43 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.
Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
GoldenEye	1995	Action, Thriller	7.2	Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Judi Dench
Synopsis:	James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead.
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Art Deco Palm Court, Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) British Sugar Factory, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: end of the tank chase) Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, West Brompton, London, England, UK (exterior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Casino Square, Monte Carlo, Monaco Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco (casino scenes) Courtyard, Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (Central Square, St. Petersburg) Draper's Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, Broadgate, London, England, UK (interiors Russian defence ministry council chambers in St Petersburg) England, UK Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grand Corniche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres-les-neiges, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England, UK Langham Hotel - 1c Portland Place, London, England, UK (Grand Hotel Europe) Leavesden Aerodrome, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) (tank chase) Leavesden Studios, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) London, England, UK Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) Monaco Monte Carlo Bay, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Monte Carlo scenes) Monte Carlo, Monaco Nene Valley Railway, Northamptonshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Port d'Hercule, La Condamine, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Queen's Stand, Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) River Thames, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office) Rooftop Theatre, Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia SIS Headquarters - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6 Headquarters/M's Office) Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, UK Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (exteriors: Central Square, St. Petersburg - Jack Wade's blue car breaks down) St Sofia's Greek Cathedral, Moscow Road, Bayswater, London, England, UK (interior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Thorenc, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond's car race with Xenia Onatopp) UK Vauxhall Cross - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels	1998	Comedy, Crime	7.1	Steve Martin, Michael Caine
Synopsis:	Lawrence and Freddie are con-men; big-time and small time respectively. They unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this town (on the French Mediterranean coast) aint big enough for the two of them. They agree to a "loser leaves" bet. The bet brings out the best/worse in the two. Interesting twist at the end. Synopsis written by Rob Hartill
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Aéroport International, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Airport) Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer) Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Cap Ferrat, Gironde, France Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France Fondation Ephrussie de Rothschild, Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer art gallery) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Gers, France Gironde, France Grand-Hôtel, Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Grand Hotel) Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer harbour) Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Rotonde, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Casino) Studios de la Victorine - 16 avenue Edoard Grinda, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villa Hier, Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Lawrence Jamieson's luxurious digs) Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Gers, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
The Big Blue	1988	Drama, Romance	7.4	Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno
Synopsis:	Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the Mediterranean. They were not real friends in these days, but there was something they both loved and used to do the whole day long: diving. One day Jacques' father, who was a diver too, died in the Mediterranean sea. ... Synopsis written by Reiner Rosin
Sightings:	Agia Anna, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Alpes-Maritimes, France Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Corsica, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Greece Italy Kalotaritissa Bay, Amorgos, Cyclades, Greece (stranded ship) Le Grand Bleu Bar, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Manganari Island, Greece Marineland, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Aquarium) Paris, France Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy (Diving Scenes)
An Affair to Remember	1957	Comedy, Romance	7.3	Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
Synopsis:	Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by? Synopsis written by {jgp3553@excite.com}
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
To Catch a Thief	1955	Crime, Mystery, Romance	7.5	Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
Synopsis:	A series of ingenious jewelry robberies takes place on the French Riviera. The police suspect John Robbie - an expert thief who was known as "The Cat" before he retired from crime. Robbie enlists the help of an insurance man to guess where the real thief will strike next. He befriends wealthy widow Jessie Stevens and her attractive daughter Frances. Synopsis written by Col Needham {col@imdb.com}
Sightings:	Maritimes, France Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Hôtel Carlton, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France

50 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
The Transporter	2002	Action, Crime, Thriller	6.6	Jason Statham, Qi Shu
Synopsis:	Ex-Special Forces operator Frank Martin lives what seems to be a quiet life along the French Mediterranean, hiring himself out as a mercenary "transporter" who moves goods - human or otherwise - from one place to another. No questions asked. Frank's newest transport seems no different from the countless ones he's done in the past. He has been hired by an American known only as "Wall Street" (see Rule Two) to make a delivery, but when Frank stops along route, he notices his "package" is moving. Violating his own personal rules, Frank looks inside the bag, finding its contents to be a beautiful, gagged woman. Written by Anonymous
