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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: dfwgator

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

I remember an older one, more frightening.

IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE by SINCLAIR LEWIS
filmed as SHADOW ON THE LAND.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063589/


41 posted on 11/21/2012 2:28:24 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (The parasites now outnumber the producers.)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

The best one of all was “It Happened Here” about the fictional Nazi takeover of Britain.


42 posted on 11/21/2012 2:29:56 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: Le Chien Rouge
They would just have to run for office, they would be elected in a landslide.

Come to think of it, there's not a whole lot of difference between N Korea and Detroit except N Korea might be safer to walk through.

43 posted on 11/21/2012 2:31:31 PM PST by Brett66 (Where government advances, and it advances relentlessly , freedom is imperiled -Janice Rogers Brown)
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To: Springman

That is serious BS!


44 posted on 11/21/2012 2:32:24 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: gundog
-- Michigan? I'd expect an inside job by the Muzzies. --

It's a big state. It's not a homogeneous state.

45 posted on 11/21/2012 2:35:47 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt
It's a big state. It's not a homogeneous state.

I only live 70 miles from Detroit and I can't tell you the last time I encountered an obvious muslim. Most middle easterners in the state are Christian anyway. There are probably more of the black pseudo muslims than real ones.
46 posted on 11/21/2012 2:42:54 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: dfwgator

I vaguely remember Amerika when it originally aired. Kris Kristofferson was in it.

That was when the big three networks ran miniseries.


47 posted on 11/21/2012 2:54:14 PM PST by moviefan8
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To: cripplecreek
-- I only live 70 miles from Detroit and I can't tell you the last time I encountered an obvious muslim. --

I grew up in Holland, in the 60's, moved away, worked for Eaton Marshall from '78 to '84; visit Michigan regularly since moving away. Usually near Detroit (Troy) but sometimes on the west side of the state.

I don't know how far the muslims have spread from Dearbornistan, and the pockets around Michigan City (Indiana).

I think Michigan is "more Christian" than any New England state.

48 posted on 11/21/2012 2:54:20 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt

I know Holland is one of the most religious towns in the country.


49 posted on 11/21/2012 3:03:36 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: MichCapCon

John Milius the original producer and writer of RED DAWN, read the script and said its a STUPID SCENARIO. All they did in the new RED DAWN knock off, was have action scenes with no realistic plot. Wait to see if and when Walgreens is selling the DVD for 2 bucks. Then again why waste 2 bucks?


50 posted on 11/21/2012 3:08:33 PM PST by agincourt1415 (Tired of the current State, and Federal Tax System go here: APTTAX.com)
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To: Cboldt
... worked for Eaton Marshall from '78 to '84 ...

Whoa. I graduated from Marshall High School in '76. Eaton, Yale and Towne was *the* city company. Just missed you.

51 posted on 11/21/2012 3:08:54 PM PST by Cyber Liberty (Obama considers the Third World morally superior to the United States.)
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To: cripplecreek
-- I know Holland is one of the most religious towns in the country. --

Hope College.

I think you'd get argument over what town is "most religious." I haven't spent much time in Holland since leaving in the 1960's. It's small town, far enough from Michigan City, so I figure the change in character is slow. Still, I just don't know.

Great memories though. I'd say I had an exceptional childhood. Loads of freedom, loads of community.

52 posted on 11/21/2012 3:19:22 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt

I grew up in southwestern Jackson county in Hanover. There used to be a “Glory to God” garage in Hillsdale. They used to race a car at Butler Speedway.


53 posted on 11/21/2012 3:22:31 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Cyber Liberty
-- I graduated from Marshall High School in '76. Eaton, Yale and Towne was *the* city company. Just missed you. --

You missed me if you left town. We probably know some of the same people. I was a mid-level muck-a-muck. Lunch at Rodger's Lounge, and I not only know, but am related to the folks running the BBQ on Hanover St.

54 posted on 11/21/2012 3:22:35 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt

Looks like Glory to God automotive is still there.

http://www.glorytogod.com/


55 posted on 11/21/2012 3:24:41 PM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: 1066AD

China was on our side in the original. The bad guys were Russians and Nicaraguans. So why change that? Just add Iranians.


56 posted on 11/21/2012 3:24:56 PM PST by Argus
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To: cripplecreek
-- I grew up in southwestern Jackson county in Hanover. There used to be a "Glory to God" garage in Hillsdale. --

Hillsdale is hard core conservative. Holland was (maybe still is) too - but I remember being odd man out (10 y/o kids) in favor of Goldwater ;)

57 posted on 11/21/2012 3:29:01 PM PST by Cboldt
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To: TomGuy

...where a mussie is accused, it seems to turn out to be false, and the real culprit is a disgruntled former US military or religious extremist white guy.

&&&&
Which is why I stopped watching TV series. So sick of their propaganda.


58 posted on 11/21/2012 3:34:35 PM PST by Bigg Red (Sorry, Mr. Franklin, I guess we couldn't keep it.)
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To: molson209
Now that would be a movie plot I'd believe more than an NK invasion. NK is too paranoid to ever push very many soldiers into North America. They'd be afraid the South Koreans would invade.

However, hussein citing some "need" to establish marshal law, prevent anti-government violence, stop pollution, etc. etc. - basically enforce the ultimate nanny-state on us "for our own good"... Yeah, I could see him inviting in UN troops 'cause he couldn't trust our military to enforce such an unconstitutional power grab.

59 posted on 11/21/2012 3:40:13 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obama now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: Vendome

Lighten up.... It’s just a movie.... Vampires and zombies aren’t real either... The trailer looked great.... Should be a fun movie... Not mind expanding.... BTW, the first movie had Cuba invading ... Not realistic, just fun...


60 posted on 11/21/2012 3:44:59 PM PST by nevergore ("It could be that the purpose of my life is simply to serve as a warning to others.")
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