[Leanan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'H')e was troubled by the ending showing that people resumed business as usual, saying he thought that it was disturbing that we wouldn't realize that we were still vulnerable from our dependence on oil.

[lexicon]

Not only was I right about this being terror scare propaganda, but it was also a natural disaster scare movie as well. But I wouldn't call it Peak Oil the movie like energybulletin did. But it's definitely a trial balloon to plant the seed in people's minds that high oil prices are here to stay. It'll be interesting to see how people react when reality sets in that neither Saudi Arabia nor Russia will be able to fix the problem of a real Oil Storm.

Some things I liked about the movie - they showed how high oil prices is not just about more expensive and less available gas - it also affects home heating and agricultural markets as well. Also touched a little bit on suburbia becoming less inhabitable. But it neglected one important aspect - electricity production. No mention of how such a scenario might affect the importation of natural gas either.

I also liked that the characters were pretty simpleminded and ultimately didn't learn a damn thing from the crisis. When the ridiculous ending was announced that our economy was saved by 4 Russian oil supertankers coming each week (I think) with an oil transfusion, the gas station owner whooped that we got back "our oil" that China was trying to "steal". It wasn't just the simple people who didn't learn anything, the Russian hero concluded the lesson was that America needs to turn to other countries besides the Middle East to get our oil. Even the one call for alternative energy was as a "supplement" to oil. It might piss off those who know what we really face, but that's reality. Most people will never get it.

If someone does a real Peak Oil movie, I hope it's not done as a disaster movie, either for TV or the big screen. I'd like to see an independent movie showing Peak Oil as either a Swiftian satire or a Kafkaesque nightmare. Oil Storm was just fun, sloppy entertainment. But I worry about the Murdoch seed subconsciously planted, this trial balloon to soften the American populace for accepting the fate that lies ahead. But maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

[PO_TimeCr0ss]

Okay, my take on it:

First off, it is a Fox production, so I walked into it with very low expectations.

The movie was actually worse then I even prepared for.

Yes, it did bring up a *few* good points such as oil being intergrated so heavilly in the American life and culture.

To much focus on small stuff.

And, as stated, it was just another 70's oil crisis x2. In the end, everything was all better, fine, and dandy. So now people will think "it'll pass, it'll pass..."

Oh well. At least it reminds people how deep we are up oil creek.....

[Nairb]

I saw oil storm and I am utterly discusted with it. It had nothing to do with peak oil, its not about oil shortage! The only thing it tries to say is "dont rely on foriegn oil when we can invade Iraq". The part where the people were in their "church" and bringing "god" into it! I felt like tearing my hair out "I am a firm believer in god" was that nessasary?

The little heartstrings thing with the kid of the veteran discusted me, it takes peoples feelings and manipulates them! the whole purpose of that was to make people think that oil is worth killing people over and that the Arabs are gona go Apeshit!

Did you notice that the resolution was to get oil from Russia? Does anyone wonder what the U.S. would have done if the oil was going to China? We would send a couple battleships and take it!

The program fails to relize once oil starts to shut down, transportation shuts down, people start to starve, people start to riot and steal food, people kill each other, power lines knocked down, electicity gone, food runs out, people go into the countryside and start raiding farms until the crops are all gone! This is what happens during an "oil storm"

Iv never been more dissapointed in a movie in my life (even more so than episode 1, and Alexander)

[PO_TimeCr0ss]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nairb', 'I') saw oil storm and I am utterly discusted with it. It had nothing to do with peak oil, its not about oil shortage! The only thing it tries to say is "dont rely on foriegn oil when we can invade Iraq". The part where the people were in their "church" and bringing "god" into it! I felt like tearing my hair out "I am a firm believer in god" was that nessasary?

The little heartstrings thing with the kid of the veteran discusted me, it takes peoples feelings and manipulates them! the whole purpose of that was to make people think that oil is worth killing people over and that the Arabs are gona go Apeshit!

Did you notice that the resolution was to get oil from Russia? Does anyone wonder what the U.S. would have done if the oil was going to China? We would send a couple battleships and take it!

