? Check. Abandoned buildings? Check. Gun fights? Check. How about the fact that this 105 minute long film uses the word "fuck" (and variations thereof ) 298 times, giving it an astonishing "FPM" ratio of just over 2.8? With an average like that, you'd think this would be the 2nd Detroit movie on our list with a character named Rabbit.

7. The Crow (1994)
"The Crow" is the story of a man (Brandon Lee) resurrected to avenge the murderers who killed him and his fiancée on Devil's Night. A longstanding Detroit tradition, Devil's Night is when teens go out looking to get into mischief the night before Halloween. But in true Detroit fashion, what began as an innocent night of pranks developed into an evening of rampant arson and deadly crime.This is a great film and does a very accurate job representing the "Murder City." In case you think it sounds stupid, by way of comparison, check out the straight to video sequel, 2005's "The Crow: Wicked Prayer," starring an awkwardly old Eddie Furlong ("Terminator 2," remember?) under the crow makeup, along with David Boreanaz ("Angel," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Tara Reid. Actually, don't check that out. Seriously.

8. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Grosse Pointe is one of the more well-off suburbs of Detroit, famed for its gargantuan Jefferson Avenue homes and country club lifestyle. But "The Virgin Suicides" tells the dark tale of five sisters who commit suicide to escape the hell of teenage suffering and overprotective parents. Growing up in the area, we know we often wanted to stick our heads in the oven too. Call it boredom. Call it rebellion. Regardless, it's true that the most sheltered kids can become the most troubled, and suburban Michigan is no exception to that phenomenon.

9. Detroit Rock City (1999)
Motown, rap and rock, Detroit is deservedly famous for its rich musical history, and this film pays it homage by following four high school kids desperately trying to get in to a Kiss concert. Now you might find it strange to learn that a movie called "Detroit Rock City" wasn't filmed in Detroit at all, but in Ontario, Canada. But growing up in the Motor City, we find it highly appropriate since Canada is really a second home to young Detroiters. With Windsor just a tunnel or bridge ride away, 19 year-old Michiganders can develop their alcohol and gambling addictions that much earlier than the rest of the country. And any country that gave us Stevie Yzerman can't be all bad. Oh, Canada.

10. Four Brothers (2005)
This tells the story of four brothers (including Mark Wahlberg) who take the law into their own hands while trying to avenge the murder of their adoptive mother. Like so many other D-town flicks, this one has dirty cops and lots of fire, but we particularly love it for capturing the true mood of the city; pure gloom. For the majority of the year, Detroit is freezing and overcast, and "Four Brothers" gets that murky feel right. It even includes some favorite Michigan pastimes like hockey, snowball fights and disposing bodies in frozen lakes.

The Worst

1. Collision Course (1989)
"Collision Course" is the story of a crude Detroit cop (Jay Leno, believe it or not) and a by-the-book Japanese inspector (Pat Morita) forced to work together in the investigation of a top secret car part. Good thing NBC execs didn't see this or they never would have given him "The Tonight Show" job.

2. Hoffa (1992)
How could so much talent (Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, John C. Reilly, David Mamet) make such a dreadful movie? All prints should be buried in the end zone of Giants Stadium.

3. Bird on a Wire (1990)
Mel Gibson as a Detroit gas station attendant? It would be more believable if he'd played a rabbi.

4. Detroit 9000 (1973)
"Visit the murder capital of the world--where the honkies are the minority!"

5. Tiger Town (1983)
This is the story of a child who makes it his mission to attend every Tigers home game after his father, a devoted fan, passes away. As it turns out, the boy's presence at old Tiger Stadium is the inspiration that pushes the team and its aging star (Roy Scheider) from the bottom of the standing to the top. If they could only bottle what that kid had, we bet Jason Giambi would be boiling it on a spoon in no time.

(Published on CourtTV.com October 19, 2006)