ON VIEW at MOVIES Wonder Woman 1984 Takes Alexandria IT’S A BLAST FROM THE PAST The year is 1984. Hair is big. And tall. Aerobics and jogging are the new exercise craze. Spandex is out of control. Women inexplicably desire to have shoulder pads in their blouses and jackets, resembling Joe Theismann and John Riggins at a time when the Washington football team formerly known as the Redskins are a gridiron force to be feared. Back then, Landmark Mall was an open-air shopping center flanked by Sears to the south, Woodies (Woodward and Lothrop if you didn’t experience the 20th Century) to the west, and Hecht’s (later Macy’s) to the north. Via the magic of Hollywood, the abandoned mall complex, expanded and enclosed in 1990, is reborn - something the Howard Hughes Corporation hasn’t managed
Photo: Rob Krupicka
The imaginative spirits guru at the Captain Gregory speakeasy has concocted the WW84 commemorative cocktail “A Deal Is a Promise,” stylishly served al fresco or DIY crafted to go!
Photo: Rob Krupicka
Elizabeth’s Counter in Old Town has created a Wonder Woman 1984 specialty donut in celebration of Landmark Mall acting as base camp for the film back in 2018.
to accomplish in over a decade. Wonder Woman 1984 doesn’t open with Landmark, but it upstages the backstory early on in a memorable scene that does a fine job bringing back the mall’s glory days. Longtime locals will rejoice in a recreated 80’s Commander Salamander (the punk gear outfitters) in a relocated location on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, where several cafe and action scenes were also shot. Locations around DC prove equally diverting: the Capitol, requisite memorials, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History where Diana Prince (having not aged a day since World War I) now works as an archeologist/anthropologist, and that other “Mall” downtown. Production designer Aline Bonetto staged 65 vacant mall stores at Landmark, resurrecting an 80s vibe
in the erstwhile ghost mall, which was built in 1965 and was a going concern until 2017 when all but Sears vacated the space. Macy’s was occupied by residents and staff of the Carpenter’s Shelter while awaiting the new building that opened last month. Talent, crew, and local extras alike reveled in the resurrection of
Photo: Kelly MacConomy
BY KELLY MACCONOMY
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Wonder Woman 1984, starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, is celebrated in a window display located at 101 North Union Street in Old Town Alexandria. Area businesses are getting in on the action with movie-themed specials through 2/28/21.
Alexandria and area businesses will be offering various promotional opportunities until February 28. • Captain Gregory’s speakeasy has created a WW84 specialty cocktail called A Deal is a Promise, made with persimmon infused Pisco, Strega, Cynar, and persimmon bitters. • Elizabeth’s Counter offers the Truth-Teller doughnut: vanilla glaze with red, white, and blue sprinkles adorned with gold and silver stars. • inq Old Town has Wonder Woman-inspired tattoo designs at five percent off. This business is both woman- and veteran-owned, much like Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot. • K Street Kettle Korn is selling a red, white, and blue, three-flavor WW84 assortment of America’s favorite gourmet popcorn for $19.84. • Port City Brewing Company has established Wonder Woman Wednesdays when two six-packs or a variety 12-pack sell for $19.84. • Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge is serving the Invisible Plane, made with Sauza, Hornitos Tequila, raspberry, ginger, and fresh lime juice.
Photo: Warner Brothers Pictures
Reimagined Landmark Mall circa 1984 served as both the movie base camp and setting for a dramatic rescue scene for Wonder Woman to make a grand entrance.
Self-guided tours of Alexandria movie and TV filming locations, including Broadcast News, Jackie, J. Edgar, Mercy Street, No Way Out, Loving, Random Hearts, and more are available at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/wonderwoman. Editor’s Note: News of the World starring Tom Hanks, which opened Christmas Day, became available on-demand starting January 15. If you enjoyed the book, you will love Tom Hanks as Captain Kidd. He’s looking good for award nominations for this role. So what else is new?
This space made possible by The Hoffman Town Center 48 ZEBRA PRESS
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021
