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That's Not F*cking New York!

The worst excuses for a New York backdrop in film history!

By Jordan Hoffman March 27, 2009
  

By: Jordan Hoffman

Ever since Otway and Gray Latham used Edison's Kinetoscope to shoot Young Griffo versus Battling Charles Burnett, a discovery was made: no place looks better on film than New York City.

Location photography in New York has been a staple of moviemaking since the beginning. As has faking it. As a New Yorker (and licensed NYC tourguide - check page 15 of this PDF from New York's Department of Consumer Affairs for proof!) there's nothing that irks me more than to see something on the big screen that is supposed to be New York, but clearly isn't. Especially in a recent, large budget film that just... oughta know better.

So step aboard my red double decker bus to shout foul from the top. Here are some of the worst offenders.

The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

Hulk Smash inadequate production design!!

Louis Leterrier may be from France but he went to school in New York. So he ought to know what a New York City street sign looks like. It doesn't look like that. How hard is it to get the font right? Epic typography fail!

The final battle in The Incredible Hulk wins points for going up to Harlem, but loses them instantly when the fakest looking 125th street is revealed. Yes, there has been economic growth in recent years, but the place is not ablaze like Times Square at night. These buzzing neon signs (and oversized Apollo marquis) ruined the veracity for any New Yorker in the theater. The Hotel Theresa and Blumenstein's aren't good enough for The Hulk?

See More: Cloverfield | End of Days | fake | Knowing | Men in Black | movies | New York | Punisher: War Zone | Spider-Man | Superman II | The Incredible Hulk | The Taking of Pelham 123 | The Terminal | You Dont Mess With The Zohan