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.
Me too. ‘Cept I had to move out of Michigan. They filmed the airplane crash scene about a mile from my house that I used to own before Jenny Grandstand blew me away.
Is that the one across the street from Eaton’s?
Yes. Right across the street from the guard shack.
The BBQ is run by Charlie and Debbie Mains. I know Charlie from before his days as cutter grind supervisor, and Debbie is related to my wife. "Small world."
You want Small World? My Uncle owned that place in the ‘60’s. Italian.
Heh. I bet the food was better than what 'Dub put out in the 70's ;-) I haven't spoken with Charlie or Debbie in decades, but Marshall is "small town."
And, FWIW, I like being an occupant of small town Americana.
I’d prefer North Koreans over using Nazis as bad guys AGAIN.
[ 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. ]
Probably never seen a cookie or fruit cake.. I can imagine.. “cookies and whiskey and candy canes”.. with slim Jims and summer sausage to boot.. Wonder “SHAZAAM” sounds like in Norski..
I had to leave. I’ve settled into a research career in a distant land since then...Phoenix. LOL Also, I really don’t like snow. Ick.
Don’t recall, either I didn’t have any interest in it, or I was living overseas. More likely both.
More like wait for it to be on Netflix streaming alongside Megashark vs. Giant Octopus.
And now we have "BO as George Washington" on the cover of Newsweek. Ugh.
It’s getting to where I can’t watch TV since seeing O just brings up rage. I simply get angry at the blatant stupidity of my fellow citizens.
Sorry. I’m in Oregon, so I should know better.
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