For most, movies are an escapist enterprise; a way to relax and forget real life for 120 minutes. Sometimes this distraction is provided through realism. Long takes track quiet people down cracked sidewalks or capture conversations that serve as an exhibition of the "everyday." Other times the worlds film creates are completely fantastic. Many have lost themselves in the cinematic landscape of The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. In 2010, media outlets began reporting on The Avatar Effect: Movie-goers experiencing extreme levels of despondence up to and including suicidal thoughts. Real life just didn't seem to cut it anymore. The following article is about distinct cinematic destinations, both real and fantastic, that might be a ton of fun to visit. Or not. It depends on the circumstance, I s'pose.
5. Cloud City
An outpost and tibanna gas mining colony on the gas giant Bespin, Cloud City received its name as it rests amongst a bed of clouds 60,000 feet above the planet's core. Comprised of 392 levels, not including a surface level concourse, the city holds everything from 50 floors of casinos and luxury hotels to the tibanna mining facilities. Among inhabitants of the outer-rim, it is a famous destination for those looking to get away on holiday. It makes the list almost by default because it comes from a series full of exotic planets of varying interest, but is still the most breathtaking. There might be those of you who would prefer Naboo, but would you really want to live in such close proximity with the Gungans? Many people have decided not to buy houses based on the presence of less annoying neighbors, however nice they may be... As for Cloud City's inclusion in The Empire Strikes Back, it is obviously the place where everything falls apart for our main cast of characters: Luke finds out Vader is his father and loses a hand, C-3PO is blasted to bits, Han is betrayed by an old friend and frozen into carbonite, leaving Leia in the hands of a Wookie and the distrustful gambler responsible for Han's fate. But still, those views... Things to watch out for: The Empire souring the whole deal.