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Detroit on the Brain

Couple interesting quotes out of today's Freep about people's impressions of Detroit.

--Nice article about "Up in the Air," the new movie starring George Clooney. The cast and crew shot scenes in late February at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. According to the article, "There were three days of actual filming inside the McNamara Terminal (which has a starring role in the movie's poster) and the closed Berry Terminal, according to Scott Wintner, a spokesman for the Wayne County Airport Authority.

But that brief time frame involved months of advance planning and frequent visits to metro Detroit by the film's crew. "A three-day shoot means an economic impact that is much larger than just three days," says Wintner."

Director Jason Reitman (only 32!) gave credit to our tax credits:

Reitman says what brought him here was "the tax credit in Michigan -- so I really hope you guys hold on to that, because that helps movies like this get made -- but in addition to that, it's that gorgeous airport that you spent a fortune on."

--Brad Leithauser's most recent novel, "The Art Student's War," takes place in Detroit during its glory days of the 1940s. Great reviews so far, including this one in the newspaper today. One highlight from the author, who was born and raised in Southeast Michigan:

"I've lived in a number of terrific places," Leithauser says, "including Paris and Reykjavik and Kyoto. But I keep setting my books in Michigan. For whatever reason, Detroit has the most powerful hold on my imagination."

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  • 1

    Nobody cares about these folks opinions of Michigan .What matter more are the views of those living here..

    Please enough of this sap... What's next the views of birds as they fly by before or after thier deposits..

    Come on give us insights on those who matter here including the good, bad and the ugly those views have more impact..

  • 2

    Karen, Don't listen to gthrahser. She sounds like a stick in the mud. I liked hearing those folks opinions of Michigan.

  • 3

    I've grown up here and I appreciate you letting us know about these bits of culturally and economically important info that I might not pick up on my own.

    I'm glad the younger Hollywood generation are bringing us money in tax revenue and I like to hear about people who are from here and who still love it here. Both are reasons to make me feel better about continuing to live here among some of the more bleaker attitudes.

  • 4

    It is always good to hear some positive comments from those people that do not live in Detroit or Michigan for that matter. All to often we hear nothing but bad news (especially form those that live here) about the city.

    Detroit and Michigan as a whole needs to have more positive publicity from out of state guests, no matter where they are from.

    The more positive the reviews are, the more pride we will start to have in Detroit again. These are the stories people want to hear about, the good comments that businesses have working with the city. When a business such as the movie industry and the people they bring start reveling about the region then we can start to bring back that pride.

    I'm sure that there will be those people that will say that it does not matter that it will not help, but with popularity comes prosperity if we all just open our minds, and hearts to those that want to come here for work or pleasure.

    Good to see some positive work being done no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

  • 5

    @royal,

    I am quite sure Karen does not need your permission or consent on anything . Please refrain from attacking me with personal insults simply becuase my views do not comport with yours..

    Think postive!!

  • 6

    Hooray for the tax credit... this is such a good thing for the city, we need to keep it going by keeping the grubby little political hands as far away as possible.

  • 8

    @detroitisstillcrap:

    I know you are an advocate for Detroit, But I think there are enough other venues to spread your word. I know that there is freedom of speech and all that, and I know of all the troubles you have had in the past with server hosts and your site. But take a step back and let some one else dig the hole with out your help.

  • 9

    [...] for several season at the Free Press, a Detroit transplant, who laments on driving foreign cars. Time has commited two important recourses to Detroit – time and [...]

  • 10

    On that comment from gthrasher...

    How sad to read such an ignorant statement. "Nobody cares about these folks opinions of Michigan." Actually, I bet some people do care. And really, everybody should. Guess what? "These folks" have money and they are bringing it to your state. It can't get anymore obvious than that.

    Perhaps now more than ever, Michigan needs people like you to support whatever monetary solutions may present themselves. Open your eyes--and your mind.

  • 11

    @gthrasher

    If you are going to speak for everybody (i.e., "nobody cares"), then you can expect those who don't agree with you to correct your misstatements. Also, I think you can overcome the so called "personal insults." No need to be dramatic.

  • 12

    Good thing that they never left the airport! The slow and painful death of metropolitan Detroit is a painful
    thing to watch... Believe me as I've been watching it for my entire life!

  • 13

    @asf076,

    I am not chasing down folks for a compliment..You can lay down and be a doormat not me...I will not support any and every quick rich solutions..I have standards..

    BTW open your eyes and and your mind and get over me..

  • 14

    @royaloaker,

    Who appointed you the forum's arbiter of anything?? I do not make any misstatements I simply post facts and statements..

    I have no idea what you are talking about "personal insults"..Perhaps you should practice what you preach but then again most hypocrites never do....

    BTW I can and will be/do/ whatever/whenever/whereever/however...beause I can..

    • 14.1

      @gthrasher

      Like a superhero, I have self appointed myself to be the forum's arbiter.

      I am giving you one point for your vocabulary, but taking away one point for reading comprehension (the "personal insults" you can overcome were made by me, not you), and, I'm sorry, but I have to subtract three points for your failure to realize that "nobody cares" is a misstatement when I, for one, care deeply.

      I will give you one point back for spunk.

  • 15

    @royalloaker,

    I could less about spelling, syntax and keeping score in a chat forum..You can be Jesus Christ I could care less..

    You post margainal comments and until you measure up your role as the forum's arbiter will exist only in your mind..

    Now make a difference and threaten me with some substance..Folks like you are keeping score..lol,lol,lol

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