Chasing Amy (1997)

May 15, 2022March 5, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1997 Kevin Smith film “Chasing Amy” was shot primarily in Smith’s native state of New Jersey, with some additional filming in New York. Holden McNeil, played by Ben Affleck, shares an apartment with Banky Edwards, played by Jason Lee, at this building, located in Red Bank.

LOCATION: 30 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Here is a view of the full building.

The interior of the same location appears later in the film as the music shop where Holden talks with Hooper X, played by Dwight Ewell. It still operates as a music shop to this day.

After meeting Alyssa Jones, played by Joey Lauren Adams, Holden develops a friendship with her, which slowly develops into an unlikely romance. Holden and Alyssa sit on the swings at Victory Park in Rumson. The park has since changed a bit, but the hills in the background, as well as the Oceanic Bridge, still match up.

LOCATION: Victory Park, 1 Lafayette St, Rumson, NJ 07760

During a montage of Holden and Alyssa hanging out, they are seen at Washington Square Park in New York City. Washington Square Park has been seen in countless films, including “Kids,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “I Am Legend,” “Ghostbusters II,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Serpico” and many more.

LOCATION: Washington Square, New York, NY 10012

After Holden confesses his feelings for Alyssa, a dramatic argument ensues in the rain. This is the spot where Holden parks his vehicle. The building’s address is Broad St, but the area seen in the film faces Mechanic St. This is also located in Red Bank, almost right across the street from Holden and Banky’s apartment.

LOCATION: 33 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (facing Mechanic St)

Alyssa is deeply upset at Holden’s confession, as she identifies as a lesbian and is not interested in dating men. After an intense argument, Alyssa acknowledges her feelings for Holden and the two kiss in front of this building, which is located next to the above location.

LOCATION: 10 Mechanic St, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Banky talks about Catholic school girls as he watches some girls at this corner. This is directly across the street from where Holden and Alyssa have their argument.

LOCATION: 25 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Cohee tells the “Fingercuffs” story about Alyssa’s past in front of the Quick Stop Groceries in Leonardo. The location is of course synonymous with Smith’s filmography, most famously as the central location of “Clerks.” The building also appears in a number of Smith’s other films, including “Mallrats,” “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back” and “Clerks II.”

LOCATION: 58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737

Unable to accept Alyssa’s sexual past, Holden and Alyssa have another major argument at this ice rink in Brick Township. This spot is a bit further away from most of the other New Jersey locations featured in the film, roughly thirty minutes south of Red Bank.

LOCATION: 197 Chambersbridge Rd, Brick Township, NJ 08723

Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

March 15, 2022February 19, 2023 / 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

Downsizing (2017)

February 15, 2022March 20, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Portions of the 2017 Alexander Payne film “Downsizing,” like much of his work, filmed in the director’s home state of Nebraska, with additional filming in Canada and Norway. Early in the film, Paul and Audrey Safranek, played by Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, live at this duplex, located in Omaha. In one scene, they are seen selling their belongings in a yard sale out front, as they prepare to downsize.

LOCATION: 4629 Douglas St, Omaha, NE 68132

The back of the property and garage also appear in the film. An alley runs behind Douglas Street to this area.

Paul sits with his buddies watching a news program debating the benefits of downsizing at this restaurant.

LOCATION: 4432 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105

The Safraneks look at this home in Elkhorn as they evaluate the local housing market. The interior was filmed at a different house in the same neighborhood.

LOCATION: 18676 Oregon Cir, Elkhorn, NE 68022

Paul and Audrey attend an alumni gathering at this school, where they run into an old friend Dave, played by Jason Sudeikis. Dave has been downsized and tells Paul all about the benefits of his life after the procedure. The entrance seen in the film is at the back and has been slightly remodeled since filming took place.

LOCATION: 7400 Western Ave, Omaha, NE 68114 (back entrance at 41°16’19.5″N, 96°01’39.8″W)

Paul and Audrey have a going away gathering at Jams Old Market (1101 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102).

Suburbicon (2017)

January 6, 2022December 10, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2017 George Clooney film “Sububicon,” starring Matt Damon and Julianne Moore, was filmed in Southern California. In the opening scenes, a book is shown depicting the formation of the Suburbicon community. The Suburbicon Shopping Mall is part of the Valley Plaza in North Hollywood, which has been featured in countless productions, such as “Captain Marvel” and “Too Old To Die Young.” The actual building has long been vacant.

LOCATION: 2124 Sylvan St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

The Mayers familys family moves into this home in Fullerton, which causes a stir with the racist neighbors in 1950s suburbia.

LOCATION: 1325 W Ash Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833

Gardner and Rose Lodge, played by Damon and Moore, live in this home, which is supposedly located back to back with the above home, but can actually be found over in Carson.

LOCATION: 19720 Dunbrooke Ave, Carson, CA 90746

The bus station is back at the Valley Plaza in North Hollywood.