Sightings:	Avenue de Saissy, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Darren Bettencourt's mansion) Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (Frank's home) (French Highway Scenes) Eze Village, Alpes-Maritimes, France Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (bus terminal) (Container Yard) Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France (opening car chase) Paris, France (Opening Car Chase) Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (opening car chase) Saint-Tropez, Var, France (Frank's neighbour's home) (French seaside village) Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Swordfish	2001	Action, Crime, Thriller	6.3	John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle
Synopsis:	A secretive renegade counter-terrorist co-opts the world's greatest hacker (who is trying to stay clean) to steal billions in US Government dirty money
Sightings:	Various locations in the USA as well as Monte Carlo, Monaco and Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels	1988	Comedy, Crime	7.1	Steve Martin, Michael Caine
Synopsis:	Lawrence and Freddie are con-men; big-time and small time respectively. They unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this town (on the French Mediterranean coast) aint big enough for the two of them. They agree to a "loser leaves" bet. The bet brings out the best/worse in the two. Interesting twist at the end. Synopsis written by Rob Hartill
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France  Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Aéroport International, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Airport)  Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer)  Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Cap Ferrat, Gironde, France   Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Côte d'Azur, France   Fondation Ephrussie de Rothschild, Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer art gallery)  France   French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France  Gers, France   Gironde, France  Grand-Hôtel, Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Grand Hotel)  Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer harbour)  Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Rotonde, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Casino)  Studios de la Victorine - 16 avenue Edoard Grinda, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France   Villa Hier, Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Lawrence Jamieson's luxurious digs) Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Gers, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Thoughts:	Big winner - look at all those sights
Never Say Never Again	1983	Action, Adventure, Thriller	6.0	Sean Connery, Kim Basinger
Synopsis:	A SPECTRE agent has stolen two American nuclear warheads, and James Bond must find their targets before they are detonated.
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France Cap Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France Casino Square, Monte Carlo, Monaco (casino scenes at the Casino Royale) Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco (casino scenes at the Casino Royale) Côte d'Azur, France England, UK Fort Carré, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Fortress - Palmyra Estate of Largo) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France French Rococo Room, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, England, UK (3-D Domination Video Game Battle) Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco casino scenes at the Casino Royale) Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK (Shrublands health clinic) Menton, Alpes-Maritimes, France Monaco Monte Carlo Bay, Monte Carlo, Monaco Monte Carlo, Monaco Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Roquebrune Cap Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France Route du Bord du Mer, Côte d'Azur, France Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Shrubland Park, Coddenham, Suffolk, England, UK (as the gym in the Bond-Lippe fight scene) Spain UK USA Villa Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (fishing port - motorcycle chase) Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
Thoughts:	Many of the James Bond movies are shot in Europe.
The Return of the Pink Panther	1975	Comedy, Crime	6.9	Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer
Synopsis:	That famous jewel, The Pink Panther, has once again been stolen and Inspector Clouseau is called in to catch the thief. The Inspector is convinced that 'The Phantom' has returned and utilises all of his resources - himself and his oriental manservant - to reveal the true identity of 'The Phantom'. Synopsis written by Graeme Roy {gsr@cbmamiga.demon.co.uk}
Sightings:	Morocco Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Day for Night	1973	Drama, Comedy	8.0	Jacqueline Bisset, Valentina Cortese
Synopsis:	A film company at work. Actors arrive and depart; liaisons develop. Julie, the beautiful but possibly unstable lead, is recovering from a breakdown, aided by an older physician, her new husband. Alphonse is insecure, he babbles. When his fiance exits with a stunt man, he threatens to quit. Julie must convince him to stay. Alexandre, a consummate pro on the set, runs back and forth to the airport hoping a certain young man will visit. Severine, no longer young, hits the bottle and covers blown lines with emotional outbursts. At the center is Ferrand, the writer director, who must make constant decisions, answer a stream of questions, and deliver the film on schedule. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France Boscolo Hôtel Atlantic - 12 Boulevard Victor Hugo, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Hôtel Windsor Nice - 11 rue Dalpozzo, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France (hotel: Atlantic Hotel) Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France (press conference) Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

57 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
Aliens Gone Wild	2008	Sci-Fi	5.3	Michael Stark
Synopsis:	There is no offical synopsis but I did see a comment that this is the best skin flick on late night tv.  And since I'm committed to bring all types of movies to your attention...
