Its 12:50 pm
Getting ready for our first real snow storm of the season. Its clouding over and the temps are falling fast.
Last night saw us hit Zero degrees with a wind chill factor of -4 degrees.
My one big errand was going with a friend to help buy her husband a birthday gift,I suggested a model airplane from World War 2. There are a real lack of true hobby stores anymore and places like Toys R Us no longer carry a large selection of models or paints.
The one place I found online was no longer in business,I kept looking. I know Hobby Lobby carries a few kits,I was surprised to see a Brewster Buffalo kit there as the Buffalo was perhaps the worst plane any country put in the air during the war. I didn't want to suggest that we give him THAT plane.
We decided to save Hobby Lobby as a last resort and head to Westland and check out Nankin Hardware.
Turns out that Nankin also has a hobby section with a decent selection of both modern and historical ships and planes. We looked over the models and I kept a eye for the one plane I think would work,the P-51 Mustang which was the best fighter plane of the war. (and according to the show Top Tens,the best fighter ever.)
Modeling has become a bit pricey,the kit,2 bottles of paint,brushes and a exacto blade cost 44.00. His birthday is Sunday and I'm really hoping he enjoys his plane.
Above,the video you see that I posted is the Tuskegee Airmen episode from my favorite History Channel show,"Dogfights". The Airmen also flew a early model P-51 while fighting the Germans over Europe. And today is the first day for the film "Red Tails" which George Lucas (Star Wars) spent 23 years and almost 94 million dollars of his own money making because despite the image Hollywood wants to present,it wouldn't dare to finance a movie like this,a movie featuring a all black cast aimed at the mainstream American audience.
There was a made for cable movie back in 1995 called "The Tuskegee Airmen" which starred Lawrence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr. (who also stars in Red Tails). While that movie was heartfelt,it was low budget and really couldn't provide the real combat scenes that today's technology can showcase.
If you plan on watching the movie,watch the video first,you'll see a lot of the action in Dogfights in Red Tails as the same group that created/produced Dogfights also worked on the movie for Lucas.
I'm really hoping that despite not using the names of the real Airmen (and why is that,Mr. Lucas?) that they'll treat this movie and the brave men who fought it with respect and grace.
The Tuskegee Airmen also have a tiny museum that is now up and running here in the metro Detroit area. Its a place I am hoping to visit come early spring and if possible,I'll revisit this post and show pictures.
If anyone of you do see this movie,please come back and share your opinion of it.....
Below is a link to a interview on why Lucas believes that Hollywood won't support a movie like this being made.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16525977
I haven't seen Red Tails yet, but I plan to this weekend, probably tonight. One of the problems is lack of a top star/stars and let's face it, period pieces don't go over so well for most movies....Look at Tom Cruise in the WWI era film called, Valkyrie--total box office failure. The fact that it has an all-black cast apparently posed some marketing challenges. Quentin Tarantino has been very successful with black-theme pics, featuring a black star but using a diverse supporting cast. I'm very interested in aviation. I want to find out why the airforce even felt it necessary to paint the nose cones and tails of the the aircraft flown by Tuskeegee Airmen in RED? I also think Lucas does a far better job in the sci/space genre, but of course he was the produccer not the director. The Detroit News' Tom Long gave Red Tails a "C-" but Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman just gave it a "B-". Will see for myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! The planes were painted different colors for various reasons,to ID the Allied planes for friendly forces. It also help create a group unity....planes also were painted for different missions,like escorting or the ground attack missions.
ReplyDeleteI think Valkyrie was a failure because despite Cruise's portrayal,the character he was playing,Col. Von Stauffenberg was still seen as a Nazi officer and that may have turned away American audiences. Funny how history has that attempt to kill Hitler as a failure when it fact,it wasn't. Because of Hitler's paranoia it led him to force Edwin Rommel,one of the top German generals to commit suicide thus saving thousands of Allied lives....
You can not go wrong with Lawrence Fishburne. I'm always looking for a new film to watch and Tuskegee Airmen is something that I think will like. I like war- military- movies. I'll find myself a copy of this movie.
ReplyDeleteThe TV movie on TBS was a fine effort....the George Lucas film was just God awful...the best thing I have seen is the Dogfights episode I have reposted above.
DeleteTuskegee Airmen is one of my favorite movies. I love Lawrence Fishburne. I'll have to check this out since you like it so much =]
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that movie until now. I am going to look out for it.
ReplyDeleteMichelle F.
OMG when I first read the few lines I was all, "SNOW STORM?!!!" ...
ReplyDeleteI was worried there for a minute.
I haven't seen or heard of that movie. I do love Cuba. 95 eh? Man...I was 15 years old.
$44 is a great price. Here that'll get you a basic car model with no paint or blades. We'd expect to pay over $100 for the same.
ReplyDeleteI've got to be honest I've never seen Red Tails yet, I've been meaning to, but I've never found the time.
ReplyDeleteDo yourself a favor,watch the episode of Dogfights I have here....its the best thing I have seen covering the 332nd FG
DeleteI have wanted to see this movie and I've even turned the channel when it's come on in the middle so that I can watch it from the beginning. I just keep forgetting to look for it when I'm searching for a movie to watch. May be I'll remember now. :)
ReplyDeleteThe one from 1995 isn't bad at all...but Red Tails was pretty awful.
DeleteI think my son would like to learn more about the planes. I will be sure to check to see when it comes on next thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou can get "Dogfights" on Amazon plus Wikipedia is a excellent place as well...encourage a love of history!
DeleteI've never heard of that movie before. I'll have to keep watch for it, it looks really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe film from 1995 is on DVD,should be able to get it dirt cheap on Amazon...
DeleteThis is a great movie, I've seen it several times, Great actors, script and delivery
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed it many times as well....but I love the Dogfights episode best.
DeleteWow great actors but I've never see the movie, my cousin loves modeling I never thought about how expensive are his little planes and cars.
ReplyDeleteModeling is a dying art form....kids don't have the patience to build anymore.
DeleteI haven't heard about this movie! Where have I been? Thanks for the review and I'll keep my eyes open for it.
ReplyDeleteJust wait til I review "Airboss"!
DeleteMy husband likes planes and I am pretty sure he will enjoy watching this show. I have never heard of this plane until now. Nice to know something about tuskegee.
ReplyDeleteThis show was on the History Channel when it was showing actual history shows
DeleteI have read about the Tuskegee airmen.. I have also watched a story about them on HBO.
ReplyDeleteThey were a very brave bunch of pilots....
ReplyDeleteMy sister will surely love this! Thats for sure. I have to let her read this post
ReplyDeleteWhy haven't I heard of this movie before? I am going to have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was going to a movie like this. But with Laurence Fishburne you really can't go wrong, it's a must see!
ReplyDeleteI heard the story of the Tuskegee Airmen in school. I'm curious to see the movie.
ReplyDelete