Super 8 (2011)

March 19, 2022March 19, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2011 J.J. Abrams film “Super 8” is set in the fictional town of Lillian, Ohio, but was primarily filmed in Weirton, West Virginia. Weirton is located on the Northwestern tip of West Virginia and is just minutes away from both the Ohio and Pennsylvania borders. Joe Lamb, played by Joel Courtney, lives with his father Deputy Jackson Lamb, played by Kyle Chandler, at this home.

LOCATION: 144 Fernwood Ave, Weirton, WV 26062

The boys attend Lillian Middle School. The real building is actually a church.

LOCATION: 3900 Brightway St, Weirton, WV 26062

Joe’s friend Charles Kaznyk, played by Riley Griffiths, lives at this home. In the film, the home is seen as being located just across from Joe’s house, which is accurate.

LOCATION: 200 Crystal Ln, Weirton, WV 26062

Joe eats with his father at Carol’s Diner, where his father tries to persuade him to enroll in a summer baseball camp, away from his friends.

LOCATION: 3101 Main St, Weirton, WV 26062

The home where Alice Dainard, played by Elle Fanning, lived has since been demolished. The home in the background, however, still matches up with the shot seen in the film.

LOCATION: 256 Ave F, Weirton, WV 26062 (now demolished)

Later in the film, a large monster wreaks havoc on the town and the military is deployed, turning the neighborhood into a battlefield. As explosions light up the night, tanks can be seen on S 20th St and Mineral Ave. In the area where a tank rolls through a playground, a house has since been built. The boys are seen running into Kathy’s house to seek refuge, at the top of the hill in the foreground, on the corner of S 20th St and S 17th St. No home actually exists there, as it gets largely destroyed in the film. It was entirely added by the production.

LOCATION: S 20th St / S 17th St, Weirton, WV 26062

At the climax of the film, metal objects from the town are pulled by a magnetic force to the top of a water tower. No tower actually exists at the location, this was another visual effect. The surrounding buildings all match up, however. Some of the paintings on the sides of the buildings are even the same as they appear in the film. The same area is seen earlier in the film, when the boys are riding their bikes down the street. This area is located very close to the Carol’s Diner location seen earlier in the film and the camera store the boys visit is on the left side of the street at 3061 Main St, Weirton, WV 26062.

LOCATION: 3073 Main St, Weirton, WV 26062

If you find yourself in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or Northeast Ohio, be sure to make a stop in Weirton. It is located less than an hour from Pittsburgh and most of the filming locations are in a small, concentrated area.

Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

March 15, 2022May 16, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2001 comedy “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” starring Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, was primarily filmed in Southern California, with some additional footage shot in Smith’s home state of New Jersey. The film opens in 1970s Leonardo, New Jersey at the Quick Stop Groceries, where Jay and Silent Bob are shown as babies sitting outside the store in strollers. The location is of course famous among Smith fans as the primary location of his debut film, “Clerks.”

LOCATION: 58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737

As the story jumps to present day, the original characters from “Clerks,” Dante and Randall, played by Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson, talk inside at the counter. Randall decides to call the police on Jay and Silent Bob, to get rid of them loitering outside.

Jay and Silent Bob stand next to the RST Video, where they appear in many of Smith’s other films.

LOCATION: 60 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737

Brodie’s Secret Stash, a fictional take on Smith’s “Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash” was filmed at the real store, formerly located at 35 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. It has since relocated to a bigger space down the road at 65 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701.

The Mooby’s restaurant seen in the film now sits vacant in North Hollywood. This same location was used as Pig Burgers in “Better Off Dead.” Here Jay meets Justice, played by Shannon Elizabeth, and he and Silent Bob join up with her friends, who turn out to be diamond thieves.

LOCATION: 6223 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Justice and her accomplices stop at this liquor store in Winnetka, where Jay and Silent Bob try to stand out front, but can’t get comfortable leaning on the glass windows. The same liquor store also appeared in the film “Magnolia” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ music video for “1979.”