Sightings:	Florence, Tuscany, Italy Paris, France  Piazza San Marco, Venice, Veneto, Italy (exteriors) Venice, Veneto, Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun	2003	Comedy, Romance, Drama	6.7	Diane Lane, Sandra Oh
Synopsis:	Frances Mayes is a 35-year-old San Francisco writer whose perfect life has just taken an unexpected detour. Her recent divorce has left her with terminal writer's block and extremely depressed, and her best friend, Patti, is beginning to think she might never recover. Frances decides to take a break and she buys a villa in the beautiful Tuscan countryside and decides to begin anew. Restoring her new home, she eventually finds the fulfillment she was searching for, including love. Synopsis written by Baked_bean
Sightings:	Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, Florence, Tuscany, Italy (interiors) (bank scene) Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy (studio) (bookstore opening/Patti & Grace's San Francisco apartment)  Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy Florence, Tuscany, Italy Montepulciano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy (leaving Cortona/wedding) Positano, Salerno, Campania, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy Sansepolcro, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy (exteriors) (Flag-Waving show) Teatro Signorelli, Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy (interiors)
Thoughts:	Look at all those sights - I'd watch it.
Tea with Mussolini	1999	Drama, Comedy, War	6.7	Cher, Judi Dench
Synopsis:	Semi-autobiographical tale from the early life of director Franco Zeffirelli looks at the illegitimate son of an Italian businessman. The boy's mother has died, and he is raised by an Englishwoman in pre-WWII Fascist Italy. Living to each other in Florence, and presided over by an ambassador's widow, a group of Englishwomen live a sheltered existence which they believe is guaranteed personal protection in a tea reception given by Il Duce. However, as war breaks out, the women are interned. Occasionally in this English colony is a wealthy American, who visits among her travels and marriages to wealthy older men. She respects the "Scorpioni", as they are known, and secretly arranges for their stay in a hotel. The ambassador's widow finds her vulgar and tries to ignore her, but when the United States enters the war, the American too is taken into custody. Only then does she discover that her Italian lover has tricked her into signing over all her money and modern art collection to him, and is now arranging her execution. This obliges all to join forces. Lily Tomlin also appears as an American archaeologist working at a dig in the city. Synopsis written by John Sacksteder {jsackste@bellsouth.net}
Sightings:	Florence, Tuscany, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
A Room with a View	1986	Comedy, Romance, Drama	7.5	Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter
Synopsis:	Lucy Honeychurch, a young Englishwoman, makes her first visit to Florence, Italy in the early 1900's. There, she meets a quiet yet eccentric young man named George Emerson. Upon her return to England, Lucy must decide whether to follow through with her marriage to her stotic fiance, Cecil, or follow her heart and her growing attraction to George. Synopsis written by Liza Esser {essereli@student.msu.edu}
Sightings:	Bluebell Railway, East Sussex, England, UK (Railway Scene) Estonian Embassy, Hyde Park Gate, South Kensington, London, England, UK  Fiesole, Florence, Tuscany, Italy  Florence, Tuscany, Italy   Foxwold House, Chiddingstone, Kent, England, UK  Kent, England, UK  Linley Sanbourne house, 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington, London, England, UK  (Mrs. Vyse's well appointed home) Piazza Santa Croce, Florence, Tuscany, Italy Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Tuscany, Italy  Quisisana e Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany, Italy Saint Mary's Church, Chiddingstone, Kent, England, UK Villa di Maiano, Maiano, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
