Oscars come to Tucumcari?

Last summer our tiny town of Tucumcari saw the glitz and glamour of Hollywood movie making descend. Actors Ben Foster, Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges shot several scenes for their upcoming movie Hell or High Water. Now, I'll admit, I was a little giddy... Chris Pine, less then a mile from my HOUSE? Heck yeah! But now it looks like we might actually get some attention! ​

Hell or High Water was the little movie that could. Taylor Sheridan has written this amazingly gritty modern day western story. Two brothers turn to robbing the very bank that is trying to steal their family home out from underneath them. It's a realistic look at the crisis facing many Americans who fell victim to the predatory lending practices of the banks. Although the movie is set in Texas, the entire thing was filmed in the state of New Mexico, using the towns of Clovis, Portales, Moriarty and Tucumcari as some of the backdrops. I can't even tell you how the theater erupted here in town when we saw the familiar streets and landmarks of our town on the big screen!

When this movie started out it was considered one of those small budget "indie" kind of films. But in the months since it's release it has been nominated for award after award. And now, with the Oscars just a short ways away, we sit with baited breath to see if this will be the year that small town America comes out on top at the biggest award show. Regardless of if it wins for Best Picture or not, we here in Tucumcari sure are proud!​

Have you seen Hell or High Water? Tell us what you think in the comments below....