Destination Movies.

Yesterday on Apartment Therapy the editors formulated a list of their favorite film escapes. It got me thinking of my own staycation movie list. Sometimes money and time cant afford an exotic vacation. However, in my experience, movies can often succeed in transporting us outside of our normal settings and immersing us into another world. My list of "destination movies" covers the globe and includes settings in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. I wouldnt say the acting/story/plot of the following movies is great, but I guarantee you the art direction stands out. An intersting note: I own the soundtracks for three of the movies on my list. When I put the music on, the scenes and sights of the movie come flooding back to me. Its like I can close my eyes and be there.

So.... without further adieu, here are a few of my favorite destination movies.

1. The Painted Veil.
I only saw this movie a couple years ago, but it made a big impression on me. Everything about it - from the music, to the scenery, to the costumes - is artistically captivating. The screenplay is based on Somerset Maugham's book of the same title. I think I need to read it sometime. I can watch this movie again and again. It doesnt hurt that the actual plot is compelling. The dramas and complications the main characters find themselves in are real and demonstrated well by the actors. I dont know why, but this movie really "got" me.

2. Out Of Africa
This is an older film, but one that never disappoints me. Out Of Africa came out when I was in my teens and my romantic younger self got totally carried away with everything about it. The safari. The land. The costumes. The love story. Like many of my favorite movies its set in the early 20th century. The costumes are so damn beautiful in his film. Just like the Painted Veil, I covet the wardrobe of the heroine. Another thing I achingly long for in Out Of Africa is the Baroness Karen Von Blixen's house in Africa. If I could have a dream house, that might be it. It has a huge veranda along the front and a brick path that leads to the house. The two main characters are often filmed out on the veranda listening to records on on old-school victrola. Could you just die? And dont even get me going on the scene out on safari when Denis shampoos Karen's hair. It gives me butterflies just thinking of it. I recently saw this movie in HD. I didnt think I could love it more, but I think I do in HD. The views of Africa are stunning.

3. Anne of Green Gables
Another blast from the past. I think I saw this series for the first time when I was just entering puberty. It made a huge impression on my young girlish self. One of my first major crushes was Gilbert Blythe. (((swoon))) The complicated relationship he had with the heroine Anne Shirley stirred up so many romantic feelings in me. Equally compelling for me as a kid was Prince Edward Island where the series was shot. The farm where Anne first lives is a dream. So natural and green and beautiful in its simplicity. I would DIE to visit there someday. I believe its because of this series that Ive always loved Canadian accents.

4. A Good Year
When I first saw this movie, the setting instantly reminded me of Italy. There is a vineyard and a large, old farmhouse. The setting is tranquil and natural and pristine. I immediately fell in love with the setting: Provence, France. I must go there someday! I think Ridley Scott has such a talent with creating a mood in his films. He must be quite a visionary because in so many of his films, he pulls off the illusion so masterfully. I imagine its in the details, but what do I know.

5. The Last Emperor
This movie kills me. Its so BIG. I have only seen this movie on the small screen and I was blown away by it. I imagine on the big screen its absolutely overwhelming. The plot of this movie is fascinating to me (the life of the last emperor of China and the rise of the communist state) but the art direction is stunning in every way. The director left no detail unnoticed. The colors and beauty of the culture shine. The views from a cinematic standpoint are pure magic. Anytime I catch even a small part of this movie on tv, I stop and watch. Its so damn beautiful.


Other favs: Amelie, Indochine, Notting Hill, Oceans 12, Gladiador, Spirited Away, Stealing Beauty, Casino Royal (2006,) The Man From Snowy River, The Wedding Date, Pan's Labyrinth and all three Godfather movies.

What are you destination films?