LOCATION: 20001 Roscoe Blvd, Winnetka, CA 91306

The women set up Jay and Silent Bob as patsies, sending them on a mission to rescue a monkey from a testing lab, while they actually stage a diamond heist. These scenes were filmed in Valencia, California.

LOCATION: 27220 Turnberry Ln, Valencia, CA 91355

This area is where the science lab entrance was located.

To the right is where the Diamond Exchange entrance was located.

The Arena Diner, where Jay and Silent Bob escape police, was filmed at the famous Vasquez Rocks. One of the most popular filming locations in all of California, the iconic rocks have appeared in such films as “The Flintstones,” “Dante’s Peak,” “Jingle All The Way,” “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” “Hail, Caesar!,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Paul” and dozens more. Television shows which featured Vasquez Rocks in episodes include “The Fugutive,” “The A-Team,” “MacGuyver” and perhaps most famous of all, the original “Star Trek” series, where the rocks were seen in numerous episodes, serving as multiple different planets. The rocks have also been seen in music videos for Michael Jackson, Radiohead, 311 and many more, as well as countless commercials.

LOCATION: 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350

The building where Jay and Silent Bob run into Pumpkin Escobar, a fellow unionized drug dealer played by Tracy Morgan, was formerly located at 1557 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. It has since been demolished and a parking lot stands in its place.

E! News does a story in front of Mirimax Studios, which does not actually have a real studio lot. The scenes were filmed at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City. The film’s studio lot scenes were all shot here as well.

LOCATION: 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

At the end of the movie, numerous characters from Smith’s past films are seen coming out of the El Rey Theatre, which is depicted as a movie theater. Jay then invites everyone to the concert “across the street.” The El Rey is in fact a live music venue, not a movie theater, and the closing performance by Morris Day & The Time was filmed inside the same location. The venue also appeared in the film “License To Drive.”

LOCATION: 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Burning (2018)

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2018 South Korean drama “Burning,” starring Steven Yeun, Yoo Ah-in and Jeon Jong-seo, filmed in Seoul and Paju. In the film, Shin Hae-mi, played by Jeon Jong-seo, lives in this apartment. As you can see from the photo, it is located near the N Seoul Tower (a.k.a. Namsan Tower), which is a tourist attraction in Seoul. If you’ve never seen the film, we highly recommend it.

LOCATION: 23 Duteopbawi-ro 38-gil, Huam-dong Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Nightcrawler (2014)

March 9, 2022March 27, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2014 Dan Gilroy film “Nightcrawler,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, was filmed around Los Angeles, California. The film tells the story of a Louis Bloom, an ambitious freelance photojournalist, who increasingly crosses moral boundaries to obtain captivating footage to sell to news stations. The production made use of locations all around the city. During the opening credits, the Griffith Observatory is seen. The Observatory is of course a staple of film and television, appearing in such films as “The Terminator,” “Rebel Without A Cause,” “La La Land” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Capitol Records building also makes an appearance during the opening credits. It can also be seen in countless films, including “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” “Get Him to the Greek,” “Rush Hour” and many more.

LOCATION: 1750 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Lou’s apartment can be found in Angelino Heights, near Dodger Stadium.

LOCATION: 1045 Figueroa Terrace, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Lou sits parked near Bob’s Market, listening to the police radio. The same market can be seen in such films “The Fast And The Furious,” “L.A. Confidential” and “The Salton Sea.”

LOCATION: 1234 Bellevue Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Lou starts filming a police arrest in front of this building in Echo Park, prompting the officers to threaten him with arrest.

LOCATION: 1123 Laveta Terrace, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Over in Koreatown, Lou arrives at the aftermath of a car jacking, where a man has been injured. He once again oversteps his bounds, causing him and another photojournalist to be kicked out of the crime scene. In the film, the characters state the location as 1st and Western, which is accurate.

LOCATION: S Western Ave / W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90004

After eavesdropping on a call of another photojournalist selling his footage, Lou heads to a news station, where he successfully sells his footage as well. This was filmed at 5808 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, but the building has since been demolished. The corporate offices for Netflix now stand in its place.

