Freeway (1996)

The 1996 dark comedy thriller “Freeway,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland, was shot in Southern California. In the film, Vanessa Lutz, played by Witherspoon, lives at this motel with her mother, Ramona (Amanda Plummer) and stepfather, Larry (Michael T. Weiss).

LOCATION: 13035 San Fernando Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342

Vanessa is depicted as living in the left unit of this building at the back of the property.

After Vanessa’s mother is arrested in a prostitution sting, a social worker attempts to take her away. Vanessa instead handcuffs the worker to a bed and escapes. The location is not in the safest of areas, so we recommend using caution if you visit in person.

After Vanessa’s car breaks down on the freeway, she is picked up by Bob Wolverton, played by Sutherland. Later, Bob and Vanessa walk at night at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro.  They stop next to the Point Fermin Lighthouse, where Vanessa discusses her past trauma. The same lighthouse can be seen in the film “(500) Days Of Summer,” as well as the TV shows “MacGyver” and “Amazing Stories.” It is also located near the Korean Bell of Friendship from “The Usual Suspects.”

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LOCATION: 807 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

The 2013 sequel “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” was primarily filmed in the Atlanta, Georgia area.  Celebrating their victory, Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence, and Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, are invited to a party at the estate of President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland.  This was filmed at the Swan House, located on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center.  This is the back side of the estate.  The same building appears again in the sequel, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2,” as well as the 1980 film “Little Darlings.”

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LOCATION: 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

The victors’ living quarters was filmed at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, where Johanna Mason, played by Jena Malone, strips nude in one of the elevators. The same location was featured in the TV series “Loki.”

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LOCATION: 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

In all “The Hunger Games” films, this SJ-7 Peacekeeper Transport was featured. Serving as armored ground vehicles for the Peacekeepers, they were entirely custom bodied for the productions. The vehicle could be found on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, which ran an exhibit entitled “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles Of Science Fiction and Fantasy” from May 2019 through May 2020.

LOCATION: Peterson Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Ken Park (2002)

Larry Clark’s controversial 2002 film “Ken Park,” written by Harmony Korine, was filmed primarily in the town of Visalia, California.  The opening credits show a montage of the titular character, Ken Park, riding his skateboard around Visalia.

Ken passes this mural at the corner of S Court St and E Acequia Ave, which surprisingly remains unchanged nearly twenty years later.

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LOCATION: 116 S Court St, Visalia, CA 93291

He jumps his skateboard off these stairs at Redwood High School.

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LOCATION: 1001 W Main St, Visalia, CA 93921

He then passes the Visalia Community Covenant Church.

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LOCATION: 315 N Conyer St, Visalia, CA 93291

He then makes his way to Provident Skatepark, where the montage ends in violence.  The skatepark is still open and actively used by skaters.  While it is listed as being on W Murray Ave, it is easiest to access by driving along N Jacob St.  A building blocks the view, but if you turn next to the railroad tracks and drive down what looks like a parking lot, you’ll reach the park.

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LOCATION: 1035 W Murray Ave, Visalia, CA 93291

One scene not filmed in Visalia is when Claude’s abusive father, along with his buddy, go out trying to pick up prostitutes at Circus Liquor, located in North Hollywood.  The liquor store and large clown sign was also seen in “Clueless,” “The Living End,” the 2005 remake of “The Bad News Bears” and Snoop Dogg’s music video for “Murder Was the Case.”

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LOCATION: 5600 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Related articles: Kids (1995), Another Day In Paradise (1998), Bully (2001)