Maureen Kenyon
Treasure Coast Newspapers
Published 7:17 PM EDT Mar 23, 2020
Are the kids bored yet?
Are you pulling out your hair yet?
Since Treasure Coast residents are practicing social distancing — we hope! — and are confined to their homes during the coronavirus outbreak, there’s no doubt the boredom’s setting in.
But before you nestle into the couch and sit through “Frozen II” for the millionth time, log into your favorite streaming service and watch a few movies with connections to the Treasure Coast.
Some star actors with ties to Indian River, St. Lucie or Martin counties and others were filmed in or around Treasure Coast locales.
There aren’t many, so we’ve also added a few Florida-centric movies with unique storylines, too.
Did we missed something? Email trends reporter Maureen Kenyon at maureen.kenyon@tcpalm.com.
Movies suitable for children
‘Hidden Figures’
The Academy Award-nominated film is based on the true story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
The adult role of Katherine G. Johnson is played by Taraji P. Henson, and young Katherine is played by Palm City resident Lidya Jewett.
Lidya is the first character to appear on screen in the 2016 movie.
Lidya also appears in “Black Panther,” co-stars in NBC’s “Good Girls” and was on a 2019 episode of TV’s longest-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy,” on ABC.
“Hidden Figures,” rated PG-13, is available on Amazon Prime.
► Take a hike, but keep your distance: Local parks stay open after beaches, state parks close to prevent spread of coronavirus
‘Instant Family’
Gustavo Escobar (formerly Quiroz), 13, grew up in Port St. Lucie and co-stars with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne in “Instant Family,” a family comedy about a couple who fosters three siblings and the hilarity that ensues.
Gustavo plays Juan in the 2018 film.
Gustavo also co-starred with Jennifer Garner in “Peppermint,” which is rated R and not suitable for children.
“Instant Family,” rated PG-13, is available on Amazon Prime.
► Going places: Port St. Lucie actor, 12, has roles in ‘Peppermint’ with Jennifer Garner, upcoming Mark Wahlberg film
‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Ice Age’
Remember Bubbles, the yellow tang obsessed with bubbles! bubbles! bubbles! in the 2003 Pixar film, “Finding Nemo?”
Bubbles was voiced by Stephen Root, a 1970 graduate of Vero Beach High School. He also voiced Frank and Start in “Ice Age.”
Root, a prolific character actor, probably is more recognizable from recent roles such as Monroe Fuches in the HBO series “Barry” and Jim Hudson, the blind art dealer in Jordan Peele’s debut film “Get Out.” (Neither “Barry” nor “Get Out” are suitable for children, though.)
“Finding Nemo” and “Ice Age” are available on Amazon Prime.
Movies not suitable for children
‘The Heat’
The R-rated comedy that stars Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy also stars Dan Bakkedahl, the younger brother of Tom Bakkedahl, chief assistant state attorney.
In “The Heat,” Dan Bakkedahl stars as Craig, an albino DEA officer. The role is a parody of the “villainous albino” trope that became prevalent in movies since the 1980s.
Trust us, Dan Bakkedahl is still able to steal a few scenes even with McCarthy in them.
He’s also in TV shows “Veep,” “The Goldbergs” and “The Mindy Project.”
“The Heat” is available on Amazon Prime.
‘Moonraker’
The North Fork of the St. Lucie River doubled as the Amazon in the 11th James Bond film, “Moonraker.”
It was the fourth Bond film to star Roger Moore.
Bond investigates the theft of a space shuttle, leading him to Hugo Drax, the owner of the shuttle’s manufacturing firm.
It was the second Bond film to feature Richard Kiel as Jaws, one of the most popular James Bond henchmen.
In the clip below, Moore navigates a boat through the windy river while being chased by Jaws.
“Moonraker,” rated PG, is available on Amazon Prime.
► Did you know?: 10 things you might not know about Port St. Lucie
‘Empire of the Ants’
Bert I. Gordon, who directed 1950s and ’60s creature movies such as “The Amazing Colossal Man,” “Attack of the Puppet People,” “War of the Colossal Beast” and “The Spider,” filmed parts of his 1977 camp-fest “Empire of the Ants” in Fort Pierce.
The movie is about a con artist (Joan Collins) who tries to sell phony real estate deals in the Everglades. But what no one knows is because of a toxic spill, the area has been taken over by giant, mutated ants. (Yes, it’s just as awesomely ridiculous as it sounds.)
According to the Internet Movie Database, “Empire of the Ants” also was filmed in Jensen Beach and Belle Glade.
“Empire of the Ants,” rated PG, is available on Amazon Prime.
► Did you know?: 10 interesting things you may not know about Fort Pierce
Other interesting movies filmed in Florida
- “Moonlight” (R): Filmed in Miami; available on Netflix
- “The Florida Project” (R): Filmed in Kissimmee; available on Netflix
- “Monster” (R): Filmed in Daytona Beach, Sanford, Orlando and Casselberry; available on Amazon Prime
- “Edward Scissorhands” (PG-13): Filmed in Land O Lakes, Dade City, Lakeland and Lutz; available on Amazon Prime
- “Out of Sight” (R): Filmed in Palm City, Miami and Orlando; available on Amazon Prime
- “The Truman Show” (PG): Filmed in Seaside; available on Amazon Prime
- “My Girl” (PG): Filmed in Bartow, Sanford, Plant City, Clermont, Orlando and other locales; available on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Maureen Kenyon is TCPalm’s trends reporter, keeping Treasure Coast residents updated on hot topics and happenings. Do you have a story to tell? Send an email to maureen.kenyon@tcpalm.com, call 772-221-4249 or follow her on Twitter @_MaureenKenyon_.
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