Breaking Bad is Breaking Borders

If you have lived in New Mexico, especially Albuquerque, for any part of time, you are most likely somewhat familiar with the name of Walter White. One of New Mexico’s most popular shows ever produced has brought fame to the city and nearly become part of the culture. Though the show ended twelve years ago, it still brings the most commerce to the metro area. One of the main attractions is the recreation of some of the most memorable locations in the show, most notably, Los Pollos Hermanos.

            Seven years ago, the first Los Pollos Hermanos opened in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill district. For the first year, the restaurant often had to turn away customers after the place received a ‘special’ visit from the fire chief due to exceeding the occupancy load by seventy-five people. Since the opening, there has been a consistent flow of people to the restaurant, always raving about the food and the atmosphere. Currently, there are a total of five Los Pollos Hermanos in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. This is also one of the most popular stops on the Breaking Bad bus tours which have also grown in the recent years.

            Today, though is an important day in the history of the chain. The first restaurant outside of New Mexico opens in Dallas, Texas. This brings the grand total to fifteen Los Pollos Hermanos in the United States. Fans across the country are demanding the chain to become national. The business brains behind this all say they hope to have at least two of the restaurant in every state in the next ten years. Critics say this projection is not realistic because chains cannot develop at that pace. The Los Pollos Hermanos representative says their projections are perfectly reasonable because the nation as a whole is asking for this fictional joint to become a reality.

            New Mexico hasn’t always been known for the most  flattering things through its history but this seems to be a turning point for the state. For once, national attention is not because of a crime. As a whole, the state says thanks to Los Pollos Hermanos.

By Emily Lowell

Happy Birthday, Star Wars!

 
 
It all started on this day, forty-three years ago. The first Star Wars movie premiered. Since then, the series has become one of the most famous bases of geek culture. In its forty-three year run, the series has been referenced in other movies, books, and great cultural events like the San Diego Comic Convention. Also, the so-called, ‘Star Wars Day’ has gained immense popularity over the years. May the Fourth, a play on the movie’s ‘may the force be with you’ line, is celebrated with geeky themed donuts at Rebel Donuts and individual celebration in the form of t-shirts and other accessories. This year, clothing stores geared toward this geek culture will release new cosplay dresses of all the characters.

            This year, though is a special time for the saga. Seven months from now, the eleventh episode will premiere. This will of course include favorite and familiar characters such as Han Solo, played by veteran actor Harrison Ford, Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as every little girl’s favorite princess, Leia Organa. These cultural icons are most likely not going to leave the silver screen any time soon.

            It has been reported fans are begging director J. J. Abrams to continue the beloved series. This has been in the form of letters and the intense cosplaying that is the signature of Comic Con. Abrams has said he is flattered by the extreme love and devotion apparent in fans. He also says he is greatly appreciates the faith the fans seem to have in him. “George Lucas is quite the man to live up to,” Abrams said in an interview last year. “But from the success of the last four movies, I believe I am making the man proud.”

            From what has been said in the ‘Star Wars nerd’ communities, the fans do seem to approve of Abrams’ decisions. From the youngest fans who will be first introduced to the series with  the upcoming episode to the more seasoned veteran fans who have been die-hard followers since 1977, this movie is going to be the premiere of the year. It is projected to have a bigger opening weekend than any of the Marvel Phase Three Movies. ‘Geek Culture’ has been rising exponentially  in the past decade and does not appear to be slowing anytime soon.

By Emily Lowell

Same Place, New Life

The Taos Art Colony got its start in 1898. After one hundred twenty-eight years, the society is receiving the revival some have been begging for. This new generation of artists is breathing new life into the historical community.

            The revival the Taos Art Colony seemed to be an overnight sensation. The small tourism-based town was quiet until the morning of May 15, 2025 when the artists took to the streets with poems, prose, paintings, and sketches illustrating the best elements of New Mexico. Among the artists were the children of New Mexican authors, including the daughter of Tony Hillerman, Anne Hillerman. They say they are the new generation of artists ‘who are going to give life to the saddened spirit of the arts’. This group draws inspiration from those who went before them and continue the legacies.

            The artists, especially the painters, say they base their works off Georgia O’Keefe. One of the female artists says her childhood bedroom was covered in paintings from artists throughout history but her favorites were always done by women, especially Georgia O’Keefe. “She was my inspiration before I knew what that word meant. The first time I saw an artist painting, I knew that’s what I would do with the rest of my life.” She smiled as she fondly recalled the memories. “Don’t laugh at this, but I always feel the spirit of Georgia just looking over my shoulder and guiding me whenever I paint.” She giggled nervously, and shyly stared at the ground.

            This new Taos Art Colony says they plan to stay relevant for longer than their predecessors. Part of their plan is to show New Mexican youth that art is not just something to appreciate by looking at but also a type of therapy that heals both readers and writers. This group is more focused on writers and painters than the previous group was. The revival of this group of yore is appreciated by the older generations. They say it is a ‘pleasant reminder that the arts have not been bludgeoned to death by the new generation’.

By Emily Lowell

Blockbusters Boost New Mexico

This week’s newest blockbuster brings some newfound pride to New Mexico. The movie industry has been growing here since 2012 with various movies and television shows such as Breaking Bad and its spinoff, Better Call Saul, The Avengers, Lone Survivor, and Year One. The various landscapes of the state are among the best feature we have to offer. From the mountains of the east side of Albuquerque to the deserts of the south, almost any scenery moviemakers could want is within a two hour drive.

            This wonder of the movie industry is of great fortune to New Mexico. Aside from tourism, the movie industry is the biggest source of revenue for the state. The boom since 2012 has not stopped in spite of the natural restrictions such as water. The growth of the industry does not seem to be plateauing anytime soon. For the past 13 years, the growth has been exponential. This is not just in those businesses directly involved in the movie industry but growth has also been felt by all the other industries. Movies are the greatest asset New Mexico has seen since statehood.

            The latest movie, yet another addition to the action and adventure genre, used New Mexico residents as the supporting characters and extras. This served as a boom to the work industry for the state as well as a tourism boost as people try to hunt down the exact locations of the movies famous, and infamous, scenes. The scene which got the most reaction from fans, young and old alike, was in which our protagonist barely escapes from his captor’s lair then proceeds to get entangled with the henchmen in a chase down the mountain. The result of this is a fight at the base of the mountain with all the residents of the small town looking on the men with curiosity and a hint of fear.

            Movies such as this perfectly capture the spirit of New Mexico as a whole. Though the state is 113 years old, it is still believed to be the ‘Wild West’ where outlaws freely ride horses in the plains while Indians raid white villages. Acting as the setting for American movies with a full Caucasian hero, New Mexico is trying to prove its American patriotism. Slowly, we are proving our beautiful state is a worthwhile place that should be loved by all Americans even if that love is only seen in the millions of dollars made opening weekend.

By Emily Lowell