South Central New Mexico

“This Must Be the Place” (2011) starring Sean Penn, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch and David Byrne as himself. Filming locations in New Mexico include Alamogordo, Carrizozo and Bingham; Red River, Eagle Nest and Questa. Warning: Rated R for language and adult situations and may not be suitable for sensitive viewers. Sean Penn channels a disillusioned and burned out Ozzy Osbourne-like figure in this Italian-Irish-French production. The European connection is important since it serves as a reminder of how outsiders view…

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“The Book of Eli” (2010), starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis and filmed in New Mexico at the State Prison and Carrizozo. Rated R for violence and language. Not suitable for younger or sensitive audiences. Fans of graphic novels would argue that the genre is a legitimate form of literature but, as a hybrid form, they often fall into the realm of neither/nor. While “The Book of Eli” is not based on a graphic novel, its sepia-tinged tone and…

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“King Solomon’s Mines” (1950), starring Deborah Kerr, Stewart Granger and Richard Carlson, filming locations include Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands and Sitting Bull Falls in the Lincoln National Forest. Oscar winner for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing and third most popular film in Britain in 1951, this adventure movie, based on the H. Rider Haggard, is a study of how far film-making has come. It has plenty of goofs: A charging African elephant suddenly is an Indian elephant, Deborah Kerr…

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