MNN - Mother Nature Network

Blockbuster movie season is in full swing and it’s the perfect time to highlight nature on the big screen. Cool Green Science blog asked actor Kyle Howard, star of the hit shows "My Boys" and "Royal Pains," to share is top five movies filmed in nature.

 

Kyle loves to spend time outdoors and is passionate about protecting beautiful places for generations to enjoy — in person and on screen. Some of his picks may surprise you, and even more surprising are the places they were filmed.

 

Read his favorites, tell us yours and take our Nature in Film quiz!

 

'North Shore'

Film location: North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

This is a classic '80s movie that I’ve watched 25 times. It’s full of cheese and definitely a guilty pleasure, but Rick Cane and Turtle were my heroes when I first saw this movie. And what a great escape to sit and “live” in Hawaii for two hours.

 

 

'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'


Film location: Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu, Hawaii

Another great Hawaii movie I can’t get enough of. Everyone in this movie is hilarious and it’s definitely one of the funniest films of the last 10 years. The story and the scenery are great, and every time I watch it, I can’t help but think how much fun it must have been to be “stuck” on location at Turtle Bay for three months.

 

 

'Endless Summer' 1 & 2


Film location: The coasts of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii

These films are pure virtual vacations to me. To put one of these movies on and take a quick trip around the planet chasing sunshine and perfect waves is one of my favorite ways to spend two hours.

 

 

'Castaway'

Film Location: Monuriki Island, Fiji

This movie (along with the Shawshank Redemption) is one that if I catch it on cable, regardless of how busy I am or how much of the movie is left, I simply must watch again. It’s so visually stunning and the story is very easy to get wrapped up in — it gets me every time.

 

 

'The Sandlot'


Film location: Salt Lake City, Utah

There’s nothing tropical or extravagant about it. It’s just kids enjoying being outside in a park. In fact, this movie takes place almost entirely in a dusty old baseball field, but it’s still been a classic since the first time I saw it. It’s one of the few movies I know that kids today still love, and adults who were young when it came out will never forget. "Sandlot" FOR–EV–ER!!!

 

 

Kyle Howard originally wrote this story for the Cool Green Science blog. It is reprinted with permission here.