The program fails to relize once oil starts to shut down, transportation shuts down, people start to starve, people start to riot and steal food, people kill each other, power lines knocked down, electicity gone, food runs out, people go into the countryside and start raiding farms until the crops are all gone! This is what happens during an "oil storm"

Iv never been more dissapointed in a movie in my life (even more so than episode 1, and Alexander)

[highlander]

I think the best part was how a supply of oil from russia equal to about ten hours consumption turned everything around! OK, OK I'm being sarcastic again. Before the movie I leaned toward the softer landing. After seeing a prelude of the propaganda we can expect, I'm reviewing priorities of life...
Shelter
Water
Food
Positive Mental Attitude...Whoops, better work on this one

[NEOPO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Anonymous', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('GVBV', 'Y')eah,
Thats a good Idea.........Tape the movie and send it to europe where MORE terrorists will have a better look at what else to do to our country,As if the ones still here haven't got enough good ideas right now!... uh Yeah DUH, thats a good Idea........... I wonder if anybody is really that dumb to respond to a request like that from our "Euro Friends" Shuuuure!!!!!!

ITS REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR FILM INDUSTRY JUST SEEMS TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE AND MORE IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO DO TO SCREW UP OUR COUNTRY-
"LETS JUST GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!!!"

[jeturcotte]

someone grant me a few measly billion dollars and I'll produce a solution... course i won't say what it is until I get the grants and can put the teams together

[drewscorner]

Hi, I just joined your site as a result of watching "Oil Storm" on FX, then exploring info about it on the Web. This site was listed on the 1st page in the Google search, and interestingly, was the only forum I could find that had any intelligible awareness that this movie was being aired last night.

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in and share a few insights. Hate to burst people's bubble about Fox Network conspiracies, but I thought I'd inform you sooner than later that this program is not actually an American production, but rather a British one. On IMBD, Leanne Klein and Jonathan Hewes, the executive producers of "Oil Storm" operate a successful British production company called Wall to Wall, which has a track record of Peabodys and other accolades.

Both producers are no strangers to this format. "Smallpox" (2002) by Hewes, and "The Day Britain Stopped"(2003) by Klein were created in the same vein as "Oil Storm". These what-if scenario-driven docudramas are designed to be as realistic as possible to simultaneouly prey on society's catastrophic fears, while serving up informative entertainment . Many of you probably remember viewing "Smallpox", which was released quite conveniently between the anthrax scare in 2001 and prior to the WMD runup to the Gulf War. Talk about stoking our society's fear factor.

Like tabloid professionals, these folks at Wall to Wall (UK) seem to be more opportunistic than conspiratorial as some of you seem to suggest. This is edutainment in its finest form, meant to raise awareness, entertain, and to exact irrational fear into its captive audience through topically relevant what-if scenarios. Docudramas are maturing as a genre. Michael Moore made a $100M by weaving together a rhetorically entertaining documentary that almost drove Bush out of the White House. His only weakness was that he was too obvious in his intent to tell his side of the story. On the other hand, docudramas like "Oil Storm", which are pure fiction, are so convincing because they are delivered with a sobering, Frontline-esque tone. And nothing can seem more real than seeing what would happen if gas would climb to $8 per gallon - Americans see gas prices everyday.

My theory is that no one but Fox was interested in distributing this film. Wall to Wall probably went to whomever was willing to pay for it, and Ruppert Murdoch saw dollar signs as he almost always does. I really don't think this is some sort of keiratsu-type collusion between Bush, the Fox Network, Rumsfeld, the Carlysle Group, and the oil business. However, in our society where perception is reality, when a few people start connecting dots without following the money, perfectly rational people start to believe any spoonfed theory that confirms their suspicion. Nonetheless, it sure is fun and sexier to think there is a connection.

[kerosene]

Not FOX production - well that isn't such a big surprise I suppose - though the amount of religion hinted towards american production.

About the consipracy side of things -
I must agree that the whole beauty of current systems is that it goes crap even if there isn't one master evil steering it. Lots of things go on with their own weight as people chase the profits. Conspiracies are being seen places where individual greed is the only driver.
For example the Bildenbergs (supposed to be elitist group of selected people who actually run the world) seem like a joke to me. Anybody can "leak" any information and say that they did this or said that - and as they are behind doors its rather difficult denying it. Also the "UN becomes the new world order" bs is far far streched.

BUT to say that Fox would not have political bias, ties or agenda is quite naiive. The lack of critical political discussion that would touch anything relevant is totally missing from american mass media.

H

[Daculling]

Well, I have not seen Oil Storm yet. I'm still looking for the torrent, would it be against the "rules" to post a link here?

One good thing I see though... there are two new members here with Post:1 in this thread. So Oil Storm has effected some awareness. Though I think only 1% of the population is intellegent enough to realize the real problem and make it here...

[Revi]

OK, I'll drop the conspiracy theory. It was a good way to intro the problem to the average person. Maybe that's not a conspiracy, but a kind of a warning of things to come.

The average person thinks that gas can't possibly go over $2.50. The world would grind to a halt in their opinion if they can't run their monster truck.

