Los Angeles has long been a focal point for filmmakers, artists, and storytellers, with its diverse landscapes and cultural neighborhoods vividly depicted in various forms of media.
Recently, AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news program, opened the floor to listeners to share their favorite representations of L.A. in popular culture.
A lifelong Angeleno, who grew up in Boyle Heights, provided insights into the 1993 film Blood In Blood Out, highlighting the significance of its location scouting, which included historical landmarks like ‘El Pino’ and carneceria Los Cinco Puntos. The latter now features a mural of the film on one of its walls.
Mark from El Sereno kicked off the discussion with his appreciation for Collateral, a film directed by Michael Mann. He praised the film for showcasing the broad diversity of Los Angeles, from Koreatown to the Latin Quarter and the surrounding skyscrapers.
Raffi, from Hollywood Hills, echoed Mark’s admiration for Mann’s work, specifically pointing out how both Collateral and Heat effectively capture the sprawling nature and cultural richness of various neighborhoods often overlooked in mainstream media.
Sharon McNary, a former reporter turned LAist host, took the opportunity to highlight Training Day, emphasizing the film’s ability to display a range of locations, including Echo Park, the L.A. Police Academy, and LAX.
On a different note, Monica in Ventura expressed her enthusiasm for reality television, specifically Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She remarked about pausing to admire the drone footage featured in the show, describing it as a unique glimpse into L.A.
Listeners also reflected on the intriguing characters depicted in L.A.’s media landscape. Jesse from Pasadena recalled his surprise upon moving to the city and realizing the authenticity of the portrayals he had previously found absurd in Down and Out in Beverly Hills. His new job allowed him to interact with the very people depicted in the film.
Yawn from Hancock Park pointed to the long-running series Columbo, which starred Peter Falk as a homicide detective in Los Angeles. Yawn noted, ‘Even places like Barney’s Beanery, where he would solve crimes, still exist,’ highlighting how the show chronicled the city over the decades.
Xander from Cyprus Park shared his fondness for the animated-live action hybrid film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, stating that ‘Los Angeles is just at its best when it’s a cartoon.’ His comment reflects the whimsical side of L.A. that merges fantasy with reality.
The historical backdrop of Los Angeles was not left out of the conversation. Eric in Glendale praised Once Upon A Time In Hollywood for its meticulous attention to detail concerning the late 1960s era in the city.
Elizabeth in Temple City also chimed in, applauding the video game L.A. Noir, which immerses players in a 1940s detective storyline, complete with an accurate map of the city from that time period.
Adding to the praise for interactive media, Nic Perez, an AirTalk producer, expressed enthusiasm for Grand Theft Auto V. He appreciated how the game incorporates local culture, like featuring radio host Big Boy on one of its fictional music stations.
Perez noted, ‘Driving around the freeways, having the sun shine down on you while listening to fake radio stations is so pleasant,’ encapsulating why these media depictions resonate so deeply with locals.
In a city defined by its entertainment, the diverse evaluations from listeners underscore the complexity and beauty of Los Angeles as captured through the lens of various media.
image source from：laist
