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Red Dawn movie remake hits big screen thanks to $16.7 million from Michigan taxpayers
Michigan Capitol Confidential ^ | 11/20/2012 | Tom Gantert

Posted on 11/21/2012 1:10:07 PM PST by MichCapCon

In the upcoming remake of the movie Red Dawn, the United States is invaded by North Korea.

But it wouldn't have happened without Michigan taxpayers.

The remake of the classic Patrick Swayze 1984 movie debuts Nov. 21. It was filmed in Michigan in 2009 and the film company received $16.7 million in film credits from Michigan taxpayers.

Now Michigan residents will get a chance to see what they paid for.

After it was shot, it was widely reported that the filmmakers changed the enemy to North Korea for fear that having China as the villain again would hurt sales in that country. In 2010, movies in China brought in $1.5 billion in revenue, according to The Los Angeles Times.

"We are far more likely to be taken over by North Korea than we are to actually benefit from the Hollywood film subsidies," said Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. "The premise behind film subsidies relies more on science fiction than any movie plot ever produced by them."

Red Dawn was the biggest benefactor of film credits in 2009. The Michigan Film Office reported the movie makers spent $44.4 million in the state and got back $16.7 million, which was more than twice as big as the second largest award of $6.1 million. Although the movie was filmed in 2009, its release was stalled when MGM filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

In 2009, the state gave a refundable tax credit of up to 42 percent for production work in the state. That was changed last year to 32 percent. Earlier this year, the Republican-led legislature doubled the film subsidy program from $25 million to $50 million.

"These things are really expensive and ineffective at providing economic development," said James Hohman, a fiscal policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: film; hollywood; moviereview; reddawn
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To: MichCapCon

It would be nice if the movie could be made without the Michigan taxpayers forking over 16.5 million.

But, it is ironic that a movie about a Communist takeover of the USA would be paid for by money confiscated from the tax payer.


21 posted on 11/21/2012 1:46:14 PM PST by OKRA2012
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Comment #22 Removed by Moderator

To: mylife

A more realistic version would be Obama bringing in the United Nations the help him keep control over the little people ,but without western nations the UN is kind of like North Korea


23 posted on 11/21/2012 1:48:34 PM PST by molson209
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To: TomGuy

>IIRC, the actual ‘invaders’ were hired Cuban military in the original.

Combination of Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Russkies. There are two main antagonists a somewhat sympathetic Cuban and a downright nasty Russian.


24 posted on 11/21/2012 1:51:27 PM PST by drbuzzard (All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.)
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To: drbuzzard

Does anyone remember that terrible miniseries “Amerika” they did in the 80s, about a fictional Commie takeover of the US?

All I remember was where they would show the Red flags with the pictures of Lenin and Lincoln next to each other.


25 posted on 11/21/2012 1:54:58 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: MichCapCon
Adrianne Palicki is in this movie. That's reason enough to see it, IMHO


26 posted on 11/21/2012 1:55:58 PM PST by GSWarrior
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To: dfwgator

Yep, it was pretty bad.


27 posted on 11/21/2012 2:00:05 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: OKRA2012

Isn’t it though?

Welcome to FR.


28 posted on 11/21/2012 2:01:03 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: mylife; cripplecreek

The thing that p**ses me off is that money was taken out of my unemployment check to pay for this movie. Think I could have done something better with my share that paid for this movie.


29 posted on 11/21/2012 2:02:41 PM PST by Springman (Rest In Peace YaYa123, Bahbah, and Just Lori.)
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To: gundog
Yeah, those were different times. China and Russia did not get along so well back then. Russia was the only power in the 80's who could have invaded us -- a stretch even back then. The original movie is one of my favorites. What patriot is not stirred by the battle cry "Wolverines!" and "Avenge me!" reeducation camp scenes?
some_text
30 posted on 11/21/2012 2:02:41 PM PST by 3Fingas
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To: 3Fingas

Ol’ Harry Dean Stanton pops up in the weirdest places.


31 posted on 11/21/2012 2:06:02 PM PST by gundog (Help us, Nairobi-Wan Kenobi...you're our only hope.)
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To: cripplecreek

Michigan ID? That’s racist!


32 posted on 11/21/2012 2:09:33 PM PST by FrdmLvr (culture, language, borders)
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To: Springman
Be sue to send Michigan "republican" senator Roger Kahn a thank you for introducing a bill to raise your electric bill so a private corporation's bill doesn't have to go up.

2012 Senate Bill 1363: Allow higher residential utility rates to subsidize Hemlock Semiconductor

Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R) on November 8, 2012, to allow the indefinite continuation of the special electricity rates granted by Consumers Energy to the Hemlock Semiconductor subsidiary of Dow Corning, which under a 2010 law were exempted from a ban on cross-subsidization between residential and commercial/industrial customers (meaning residential customers pay more so that Hemlock can pay less). Hemlock was one of the recipients of extensive state subsidies extensive state subsidies granted by the previous two legislatures to electric car battery, photovoltaic solar cell, and other “renewable” energy companies.

Yeah, I'm going domestic RINO huntin and this one is a real trophy.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
33 posted on 11/21/2012 2:11:27 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: MichCapCon

Invaded by North Korea?... LoL...

Just kill the officers and the troops will join you...
They have more to fear from their own officers than American troops.. or citizens..

Although brain washed from their youth they know what the deal is..
and that their officers are quite MAD... or they wouldnt be officers..
No doubt the movie doesnt go that way.. since anyone that presumes NK invading the US.. is quite MAD as well..

OR democrats same thing.. unless the US has become the Duchy of Fenwick..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYMuJDajujc


34 posted on 11/21/2012 2:17:55 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: Le Chien Rouge

***‘Holder’s People’ in Detroit would surrender without firing a shot....***

I had a Sergeant in the military who told us that the real reason Truman desegregated the ranks was that the North Koreans found that if they hit a part of the line guarded by black troops, they would fold.

I never believed it till I got internet and searched it out. The Sarge was correct.


35 posted on 11/21/2012 2:19:02 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (The parasites now outnumber the producers.)
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To: 3Fingas

“Wolverines!???”.... the republican party would have trouble finding a couple of Ferrets...


36 posted on 11/21/2012 2:22:02 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: gundog

A great and versatile actor he is.


37 posted on 11/21/2012 2:23:21 PM PST by 3Fingas
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To: hosepipe
Invaded by North Korea?... LoL...

What did they do, send in "Five O'Clock Charlie"?


38 posted on 11/21/2012 2:26:39 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: hosepipe

Yeah, the Republican is pretty lame. In fact, many of our fellow citizens are pretty lame as evidence by the recent election results. I think we would have many Quislings if such an invasion were ever to happen nowadays.


39 posted on 11/21/2012 2:27:17 PM PST by 3Fingas
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To: hosepipe

When my wife’s uncle’s troop train of wounded was overrun in December in Chosin, the NK attack disintegrated when the NK troops discovered the Christmas presents being sent to the troops. The surviving Marines were able to escape from the attack.


40 posted on 11/21/2012 2:27:55 PM PST by AppyPappy (If you really want to annoy someone, point out something obvious that they are trying hard to ignore)
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