Warning: Spoilers Ahead
Just a little over a year ago, I left my house early in the morning in beautiful Monrovia, and headed out along my normal trek to work. I love taking the scenic route and avoiding the dreaded 210 freeway, so I drove up Canyon Blvd., across Foothill Blvd. toward Hillcrest Blvd. to steer clear of traffic and take in some nature. Maybe I would see some deer, I thought. But, to my surprise halfway up the road I was met with police barricades which brought my scenic journey to an abrupt end. As I looked beyond the blockade which included police, fire and rescue vehicles, I saw such a disturbing site. Cars and other vehicles were thrown about the middle of the street like a four-year-old just got done playing smash-up derby with their Matchboxes. It was unreal and eerie. There was fire spewing up from the ground on one side of my home street on Canyon Blvd., and a geyser of water towering in the sky on the other side. I thought, “What the heck is happening? Is this it? Is this the end of the world?
After I made my way back the way I came and noticed more normal conditions everywhere else, I realized there must be some logical explanation for the apocalyptic horror I just experienced. Turned out, Sandra Bullock was responsible. Yep, the same Sandra Bullock who had a problem with a speeding, runaway bus through the streets of LA back in ’94. This time around, Bullock plays Malorie, a mother who keeps herself and her children safe by wearing blindfolds so they don’t make eye contact with unknown entities that cause people to lose their minds and commit suicide. “Bird Box” had a limited debut in theatres before the Netflix release was available to subscribers of the service on December 21, 2018.
Since then, the film has taken in close to $26 million, despite mediocre reviews. The curiosity, intrigue, and suspense alone have created enough buzz to make “Bird Box” and instant cult classic. It has also put the spotlight on the increasing popularity of streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, which, in recent years, have drawn some high-profile actors, such as Bullock, to get on board this wave.
The famous house in the movie (pictured), has drawn some fans of its own, with folks flocking to the scene between Foothill Blvd and Hillcrest Blvd. on Canyon Blvd., to take their own classic shots, blindfold and all. So far, the homeowners don’t seem to mind. They have even kept the shades down on the side windows as they appear in the flick.
“Bird Box” has also sparked a dangerous trend where people are challenging themselves to do everyday tasks while blindfolded. All I can say to this is…please don’t. Settle for a picture. It’s safer.
Well, if anything, I’ve learned that I’ll have to keep up with neighborhood gossip a bit more, so when the next apocalypse hits Monrovia, I’ll be in the know.
