A well done disaster film that holds your attention because it has something important to say, namely that we are are long past the time when we should be looking for alternatives for oil. The film suggests that if we don't prepare for the end of the oil era, any number of miss-steps by ourselves or nature could suddenly and unexpectedly ruin our economy as well as result in thousands of casualties among our troops as well as civilians. Not a message I would have expected from the Fox channel ! It was good to see them explore the possibilities in a persuasive documentary - like format. The arguments are similar to those documented in the recent non-fiction book "Blood and Oil" by Michael T.Klare.
62 Reviews
If a Fraction is True...We're in Trouble
junky_stuff695 June 2005
This was an interesting presentation and makes you think about some things. And that's probably what will scare pro-Bush "values voters", having to think about these issues. For them, they'll immediately dismiss it as propaganda, switch back to FOX "News" Channel and stick their heads back in the sand.
For a TV disaster film with a lot of potential to be bad (see the cheese pile known as "10.5"), it is very well done, especially the writing. Cutting together real footage and fictional interviews & staged "events", "Oil Storm" is deeply engaging and VERY believable. Despite the constant reminders that it is a work of fiction, you often feel you're watching a real documentary.
The actors play a huge role in selling it too because without their low-key and subtle performances, it wouldn't have worked. We've all seen fake documentaries where the actors are so bad, the lines so stilted and nail-on-the-head, you know you're watching a fake. With the exception of the teenage son, the entire cast connect with you like real people facing historic crisis.
Also, the narrator plays a valuable role in selling "Oil Storm" as real. His voice is familiar (History Channel, if I remember correctly) and credible in the documentary format. He does a quality job taking you through the series of events set in the future, as though they happened a few years ago.
Most of all, this film presents the harsh reality of just how interdependent and fragile our economy is. For every scenario the film presents, I'd find myself saying, "Well, then I'd just do this...", only to find out oil has an effect on aspects of our lives we never would have imagined. Life becomes more complicated than "I'll just take a bike to work!" While the catalyst events portrayed in "Oil Storm" are fictional and arguably a little unrealistic, there are a number of situations which could throw us into the bottom line - a massive oil shortage. The film is effective in making a strong case for moving the country away from our dependency on foreign oil.
For a TV disaster film with a lot of potential to be bad (see the cheese pile known as "10.5"), it is very well done, especially the writing. Cutting together real footage and fictional interviews & staged "events", "Oil Storm" is deeply engaging and VERY believable. Despite the constant reminders that it is a work of fiction, you often feel you're watching a real documentary.
The actors play a huge role in selling it too because without their low-key and subtle performances, it wouldn't have worked. We've all seen fake documentaries where the actors are so bad, the lines so stilted and nail-on-the-head, you know you're watching a fake. With the exception of the teenage son, the entire cast connect with you like real people facing historic crisis.
Also, the narrator plays a valuable role in selling "Oil Storm" as real. His voice is familiar (History Channel, if I remember correctly) and credible in the documentary format. He does a quality job taking you through the series of events set in the future, as though they happened a few years ago.
Most of all, this film presents the harsh reality of just how interdependent and fragile our economy is. For every scenario the film presents, I'd find myself saying, "Well, then I'd just do this...", only to find out oil has an effect on aspects of our lives we never would have imagined. Life becomes more complicated than "I'll just take a bike to work!" While the catalyst events portrayed in "Oil Storm" are fictional and arguably a little unrealistic, there are a number of situations which could throw us into the bottom line - a massive oil shortage. The film is effective in making a strong case for moving the country away from our dependency on foreign oil.
Oil Crisis is Coming Folks
SiechenPhoto5 June 2005
I have no idea how probable it is for a hurricane or terrorists to seriously cut off our oil supply, but I do know that most of the leading respected experts (oil and petroleum geologists) in the world today agree on a phenomenon called "Peak Oil". This phenomenon when explained to many people flies right over their heads although it is a fairly simple thing to grasp once you take a little time to do some research. Basically over the past 50-100 years we have exploded our population numbers on the reliance of cheap plentiful energy in the form of hydrocarbons. Over those past 50 years our need for oil has increased dramatically in order to continue business as usual for 6 billion people - that is, we have had to increase the rate at which we extract it from the ground. The Peak Oil concept states that we have reached the peak with which we can extract the oil and from now on we will be in continual decline. This means less and less oil available for a world demanding more and more each and every day. This means our entire industrialized society comes crumbling down as just about everything we buy and consume on a daily basis is dependent on that oil. Imagine for a moment what it would be like if gas costs $10 a gallon and you have to drive 20 miles to get to one of the few remaining gas stations still open for business. Imagine a loaf of bread costing $8 - imagine now that you are laid off work or your wages have been cut by 50% because your company can barely stay in business.
