I saw a list like this one the other day and it inspired me to create my own. If you aren’t sure where you should adventure off to then this list may be a good one for you. There are plenty of movies I love that just get me itchin’ to hop on a flight and take an adventure. I am going to diversify this list as much as possible for only being five movies. I’m going to preface this by saying there will be disagreements with what makes this list and what doesn’t. I’m perfectly ok with that! So please, disagree or agree or add what movies make you want to travel to the comments section below! So here goes nothing (these movies are in no particular order).
The Indiana Jones Series
Nothing screams travel and adventure like the Indiana Jones collection. Of course I’m only counting the first three movies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade). That last one with Shia LeBeouf doesn’t count, kind of like the third Godfather. Spanning twelve countries in just three movies, each with its own adventure, danger, and treasure, makes Indiana one of the coolest people to follow on the screen. He battles Nazis throughout Europe and cannibalistic death tribes in the jungle all in the name of anthropology. Thats right ANTHROPOGY. That’s the coolest thing about Indiana Jones, hes an anthropologist. So the next time someone thinks anthropology is for nerds just be like, “Hey dude, Indiana Jones was an anthropologist and hes the coolest baddest mother f*cker out there.”
In Bruges
This movie is not as well known as it should be. In Bruges is your classic hit gone wrong story. After a young hit man played by Colin Farrell makes a mistake on one of his first hits his boss sends him to hide out in Bruges until it passes over. The twists and turns of this movie are entertaining and beautiful set against the backdrop of Bruges. This movie may be the sole inspiration for Bruges making my “must see list.”
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Now before you go and giggle, this is a good movie. Maybe not good like the others on this list, but good none the less. Hey, I’ll be the first to admit that I like a good chick flick and I’ll chalk this movie up to that. When four nest friend spend their first summer apart they have nothing but writing letters and sharing a pair of pants, which magically fits each one of them perfectly, to keep in touch. The girl’s paths take them each to a different place in the world.This movie takes you to Greece, Mexico, and different parts of the USA inspiring you have a go of it alone to truly find out who you are and what you love while staying in touch with those important to you.
Midnight in Paris
This movie makes my list of top 5 favorite movies of all time. Woody Allen is a genius and Midnight in Paris is a master piece. Owen Wilson plays a writer who is absolutely mad about Paris. His obsession starts with his favorite artists Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dali, Picasso, and others using Paris as their hangout in the 20’s just after WWI. He loves the romance of the city at night, in the rain, at anytime really. Owen Wilson finds a portal, if you will, that brings him back to the 20’s to chill with Hemingway and Fitzgerald and all of the other geniuses of the time. I never had any desire to visit Paris. This movie has me thinking differently. Not only am I fan of the movie but also all of the people that the movie pays homage to. I could see some of myself in the main character and I think thats what a good movie does, brings it home and makes you self reflect. The way Allen shows Paris and the way he has the characters interact with the city makes the city the most important character in the movie, quite incredible.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Another Woody Allen flick that really gets me going. This one takes place in, you guessed it, Barcelona. Its about two girls, Vicky and Cristina (could you’ve guess that?) who vacation to Barcelona. They both fall in love with a mysterious brooding artist creating quite the love triangle. Until his wife shows up and it become a square. You can’t blame Javier Bardem who plays the artist though because the leading ladies in this movie are Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, and Penelope Cruz. Thats a love square that I wouldn’t mind being a corner in. As in the above mentioned film, Barcelona becomes an integral character on the screen. Allen is a master at turning his backdrop into a character and making the quest for love and self fulfillment a true beauty for the audience.
–Nick
What about the Bourne Trilogy? In his attempt to recollect the past and find his true identity, Bourne experiences action, romance, and redemption in some of the greatest cities. In my opinion those are three experiences most hope to encounter when traveling. Definitely should be on the top 5.
All very true! And I almost had it on this list, but wound up cutting it for sake of diversity on the list, its very much like Indiana Jones for spies =)
All very true! And I almost had it on this list, but wound up cutting it for sake of diversity, its very much like Indiana Jones for spies =)
Haha, fun little roundup! We enjoyed Midnight in Paris and then visiting Paris. It’s a great little movie. I really should re-watch all the Indiana Jones movies tho!
Yes, Midnight in Paris is great. I would love to go and try and find all of the spots that Hemingway hung out in. If you enjoyed that movie you enjoy reading “A Moveable Feast.” I think its the book that inspired the movie! And any reason to watch Indiana Jones again is a good one!