The Agony and the Ecstasy	1965	Drama, History	7.0	Charlton Heston
Synopsis:	Pope Julius is eager to leave behind works by which he will be remembered. To this end he cajoles Michelangelo into painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. When not on the battlefield uniting Italy, the Pope nags Michelangelo to speed up his painful work on the frescoes. Synopsis written by Ed Stephan {stephan@cc.wwu.edu}
Sightings:	Dino De Laurentiis Cinematografica Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy (studio) Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy Bracciano, Rome, Lazio, Italy Carrara, Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy (quarry scene) Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy (studio) Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy Piazza del Popolo, Todi, Perugia, Umbria, Italy (St. Peter's Square scene) Quarries, Carrara, Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy (Quarrie scenes) Rome, Lazio, Italy Todi, Perugia, Umbria, Italy Tuscany, Italy Umbria, Italy

64 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
When in Rome	2010	Comedy, Romance	5.2	Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Anjelica Huston
Synopsis:	Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors
Sightings:	Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	I think I remember a commercial recently for this.
Angels & Demons	2009	Mystery, Thriller	6.7	Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor
Synopsis:	Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican.
Sightings:	Biblioteca Angelica, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza Navona, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy Royal Palace, Caserta, Campania, Italy St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City The Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Lazio, Italy Vatican City
Thoughts:	We should watch this movie again.
U-571	2000	Action, Drama, War	6.4	Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi
Synopsis:	In the midst of World War II, the battle below the seas rages. The Nazi's have the upper edge as the Allies are unable to crack their war codes. That is, until a wrecked U-boat sends out an SOS signal, and the Allies realise this is their chance to seize the 'enigma coding machine'. But masquerading as Nazi's and taking over the U-boat is the smallest of their problems. The action really begins when they get stranded on the U-boat. Synopsis written by Filmtwob {webmaster@filmfreak.co.za}
Sightings:	Interiors are from Rome, Lazio, Italy
When in Rome (Mary Kay and Ashley Olsen)	2002	Comedy, Family	3.5	Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen
Synopsis:	Leila and Charly Hunter are in Rome to participate in a Summer Intern Program. After they begin their jobs, they are immediately fired due to careless mishaps. But Derek Hammond, who owns the company, decides to re-instate Leila and Charly. But while in Rome, Leila and Charly find true romance that will take them joyriding to see the sights throughout the city of Rome. Written by Shaun Ouimette {xtreemshaun589@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	I heard this is one of Mike and Ken's favorite movies.
European Vacation	1985	Adventure, Comedy	5.7	Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo
Synopsis:	The Griswalds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and thus pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language... Synopsis written by Murray Chapman {muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au}
Sightings:	Bressanone, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy London, England, UK Paris, France Rome, Lazio, Italy
Thoughts:	Please, who hasn't seen this movie.  This is one of Ken's favs.