What would you do? How would you take care of your family?
Most people will react to these statements lightly or call them preposterous propaganda touted by liberal mother-earth fruitcakes - but I urge you to ask yourself what you base these assumptions on? How much do you really know about these issues? How much research have you really done? No amount of skepticism will keep this from happening. It WILL happen. The science is clear. The question is, how many people will embrace this information and make changes in order to ease the transition and how many will ignore it and continue on as usual? $50 a barrel for oil and the gas price increase we have seen this year are only the beginning. The Bush energy policy for Nuclear power and other needed programs is just the beginning. Being reliant on foreign oil is not the problem - being reliant on oil PERIOD is the problem. America makes up only 5% of the worlds population and yet consumes 25% of its hydrocarbon energy. Now who do you think will be hit the hardest when supplies begin to dwindle? If there was ever a time to become Amish, now is it!
We live in a country of celebrity worship, fast food, TV addiction and car fanaticism. Americans consume so much energy that the mere concept of energy is foreign to most of us. It's all we know. We have never seen what happens when things really start to go wrong. I recommend that you NOT take my word for it - just go to google and enter the words "Peak Oil" or "Oil Crisis" and start reading. I also highly recommend seeing a documentary film called "The End of Suburbia - Oil depletion and the collapse of the American Dream" - endofsuburbia dot com
This movie Oil Storm can easily be dismissed as sensationalism and I agree that much of it may certainly be just that - I also believe that some of the things depicted may not be too far from a possible future truth too ugly for many to believe could possibly be true. Believe me, I would love to be wrong about this - I have even gone to great lengths to find opposing evidence about peak oil. I have yet to find any with any real credible reference or basis in fact. I will continue to do research on this and learn as much as I can - I can't recommend highly enough that you all do the same.
What would you do? How would you take care of your family?
Most people will react to these statements lightly or call them preposterous propaganda touted by liberal mother-earth fruitcakes - but I urge you to ask yourself what you base these assumptions on? How much do you really know about these issues? How much research have you really done? No amount of skepticism will keep this from happening. It WILL happen. The science is clear. The question is, how many people will embrace this information and make changes in order to ease the transition and how many will ignore it and continue on as usual? $50 a barrel for oil and the gas price increase we have seen this year are only the beginning. The Bush energy policy for Nuclear power and other needed programs is just the beginning. Being reliant on foreign oil is not the problem - being reliant on oil PERIOD is the problem. America makes up only 5% of the worlds population and yet consumes 25% of its hydrocarbon energy. Now who do you think will be hit the hardest when supplies begin to dwindle? If there was ever a time to become Amish, now is it!
We live in a country of celebrity worship, fast food, TV addiction and car fanaticism. Americans consume so much energy that the mere concept of energy is foreign to most of us. It's all we know. We have never seen what happens when things really start to go wrong. I recommend that you NOT take my word for it - just go to google and enter the words "Peak Oil" or "Oil Crisis" and start reading. I also highly recommend seeing a documentary film called "The End of Suburbia - Oil depletion and the collapse of the American Dream" - endofsuburbia dot com
This movie Oil Storm can easily be dismissed as sensationalism and I agree that much of it may certainly be just that - I also believe that some of the things depicted may not be too far from a possible future truth too ugly for many to believe could possibly be true. Believe me, I would love to be wrong about this - I have even gone to great lengths to find opposing evidence about peak oil. I have yet to find any with any real credible reference or basis in fact. I will continue to do research on this and learn as much as I can - I can't recommend highly enough that you all do the same.
A shock that FX would take this kind of stance...
vendaia6 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this last night, and was surprised that FX Network (a subsidiary of News Corporation) would be so bold. ***SPOILER*** At the very end, it is suggested that we might look at alternative sources of energy. One character says she is shocked at how we let oil get this kind of power over our lives.
I read a previous comment that this production is another example of nasty old Liberal Elitist Hollywood. Spare me. We in the "reality-based community", as the Bush White House calls us, simply look at the numbers published by the Department of Energy, and see how much of energy comes from the Middle East. My advice to persons who rant about "Hollywood Liberalism"? First, do the math. Second, quit shooting the messengers.
Still and all, don't expect this "Docudrama" to be entirely honest. It tends to bad melodrama in spots. But it does lay out some salient facts about our oil infrastructure, and the extent to which we are a petroleum-based economy. These are things that are well-know, and of much concern to us "Liberals", but they are nicely depicted in this piece. That to me is the productions main value to viewers.
