Movies

Fargo (1996)

Although named after a city in the neighboring state of North Dakota, much of Fargo was set and shot in Minneapolis. A dark comedy of kidnapping, murder, and deception, the Oscar-winning 1996 flick stars William H. Macy as Jerry, corrupt car salesman, working under his wealthy father-in-law. When Jerry finds himself about to be caught in the middle of a scheming corporate scam, he hires two kidnappers to hold his wife for ransom. It's all up and down from there, as pregnant police officer Marge (played by Frances McDormand) is hot on their trail.

Purple Rain (1984)

Known and respected more for its soundtrack than its cinematic quality (the film won the Oscar in 1985 for Best Original Song Score), Purple Rain is a semi-autobiographical account of Minneapolis native Prince as he works his way to the top of the music world. The First Avenue Club, downtown Minneapolis's "danceteria since 1970," is featured multiple times in the film, and is still a hot spot for the region's music scene.