Oil storm was a great little vaccination. They sat on their couch and watched as people who looked like them suffered from high gas prices.

Everything was ok in the end..

[mattb]

I watched this movie and found this website as well.



so like were all fucked ya?

[Hiderow]

I was hoping to find a torrent link in here

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattb', 'I') watched this movie and found this website as well.



so like were all fucked ya?

[Armageddon]

whoever is new to this site, you should order the movie called , the end of suburbia. it will truly open your eyes.

[NEOPO]

as your attorney, I suggest buying or renting the dvd and making copies to send to your friends and family ....doh
Please do not sue me mr kunstler - Pirating is ILLEGAL and BAD and no one should ever do it

THE END OF SUBURBIA
This movie is the "real deal" on PO.

Sneak em a red pill when they arent looking!!!

Philosophy of the Matrix

Now someone will post and remind me how tired it is to equate peak oil awareness to the matrix movie - do it !!! I dare ya!!!

Yes oil storm had a very unrealistic "happy" ending - russian oil - PO was not included - $4 a gallon is "good" - someone needs to check the footage for subliminal messages

[drewscorner]

I'm not saying that Rupert Murdoch isn't playing his politcal trump cards on the "Oil Storm". You'll notice that all of the newscasters are Fox affiliates. But the reasons why he's playing political football may not be the same reasons Bush and Rumsfeld have in mind. Here's a little background on Rupert Murdoch, and the shortlist of companyies owned by him. If you think that Fox Network is his political heart-and-soul your're sorely mistaken. This guy owns companies that compete with each other, both economically and politically, even geopolitically.

POLITICAL LEANINGS: Any party that supports legislation that allows for a concentration of media ownership by one company. In the U.S. its the Republican party that supports these rules, in Britain, the Labour Party does, in Italy it's the party of Berlosconi, in China, well, take a guess.

"Murdoch’s central game to maintain his hold on power consists of a two-pronged attack: 1) base-level tabloid style news that puts entertainment value far above integrity, and 2) a claim to be the true patriotic station for whatever country he happens to own a network in." -- Ben Terton (author of "Man Who Rules the World")

OWNERSHIP LIST (dare I say Citizen Kane)

NEWS COMPANIES: Adalaide News, Australia, News America Publishing, Inc., Times Newspaper Holdings, vice president, Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp, co-owner and chairperson, William Collins PLC, Scottland, News Corp, Ltd., Australia, Fox Entertainment Group, CEO, British Sky Broadcasting, UK, chairman (the BBC’s top competitor), City Post Publishing Corp, chairperson, Cruden Investments, co-owner, News Ltd, Group and Assoc. Companies, Austrailia, Bemrose Publishing, owner., Bay Books, owner, United Technologies, director
TV COMPANIES: Fox Broadcasting Co. (Fox News, Fox Network, Fox Family, Fox Sports); Twentieth Century-Fox TV; Fox Filmed Entertainment movie studio; over twenty Fox-owned TV stations; FX Cable TV Network; An additional 20+ regional sports outlets; Channel 10 in Sydney, Australia; Channel 10 in Melbourne, Australia; News Group Productions and Skyband in the US; Satellite Television PLC in England; BSkyB, UK (cable and satellite station that reaches all of Britain); Star TV, Asia, JSkyB, Japan, SkyLatin America, Telepiu; London Weekend Television (part-owner)
ALSO: Star TV Asia ( 300 million viewers in 53 countries across Asia watched by over 173 million people every week.")
NEWSPAPER HOLDINGS: New York Post, Village Voice, Boston Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, San Antonio Express-News (where it all began for him in the US in 1973, sold to Hearst Corp. in the 1990's), Times, Sunday Times (and associated publications) in London, Englans, The News Of The World, Today, UK, Australian, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Sunday Sun, News and Sunday Mail, and Sunday Times in Australia
Also owns TV Guide, TV Week, and The Star Trader, and DirecTV

[EnemyCombatant]

They watch FOX news so you don't have to.

http://www.newshounds.us/

[Clouseau2]

I watched the pseudo-documentary "Oil Shock" on FX.

Overall, I thought it was well done. I think they did a good job covering the social chaos that will result from no longer having the oil we depend on for our [American] society.

The bad part was that there was no mention of "peak oil" except for the usual "decades from now this might be a problem". The only real supply issue that was dealt with was if we were cut off from oil supplies, and once they were restored everything became hunky-dory again.

So, perhaps they need to produce "Oil Shock II" and this time what happens when there is just less oil each and every year.

[MD]

Dig through the postings. There are a number of very long threads on the topic