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Catalog/Documentary/Los Angeles Plays Itself
Los Angeles Plays Itself poster
A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 83.9 / 100
2003·Documentary / History·2h 49m

LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF

From its distinctive neighborhoods to its architectural homes, Los Angeles has been the backdrop to countless movies. In this dazzling work, Andersen takes viewers on a whirlwind tour through the metropolis' real and cinematic history, investigating the myriad stories and legends that have come to define it, and meticulously, judiciously revealing the real city that lives beneath.

Above the Line
Thom Andersen·DirectorThom Andersen·WriterDeborah Stratman·Director of PhotographyCraig Smith·SoundPeter Bo Rappmund·Editor
Cast
Encke King·Narrator (voice)Ben Alexander·Officer Frank Smith in Dragnet (archive footage)Jim Backus·Frank Stark in Rebel Without A Cause (archive footage)Brenda Bakke·Lana Turner in L.A. Confidential (archive footage)Barbara O. Jones·Dorothy in Bush Mama (archive footage)Gene Barry·Dr. Clayton Forrester in The War of The Worlds (archive footage)Richard Basehart·Roy Morgan/Roy Martin in He Walked By Night (archive footage)Hugh Beaumont·George Copeland in The Blue Dahlia (archive footage)William Bendix·Buzz Wanchek in The Blue Dahlia (archive footage)Ann Blyth·Veda Pierce in Mildred Pierce (archive footage)
Full Crew
(9 credits)
Directing· 1
Thom Andersen·Director
Writing· 1
Thom Andersen·Writer
Camera· 1
Deborah Stratman·Director of Photography
Editing· 3
Peter Bo Rappmund·EditorPeter Bo Rappmund·Editorial ServicesAdam R. Levine·Editorial Services
Sound & Music· 2
Craig Smith·SoundThor Moser·Sound
Production· 1
Thom Andersen·Producer
By the Numbers
83.9
OF 100
Master Score
7.8
OF 10
IMDb
96%
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
—
Worldwide Gross
0
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind Los Angeles Plays Itself's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#D3D3D3
#000000
#FFC300
Mood
Urban, Cinematic
Composition
Centered
Era
1990s
Visual Style
Collage

“The movie poster features a black and white cityscape of Los Angeles, with a grid of smaller images overlaid on top. These smaller images include a helicopter, ”

Key Elements
HelicopterBuildingsCarsTunnel
Atmosphere
Gritty
Color Mood
Mixed
Setting
Urban
Design Score
7/10
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