The Las Cruces Public Libraries is beginning 2025 with a free spy movie marathon at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library downtown.
Due to licensing requirements, city news releases often omit the titles of movies screened at the library’s frequent Saturday movie events, and instead hint at the titles through clues – which seems fitting for a day of movies involving espionage, cloak-and-dagger capers and covert intrigues.
At 1 p.m., the release says the second movie is “based on a television show and starring Tom Cruise.” Easy-peasey: That’s “Mission: Impossible,” the 1996 movie that was followed by six sequels and a seventh slated for 2025, all with Cruise playing the role of government agent Ethan Hunt (and famously performing many of his own stunts). The franchise takes inspiration from the 1966-73 television series created by Bruce Geller. The film is rated PG-13.
Finally, a third movie scheduled for 3 p.m. “is based on a long-running book series by Robert Ludlum.” That’s “The Bourne Identity,” also PG-13, the 2002 thriller in which Matt Damon plays a CIA assassin suffering from amnesia. It led to four sequels over the next 14 years and is, indeed, based on a trilogy of novels by Robert Ludlum. After the success of the movies, more novels about Jason Bourne were produced by Eric Van Lustbader and Brian Freeman.
The “First Saturday Movie Marathons” will continue, per the library, with a February marathon of “dancing romances” in celebration of Valentine’s Day; films from the 1980s in March; and baseball-oriented films in April for the start of baseball season.
The January spy movie marathon on Saturday, Jan. 4, is free for the public and light snacks are permitted.
Further information available by library agent (librarian) Deanna Duffy, 575-528-4005 or dduffy@lascruces.gov.