As for the ranters against the "Liberals in Hollywood", just stop it. This was a production of Rupert Murdoch's. So it can't possibly be all that "Liberal".
I read a previous comment that this production is another example of nasty old Liberal Elitist Hollywood. Spare me. We in the "reality-based community", as the Bush White House calls us, simply look at the numbers published by the Department of Energy, and see how much of energy comes from the Middle East. My advice to persons who rant about "Hollywood Liberalism"? First, do the math. Second, quit shooting the messengers.
Still and all, don't expect this "Docudrama" to be entirely honest. It tends to bad melodrama in spots. But it does lay out some salient facts about our oil infrastructure, and the extent to which we are a petroleum-based economy. These are things that are well-know, and of much concern to us "Liberals", but they are nicely depicted in this piece. That to me is the productions main value to viewers.
As for the ranters against the "Liberals in Hollywood", just stop it. This was a production of Rupert Murdoch's. So it can't possibly be all that "Liberal".
Propaganda
rerm15 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Top Suppliers of U.S. Crude Oil Imports, 2003
Rank Country of Origin Thousand Barrels/day
1 Saudi Arabia 1,726
2 Mexico 1,569
3 Canada 1,549
4 Venezuela 1,183
5 Nigeria 832
6 Iraq 481
7 Angola 363
8 United Kingdom 359
9 Kuwait 208
10 Norway 181
11 Colombia 166
12 Russia 151
13 Ecuador 139
14 Gabon 131
15 Algeria 112
Source: US Department of Energy website.
So, the whole, Russia thing, forget it (however the proposed deal at the end of the movie does seem like a smart thing the USA should be doing). Mexico (which greatly depends on money sent back home by workers in the US), Canada (ditto), Venezuela (exactly what economy would they have without US oil purchases), could and would pick up the slack (in combo, maybe not as single suppliers). All of them are much closer than Saudi Arabia.
Also, even according to the movie, in it the loss was of 2 million barrels a day. The SPR holds 700 million barrels of oil (movie stat) so, 2*365=730 (one year is all they needed to normalize the situation, according to the movie), the SPR is IN the USA, so, how difficult would it be to use the oil in it? I would think it would be fairly seamless, and it would leave only a 30 million barrel difference.
Is the US too dependent on foreign oil sources? yes it is.
Is the US too dependent on middle eastern oil? hmm, according to the DOE website, the USA oil imports are about 22% from the Middle East, not sure about the answer to that. (to all who read this and wonder why the US Gov. obsesses about the Middle East oil supply, check out Japan's, Germany's, France's and Italy's dependence on Middle Eastern oil, then wonder what the USA's biggest foreign markets are, yes, we are in the Middle East FOR OTHERS).
Does this movie even begin to address reality, not really.
It did address the media's reality (and the reality pushed by the uninformed majority).
What a waste, a perfect opportunity to spark intelligent, public debate of a serious issue (conservation, dependence on foreign oil, the need for alternative fuels and domestic exploration and exploitation), and what do the producers decide to put out, cheap, false, propaganda.
Rank Country of Origin Thousand Barrels/day
1 Saudi Arabia 1,726
2 Mexico 1,569
3 Canada 1,549
4 Venezuela 1,183
5 Nigeria 832
6 Iraq 481
7 Angola 363
8 United Kingdom 359
9 Kuwait 208
10 Norway 181
11 Colombia 166
12 Russia 151
13 Ecuador 139
14 Gabon 131
15 Algeria 112
Source: US Department of Energy website.
So, the whole, Russia thing, forget it (however the proposed deal at the end of the movie does seem like a smart thing the USA should be doing). Mexico (which greatly depends on money sent back home by workers in the US), Canada (ditto), Venezuela (exactly what economy would they have without US oil purchases), could and would pick up the slack (in combo, maybe not as single suppliers). All of them are much closer than Saudi Arabia.
Also, even according to the movie, in it the loss was of 2 million barrels a day. The SPR holds 700 million barrels of oil (movie stat) so, 2*365=730 (one year is all they needed to normalize the situation, according to the movie), the SPR is IN the USA, so, how difficult would it be to use the oil in it? I would think it would be fairly seamless, and it would leave only a 30 million barrel difference.
Is the US too dependent on foreign oil sources? yes it is.
