Last wwek, 60 viewers joined me to watch the newly released film, Sunshine Cleaning. Of all the movies shown in our MovieLine series, perhaps the scenery and local shots were most effectively used in this one. The rugged terrain and beautiful mountains, the shots of the work a day world and even the seedier side of Albuquerque, New Mexico often help set the tone of a scene and simply put, made the movie a better one.
So this got me thinking. What other movies have been set in or had scenes shot in New Mexico? A little research offered several that we have in the Westport Public Library's collection of films.
Like creepy? John Carpenter sure likes to film in New Mexico and in the last several years completed Vampires and Ghosts of Mars. Like highly nominated and noteworthy movies? Several decades have seen winners and accolade producing films with a New Mexico influence. Recent entries include No Country for Old Men and 3:10 to Yuma. Like movies about outlaws and the law who try to corral them? Caputure a copy of Young Guns, Wyatt Earp or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Classic Westerns include Jimmy Stewart in the Man from Laramie.
Superman and the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth both used New Mexico scenes as backdrops. Yes, even guys from other planets like New Mexico.
Want to know more. Go to the New Mexico State Film website for a long listing.
Next entry, more about the Southwest and a trip to Sedona.