Later in the film, Lou rejects an offer to work for Joe Loder, played by Bill Paxton, in front of another TV station just down the road, which still stands.

LOCATION: 5800 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Lou interviews Rick for a job as his assistant at Dinah’s Cafe in Culver City. The same restaurant has also appeared in such films as “The Big Lebowski” and “The Limey.”

LOCATION: 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Lou attempts to interview a witnesses next door to another crime scene in front of this home.

LOCATION: 1415 N Coronado St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

He then enters the home of the crime scene, which is one house to the left, to get more footage.

LOCATION: 1411 N Coronado St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

After Rick, played by Riz Ahmed, spills some gas on his car at this gas station in Studio City, Lou threatens to fire him.

LOCATION: 12007 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Joe Loder lives at this home, located in Venice.

LOCATION: 808 Royal Ct, Venice, CA 90291

Royal Ct is a very narrow road, but there is a pedestrian walkway from Pacific Ave, which offers easier access and parking.

Joe Loder’s van crashes into a light pole at this intersection in Studio City.

LOCATION: Ventura Pl / Laurel Canyon Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Lou captures an active crime scene where a shooting is taking place in Tarzana. The home sits down a long drive and cannot be seen from the street.

LOCATION: 4808 Topeka Dr, Tarzana, CA 91356

Out front on Topeka Dr, however, the area where he parks on the street can easily be seen.

Lou uses his video footage to track down the shooting suspects. He follows them after they leave their apartment, located in Echo Park.

LOCATION: 1701 Clinton St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

The shooting suspects stop at this Chinese restaurant, where Lou sets up to videotape their capture, before calling the police to report them.

LOCATION: 252 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Army Of The Dead (2021)

March 6, 2022March 6, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2021 Zack Snyder film “Army of the Dead,” starring Dave Bautista, was filmed around New Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada. During the opening credits, mercenary Scott Ward, played by Bautista, is seen rescuing a woman during the zombie outbreak in front of this building.

LOCATION: 140 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

Scott Ward works in this burger restaurant, where a newscast explains Las Vegas has been quarantined, with an imminent nuclear strike planned to eliminate the zombies, who have overtaken the city. Ward is visited by Bly Tanaka, who offers him a deal to breach the evacuated city and retrieve $200 million from a safe inside a vault under the Vegas strip.

LOCATION: 3521 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

March 5, 2022April 15, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1990 horror sequel “Child’s Play 2” was filmed primarily in Southern California, with a bit of the opening filmed in Chicago, Illinois. The Play Pals Toy Factory can be found in Long Beach.

LOCATION: 118 Pier S Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Andy, played by Alex Vincent, lives at this home, located in South Pasadena.

LOCATION: 2035 Milan Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The adoption center can be found in Downtown Los Angeles. The building has been featured in countless films and television series, including “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Divergent,” “The Muppets,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “License To Drive,” “Unlawful Entry,” “Wrath Of Man,” “The Negotiator,” “Inspector Gadget” and dozens more.

LOCATION: 635 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Kyle, played by Christine Elise, gets pulled over in front of this building, also located in Downtown L.A. It too has appeared in many films, such as “Saw,” “Another Day In Paradise” and “Out For Justice.”

LOCATION: 1243 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hustlers (2019)

March 1, 2022February 28, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2019 film “Hustlers,” starring Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez, was filmed in New York. The house of Destiny, played by Wu, can be found in New Rochelle.

LOCATION: 72 Elk Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10804

In one scene, Destiny is late returning home and finds the babysitter had to leave her daughter with a neighbor. Destiny is seen running across her front yard and through the street to pick up her daughter.

The neighbor’s house is across the street, as seen in the film. Mostly just the side of the house and front porch are seen in the film.

LOCATION: 77 Elk Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10804

The home of Destiny’s grandmother can be found in The Bronx.

LOCATION: 219 E 236th St, The Bronx, NY 10470

The film also shot in Long Island City, with the Moves strip club located at 42-50 21st St, Long Island City, NY 11101, as well as in White Plains, with Destiny’s daughter’s school located at 52 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603, USA (GPS coordinates: 41.039259, -73.763277). Several scenes shot throughout New York City as well.