Cleopatra	1963	Biography, Drama, History	6.8	Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton
Synopsis:	Epic saga of the legendary Queen's reign from the time Julius Caesar arrived in Egypt until her death some 18 years later. Cleopatra is portrayed as a schemer, firstly to gain control over the Egyptian kingdom from her brother with whom she ruled jointly. Having gained the confidence of Caesar, they become lovers and she bears him the son he never had. Her attempts at ensuring that the boy takes his rightful place in Rome are thwarted when Caesar is assassinated and she flees back to Egypt. Many years later Marc Antony, now responsible for the eastern half of the Roman Empire, seeks an alliance with Egypt. He and Cleopatra become lovers and form a military alliance but are forced to retreat after losing a major naval encounter at Actium. Both eventually take their own lives. Synopsis written by garykmcd
Sightings:	Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy
Ben Hur	1959	Action, Adventure, Drama	8.2	Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet
Synopsis:	When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
Sightings:	Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Folliano, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Lido Marechiaro, Anzio, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Nettuno, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Rock Quarry, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Rome, Lazio, Italy
Three Coins in The Fountain	1954	Romance, Drama	6.2	Clifton Webb, Dorothy Macguire
Synopsis:	In this romantic comedy, three American roommates working in Italy wish for the man of their dreams after throwing coins into Rome's magnificent Trevi Fountain. A secretary at a government agency sets out to win the heart of her employer, a smooth-talking novelist, while her co-worker defies office regulations by romancing an Italian who works at the agency. Finally, office newcomer Maria meets a real Italian Prince Charming and falls madly in love. Now the only thing the three hopeful ladies need to do is seal their fate. Synopsis written by Fiona Kelleghan {fkelleghan@aol.com}
Sightings:	Dolomite Mountains, Italy   Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Lazio, Italy   Merano, Bolzano, Trentino - Alto Adige, Italy  Rome, Lazio, Italy Venice, Veneto, Italy
Roman Holiday	1953	Comedy, Drama, Romance	8.1	Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck
Synopsis:	Princess Anne embarks on a highly publicized tour of Europian capitals. When she and her royal entourage arrive in Rome, she begins to rebel against her restricted, regimented schedule. One night Anne sneaks out of her room, hops into the back of a delivery truck and escapes her luxurious confinement. However, a sedative she was forced to take earlier starts to take effect, and the princess is soon fast asleep on a public bench. She is found by Joe Bradley, an American newspaper reporter stationed in Rome. He takes her back to his apartment. The next morning Joe dashes off to cover the Princess Anne press conference, unaware that she is sleeping on his couch! Once he realizes his good fortune, Joe promises his editor an exclusive interview with the princess. Synopsis written by filmfactsman
Sightings:	Bocca della Verita "Mouth of Truth", Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Piazza Bocca della Verita, Rome, Lazio, Italy  Cafe Rocca, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Lazio, Italy Castel Sant' Angelo, Rome, Lazio, Italy Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza Venezia, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza del Pantheon, Rome, Lazio, Italy Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Lazio, Italy Rome, Lazio, Italy Spanish Steps, Chiesa di Trinità dei Monti, Rome, Lazio, Italy The Colosseum, Rome, Lazio, Italy Tiber River, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via Margutta 51, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via Margutta, Rome, Lazio, Italy Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Lazio, Italy

71 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit 2009 (TV Movie)	2009	Reality	6.8	Jessica Bouz, Kim Cloutier and more models
Synopsis:	There is no plot to this tv movie, just boobies
Sightings:	Filming took place in many different locations in which Naples is one.
Thoughts:	When I came across this movie, I included it for the guys!
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou	2004	Adventure, Comedy, Drama	7.2	Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum
Synopsis:	When his partner is killed by the mysterious and possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark, Steve Zissou and his Team Zissou crew set off for an expedition to hunt down the creature. Along with his estranged wife, a beautiful journalist and a co-pilot who could possibly be Zissou's son, the crew set off for one wild expedition. Synopsis written by FilmFanUK
Sightings:	Filming took place in Naples, Rome and Florence
The Talented Mr. Ripley	1999	Crime, Mystery, Drama	7.2	Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Synopsis:	Manhattan lavatory attendant, Tom Ripley, borrows a Princeton jacket to play piano at a garden party. When the wealthy father of a recent Princeton grad chats Tom up, Tom pretends to know the son and is soon offered $1,000 to go to Italy to convince Dickie Greenleaf to return home. In Italy, Tom attaches himself to Dickie and to Marge, Dickie's cultured fiancée, pretending to love jazz and harboring homoerotic hopes as he soaks in luxury. Besides lying, Tom's talents include impressions and forgery, so when the handsome and confident Dickie tires of Tom, dismissing him as a bore, Tom goes to extreme lengths to make Greenleaf's privileges his own. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	Filming took place in many different locations in Naples and Rome
Thoughts:	Finally a movie I've seen. Thought the movie was really good and have been trying to talk Ken into watching it.