Is the US too dependent on middle eastern oil? hmm, according to the DOE website, the USA oil imports are about 22% from the Middle East, not sure about the answer to that. (to all who read this and wonder why the US Gov. obsesses about the Middle East oil supply, check out Japan's, Germany's, France's and Italy's dependence on Middle Eastern oil, then wonder what the USA's biggest foreign markets are, yes, we are in the Middle East FOR OTHERS).
Does this movie even begin to address reality, not really.
It did address the media's reality (and the reality pushed by the uninformed majority).
What a waste, a perfect opportunity to spark intelligent, public debate of a serious issue (conservation, dependence on foreign oil, the need for alternative fuels and domestic exploration and exploitation), and what do the producers decide to put out, cheap, false, propaganda.
This movie is not a Bush Bashing, its interesting fiction.
dmb09036 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The reviewer of this movie who became so disgusted by its content is obviously a Bush loyalist of the highest order. In actuality, the movie made no attempt to portray the President in a negative light. The movie depicted the President as proactive by appointing an oil czar who ultimately saved the day by negotiating with the Russians for a much needed supply of oil. For that effort Mr. Bush could be seen as helping resolve the grim situation that the movie depicted. He was not directly blamed for any of the events that led to the shortage. However, the movie fictionally depicted a seriously wounded economy and as a result farm subsidies were cut off resulting in a huge outcry by farmers all across America. The farmer's ire was generally directed at Washington and not directly to the President himself.
The movie is a work of fiction and while no hurricanes damaged our oil supply in 2004, in this movie one hell of a hurricane did just that. And that set the stage for the rest of the movie. The reviewer's argument that since none of the 2004 hurricanes did any damage to our oil supply, then another one in 2005 surely would not, is a specious and flawed statement at best. Who knows what might happen under the right conditions? Especially to the lowlands of Louisiana. Far be it from me to say it could not happen. Never say never.
The movie was actually quite reserved in its depiction of events that led to a major oil shortage. It was intriguing and thought provoking and it lead me realize we really didn't learn anything from the oil shortage in the 70's. There was no blatant Bush bashing in this movie. His name was mentioned only a few times anyway. But that is the thing with the Bush administration and his blindly loyal followers. They cannot abide the slightest perceived criticism and cry foul at anyone who disagrees with them. The idea of criticizing the President to them is an act of treason! How dare anyone speak ill of Mr. Bush, they cry! Well, let me remind you dear reviewer that as long as the Bill of Rights still exists, the rest of us are free to say whatever we want. The sad thing is, a negative image of Mr. Bush in this movie was all in your head, not on the screen. (And I am not even going to comment on your remarks about environmentalism. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.) To the rest of you who have not seen this FX presentation, I think you'd enjoy it and take it as the piece of fiction that it is. It will make you think about many things, including how your life would be affected by an oil shortage of the magnitude presented in the movie.
The movie is a work of fiction and while no hurricanes damaged our oil supply in 2004, in this movie one hell of a hurricane did just that. And that set the stage for the rest of the movie. The reviewer's argument that since none of the 2004 hurricanes did any damage to our oil supply, then another one in 2005 surely would not, is a specious and flawed statement at best. Who knows what might happen under the right conditions? Especially to the lowlands of Louisiana. Far be it from me to say it could not happen. Never say never.
The movie was actually quite reserved in its depiction of events that led to a major oil shortage. It was intriguing and thought provoking and it lead me realize we really didn't learn anything from the oil shortage in the 70's. There was no blatant Bush bashing in this movie. His name was mentioned only a few times anyway. But that is the thing with the Bush administration and his blindly loyal followers. They cannot abide the slightest perceived criticism and cry foul at anyone who disagrees with them. The idea of criticizing the President to them is an act of treason! How dare anyone speak ill of Mr. Bush, they cry! Well, let me remind you dear reviewer that as long as the Bill of Rights still exists, the rest of us are free to say whatever we want. The sad thing is, a negative image of Mr. Bush in this movie was all in your head, not on the screen. (And I am not even going to comment on your remarks about environmentalism. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.) To the rest of you who have not seen this FX presentation, I think you'd enjoy it and take it as the piece of fiction that it is. It will make you think about many things, including how your life would be affected by an oil shortage of the magnitude presented in the movie.
A little light on the facts.
rshroyer6 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I think this movie wasn't very good overall. However it did serve the purpose of introducing people who don't understand how our economy works to the realities of our foreign oil dependence and the fragility of our whole system. Everything is interconnected with cheap oil.
Food, transportation, pharmaceuticals, Wal-Mart, foreign trade. Everything.
