3 From Hell (2019)

December 6, 2019December 6, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Rob Zombie’s “3 From Hell,” the follow up to “The Devil’s Rejects” and “House of 1,000 Corpses,” was filmed entirely in Southern California. Some minor spoilers are contained in this article.

Prison scenes were filmed at the Sybil Brand Institute, a former women’s prison in Los Angeles. It was here that Manson Family member Susan Atkins confessed to a cell mate named Virginia Graham about the Tate Murders. Graham in turn shared what Atkins had told her, which eventually helped lead to the capture of Charles Manson. The prison shut down in 1997, but today the grounds are still owned by the Los Angeles sherrif’s office, where it’s used by warehouse companies and for filming purposes. Another film featuring Sid Haig, 1997’s “Jackie Brown” also filmed at this location. Here is the front of the former prison, although it is never seen from this angle in the film.

LOCATION: 4500 City Terrace Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Much of the film is set in the town of Durango, Mexico. These scenes were actually filmed on the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot in Santa Clarita, California.

Many people know the lot as the Veluzat Movie Ranch and it is still commonly referred to by that name. However, the ranch has since changed its name to the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot. If you make it to the ranch in person, you’ll see a sign at the gates, referring to it as the Melody Ranch Studio Backlot. The lot is owned by the Veluzats, who also own Melody Ranch in Newhall, California. To make matters more confusing, right next to the Veluzat Backlot in Santa Clarita sits the Diamond V Movie Ranch. This is owned by other members of the Velutats, but not the same ones as those who own Melody Ranch and the Melody Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch). People often mistake Diamond V and Veluzat Ranch as being one in the same, but they are two separate properties with different ownership.

While perhaps not quite as well known as Melody Ranch in Newhall, the Melody Backlot is actually larger. To get to the ranch, you make a turn from Copper Hill Drive. There is a very unassuming dirt road there (GPS coordinates: 34°27’36.5″N 118°30’32.0″W). You would never guess from that road what lies at the end of that dirt road, but if you follow the long dirt road, you’ll sure enough arrive at the ranches. However, a locked fence is at the entrance and you can proceed no further without permission of the owners. The good news, however, is that the ranch is available for public tours. You must book by appointment only and if productions are in active progress, that may inhibit their availability, but the Melody Ranch owners are very generous in that they offer tours at all, because most movie ranches do not.

The main attraction of the ranch is the full scale Mexican town set, which is of course featured prominently in this film. There are a few other sets there as well. The ranch was also featured in Zombie’s “House of 1,000 Corpses,” as well as such films as “Dante’s Peak,” Friday the 13th: Part III,” “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” “Last Man Standing,” “Chaplin” and many more. Most recently, it was featured in the TV show “Westworld” as the Mexican town of “Las Mudas.”

Here is the establishing shot of the town square.

LOCATION: Melody Ranch Studio Backlot (a.k.a. Veluzat Movie Ranch), Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 (GPS coordinates: 34°29’03.5″N 118°30’25.1″W)

The “three from hell “look down on the town from this hilltop before entering.

They make their way down into the town through these gates.

Here is another view of the hill they drive down entering the town.

They then pass through this arched gate toward the main town square.

Baby, played by Sheri Moon Zombie, sees company approaching near the Estrella del Motel.

Baby and Winslow Foxworth Coltrane, played by Richard Brake, sit on this fountain.

Otis Driftwood, played by Bill Moseley, emerges from this church for a showdown.

Related articles: The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

Jurassic Park III (2001)

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2001 film “Jurassic Park III” was filmed in Hawaii and Southern California. Early in the film, Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, visits the home of Ellie, played by Laura Dern. Ellie’s house can be found in South Pasadena, California. The same house was featured in the film “Bringing Down the House,” as well as the 1970s TV series “Family.”

LOCATION: 1230 Milan Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Much like the original “Jurassic Park” and the sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” this third installment also shot scenes at Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kauaʻi, Hawaii. In Spring 2019, the ranch began offering tours to the public for the first time. However, it is unclear if they are still offering them, as most of their tour information has been removed from their website. It’s difficult to pinpoint specific scenes from the film, as the ranch is quite large and mostly credited for being featured in general outdoor and jungle scenes. The ranch’s movie tour focused primarily on the original film and the 2015 hit “Jurassic World,” with little mention of where scenes from the third film specifically shot. Here are some looks around the grounds of Jurassic Kahili Ranch. Please note that this land is private and unless you have express permission from the owners, it is trespassing to attempt to enter the grounds.