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow	1964	Genre	7.3	Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni
Synopsis:	Stories about three very different women and the men they attract. Adelina sells black-market cigarettes in Naples, is married to the unemployed Carmine, and faces a jail sentence. She can avoid it as long as she's pregnant. Several years and seven children later, Carmine is exhausted, so jail looks inescapable as does her contempt for Carmine. In Milan, Anna drives a Rolls, is bored, and picks up a writer. She talks dreamily of running off with him until he dents her car; that gets her emotional attention. Mara, a Roman call girl, turns the head of a naive seminarian, prompting a run-in with his granny and a vow of abstinence. Mara's fizzy lover from Bologna grows impatient. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	Doubtful for Naples, possible for Rome
Marriage Italian-Style aka Matrimonio all'italiana	1964	Comedy, Drama	7.4	Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni
Synopsis:	Domenico, a successfull businessman, with an eye for the girls, begins an affair with Filumena when she is 17 years old. She becomes a prostitute, but also becomes the mistress of Domenico. He eventually sets her up in an apartment, and she works for him in his various businesses. She secretly bears three children, who are raised by nannys. Domenico starts planning to marry a young employee. Filumena tricks him into marriage by pretending to be dying. Domenico annuls the marriage. Filumena then tells him of the three children. She says that one of the children belongs to Domenico, but will not say which one is his. You start to believe that all of the children could be his, and Domenico then marries Filumena again, this time willingly. Synopsis written by Steve Jordan {jordan@warwick.net} .
Sightings:	Shot in Naples.
It Started in Naples	1960	Comedy, Drama	5.9	Sophia Loren, Clark Gable
Synopsis:	Mike Hamilton, a Philadelphia lawyer, comes to Naples to settle the estate of his long estranged "black sheep" brother. Once there, he discovers that the deceased has left an eight-year old little boy named Nando, who is being raised by Michael's sister-in-law Lucia Curcio. Mike immediately disapproves of Nando's Italian-style (in other words "lax") education. To make matters worse, Lucia happens to be ... a sexy nightclub dancer. This is too much for a puritan like Mike and the only solution in his eyes is to have the boy brought up in the States... Synopsis written by Guy Bellinger
Sightings:	Filmed in Naples and the surrounding area.

Next week we're off to Rome.

78 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
The Oxford Murders	2008	Thriller, Crime	6.1	Elijah Wood, John Hurt
Synopsis:	At Oxford University, a professor and a grad student work together to try and stop a potential series of murders seemingly linked by mathematical symbols.
Sightings:	Filmed in the UK.
Thoughts:	Sounds good, very mathmatical for the Lang eggheads.
Vicky Christian Barcelona	2008	Comedy, Drama	7.4	Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson (director Woody Allen)
Synopsis:	Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Sightings:	The main characters themselves are exploring Barcelona. Barcelona Harbor, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Boulevard of Barcelona, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Santa Maria Del Mar Church, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
Movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer	2006	Genre	7.5	Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman.
Synopsis:	Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), born in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume. Synopsis written by Nuno Cordeiro
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona particularly featuring the Barrio Gótico and el Pueblo Español (central plaza). Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Good cast but I pass
Frágiles	2005	Horror	6.3	Calista Flockhart
Synopsis:	At her new job in a rundown children's hospital, a nurse desperately tries to keep her patients safe from a plague of random, mysterious attacks
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona and set in the Mercy Falls Children’s Hospital.
Thoughts:	Calista Flockhart in a horror movie?! I'd watch it.