What the movie didn't do was address the very real problem of oil depletion. They portrayed a short term shortage. The effects portrayed in the movie are accurate to an extent. What they didn't cover was what will happen when oil supply can no longer meet demand. IOW, when oil supply becomes a permanent problem.
If even a small percentage of the audience wakes up and starts to investigate Hubbert's peak and its potential impacts on the global economy then this movie is a winner.
Most people will probably view it like the first reviewer, as some kind of liberal conspiracy. For those of you that have that view: that's fine with me. Just don't come crying to me when you can't buy your food at the grocery store and don't have a clue how to raise your own. And don't come crying to me when you can't afford to gas up your Suburban to take you to Mcdonalds. I won't feel sorry for you not paying attention and preparing while there was still time.
Food, transportation, pharmaceuticals, Wal-Mart, foreign trade. Everything.
What the movie didn't do was address the very real problem of oil depletion. They portrayed a short term shortage. The effects portrayed in the movie are accurate to an extent. What they didn't cover was what will happen when oil supply can no longer meet demand. IOW, when oil supply becomes a permanent problem.
If even a small percentage of the audience wakes up and starts to investigate Hubbert's peak and its potential impacts on the global economy then this movie is a winner.
Most people will probably view it like the first reviewer, as some kind of liberal conspiracy. For those of you that have that view: that's fine with me. Just don't come crying to me when you can't buy your food at the grocery store and don't have a clue how to raise your own. And don't come crying to me when you can't afford to gas up your Suburban to take you to Mcdonalds. I won't feel sorry for you not paying attention and preparing while there was still time.
America over the barrel
wardcullum6 June 2005
"Oil Storm" is the latest made-for-TV movie to use what is rapidly becoming a tiresome technique: a faux-documentary retrospective that details the events that led up to a disaster.
The story opens in the near future, Labor Day weekend of this year, and describes a chain reaction that leads to global economic turmoil. Drawing from a collection of worst-case scenarios, the film portrays an America in chaos after the oil supply chain is disrupted. Political efforts to alleviate the problems caused by the oil shortfall predictably fail, and the result is a crisis that makes Americans (at least the ones portrayed in the film) question their reliance on oil.
While some may portray the film as anti-Bush, it feels more anti-oil, anti-conspicuous consumption. Political actions in the movie are framed within the context of the current behavior of many of the major global political players - US, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia - and generally might not be too far off the mark.
The contingency planning and consideration of viable alternatives is simplistic, but thankfully, the writers at least avoid the "Mexico closes the border" cliché. In short, the film is about as interesting as watching a tanker spill cleanup.
The story opens in the near future, Labor Day weekend of this year, and describes a chain reaction that leads to global economic turmoil. Drawing from a collection of worst-case scenarios, the film portrays an America in chaos after the oil supply chain is disrupted. Political efforts to alleviate the problems caused by the oil shortfall predictably fail, and the result is a crisis that makes Americans (at least the ones portrayed in the film) question their reliance on oil.
While some may portray the film as anti-Bush, it feels more anti-oil, anti-conspicuous consumption. Political actions in the movie are framed within the context of the current behavior of many of the major global political players - US, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia - and generally might not be too far off the mark.
The contingency planning and consideration of viable alternatives is simplistic, but thankfully, the writers at least avoid the "Mexico closes the border" cliché. In short, the film is about as interesting as watching a tanker spill cleanup.
Great flick, very plausible scenarios, this is a "near crash of civilization" movie
rmwj5 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Oil Storm is in the new "mockumentary style", which I am coming to like a lot. It presents a plot, with all the important aspects, and a minimum of clutter and segues.
Oil Storm shows a cascading series of events that combine to severely reduce United States oil imports. The movie then goes on to describe the fallout. Most people don't realize how dependent the United States is on imported petroleum.
The scenarios develop as follows: A hurricane takes out Gulf of Mexico production and importing facilities (it is a year before it is back in operation), two ships collide in the Houston shipping channel and close the Port of Houston for an extended period, there are terrorist attacks on the Saudi Arabian exporting infrastructure, and the Chinese outbid us for Russian oil shipments.
For fans of "collapse of civilization" films, this movie has most of the necessaries: gasoline at $9.29/gallon, abandonment of suburbs, mass bankruptcies, high unemployment (60% in some areas), food shortages, people moving from cities back to farms, riots, demonstrators making foolish points ("food not oil" made me laugh, as if we could have food in the present context without oil), government helplessness, stock market crash.
"It could happen here", but if it does, reality is unlikely to have the "happy ending" of Oil Storm, although given the fact that gas prices were still above $4/gallon at the end hints at big changes.