LOCATION: Jurassic Kahili Ranch, 5-1771D, Kuhio Hwy, Kilauea, HI 96754

One scene that can be matched up comes late in the film is when Dr. Grant and the survivors ride a barge along the water and pass herds of dinosaurs standing along the banks. This was filmed at the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir. After a breach of the nearby Ka Loko Reservoir in 2006, located about 2 miles east of the ranch, the owners decided to decommission the Pu’u Ka Ele Reservoir in 2009 and downsize it into a lake. This is how it appears now. This is the same area where Grant sees the dinosaur herds at the lake in the original film.

Related articles: Jurassic Park (1993), Jurassic World (2015)

Doc Hollywood (1991)

November 29, 2019November 28, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

In the 1991 film “Doc Hollywood,” Michael J. Fox plays a soon-to-be big city surgeon named Ben Stone, who suddenly finds himself stranded in the town of Grady, South Carolina. However, most of the film was actually shot in Central Florida in the town of Micanopy.

Ben crashes into the fence in front of the house of Judge Evans, who sentences him to community service at the local hospital. The house of the Judge is not an easy location to find. You won’t see much via google street view. We couldn’t even find an address for the house itself. Located in the unincorporated community of Evinston (considered part of Micanopy on most maps), the house is located on a dirt road, just off SE 182 Ave. The easiest way to find it is to locate Evinston United Methodist Church, Micanopy, FL 32667. The dirt road across from the church is the one that will lead you to the house. The exact GPS coordinates are posted below.

LOCATION: GPS coordinates: 29.488394, -82.229219, just off SE 182 Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667

Here is a better view of the house.

The Main Street of Grady, where most of the locations in the film are found, is NE Cholokka Blvd. It is a little strip consisting mostly of antique stores. This view, when the Mayor shows Ben the town, is near the intersection of NE 3 Ave and NE Cholokka Blvd

LOCATION: NE Cholokka Blvd & NE 3 Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667 (Note: In the actual town, the street signs refer to NE 3 Ave as NE Magnolia Ave)

Looking left at nearly the exact same spot would have been the cafe, which was a set built for the film and has long since been demolished. Just beside it though is the mechanic shop where Ben gets his car repaired. This is a real building and still stands. It is not a mechanic shop, however. It is an antique store called the Micanopy Trading Outpost.

LOCATION: 205 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667

The speaker box through which Ben speaks to the mechanic can still be found in the window.

The interior was also used in the film. Here is where the mechanic’s office area was located.

Ben is seen running down this sidewalk towards the butcher shop, afraid his pig has been slaughtered.

LOCATION: 214 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667

Just beside it is the butcher’s shop.

LOCATION: 302 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667

Across the street from the butcher’s shop is the hospital from the film. We could not find an exact address number, but the sign out front says Hirsch Antiques. We’ve also provided the GPS coordinates below.

LOCATION: House of Hirsch Too Antiques, Micanopy, FL 32667, GPS coordinates: 29°30’19.9″N 82°16’45.1″W

Ben stands to the right on the porch and watches Lou, played by Julie Warner, in a parade.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

November 25, 2019November 24, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

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.”

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.

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

Captain Marvel (2019)

November 17, 2019November 18, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 2019 movie “Captain Marvel” was filmed in Louisiana, New York and Southern California. Early in the film, Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson, crash lands on Earth in the mid-90s, busting through the roof of a Blockbuster Video. This was filmed at a largely abandoned shopping plaza in North Hollywood sometimes referred to as the Valley Plaza. The same plaza was featured heavily in the Nicolas Winding Refn TV series “Too Old To Die Young.”

LOCATION: 6321 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606 (this is facing away from the street and the door number says 221)

Here is the wreckage of the inside of the building, which is still painted in the Blockbuster colors.

Carol makes her way over to “The Slow Club,” where she uses a payphone. Nick Fury meets her here. The same property also serves as “The Lone Drifter” in “Too Old To Die Young.” Both establishments were fictional and the actual building has long been vacant.

LOCATION: 2124 Sylvan St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Here is a view of where the payphone was located, which was of course a prop for the film. The wall was covered in 90s music posters.

A Skrull suddenly opens fire on Carol from atop this roof.

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

Carol runs down the sidewalk in pursuit as the Skrull feels across the roof of the same building.

