Apparently, the Texas Film Commission has denied tax incentives to Robert Rodriguez's Machete, citing a state code that bars incentives for films that contain "...content that portrays Texas or Texans in a negative fashion." They didn't cite any examples, but Robert De Niro's corrupt Texas politician who murders illegal immigrants probably could have been construed this way. That said, it seems like most movies set in Texas don't do the lone star state many favors. I mean, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre damages the reputation of their BBQ! But for the sake of positivity (and because there are too many of the negative Texas movies to list), let's take a look at five films that might have actually helped state tourism.
Brewster McCloud (1970)
This little-seen comedy from Robert Altman concerns an odd, intellectual boy who lives in a fallout shelter of the Astrodome. His only dream is to fly within the stadium, using a wing-contraption he builds himself. By the time the day arrives for him to make his attempt, Altman has performed the rare cinematic feat of romanticizing Houston, Texas. Bravo.
The Last Picture Show (1971)
Sure, it's set in a small Texas town that never changes and is sort of on the outs economically and culturally. But the sparse black and white photography of Texas landscapes in Peter Bogdanovich's film will still light up something special in your heart.
Slacker (1991)
Richard Linklater's ode to the odder inhabitants of Austin may have been the first film to actually make Texas look appealing to hipsters, artists and weirdos.
Grindhouse: Deathproof (2007)
The first third of Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse entry captures the romance of Austin, Texas like no other film. It's actually hard not to think about a vacation while watching the first group of girls spend lazy days eating cheap Tex-Mex food and lazy nights drinking cheap beer at dive bars. That is, until Kurt Russell starts killing everyone.
The Tree of Life (2011)
I haven't even gotten to see the trailer to Terrence Malick's newest, but the film was shot in Texas, and given that it's Malick, I'm near positive that it will make every roadside tree or flower look as sumptuous and hypnotic as any scenery ever captured on film.
