Had dinner with some local cinematographers out in Los Angeles. We got around to talking about our favorite motion pictures of 2011 and
Drive (2011) came up in that discussion.
Starring Ryan Gosling, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising), and cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel (X-Men, Superman Returns). Such a simple idea, shot and executed extremely well. Lots to love about it from a visual and acting standpoint. Subtle and very effective.
It's set in Los Angeles and showcases several known and not so well known businesses and a few areas where many other motion pictures have shot over the years.
One of those businesses oddly is where we used to grab pizza after playing basketball when I was younger.
And some of those locations I've had to become "more than intimate" with over the years while working on some other productions. Some are LA secrets. Some are not secrets at all.
It took me a while to see the movie, but after several friends "heavily suggested" I see the movie I kept getting excited by every landmark that kept popping up on screen. That didn't really take me out of the movie at all actually, but sort of added to the whole experience.
Here's some shots of areas where actual driving took place in the film.
Growing up out here it's really nice to see a motion picture showcase Los Angeles (or just outside of it) in such a nice way.