LOCATION: 6255 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

The Battle Of Shaker Heights (2003)

January 19, 2019October 9, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2003 “Project Greenlight” film, “The Battle of Shaker Heights,” attempted to substitute Los Angeles filming locations for Shaker Heights, Ohio. The house where Kelly, played by Shia LaBouf, lives is the same house seen in “Kill Bill,” where The Bride battles Vernita Green. It can also be seen in the 2004 film “Mysterious Skin.”

LOCATION: 5500 Atlas St, Los Angeles, CA 90032

The house of Lance can be found in South Pasadena. The same house was also featured in the Rob Zombie remake of “Halloween.”

LOCATION: 1937 La France Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

December 15, 2018October 19, 2022 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the opening of Steven Soderbergh’s ensemble heist remake, “Ocean’s Eleven,” Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, is released from prison. This scene was filmed at the East Jersey State Prison. A real prison, the location has appeared in numerous films, including “The Irishman,” “Malcolm X,” “Rounders,” “He Got Game,” “The Hurricane” and more.

LOCATION: 1100 Woodbridge Rd, Rahway, NJ 07065

Danny meets up with Rusty, played by Brad Pitt. The two drive to Musso & Frank Grill, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, founded over 100 years ago. The two can be seen driving to the parking lot with a camera mounted on the back of the car. The interior pops up twice in the film. First when Danny lays out the plans for a Vegas heist to Rusty, then again when Danny questions if ten men is enough, or if they need one more. The restaurant has popped up in numerous films, including “Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood,” “Ed Wood,” “Blonde” and “Swingers,” as well as the TV shows “Mad Men” and “Bosch.”

LOCATION: 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Later in the film Rusty rescues Basher, played by Don Cheadle. This was filmed at a bank in Downtown Los Angeles, across the street from where the opening scenes of “Speed” were filmed.

LOCATION: 601 W 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The reverse view is also shown in the scene, looking out onto the intersection of S Grand Ave and W 5th St.

The gang plans a “pinch” to create a temporary blackout on the Las Vegas Strip. The scenes in which they steal the device to create the electromagnetic pulse were filmed at the Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility on the UC Irvine campus in California.

LOCATION: 829 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA 92617

The ending, with the gang all standing in front of the casino fountain, was filmed at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

LOCATION: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

The Departed (2006)

January 14, 2018January 2, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Martin Scorsese’s classic Boston crime saga “The Departed,” a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs,” used a mixture of Boston and New York to comprise the locations of the film. After Warner Bros. purchased the rights to the film, director Martin Scorsese deliberately avoided viewing it until after he completed “The Departed.” Here we’ll take a look at some of the Boston locations from the film.

The Massachusetts State House plays a recurring role in the film, as Matt Damon’s character Colin Sullivan stares in awe at it and rents an upscale penthouse apartment with a view of it’s iconic golden dome at the center of the Boston skyline. The same building was featured in the films “Amistad,” “The Verdict” and “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.”

LOCATION: 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

Matt Damon’s penthouse “apartment” isn’t really an apartment at all. It’s the library on the top floor of the Suffolk University Law School. For this obvious reason, the building is never seen from an exterior view in the film, but this is what it looks like from the street. Unfortunately, you must have a university ID to enter the building, so recreating the apartment view from the library is not possible for the public.

LOCATION: 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108

Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson, lives at this apartment overlooking the east waterfront of the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston. The building is known as Flagship Wharf. Much like Matt Damon’s apartment, the exteriors of this building are scarcely seen in the film. However, some shots of the windows and a view out over the water can be seen as Costello talks on the phone to Sullivan.

LOCATION: 197 8th St, Boston, MA 02129

Outside of Costello’s bar, two of Costello’s crew, Fitzy and Delahunt, stand and observe pedestrians walking by, claiming anyone who avoids looking at the pair are cops. As Billy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, exits the building without looking at them, Fitzy jokingly says to him “You’re a cop.” Two buildings were actually used for this location; this exterior can be found in Boston, while the interior was an entirely different building in New York (Raul’s, 180 Prince St, New York, NY 10012).

LOCATION: 17 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

Late in the film, Billy meets Queenan, played by Martin Sheen on a rooftop of what is supposedly 344 Washington Street. There is a hand-drawn sign in front with the numbers 344. Costello’s crew is informed of the meeting and Delahunt mistakenly tells Billy to meet them at “314 Washington.” Despite his error, Billy meets Costello’s crew at the correct address, cluing in Delahunt to Billy’s real identity.

The entrance to real building seen in the film is not on Washington Street, but rather along an alley running between Farnsworth Street and Thompson Place, just north of Congress Street in Boston’s Fort Point.