Robert Waldrop runningonempty2@yahoogroups.com
Oil Storm shows a cascading series of events that combine to severely reduce United States oil imports. The movie then goes on to describe the fallout. Most people don't realize how dependent the United States is on imported petroleum.
The scenarios develop as follows: A hurricane takes out Gulf of Mexico production and importing facilities (it is a year before it is back in operation), two ships collide in the Houston shipping channel and close the Port of Houston for an extended period, there are terrorist attacks on the Saudi Arabian exporting infrastructure, and the Chinese outbid us for Russian oil shipments.
For fans of "collapse of civilization" films, this movie has most of the necessaries: gasoline at $9.29/gallon, abandonment of suburbs, mass bankruptcies, high unemployment (60% in some areas), food shortages, people moving from cities back to farms, riots, demonstrators making foolish points ("food not oil" made me laugh, as if we could have food in the present context without oil), government helplessness, stock market crash.
"It could happen here", but if it does, reality is unlikely to have the "happy ending" of Oil Storm, although given the fact that gas prices were still above $4/gallon at the end hints at big changes.
Robert Waldrop runningonempty2@yahoogroups.com
a decent TV movie
sethavakian5 June 2005
Most die-hard (and they will) conservatives label anything against their beliefs as anti-(insert Patriotic jingoism here) but, this MADE_FOR_TV_MOVIE is simply anti-us dependency on foreign oil. And any good American should be concerned with our dependency on foreign oil. We need to take this opportunity (decent economy, lots of wealth) and make the investment in our future. Sure, ANWAR holds some oil, but what we really need is a systematic plan 10-50 year plan to eliminate our need for foreign oil. We have the resources, let's do it.
Oh, the movie was a war-of-the worlds style of realism, using "real" TV broadcasts, probably more because it's a cheap way to go, rather than it being an effective means of communication. Good topic, OK execution.
Oh, the movie was a war-of-the worlds style of realism, using "real" TV broadcasts, probably more because it's a cheap way to go, rather than it being an effective means of communication. Good topic, OK execution.
A scenario built on false premises. Ludicrous.
corneliushanselker11 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is a wasted opportunity. The film starts off well but goes to hell quickly with the focus on individuals such as the protesting farmer whose slogan is "food not oil". How does he expect his food to reach the consumer? How does he expect his product will get to processing and/or storage facilities? The farmer goes off his nut because the US Government has cut his subsidies(!). Well, hello! That's what globalization is about -- cutting subsidies to inefficient industries. Which the US farm sector surely is.
If the price of crude goes up so precipitously, over a long to medium time frame, then other compatible fuels will eventually come into play: synthetic fuel made from coal, coal gas, natural gas, and ethanol made from biomass (see Brazil). And it will be worthwhile to extract oil from under the permafrost of Siberia.
As regards the high cost of fuel for cars, US viewers should check what the French pay for their fuel now and build cars and delivery vans with small engines as a consequence. Oh, and the sky hasn't fallen in and their farmers continue to be subsidized, by the way. And funny, the film didn't make a mention of Europe.
US needs a reality check if it thinks this film is a believable scenario.
Apart from that: appalling acting, maudlin, oversentimental script, poor choice of footage -- with deserted airports full of 70s Douglas DC9s and Boeing 727s and not a single modern airliner. Purleeze, gimme a break.
This scenario is playing itself out, in real life. The price of crude is going up. The reality is far more interesting and less banal.
If the price of crude goes up so precipitously, over a long to medium time frame, then other compatible fuels will eventually come into play: synthetic fuel made from coal, coal gas, natural gas, and ethanol made from biomass (see Brazil). And it will be worthwhile to extract oil from under the permafrost of Siberia.
As regards the high cost of fuel for cars, US viewers should check what the French pay for their fuel now and build cars and delivery vans with small engines as a consequence. Oh, and the sky hasn't fallen in and their farmers continue to be subsidized, by the way. And funny, the film didn't make a mention of Europe.
US needs a reality check if it thinks this film is a believable scenario.
Apart from that: appalling acting, maudlin, oversentimental script, poor choice of footage -- with deserted airports full of 70s Douglas DC9s and Boeing 727s and not a single modern airliner. Purleeze, gimme a break.
This scenario is playing itself out, in real life. The price of crude is going up. The reality is far more interesting and less banal.
Not a bad effort, but a real ending probably won't be so happy ...
