Everyone in the world can be placed in one of two categories: country mouse or city mouse.

The country mouse loves wide open spaces, the stars at night and quiet interrupted only by the soft chirp of crickets.

The city mouse likes urban action, the rush of thousands of people in motion and the endless array of possibilities that a metropolis offers.

I consider myself one of the latter. I love cities. I love being in cities. The bigger the better. Sure, navigating a large city can be troublesome and treacherous, but given a choice, I'm choosing the deluxe apartment in the sky over Green Acres every time.

Below are five movies, each a love letter to a certain city, that shares the sentiment:

ABOUT A BOY (2002): I lived near London during the period this film purportedly takes place. A movie about relationships between people and their environments, it's also a great film about parts of the historic city that are often overshadowed by Big Ben, Parliament and the Queen's cushy pad.

L.A. STORY (1991): Although the Los Angeles in this Steve Martin classic is severely stylized, the spirit of Southern California is left wonderfully intact. Mr. Martin plays a television weatherman who yearns for connection in a town famous for its embrace of style over substance.

AMELIE (2001): A lovely romantic comedy, Amelie is set in a cinematic version of Paris that exists only in our imaginations. Every stereotype and fond memory is enhanced and magnified, turning the City of Light into a postcard version of the French city. Lovely to look at and a pleasure to watch.

MANHATTAN (1979): The affection between the lead character and his friend's mistress is secondary to the affection that director Woody Allen clearly feels for his native New York. His Manhattan , filmed in black and white, is an incredible love letter to his hometown and a stirring look at this repeatedly filmed city.

HARD-BOILED (1992): Hong Kong, an alien landscape to many Western film fans, is a rich, dense and diverse city. Using various neighborhoods and landmarks as locales, director John Woo set up action sequences that rank among the most exciting ever filmed. His later successful Hollywood career was established primarily on the basis of this film.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.