The Machinist aka El maquinista	2004	Mystery, Thriller	7.8	Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Synopsis:	An industrial worker who hasn't slept in a year begins to doubt his own sanity
Sightings:	The film features gorgeous sets from the city of Barcelona, including exterior shots of the Port and the Tibidabo Amusement Park. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Sign me up for this one
The Spanish Apartment aka L'auberge espagnole	2002	Comedy, Romance, Drama	7.3	Romain Duris, Judith Godrèche
Synopsis:	As part of a job that he is promised, Xavier, an economics student in his twenties, signs on to a European exchange program in order to gain working knowledge of the Spanish language. Promising that they'll remain close, he says farewell to his loving girlfriend, then heads to Barcelona. Following his arrival, Xavier is soon thrust into a cultural melting pot when he moves into an apartment full of international students. An Italian, an English girl, a boy from Denmark, a young girl from Belgium, a German and a girl from Tarragona all join him in a series of adventures that serve as an initiation to life. Synopsois written by Sujit R. Varma
Sightings:	Unknown
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
All About My Mother aka Todo sobre mi madre	1999	Drama	7.8	Penelope Cruz, Cecilia Roth
Synopsis:	A single mother in Madrid sees her only son die on his 17th birthday as he runs to seek an actress's autograph. She goes to Barcelona to find the lad's father, a transvestite named Lola who does not know he has a child. ... With echos of Lorca, "All About Eve," and "Streetcar Named Desire," the mothers (and fathers and actors) live out grief, love, and friendship. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	The movie is said to capture the city's natural essence. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	I'd watch it - movie won an Oscar.
Barcelona	1994	Comedy, Drama, Romance	6.6	Miro Savino
Synopsis:	Ted, a stuffy white guy from Illinois working in sales for the Barcelona office of a US corporation, is paid an unexpected visit by his somewhat less stuffy cousin Fred, who is an officer in the US Navy. Over the next few months, both their lives are irrevocably altered by the events which follow Fred's arrival, events which are the trivial stuff of a comedy of manners at first but which gradually grow increasingly dramatic. Synopsis written by Tim Horrigan {horrigan@hanover-crrel.army.mil}
Sightings:	Unknown
Thoughts:	I might watch this. Movie won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography
Uncovered	1994	Thriller	5.9	Kate Beckinsale
Synopsis:	While restoring an old painting showing a woman and two men playing chess, Julia discovers the text "Who killed the knight" underneath the paint. The owner of the painting tells her that one of his forefathers was killed, the painting might identify the murderer. When Julia's friend is killed she understands that there is more to it. She consults Domenec, a chess genius who reconstructs the game from the painting. With any piece he takes, somebody dies. Synopsis written by Radboud Bruinsma {Radboud_Bruinsma@hg.maus.de}
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona, the architecture in the Ciudad Condal, particularly, that of Gaudí are shown.
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
A Room with a View	1986	Comedy, Drama	7.5	Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter
Synopsis:	When Lucy Honeychurch and chaperone Charlotte Bartlett find themselves in Florence with rooms without views, fellow guests Mr Emerson and son George step in to remedy the situation. Meeting the Emersons could change Lucy's life forever but, once back in England, how will her experiences in Tuscany affect her marriage plans? Synopsis written by Bridget Jones
Sightings:	Unknown.
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.  In fact it is being televised on 2/25 on Turner Classic Movies and I set the Tivo up to record it.
The Passenger aka Professione: reporter	1975	Drama, Mystery	7.7	Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider
Synopsis:	A journalist researching a documentary in the Sahara Desert meets a gunrunner who dies suddenly. When the journalist notices that they have a similar appearance, he assumes the recently deceased's identity and accepts the consequences that it brings. Synopsis written by MuzikJunky
Sightings:	The movie catches glimpses of the streetcars of the period, as well as the terrace of la Pedrera, with its chimneys and ‘characteristic’ shapes, quite different from how it is today. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain La Pedrera - 92 Passeig de Gràcia, Eixample, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Good cast but I pass

Next week we'll move onto watching movies taking place in Naples.