Top films based on a particular city theme - List hai toh hit hai

There are several instances in movies where one remembers the backdrop in which the story is set as clearly as the narrative itself. This is simply because of how well the city blends itself into the plot. The city gets itself the cinematic identity that eventually leaves an everlasting impression on the audience's mind. Numerous stories were conceptualized and written with the best of locations and eventually turned out to be worth a watch.

On today's List hai toh hit hai, Let's take a walk through films that were set in some of the most popular cities around the world. I'm your host Nikhil, let kickoff my list!

La La Land

This is a romantic musical comedy released in 2016 and is directed by Damien Chazelle. The central plot of the film revolves around two creative artists played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone falling in love with each other while trying to pursue their careers as Jazz pianist and as an actress in Los Angeles, the city of dreams. Chazelle used several old LA locations to shoot major scenes of the film. The Angels Flight trolley location is one such place used in the film. Being a musical, the opening number “Another Day of Sun,“ was shot entirely on an LA freeway, and received worthy accolades for it.

OTTplay Rating of 8.3

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hungama, Youtube, VI, iTunes.

City of God

This one is a Brazilian crime movie released worldwide in 2003, directed by Fernando Meireles and Katia Lund. The plot of the film is based in the suburbs of Cidade de Deus of Rio de Janeiro, where the film follows the evolution of organized crime and showcases the period between the late 1960 to ’80s. This movie is loosely based on real-life events. The film has an interesting ending depicting the war between a drug dealer and a vigilante criminal. The movie boasts of an equally interesting tagline that says “If you run, the beast catches you; if you stay, the beast eats you.”

OTTplay rating of 8.9

Streaming on Hungama, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube, Google Play, and iTunes.

Happy Together

Released in 1997, this romantic drama has Hong Kong city as the backdrop. This movie is directed by Wong Kar- Wai. The central plot of the movie revolves around the lead couple and their turbulent romantic relationship. This film gained popularity and was voted as one of the best LGBT films ever made. It was nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or and also won the best director award at the Cannes film festival in 1997. 

OTTplay rating of 8

Streaming on MUBI

Midnight in Paris

A 2011 release, this film is a fantasy comedy directed by Woody Allen. The central plot of this romantic flick is set in the city of Paris. The film has Kathy Bates and Adrien Brody in lead roles. It follows Gil Pender, who ends up confronting his fiancee about the imperfections in their relationship and how different their goals in life are, each midnight as he travels back in time. It won a Golden Globe award for best screenplay as well as an Academy Award for the Best original screenplay in 2012. If you are a romantic movie buff then this film set in the Paris rains is surely going to keep you glued to your seat.

OTTplay rating 8

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

The Departed

This one is a 2006 American crime drama written by William Monahan and directed by Martin Scorsese. The film's plot is based in the city of Boston and is a remake of the Hong Kong film called Infernal Affairs and is also loosely based on the real-life Boston Winter Hill Gang. The major part of it is shot in South Boston. The film has Leonardo di Caprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg in major roles. The Departed was both a commercial and critical success winning four Oscars. 

OTTplay rating of 8.8

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Hungama, VI, iTunes.

Well that's the List hai toh hit hai theme-based podcast for today, I shall be back again with another theme pretty soon. This is your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho