South Central New Mexico

“The Leopard Man” (1943), directed by Jacques Tourneur, produced by Val Lewton, filmed at RKO Studios and Santa Fe. In an era where slasher films and computer-generated imagery dominate the scary movie genre, “The Leopard Man,” based on the novel “The Black Alibi” by Cornell Woolrich, is an excellent argument for “less is more” as a horror film technique. There is little overt violence here but the suspense is unrelenting, made all the more visceral by the strong contrasts of…

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“Tortilla Heaven” (2007), starring George Lopez, Del Zamora, Olivia Hussey, filming locations include Dixon and Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico. Images of religious figures appearing on mundane items of everyday life are common, but often the outcome is to denigrate believers or to elevate, downplay or dissect the event itself. Sometimes what is construed by the cynical as overly wishful thinking can serve as the basis of a critique of the criticism itself and, in the case of “Tortilla Heaven,” comments…

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“The Astronaut Farmer” (2006) Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Virginia Madsen with cameos by Bruce Dern and Bruce Willis, directed by Michael Polish, written by Michael and Mark Polish, filmed in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Espanola and Las Vegas, New Mexico. Perhaps it is the vastness of the landscape in the Southwest that encourages people to dream, for whom among us does not know a crazy uncle, obsessed friend or quirky neighbor who holds on to a fantastic dream and who refuses…

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