Hoboken Movies - Seven to See

Inspired by Joanna Buffum's list of Top Ten Movies Set in New Jersey, I created a Hoboken list on GoWatchIt. I thought I'd shared my list of Hoboken movies and what I think they say about Hoboken, if anything.

Filmed and Set in Hoboken

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist Set: Nick goes into the city for a night of music and finds love.

The movie references the phrase 'Hoboken'-'No jokin'?' - but its view of Hoboken is somewhat inaccurate - Hoboken is more urban than what we see in the movie.

The Station Agent Set & Filmed: A socially isolated dwarf leaves Hoboken for rural Newfoundland. The first film by the director of Win Win.

A somewhat inaccurate portrayal of Hoboken. The town is run down but has an active community of train oficionados. Mostly not true, Hoboken's recovery from the economic downturn of the 70's was already well underway.

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle Set: Harold and Kumar set out on, what turns out to be, an epic quest  to battle the munchies from their Hoboken home.

Hoboken is the place where young professionals go to live after college. It also has a major parking problem which is a minor plot point. Very true.

On The Waterfront Filmed: A former boxer turned mob errand boy struggles with his silence and complicity after witnessing a murder. 

On The Waterfront depicts Hoboken as a place at war for its soul, as corrupt unions have a stranglehold on the docks. Definitely rang true in the 50's and to some extent the fight continues today.

Many other movies have been filmed at the Hoboken Terminal. Among them Julie & Julia, Curse of the Jade Scorpion, and Once Upon A Time In America.

Forget About It and Picture Perfect are also supposed to have a good portion filmed in Hoboken.

Hoboken Actors

Anthony Russo - Analyze This

The former Mayor played a 'Mafia bodyguard' - an ironic choice as he was later convicted of corruption and other members of his family have since appeared on law enforcement tape. This movie was also partly shot in Hoboken.

Joe Pantoliano - Memento

"Joey Pants" is a Hoboken native, perhaps that explains why many of his roles have an edge. Like here where he plays a character who believe he is doing good, though not everyone sees it that way.

Frank Sinatra - The Manchurian Candidate 

I have nothing to say about this movie except Frank is "the bravest, finest, most lovable man I ever met."

Full disclosure, I work at GoWatchIt, the site I used to create my initial movie list.