As a follow-up to yesterday’s visit to the Paley Center and its thousands of TV titles, I wanted to visit the movies today.

Not literally at the movies, or on a movie set, but one particular movie location in downtown Los Angeles.

Have you seen Independence Day?

It’s definitely one of my favorite movies. Although, I’m not usually a fan of the science fiction film genre, but this film was an exception. Starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum, Independence Day had non-stop action from beginning to end.

In the opening scene, as the aliens are arriving, a strange group of people are standing on a rooftop, welcoming them.

Unbeknown to them, of course, the aliens were about to blow them to kingdom come. The “Library Tower,” the building’s nickname, was one of the three initial landmarks to be destroyed during the alien’s sinister attacks–the other two were the Empire State Building and the White House.

If you’re in the mood for an action packed movie, definitely rent a DVD of Independence Day.

In other movie news, on March 20, Paramount Studios is opening a new movie entitled, “I love you, Man.” The movie looks really cute, but it’s the title and the studio that attracted me. Paramount Studios has a long and storied history beginning in 1912.

Starting with the biggest names in the silent movies, Mary Pickford, Rudolf Valentino, and Clara Bow, Paramount moved on to do such blockbusters as Titanic, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Star Trek movies, and the Godfather series.

Why am I talking so much about movies?

Well, Travelin’ Local is announcing a contest.

First, the prize:

We’re offering the winner of our ongoing contests (Yes, this is the first of a few planned contests) a interesting and unique book. For this particular contest, Travelin’ Local is offering a beautiful copy of the Vanity Fair’s book, Hollywood.

“Vanity Fair’s Hollywood” is a wonderful book that portrays the glitz and glamour of Hollywood at its most glorious. Vanity Fair’s best inspirational photos are presented from the distant and not-too-recent past. And a perfect gift for that star follower in your world. Every page screams "Hooray for Hollywood", and the nostalgia of some will have you yearning for past times. It’s possibly the most beautiful book ever made on the stars that captured our imagination and inspired us.”

Everybody loves or has their favorite movies or television shows. Frequently we like them for their excitement, drama, special effects, various genres, and a myriad of reasons.

In that vein, Travelin’ Local’s contest is simple, the participant with the most points wins:

· One point is earned for leaving a comment here

· Two points are earned if you write a post on your own blog, describing what your favorite movie is and why, and then linking back to Travelin’ Local

The deadline for your entries is March 31, 2009.

Part of Travelin’ Local in Los Angeles, and Southern California, is that we’re the “Entertainment Capital” of the world.

Plus, to my reader’s, “I love you, Man” (or Woman).

And with entertainment comes fun—so let the games begin……………………..:)