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.
***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/
The best one of all was “It Happened Here” about the fictional Nazi takeover of Britain.
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.
That is serious BS!
It's a big state. It's not a homogeneous state.
I vaguely remember Amerika when it originally aired. Kris Kristofferson was in it.
That was when the big three networks ran miniseries.
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.
I know Holland is one of the most religious towns in the country.
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?
Whoa. I graduated from Marshall High School in '76. Eaton, Yale and Towne was *the* city company. Just missed you.
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.
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.
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.
China was on our side in the original. The bad guys were Russians and Nicaraguans. So why change that? Just add Iranians.
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 ;)
...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.
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.
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...
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