Dear FCI,
Throughout my travels I’ve visited many locations that have been featured in movies. If you don’t know this by now, I LOVE movies. Movies are a way for me to live vicariously, even though I am often on the road. Being transported somewhere else for a short period of time is a small treat all movies offer, and I never refuse treats.
I’ve compiled some locations I’ve visited that were featured in some iconic films. There’s no better feeling than being somewhere and realizing you’ve seen it on the big screen. Without further ado, here are just a few.
Hanapepe Valley, Jurassic Park
in Kauai, Hawaii
Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler flew over these mountains in Steven Spielberg’s classic film, Jurassic Park. You can take the same helicopter ride over this mountainous terrain but there won’t be any dinosaurs when you land (which is probably a good thing).
"Welcome to Jurassic Park."
Timberline Lodge, The Shining
in Mount Hood, Oregon
The Timberline Lodge was chosen to represent the famous Overlook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Jack Torrance won’t be wandering the halls, but you’re bound to see some sites that will surely take your breath away.
"Some places are like people: some shine and some don't."
West 167th Street Stairs, Joker
in the Bronx, New York
This staircase didn’t gain fame until the 2019 release of Joker. Arthur Fleck danced down this staircase in his joker costume, on his way to show Gotham who he really is. The ordinary became extraordinary through this movie, and now these steps are better known as the “Joker Stairs.”
And just in case you want to see that dance gain... (because you know I do!)
"Is it just me or is it getting crazier out there?"
King’s Cross Station, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
in London, England
Anyone who’s seen the Harry Potter Series should recognize this train station, where witches and wizards transport through the brick wall to board the Hogwarts Express. While this platform doesn’t take you on a magical train ride to Hogwarts, the destination has become so famous that the station put a platform marker between 9 and 10 just for fans.
"Stick to it, Harry that's very important, stick to your ticket."
Al Khazneh, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Petra, Jordan
"In this sort of race, there's no silver medal for finishing second."
While this giant sandstone temple doesn’t actually hold the Holy Grail, it’s surely a site to mark off your bucket list. Originally constructed as a mausoleum and crypt at the beginning of the 1st century, this majestic temple has seen it’s share of screen time.
Why do I like movies so much? Well, I see them as places I could travel to, cultures and customs I can experience.
They are tickets to another place, a small view into how things could be, a view into "what if..."
There are of course special effects added to movies and filmmakers may only use certain parts of these places in their films, but these are the locations where we, as viewers, can visit and let our imaginations play a part in making our favorite movies come to life.
That’s all for now FCI,
Did you notice the quotes scattered throughout the post? Do you know who said each one?
I LOVE movie quotes and I love how movies enable people to come together. With that, I leave with you with this:
“Finally there would be a thingamajig that would bring everyone together, even if it kept them apart spatially.”