Okay, I promise I'm not promoting a film or anything. But I saw the trailer for "I Am Legend," coming out this winter, starring Will Smith. It's based on the novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, and there have already been two adaptations of it: "The Last Man On Earth" in 1964, starring Vincent Price, and 1971's "The Omega Man," with Charlton Heston (thanks, IMDB!).
Anyway, the movie looks pretty cool. Basically, Will Smith has spent the last decade as the only man left in Manhattan (or is he???, etc.).
But watching the trailer, what really struck me was the notion of a New York City without anyone to take care of it or to make it run. As I wrote about a few days ago, the city would pretty quickly fall into disrepair.
Check it out for the scenes of a weedy, overgrown Times Square and empty, crumbling streets through the city.
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |