Jagged Edge (1985) – Another thriller, this movie starred Jeff Bridges and Glenn Close. Jagged Edge was the precurser to Basic Instinct, with plenty of suspense but not as much raw sex. For scenery, Coit Tower is in this one, and again, lots of inside shots of the spectacular architecture of City Hall.

Joy Luck Club (1993) – Though there are not a lot of city views, this movie about four Chinese women and their daughters is set in San Francisco. Like any good chick flick, it's good for a box of tissues. I should know. I cry every time I see it.

Playing Mona Lisa (2000) – Starring Marlo Thomas, Elliott Gould, and Alicia Witt, this movie explores the life of a recent piano performance graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (the old Conservatory in the Sunset District) and her world as it begins to collapse around her. This happens literally, as she loses her apartment due to an earthquake. There are nice views of the city from Marin County as well.

Woman on Top (2000) – This indie film stars Penelope Cruz as a Brazilian woman who runs away from her husband to study culinary science in San Francisco. She ends up on TV with her own cooking show and a new sense of independence. Lots of city scenes and there’s a great beach scene as well.

Life Tastes Good (1999) – Another independent film, this one is about a Japanese American hit man who steals money from a gangster, then hides out from him in a Potrero Hill warehouse. He’s going to die anyway, since he has cancer. He reconnects with his children, and finds love in a mildly twisted plot change. This film is poignant, but also has a sense of humor.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2005) – This documentary follows somewhat homeless man, Mark Bittner, who spent many years taking care of the wild cherry head conure parrots that live in this neighborhood near Coit Tower and North Beach. There are lots of great still and movie shots of the area and of the parrots.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for Part II.