Carol steals a man’s bike at this plaza.

LOCATION: 1402 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

She turns out of the plaza and rides down Valencia Street on the bike.

8MM (1999)

November 16, 2019November 16, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The 1999 Joel Schumacher film “8MM,” starring Nicolas Cage and Joaquin Phoenix, was filmed all over the U.S., including New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and California. The porn shop where Tom Welles, played by Nicolas Cage, follows his investigation can be found in Los Angeles. The building really is an adult store.

LOCATION: 1117 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The back of the store is also seen in the film.

Tom stops in front of this famous mural in Hollywood, known as “You Are A Star,” which can also be seen in “La La Land.”

LOCATION: 1648 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Forrest Gump (1994)

November 3, 2019November 3, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

Visiting the filming locations of the classic 1994 film “Forrest Gump” is a staggering feat, as the story unfolds all across the United States and the production likewise followed that path.

The famous opening scene of the feather falling was filmed at Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia. It descends past the steeple of The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building.

LOCATION: The Independent Presbyterian Church Administration Building, Savannah, GA 31401

Here is a wider view of the full building.

As the feather falls closer to the ground, we see the First Baptist Church in the distance.

LOCATION: First Baptist Church, 223 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401

The feather finally reaches the ground and settles on the shoe of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. Forrest sits at a bus stop and recounts the story of his life to strangers sitting on a bench waiting for their bus rides. The location where Forrest sits is at the intersection of Hull Street and Bull Street in Chippewa Square. In reality, there is no bus stop or bench there. They were added for the film. Instead, there are just some plants.

Here is a wider view of the area.

LOCATION: Chippewa Square, Savannah, GA 31401 (at the intersection of Hull St / Bull St)

The actual bench from the film can be found at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. It can be seen on their studio tours.

LOCATION: 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The exterior of the lounge where Forrest finds Jenny, played by Robin Wright, performing nude, can also be found in Savannah. The name of the restaurant is Love’s, just as depicted in the film, but it is a seafood and steak joint and you won’t find any nude performers there. The interior of the scene was actually filmed at the former Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, which has long since been demolished.

LOCATION: 6817 Chief Of Love Rd, Savannah, GA 31419

Forrest celebrates New Year’s Eve with Lieutenant Dan, played by Gary Sinise, in what is supposed to be New York City. This was actually filmed on 6th St in Downtown Los Angeles. This area is right next to the locations used for the Nite Owl Coffee Shop from “L.A. Confidential” and Wild Bill’s Leather from “Seven,” both of which were fictional businesses.

LOCATION: Near the intersection of E 6th St / S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

On the same street, as Forrest exists a TV studio, Lieutenant Dan is waiting for him outside. This was actually on a ramp built above this sandwich shop, which has since been removed.

LOCATION: 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Lieutenant Dan then loses control of his wheelchair and slides down the ramp into this wall at the same location.

Later in the film, Forrest begins running, from coast to coast. He is seen reaching the famous Santa Monica Pier.

LOCATION: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

He reaches the end of the pier and turns around to begin running back across the country. There is a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant located on the pier itself as well, although of course it was not a filming location.

Forrest’s running attire from the film can be found on display at Planet Hollywood in Florida.

LOCATION: 1506 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Late in the film, Jenny is working as a waitress and sees Forrest on television. This was filmed at Debi’s Restaurant in Savannah, located just a few blocks away from the opening scene of the film.

LOCATION: 225 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401

The restaurant is quite proud of their connection to the film and the front is decorated with quotes from the film and a shot of the scene.

We’ve only covered a portion of the vast filming locations here. The production also shot scenes in South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Montana and Washington D.C.

She’s Out Of Control (1989)

October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The house from the 1989 Tony Danza comedy “She’s Out of Control” can be found in South Pasadena, Californa. The same house can also be seen in several other films, including the Rob Zombie remake of “Halloween,” “Little Fockers,” “Bruce Almighty” and “Star Kid.”

LOCATION: 1960 La France Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

From Here To Eternity (1953)

October 24, 2019 / filmoblivion / Leave a comment

The famous beach from the movie “From Here to Eternity,” known as Halona Beach Cove, can be found on the Southeast shore on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The beach is located just off the Kalanianaʻole Hwy (HI-72), but nearby parking can be limited during peak tourist times. The beach itself is only accessible by hiking down the rocks.