BigMac585 June 2005
A lot of "disaster" movies start with a relatively improbable event, the effect of which is worsened by a sequence of equally improbable actions or reactions. "Oil Storm" actually portrays an accident which is just waiting to happen. A major hurricane (happened before with Ivan in the same area LAST YEAR (not to mention 1900 in Galveston)) has a catastrophic effect on a refinery (happened, to a much lesser extent admittedly, in Louisiana THIS YEAR) which then has a cascading effect on a grossly overloaded supply system. The presentation is an extremely well executed patchwork of real footage hijacked for the film's story and some acting to add the "human interest" side of a typical documentary. If there is a weak point in the movie, it's that it is too optimistic both in it's portrayal of the USA's ability to react to this kind of problem, and also the sugary ending (Oof ! We dodged another bullet there !). But that's maybe all the average viewer can take at the moment (Wait for other movies of this genre next year when gas is already at $3+ !)
eh... it could happen...
alex-cordero5 June 2005
It wasn't bad. Most of it could happen but probably not as severely as it was portrayed. Still, the potential for these events are an ever-present possibility and probably a good reason to actively seek out alternative fuel sources. Artistically, it was well done and cause for ponder. Many of the events portrayed in this documentary are real events that are happening on other countries. The scenarios seem very real. The documentary portrays some dismal events and I think it could have offered some potential positive outcomes rather than having such a pessimistic outlook on a very real dilemma. Like it or not, the events portrayed could happen but these shows need to focus also on how we solve the problems.
Series of Unlikely Events
Cymru815 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This movie has some interesting precepts; however, it also contains a number of highly unlikely events.
The hurricane and its devastation was feasible: no problem there. Unrest in Saudi Arabia with US troops sent to guard refineries: also feasible. Fog closing the port of Houston: Highly unlikely. Truckers protesting in Washington over reduced speed limits during a national crisis: highly unlikely. Government cutting farm subsidies in an oil crisis to save money: So far from the realm of possibility as to be ludicrous. Half the senators would be out of a job in the next term... Plus, when did the government start caring about spending money they don't have???
An interesting concept... yet still severely flawed.
The hurricane and its devastation was feasible: no problem there. Unrest in Saudi Arabia with US troops sent to guard refineries: also feasible. Fog closing the port of Houston: Highly unlikely. Truckers protesting in Washington over reduced speed limits during a national crisis: highly unlikely. Government cutting farm subsidies in an oil crisis to save money: So far from the realm of possibility as to be ludicrous. Half the senators would be out of a job in the next term... Plus, when did the government start caring about spending money they don't have???
An interesting concept... yet still severely flawed.
Thought provoking, wondering whose agenda it supports
jhallbox12 June 2005
Admittedly I only caught 5/6th of the movie because I was called out of the room on two occasions. However overall I have a pretty good idea of the movie and where it was going.
The documentary footage format served it well, though because documentaries aren't very good at building tension this movie never made me really emotionally engage the characters.
I give the movie credit for educating me about our oil infrastructure, and they paint a somewhat feasible picture of a sequence of events that could lead to a serious economic drought in America.
What I don't like about the movie is that it never looked at any possibilities of 'alternative fuels'. They mention present day politicians like President Bush, but they never mention present day initiatives like alternative fuel vehicles and Willie Nelson's Biodiesel efforts. The fact that these things were omitted makes me wonder who paid for this movie and what it's purpose was. Every time a problem with our oil supply occurred, the documentary just said "So we needed to find another source of oil"..
The documentary footage format served it well, though because documentaries aren't very good at building tension this movie never made me really emotionally engage the characters.
I give the movie credit for educating me about our oil infrastructure, and they paint a somewhat feasible picture of a sequence of events that could lead to a serious economic drought in America.
What I don't like about the movie is that it never looked at any possibilities of 'alternative fuels'. They mention present day politicians like President Bush, but they never mention present day initiatives like alternative fuel vehicles and Willie Nelson's Biodiesel efforts. The fact that these things were omitted makes me wonder who paid for this movie and what it's purpose was. Every time a problem with our oil supply occurred, the documentary just said "So we needed to find another source of oil"..
Good point, but poor plot
wbrinkman5 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I agree with the movie that we're too dependent on oil. But plot for this fake documentary is too contrived.
A hurricane destroying a major oil harbor and pipeline? Sure I can buy that. Oil prices shooting up at the news of the disaster? Sure. A tanker accident closing a Houston Port, thus cutting off the US from imported oil? That's pushing it. An uprising in Saudi Arabia following the announcement that the US would buy more oil from the US. Really pushing it! It gets worse from there, until the US is on the verge of becoming a third world country. Only to be saved by Russian oil!
The film is good in that it may make the viewers think about our energy policy. But the events in this movie are highly unlikely.
