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The Movie That Wasn't There
9 Feb, 2002
Until earlier this week, I hadn't seen so much as a billboard or even a bus stop poster promoting this movie.Three or four days ago I saw a television spot for The Man Who Wasn't There, the latest film from Joel and Ethan Coen, my two favorite filmmakers.
The last time I had heard anything about the movie was when the title was officially announced, which was a while ago. I knew it was the Coen brothers' black and white take on film noir, and I knew that parts of it had been filmed in Old Town Pasadena, but that was about it. I was really, really looking forward to this movie... I love the noir style, I love seeing black and white on the big screen, and I love the Coen brothers; needless to say I was pretty excited when I saw the ad.
Much to my surprise, the ad said "Now Playing", and so earlier this afternoon I decided to see where it was playing here in the valley.
The movie doesn't even show up in the listings for a couple of the big movie showtime/ticket sites, and after some more digging I managed to ascertain that it's only playing in two theaters in all of greater Los Angeles, and one of them is a discount-type place. Neither one is particularly close.
According to IMDB, The Man Who Wasn't There had been out since last November, at least in limited release. Even if I decided to drive to Pasadena or Seal Beach to see the film, the print would probably scratched to hell, and showing on a postage stamp screen.
Until earlier this week, I hadn't seen so much as a billboard or even a bus stop poster promoting this movie. I guess I've been watching the wrong television stations, because that one run of the TV ad was the first I'd seen it.
What the hell? I had TV ads for Kung Pow rammed down my throat every ten minutes for a month before that piece of crap was released, and the Coen brothers' latest has been out since November without my even noticing a review of it somewhere? I'm guessing that even when it was newly released here in Los Angeles, it was only playing at a few theaters... I certainly didn't see it on any marquees here in the Valley.
I guess the only consolation is that now we have a kick-ass sound system at home for when it's released on DVD. Good sound really does make a world of difference even if your TV screen is only 19" across.
Heart's Coffee Shop (I)
9 Feb, 2002
02/09/2002 - Heart's Coffee Shop
16918 Saticoy St (at Balboa) • Van Nuys, California
An even sadder place than Johnie's was before it closed, Heart's looks as though it hasn't seen any maintenance at all to its exterior or sign since it opened.
Photographing the sign in its entirety was made difficult due to a couple of factors:
- A fast food chain who shall remain nameless has erected a sign at the corner of the adjacent lot, blocking half of the Heart's sign to the east.
- Although it's clear that the rusty heart at the very top of the sign used to rotate, in 2002 it only sways back and forth about 10 degrees in the wind.
Pink Motel (I)
9 Feb, 2002
02/09/2002 - Pink Motel
San Fernando Road (Near Sheldon) • Sun Valley, California
As you drive north into the San Fernando Valley, the grimy suburban sprawl gives way to an industrial wasteland... instead of tract housing the streets are lined with small businesses; foundries, auto shops, special effects shops.
It's a peculiar place, and when I went back there for the first time in a couple of years I was reminded of why I used to hate the Valley so much; I used to work up there, and I grew to hate the drive from the relatively green and shady Sherman Oaks to the sun-baked, dusty Sun Valley.
Even more peculiar is the Pink Motel, which sits on the edge of the most industrial zone. There's nothing up there worth staying in a hotel for (I mean, a hotel that doesn't have hourly rates :P), yet the Pink Motel looks clean and well-maintained, and by the looks of all the cars in the parking lot, well-occupied.
Pink Motel (II)
9 Feb, 2002
02/09/2002 - San Fernando Road (Near Sheldon) ? Sun Valley, California
The Pink Motel 'motor court'.
Heart's Coffee Shop (II)
9 Feb, 2002
16918 Saticoy St (at Balboa)
Van Nuys, California
How Much Figure Skating Can We Possibly Need to Watch?
8 Feb, 2002
I would love to get Olympic coverage from another country... I expect it would be much more varied and much less provincial.
Condiment Abuse
7 Feb, 2002
watching all that sugar go into the coffee made my tastebuds hurt.
Johnie's Broiler Closed, Endangered
6 Feb, 2002
Apparently the new owner of the property is making a half-assed attempt at turning the establishment into a used car lot.
The Final Nail in Big Bird's Coffin
5 Feb, 2002
If I'm not careful, I'll be a full-fledged curmudgeon by the time I'm 35.
The Mixed Blessing of UPS Online Tracking
4 Feb, 2002
I wish I could order online(with Amazon's discount) and pick the book up my own damn self.
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