LOCATION: 11 Farnsworth St, Boston, MA 02210 (this entrance is along a side alley of the building, running between Farnsworth Street and Thompson Place)

Billy narrowly escapes from the rooftop to avoid exposure as an undercover cop. He races down a fire escape into this alley, just beside the entrance seen above. The real building does not have a fire escape, but some skillful editing makes it appear as if this is where the fire escape reaches the streets.

LOCATION: Alley between 11 Farnsworth St and 12 Thompson Pl, Boston, MA 02210

Just as Billy reaches the front of the building, he is shocked as Queenan is thrown from the rooftop. His body falls in front of these windows. Director Martin Scorsese had X marks taped over all the windows, as an homage to the 1932 film “Scarface.”

Billy looks in horror back in front of the building entrance, as Costello’s crew pours out and meet up with him, unaware he was the undercover cop they were just seeking. The police observe the scene and, against Sullivan’s orders, engage in a shootout with Costello’s crew. Billy and Sullivan’s fateful meeting also takes place in this building and on the rooftop.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

December 9, 2017October 19, 2022 / filmoblivion / 2 Comments

Despite being famously set in Boston, Massachusetts, much of the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting” actually filmed in Toronto, Canada. The film brought home Oscar gold for screenwriters Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, as well as Robin Williams. Despite heavily filming in Toronto, some scenes were indeed filmed in Boston, including several of the film’s most well-known locations.

Will, played by Matt Damon, and Chuckie, played by Ben Affleck, hang out at the L Street Tavern in South Boston.

LOCATION: 658 E 8th St, Boston, MA 02127

They even keep a sign on the side of the building, calling it the “Home of Good Will Hunting.”

Over at Harvard Square in Cambridge, north of Boston, you’ll find where a couple memorable locations from the film formerly stood, right across the street from Harvard University. However, it gets confusing due to some remodeling that took place after filming. The Bow and Arrow Pub is where, after obtaining Skyler’s phone number and spotting a rival grad student, Will walks up to the window and delivers his famous “How do you like them apples?” line.

In the film, the scene was at the storefront of a Dunkin Donuts. After the remodel, the Dunkin Donuts relocated over to the left side, down Bow St, before eventually closing it’s doors for good. However, the location on the left, which is currently a ramen restaurant, was not the original filming location. You can see the actors standing next to Massachusetts Ave in the scene, confirming the geography of the original site. Thanks to reader “Little P” for helping clarify this.

LOCATION: 1230 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

In the same general area is where the former Bow and Arrow Pub stood, which is where Will first meets Skylar. It’s also where he has the confrontation with an arrogant, pony-tailed grad student later seen at the Dunkin Donuts. It was formerly located a bit further down Bow St, prior to the property being remodeled. It was likewise taken over as the back portion of the Grafton Pub, while the front portion changed into a separate storefront.

LOCATION: 1 Bow St, Cambridge, MA 02138

The famous bench where Will sits with Sean, played by Robin Williams, can be found at the Boston Public Garden. Surprisingly, the bench is not marked in any way as being the spot from the film. If you’re unfamiliar with the garden park, it may take you a bit to find it, but it’s a popular spot and sometimes you can spot it simply by watching for others taking photos there. To get to the bench, follow the lakeside path north from the west end of the bridge. If you’re at the bridge, you would go down the small set of stairs to reach it. Behind the bench, you’ll see an intersection of paths and a tree with a branch forming a “v” shape. In front of the bench, you’ll see the below view, with the curving edge along the water and the tree in the distance. Referring to this map of the park, the bench is number 5.

LOCATION: Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA 02116

Dogma (1999)

May 30, 2017April 9, 2023 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Kevin Smith’s 1999 biblical comedy “Dogma” was primarily filmed in Pennsylvania, with some additional filming in New Jersey. The opening scene is set in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The scene was indeed actually filmed at the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

LOCATION: 1300 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (GPS coordinates: 40°13’22.4″N, 73°59’55.6″W)

The church featured prominently in the film is supposedly located in Red Bank, New Jersey, but can actually be found Pittsburgh. Cardinal Glick, played by George Carlin, introduces “Catholicism Wow!” and the famous “Buddy Christ” here. Later in the film, Loki and Bartleby, played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, attempt to bring the apocalypse upon Earth in front of the church.

LOCATION: 130 Larimer Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Azrael, played by Jason Lee, sets up his base of operations at this home, also located in Pittsburgh.

LOCATION: 205 Red Oak Ct, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Bethany, played by Linda Fiorentino, ends up broken down along the side of the road with Jay and Silent Bob on this bridge, located in Oakdale

LOCATION: Nike Site Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071 (GPS coordinates: 40°24’16.2″N, 80°09’11.4″W)

Rufus, played by Chris Rock, falls from the sky nude in this area.

Here is the area where the car breaks down, with this electrical tower visible behind Jay and Silent Bob.

Thanks to monrozombi for providing us the Azrael house and bridge locations.

Film Oblivion

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