Los Angeles will be one of my many stops while in the United States. I am especially looking forward to spending time here because of how ubiquitous the area is within pop culture. It’s home to the hub of English-language Cinema and as such, it is inevitable much of the media we consume is linked to the City. As a result, I have this feeling of knowing the place without ever going there. This could be also said for New York, but something about LA appeals to me more deeply and strongly.
I don’t know if it’s the fact I have spent six gruelling days accompanying the greatest TV hero in the world. Or the fact I’ve spent upwards of 30 hours running around a Virtual LA. Maybe it’s all those rap songs I’ve listened to bigging up LA or all the Lakers ball I’ve watched in the past…
Whatever the reason, I cannot wait to visit the place. Michael Mann made a movie back in 2004 called Collateral that was set during one night in Los Angeles.
Some of the shots of Los Angeles and surrounding metropolis really are visually breath taking. My specific favourite is the helicopter shot looking down on the city through the buildings. The whole of the LA basin is a sprawling urbanised mess full of concrete, traffic and pollution. Yet there is something amazing and astounding about what man has achieved in this space. It’s an insane mix of glamour, sports, money, business, shopping, tourism, high society, poverty, crime…at least in my head.
I can’t wait to go and see the incredible vistas captured in the video above (like looking out across the city from Mulholland or viewing the basin at night). And being within the city that I’ve built up in my head is sure to be an unforgettable experience – either for better or for worse…no doubt I will be writing about it come June time.
While you are here (and with the risk of going down the here’s what i had for breakfast route), a shout out to my main man, Michael Mann. I’ve got to say he really is my favourite Director in the whole wide world. Movies like Heat, Collateral and even the much maligned Miami Vice were a joy to watch due to directorial flourishes with the camera work. I ramble, but here is a quick montage if you don’t know what he’s done.
true say, but I think they novelty will wear off after a few days. Beach is good, though!
By: Vikram on March 24, 2009
at 12:13