The Oscars are back on, and we're celebrating with a series on the New York City locations you might've seen in this year's nominated films. Our Oscar Movies Map will be your golden statuette.
"American Gangster" didn't turn out to be the Oscar juggernaut Universal was hoping for, but it did pick up nods for Best Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress for Ruby Dee.
Dee, a career actress best known to movie buffs as the human embodiment of good in "The Stand," plays the mother of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a black gangster who controls the Harlem drug trade with his exceptionally pure "Blue Magic" heroin, imported direct from Southeast Asia. Lucas enlists his brothers and cousins in the business and faces not only the competition of other local drug lords like Nicky Barnes (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) but also catches the attention of jealous cops looking to collect bribes from him.
We just love how practically every serious drug smuggling movie is set in the 1970s. Guess times were just way grittier then and the city sets were more believable. (Or the cops were just busier doing other stuff.) Anyways, today's pick, American Gangster, takes place in Harlem and revolves around a heroin kingpin (surprisingly Denzel Washington!) who is smuggling smack into the U.S. in the coffins of soldiers returning from Vietnam. Whoa there.
Thankfully there is a great detective on his case--that would be Russell Crowe--who senses a shift in the NYC drug scene and steps up.
This was actually shot in parts of New York, from the Bronx to today's neighborhood pick: Harlem, an up-and-comer that's got great history:
Where To Stay:102 Brownstone Check into this cozy boutique brownstone hotel West 118th Street and pretend it's your own place. There are six tastefully themed suites for the choosing, from "Zen" to "Chalet" and all offer wireless, fully equipped kitchens and huge bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs. It's a great neighborhood secret spot so keep it on the DL please.
Where To Eat:Sylvia's Let's get this straight, you do not go to Harlem and skip Sylvia's. It's a family-owned institution and offers the best of soul food in the neighborhood. Black-eyed peas, veggies and other treats make this a popular tourist stop, but it's worth it to fill up.
Where To Listen:Lenox Lounge Opened in the 1930s, this is the spot for jazz in NYC. Lenox Lounge has played host to folks like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and even (supposedly) Malcolm X. It was restored in 1999 to its original furnishings and features up to three shows a night.
Hankering for a little authentic Western outlaw action? Check out 3:10 to Yuma this weekend. Christian Bale plays a cash-poor farmer who's in need of some fast money to save his land, and in turn takes on the responsibility of getting a murderer (Russell Crowe) to court on--yep, you guessed it--the 3:10 to Yuma.
Of course Crowe has his own gang of thugs in hot pursuit and doesn't waste time playing mind games and various other disappearing acts on Bale. There's tons of pretty scenery, shoot-em-ups and chase scenes. We hear this has the potential to be the surprise action movie of the summer.
3:10 to Yuma was shot in stunning Santa Fe, NM; here's some interesting things to check out in SF:
Where To Stay:The Inn of Five Graces -- Seep into the Far East-meets-Old West feel of this renovated, cozy inn. Each of the 22 suites has something unique, be it furnishings or a thatched ceiling. We hear the personal touches are pretty memorable: Think Dream Catchers on your pillow and an amazing breakfast. But what are the Five Graces? Basically, the five senses, which they claim to gratify completely.
Where To Eat:Harry's Roadhouse -- Get a little crazy and head to this offbeat, wacky looking spot where you can dig into New Mexican inspired favorites like smoked chicken nachos and or corn turkey enchiladas. There's a little ambiance lacking, but a photo in front of the colorful main sign makes a nice postcard.
Where To Visit:Santa Fe National Forest -- Scenes from the film were shot here for good reason. The 1.5 million acres provide some of the most gorgeous scenery in the west, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Truchas Peak. Call ahead of time as many areas of the park are often shut down due to dry conditions and forest fires.
He's back in the ring folks! After 2005's phone throwing incident in NYC, Russell Crowe is apparently defending himself regarding allegations he threw a fit over the inflight food he was served on a private jet during a promotional tour for A Good Year.
A flight attendant claims Crowe freaked out when his wife, Danielle Spencer, was given the only meal (of chicken satay) left while on a private jet together. He wanted it for himself, and we know this man likes to get what he wants. The attendant says Crowe responded with:
"If I tell you I want something, you put it aside for me. Or wake me up. Is there some kind of language barrier here?'"
Crowe, together with his LA-based lawyers, issued a 5-page denial and his lawyers have said he was "nothing less than a model citizen during the publicity tour." Hm, we just have a hard time believing him. The Mrs. probably should have just sacrificed the satay and given thanks she wasn't flying commercial or eating the food that comes along with it.
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by egw
