Flags in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie - 1996

 Peanut gallery back seat comments during a movie in a public space are a no no.  But when its an old movie, a favorite, or horribly bad movie making off the wall wacky doodle comments is a certain kind of art form - and it became refined and distinguished with the Mystery Science Theater 3000 team.

A man is trapped in space in the distant future and forced to watch cheesy sci-fi films by a mad scientist.  Here we can see the mission badge of our hero - Mike Nelson.  It says Wisconsin and has piece of cheese upon it.

Can you find the pennant in the clutter?  It reads "SERVO RULES."  The Mystery Science Theater 3000 makes it possible to enjoy really bad movies, ironically with silly comments.  However this movie was a big booper as well.  It should be watched in the company of alcohol or group of silly beans people.

The flag of the United States of America is just barely visible at the end of the wind shield.

Meteor Shower Alert Flag

A background of navy blue with five four pointed stars is the design that makes up a Meteor Shower Alert Flag.  Meteor Showers are often like holidays that appear over and over again every year.  But every once and a while we get some new shows.

The Meteor Shower Alert flag should fly at least five days before a meteor shower is about to take place.




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Photo Credit: http://skycenter.arizona.edu/gallery/SolarSystems/Perseids2013radiant

Solar Eclipse Flag

The eclipse flag uses four colours: black, white, red, and light blue.  The central disc is divided into two colours of mostly white and partially red.  The white region represents the moon while the smaller red portion represents the sun.  The black background represents the momentary moment of night during day when the moon aligns with the sun in the right way.  Likewise the light blue portion represents the day that is being put on temporary hold.


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Photo Credit: http://yarr.me/e/641

Flags from Blue Collar Comedy Tour: 2003

The US flag makes several almost accidental appearances in the original cinematic classic Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie 2003. America was surely in the mood for some good ol' country laughs.  More original an' natural than Hee Haw.  Four southern gentleman were able to cook up some comedic home style chuckles that just tickled the side belly of Merica'.

Yes indeed, that is Jeff Foxworthy playing a part with some wacky doodle mullet hair-hat combo.  It just so happens that Mr. Foxworthy is wearing an American Flag on the honor point of his ball cap.

Here Larry the Cable guys uses a Fart Machine bought from Spencer Gifts to lay one out on an innocent passerbyer who just happens to be a wearing t-shirt that has the American Flag on it. Oh yeah, nearly forgot...you can also see the Arizona State flag in the first pic.

Viva La Revolution Flag - Dragon Ash 1999

In 1999 the seeds from a smashed pumpkin were eaten by a dragon.  The result was a smash hit song on the Japanese Pop charts back in the Summer of 99' - Grateful Days.

The album cover for this song was influenced by art that originated in 1830 - Liberty Leading the People.  But instead of a French Tri-colour the flag has been replaced with a 'Dragon Ash' flag.  The Dragon Ash Flag has a red background with a rectangular black cross centered in the middle that does not reach the borders.  Within the black cross written in white calligraphy is Via La Revolution which is the name of the album.  Additionally several members of the group take the place of Liberty's supporters.

The inside cover art also featured flags.  In this case the members of the band were given a variety of flags, many of the designs had the fluer-di-lis upon it.

The most popular cut off this album was Grateful Days, as the title alludes too, it all about being grateful.  Since this is my 5th year anniversary of blogging I have much to be grateful for.  Thanks for reading!  This song is dedicated to yous - the readers. 

Flags and Vexilloids from Altered States 1980

 Altered States is a 1980s flashback to the 1960s setup with a serious academic tone.  It is a hard core science fiction diddy with speculative gleanings on the atypical states of consciousness.

Here the protagonist of the story is a talented Ivy League Professor exploring the more than mysterious aspects of the human mind.  In the background is the University Pennant for Columbia University.

Dr. Jessup travels to Mexico where natives practice a sacred ceremony to connect with the 'original mind' before time.  Notice upon the wall is a Yin and Yang symbol, which is a profound symbol within Taoism.






In front of Low Memorial Library is the famous statue of Alma Mater holding a vexilloid in her right hand.  Alma Mater is quite the famous statue as it made an appearance in another altered vision of reality - the Ghost Busters in 1984.

Amazingly a Coke and Pepsi can appear in this film simultaneously, all by accident.  Like Yin and Yang these two corporate entities have established themselves across the shopping scape of the world.

Today putting these two products together in the same Hollywood film is taboo and may cause lawyers to manifest out of thin air, but in 1980 subliminal product placement in cinema was in its infancy allowing such rare and exquisitely bizarre abominations to take place.
 

Flags from the Terminator - 1984

In 1984 a movie from the dream space of James Cameroon came to light - The Terminator 1984 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.  A cybernetic organism dominated by a machine mind attempts to assassinate the ancestor of human resistance - John Connor.  It is this unborn man in 1984 who eventually undermines the machine directive to enslave and or exterminate the human species.  


Several flags appear in the film.  The first vexilloid is a common city street banner.  It has pink pile extending from the hoist making a swallow tail pattern along the fly. It is impossible to see what is written on the flag but it most likely deals with a city festival announcement or advertisement for a product or service.

The flag of Los Angeles also appears in the film during the police precinct scene.  The city flag of Los Angeles is divided into three sections of red, yellow, and green with the city seal in the center.

Of course, the flag of the United States is also visible when Sarah is taken into police custody.  The finial of the US flag clearly visible.