The Golden Palace

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

“The Golden Palace” was a spin-off of the classic sitcom “The Golden Girls,” which aired for one season from 1992 to 1993. The show tells the story of Blanche, Rose, and Sophia opening a hotel in Miami. The hotel, known as “The Golden Palace,” is actually known as “The Carlyle” and can be found along the famous Ocean Dr in Miami Beach. The same hotel was featured in the films “The Birdcage” and “Scarface,” as well as the TV show “Miami Vice.”

LOCATION: 1250 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Related articles: The Golden Girls, Empty Nest

Freaky Friday (2003)

February 24, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” starring Lindsay Lohan (Anna Coleman) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Tess Coleman), was filmed in Southern California. The Coleman house can be found in Pacific Palisades. The same home appeared in the film “You Again.”

LOCATION: 732 Chapala Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

The high school seen in the film is Palisades High School. The same school was used in the original 1976 “Carrie,” “The Glass House,” “Havoc,” “Crazy/Beautiful,” the TV show “Saved By The Bell” and many more productions.

LOCATION: 15777 Bowdoin St, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Cast Away (2000)

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2000 Robert Zemeckis film “Cast Away” shot in Tennessee, Texas, Moscow, Russia and a remote island named Monuriki, which is part of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. The production famously shut down for one year to allow Tom Hanks, who stars as Chuck Noland, to lose weight and grow his hair out for the role. The island’s coordinates, where much of the film takes place, are 17°36’36.0″S, 177°02’03.5″E.

The beginning and the end of the film take place at the same location, a crossroads located near the towns of Mobeetie and Canadian, in Hemphill County, Texas. Depending on the map, you’ll see it listed under either town. The opening shot shows a delivery truck turning right from FM1268 onto a dirt road called Co Rd 5 (the southern, paved portion of the road is FM 48).

LOCATION: FM1268 / Co Rd 5, Mobeetie, TX 79061 (GPS coordinates: 35°38’01.8″N, 100°27’04.7″W)

The film closes at the same intersection, where Chuck pulls over near the stop sign. He speaks here with the owner of the ranch, who offers him directions. In the film, you can actually see the street signs. While the stop sign is still there, the street signs are gone. Chuck then walks to the center of the intersection and faces all four directions of the crossroads, before the film fades into the end credits.

The truck from the beginning, as well as Chuck’s vehicle at the end, both drive up Co Rd 5 (also known as Neece Road) towards a ranch. The path the vehicles take is geographically accurate from the intersection where the film begins and ends. Its about a ten minute drive to reach it. The road is mostly flat and can accommodate most vehicles.

The truck then turns into a ranch, with a sign for “Dick and Bettina” at the entrance gate (the “Dick” part of the sign has been removed by the end of the film). The real ranch is known as Arrington Ranch House Lodge. When Chuck leaves a note to the owner at the end of the film, the letterhead actually says “Arrington Ranch.” The home was built in 1919 by former Texas Ranger George Washington Arrington. Today the ranch is still owned by the same family and operates as a bed and breakfast, offering fans of the film an opportunity to stay at the property.

LOCATION: 9765 Co Rd 5, Canadian, TX 79014 (the address is also listed as 9765 Neece on some maps)

The entrance gate currently at the ranch is not the same one seen in the film, but the owners did use angel wings in the center, as seen in the film.

The barn where the truck picks up the parcel is still there.

Here’s a better look at the main ranch house. Chuck returns the package he kept from the plane wreckage, which washed ashore the deserted island, leaving it at the front door.

Here is a wider view of the property. The ranch itself is private property and there are warning signs not to trespass. You can see everything well from the road, however, or if you want a closer look, you can seek out reservations online to stay at the ranch, via the Arrington Ranch website.

The home of Kelly, played by Helen Hunt, can be found in Memphis, Tennessee (74 Devon Way Memphis, TN 38111).

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