Mid-Evening Madness at the Egyptian

The American Cinematheque is throwing a massive scavenger hunt on Saturday, May 10, followed by a screening of early 1980s cult fave “Midnight Madness.” The movie takes place in and around Los Angeles.

What?! You’ve never heard of “Midnight Madness”? Did you not have HBO in the early 1980s? The pay channel ran the sprokets off this movie.

“Midnight Madness” wound up — as much as “The Amazing Race” — being the inspiration for my 2003 race and 2004 race around Los Angeles. In the movie, teams hit spots all over L.A. — including the old Pabst brewery, the old Johnie’s on Wilshire, and the Bonaventure — in one big overnight race.

The Cinematheque will be throwing its own race (run by The Go Game on Saturday, May 10, from 3:45 to 6 p.m. After a dinner break, winners will be announced, and the movie unspooled. Here are the details:

The American Cinematheque partners with The Go Game for a movie-scavenger
hunt combo! This fast-paced, high-tech, real-life adventure game is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Solve clues and perform challenges as you scramble around Hollywood Boulevard for fun and prizes. Dinner break after the game and then the winners will be determined (7:30 – 8:00 PM) in front of the live audience, before the screening of MIDNIGHT MADNESS (details below). Play the game with MIDNIGHT MADNESS director David Wechter.

Movie and scavenger hunt are $32; $28 for members. Regular ticket prices apply for just the movie — which, by the way, is Michael J. Fox’s cinematic debut.

We’re Five! And… The Return of The Race

Has it already been five years since we launched Franklin Avenue?!

The blog launched as part of my 2003 New Year’s resolution. I’d been meaning to start one for quite some time, and finally, at the start of 2003, made a goal of (a) Launching a blog and (b) talking KCSN into giving me a radio show. I’m still busy with both: Not a bad year for resolutions. (I haven’t been as strong with my weight loss resolution in 2008.)

Maria came up with the name “Franklin Avenue” — after the street we lived on at the time. On March 3, 2003, I finally signed up with Blogger — and we were off.

A lot has changed in our lives since we first started: Home ownership, and of course, the appearance of the Blogger Toddler, for starters. In the meantime, Maria scored a Grammy nomination and I whored it up constantly on TV. We also somehow managed to review more than 160 restaurants (although, considering the ones we never got around to reviewing, that number should be 200 by now).

There was also the wake for the Ambassador Hotel; two all-day urban hikes down Wilshire and Pico; two “Amazing Race” style battles around Los Angeles; and a eating gathering at P.E. Cole’s.

You helped us name the Blogger Toddler; you also hopefully made a fortune by placing money on the BT’s unprecedented 12 consecutive correct picks. (Sadly, he’s since retired, going out with a perfect record.)

To celebrate, as Maria hinted last week, we’re dusting off the Race… but with a twist. This time, we’re inviting L.A. bloggers — and we’re putting together the teams. More details will be announced shortly, including a firm date — but it will likely be the final Saturday of April.

Interested in either competing, or in helping out with the behind-the-scenes fun (we need people to help plan and execute challenges!)? Email us at franklin_avenue@yahoo.com.

"The Amazing Race" Finale: Who Will Win?

If you’ve been watching “The Amazing Race” this season, then you’d have to admit, it’s the best competition the show has seen in a while. The characters may not be quite as compelling as past seasons, but I think the show has at least got its race mojo back. In recent seasons, it seemed as if teams would constantly be bunched up and equalized, and the tasks got easier.

It’s still not quite as great as the first few seasons, but “The Amazing Race” felt a little more like a competition this time. And what’s great is two of the most unlikely finalists are now racing for the million bucks: Ron and Christina, and Nicholas and Donald. (I suppose even easy-going TK and Rachel could be unlikely finalists, because they’re just so mellow.)

Who do you think’s gonna win it all on Sunday? Take the poll below:

surveys – Take Our Poll

Maria’s Thursday Three

1. Not So Amazing Goths: I was so dissapointed that Goths Kynt and Vyxsin were eliminated on the last episode of The Amazing Race. Why they didn’t yield Team Bickering Couple will forever be a mystery. And the slow realization that Jennifer and Nathan might just win the race annoys me. I’m now pulling for Nicolas and Donald to win, even though I thought they would be the first ones to get eliminated. Maybe doing something drastic like getting a tattoo for the race will give them good karma.

2. Rose Parade Aftermath: Driving down Colorado Blvd. on New Year’s Day made me so angry, as people who camped out just left all their trash on the street. What a disgusting sight seeing trash everywhere. No wonder the businesses along the boulevard take extra precaution to use chain-link fences to protect their property.

3. Fomato Cards: Our friend Emmie is the creator of the very clever Fomato Cards. Go ahead, check her fun site and see samples of her greeting cards. When I see them at the store, I want to buy each and every one to give to people.