Chimney Rock Park Film Locations

Chimney Rock Park, soon to become part of the NC state park system, has provided the stunning scenery for a number of films including The Last of the Mohicans, Firestarter and A Breed Apart.

The park's website gives exact locations:

The Last of the Mohicans, the 1992 epic romantic adventure starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe, features some of the Park’s best assets. During your visit to the Park, you will be able to walk along the trails and see sites that became the incredible scenic backdrop for the film. The last 17 minutes of the movie were filmed along the Cliff Trail, including the climactic fight scene at the top of Hickory Nut Falls. Be sure to ask the folks at the Ticket Plaza for a written guide to where scenes were filmed in the Park.

Firestarter, the 1984 thriller starring Drew Barrymore and George C. Scott, was based on the book written by Stephen King about a young girl’s ability to start fires with telekinetic powers. The Park’s front entrance gate and bridge were featured in the film.

A Breed Apart, the 1984 drama starring Kathleen Turner, Rutger Hauer, and Powers Boothe, tells the story of a mysterious recluse who is dedicated to saving a pair of nesting eagles believed to be the last of a dying breed. The Park’s wooded areas and trails were the perfect setting for the outdoor scenes of the movie. Exclamation Point was the site of the eagle’s eyrie.

Just a mile down the road from the Park at Lake Lure, Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze) had the time of their lives while filming the 1987 romantic blockbuster Dirty Dancing.

Visit the Chimney Rock Park webpage for more.

Chimney Rock Park Film Locations

Da Vinci Code shore excursion in Rome

The Da Vinci Code Inspires New Crystal Adventure in Italy

Fans of Dan Brown’s best-selling Angels & Demons – prelude to his blockbuster The Da Vinci Code – will relish the opportunity to follow the “Path of Illumination” on a new Crystal Adventure in Rome.

"From the Sistine Chapel to the Castle St. Angelo, the Angels & Demons tour offers a topical look at some of Rome’s most historic, artistic and architecturally significant monuments and churches – all with a dash of religious and scientific intrigue,” says John Stoll, Crystal Cruises’ director of land programs.

Walking in the steps of protagonist Robert Langdon, the new shore excursion showcases the four symbols along the “Path of Illumination” together with the exceptional works of renowned Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini:

 Earth – the Chigi Chapel where “Habakkuk and the Angel” points the way down the Path of Illumination;

 Air – the “west wind medallion” in St. Peter’s Square;

 Fire – the “Ecstasy of St. Teresa” at the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria; and,

 Water – the “Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi,” or Fountain of the Four Rivers, in Rome’s famed Piazza Navona.

Showcasing the key symbols and landmarks in Angels & Demons, the tour also visits:

• the Spanish Steps and the Church of St. Ignatius;


• the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple devoted to the goddess of the earth;


• St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest shrine on earth;


• and, the many Egyptian obelisks so prominently displayed throughout the city and featured throughout the book.

The 10 ½-hour Angels & Demons excursion is $249 per person and includes a three-course lunch at a local restaurant. Fares for cruises that offer this tour in Rome start at $3,395 per person, double occupancy.

For additional information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com.

Gibson Movie Prompts Interest In Central America - Travel

A story from Internet Broadcasting reports that Mel Gibson's film "Apocalypto" is creating increased interest in Mayan Culture.

Visitors are coming to Belize to explore many Mayan archeological sites, according to a news release from the Kanantik Reef and Jungle Resort on the country's south coast. The Resort offers an all-day guided tour along the Hummingbird Highway to the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich (The Maiden Rock). The pyramid there is the second tallest building in Belize.


