INTO THE WILD might be the most influential film I’ve seen since DEAD POETS SOCIETY. I know, the book was better, blah, blah. The film is great and yes, I too hate Sean Penn. Without a doubt the greatest location in the film was Slab City (near Niland, CA). Assuming that Hollywood magic was responsible for the incredible vibe in the film I set out to visit this place. Middle of no where. In fact, I was driving 102mph on this two lane road through desert and I got pulled over. Figuring I was heading to jail I rolled down the window ‘fake crying’ only to find out that I had been pulled over by the border patrol search ‘zone two’ for immigrants. He checked my trunk for a little old mexican lady and let me go. It was like the twilight zone. I made to Slab City and I was astonished to find EVERY detail the same as in the movie. For once…not let down by Hollywood, by hippies or by the desire to be inspired.