Gibson Movie Prompts Interest In Central America - Travel

Kayak.com nominates destinations for Best Supporting Role

sent to us by Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders:

Best Supporting Role by a Destination
As a travel company it seems unfair that sound and makeup receive an award while destinations do not. After all, what’s "Out of Africa" without Africa or "Pirates of the Caribbean" without a Caribbean? That’s why we are lobbying the academy to add another category: "Best Supporting Role by a Destination". Here are the nominees:

Boston
Only Martin Scorsese could direct an Oscar-winning performance from underwear model turned ape fighter Marky Mark Wahlberg or successfully produce a mobster movie without ANY cast member of the Sopranos. Either way, Boston plays a wicked awesome supporting role in "The Departed", a violent look into the city’s Irish Mob. See the movie and then "pak the ka" and tour filming locations in South Boston, Chinatown, Charlestown, the waterfront, Quincy, Chelsea, and Boston Common. Book a bus or walking tour with BostonMovieTours.net. The tours will resume when the weather warms in April and have already been updated to include scenes from "The Departed".

Washington, DC
Sadly, there is no tourism structure in place for the average person to visit Iwo Jima. Thanks to Dirty Harry, you can visit this island in 1945 by seeing Oscar nominated "Letters from Iwo Jima" which examines the infamous battle from the view of the Japanese soldiers and "Flags of our Fathers" which tells the story of the six flag raisers of Iwo Jima. Then, travel to Washington, D.C. to see the flag raisers immortalized in bronze, just over the bridge from Georgetown. There’s no lack of World War II history in DC so make time for the World War II Memorial, Holocaust Museum, Arlington Cemetery and the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum.

London
I wonder how the British royal family celebrated Oscar nominations for "The Queen" which dramatizes the royal family’s response (or lack of) to the death of Princess Diana. Imitation is not always flattery and in this case Queen Elizabeth probably took a page out of Prince Harry’s book and indulged in a hit and a shot or two. You can celebrate alongside the royal family with a trip to London. Sure it’s a little chilly this time of year, but the off season means cheaper rates at hotels and shorter lines at cultural hotspots such as Buckingham Palace. Before your trip, visit FilmLondon.org.uk to download movie maps for your own tour or for information on several guided walking tours.

Tokyo
Our vote for the Feel Bad Movie of the Year goes unanimously to "Babel". Before you send us hate mail, we loved the movie but talk about your downers! This complex tale of interlocking stories takes us to four different countries, although the scenes shot in the vibrant city of Tokyo bring much needed relief from the other seemingly dark and hopeless story lines. In fact, Tokyo’s energy warrants yet another Best Supporting nomination for this movie. "Babel" fans should stop by the J-Pop Cafe in Shibuya, for a drink before setting out to explore one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts and birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Finish up the day at Tokyo City View, an observation deck in the heart of the city. Unlike young Chieko, we recommend you keep your clothes ON while taking in the view.

Visit Kayak.com for more film tourism trip suggestions, plus one-stop trip planning.

Film Festival Tourism | Fest21.com: films, festivals & digital community

Set-jetting takes off!
Film Festival Tourism Fest21.com: films, festivals & digital community: "http://www.fest21.com/en/trackback/2088"

Ava Gardner Fest among top 5 at TravelersAdvantage.com

Yahoo News reported that Travelers Advantage named the Ava Gardner Fest, held annually in Smithfield, NC, among the top 5 most unique festivals this fall.

Here's what they said:
Ava Gardner Fest, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Smithfield, N.C. ... This annual soiree celebrates the legendary actress and movie star and the arts she loved, including films, live jazz, art and fine crafts. This year's festival will include a special exhibit featuring costumes from her award winning film "Mogambo." The costumes -- worn by Gardner, Grace Kelly and Clark Gable -- are part of the $50 million dollar collection owned by actress Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds' collection of more than 3,500 costumes and motion picture artifacts is the largest private collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world.

Other winners were:
Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Oct. 7-8, Port Angeles, Wash.
Beaver Creek Popcorn Festival, Sept. 9-10, Beavercreek, Ohio
Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Racing Festival, May 5, 2007
Lemon Fest, Sept. 9-10, Ventura, Calif

Post Office Named for Ava Gardner

AVA GARDNER POST OFFICE DEDICATION THIS THURSDAY

Smithfield, North Carolina's downtown post office will be named in honor of movie star Ava Gardner. President Bush signed legislation in March renaming the post office for the Johnston County native and darling of the silver screen.