A hurricane destroying a major oil harbor and pipeline? Sure I can buy that. Oil prices shooting up at the news of the disaster? Sure. A tanker accident closing a Houston Port, thus cutting off the US from imported oil? That's pushing it. An uprising in Saudi Arabia following the announcement that the US would buy more oil from the US. Really pushing it! It gets worse from there, until the US is on the verge of becoming a third world country. Only to be saved by Russian oil!
The film is good in that it may make the viewers think about our energy policy. But the events in this movie are highly unlikely.
Today is 09/03/05 and I just watched the long version
StarCat-Screenwriter3 September 2005
I can't believe the real deal actually happened just like in this movie. I am from Houston and now I am totally freaked about the Houston Ship Channel.
In the long version, a story that has gone on for a week now, President Bush, a sick, corrupt politician sits back and allows thousands of Americans to die when the government could have saved them.
FEMA was told to stand down, that was obvious. The American Red Cross was not allowed in the city, in fact no volunteers were allowed in. There were hundreds of volunteers trying to gain access to help with the rescue and they were all turned away.
Reports of dead bodies were everywhere. It was also reported they had been lying in the streets so long, that rats were eating the dead corps.
Five days have passed and still no food or water for these people. My stomach was in knots over this. This was the most disgusting, vile thing I have ever witnessed in my life. I am glued 24/7 to this tragedy, I can not stop watching.
There were 30 thousand people moved into the Superdome and treated like cattle. FEMA would not allow them to leave. Reporters were going ballistic. Stories were gruesome. The people were becoming weaker as every hour passed.
I have been up watching for three days with no sleep. And it is still going on tonight.
Suddenly, I remembered seeing this movie, Oil Storm. This movie doesn't have all that rat stuff, but oil is at the center of both of these dramas causing gasoline prices to escalate.
You must see this movie and find out what's next. At the time, I thought it was just a movie designed to gain support for the war in Iraq. I never thought it was possible anyway because a Cat 4 hurricane needed to happen and now, it has.
The rest of this story would not be hard to materialize and if it does it would plunge us into a dark period here in America.
You must see this movie, Oil Storm.
In the long version, a story that has gone on for a week now, President Bush, a sick, corrupt politician sits back and allows thousands of Americans to die when the government could have saved them.
FEMA was told to stand down, that was obvious. The American Red Cross was not allowed in the city, in fact no volunteers were allowed in. There were hundreds of volunteers trying to gain access to help with the rescue and they were all turned away.
Reports of dead bodies were everywhere. It was also reported they had been lying in the streets so long, that rats were eating the dead corps.
Five days have passed and still no food or water for these people. My stomach was in knots over this. This was the most disgusting, vile thing I have ever witnessed in my life. I am glued 24/7 to this tragedy, I can not stop watching.
There were 30 thousand people moved into the Superdome and treated like cattle. FEMA would not allow them to leave. Reporters were going ballistic. Stories were gruesome. The people were becoming weaker as every hour passed.
I have been up watching for three days with no sleep. And it is still going on tonight.
Suddenly, I remembered seeing this movie, Oil Storm. This movie doesn't have all that rat stuff, but oil is at the center of both of these dramas causing gasoline prices to escalate.
You must see this movie and find out what's next. At the time, I thought it was just a movie designed to gain support for the war in Iraq. I never thought it was possible anyway because a Cat 4 hurricane needed to happen and now, it has.
The rest of this story would not be hard to materialize and if it does it would plunge us into a dark period here in America.
You must see this movie, Oil Storm.
This movie is playing out before our eyes - SLIGHT SPOILER
jkstexas20011 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Slight spoiler
To quote an earlier reviewer "I have no idea how probable it is for a hurricane or terrorists to seriously cut off our oil supply, but I do know that most of the leading respected experts (oil and petroleum geologists) in the world today agree on a phenomenon called "Peak Oil"." Apparently, the probability is 100 percent. This movie is playing out before our eyes. The only difference between the movie and what actually occurred is the the LOOP platform was not destroyed. Ninety-five percent of the rigs and refineries are offline. Gasoline in Atlanta is selling for over 6 dollars a gallon.
I suspect many people will be watching this movie for a second time in the near future (if it gets re-aired). While it was widely criticized when it first aired, it appears to be eerily prophetic. Lets hope the reality ends up being not as bad as this movie predicts.
To quote an earlier reviewer "I have no idea how probable it is for a hurricane or terrorists to seriously cut off our oil supply, but I do know that most of the leading respected experts (oil and petroleum geologists) in the world today agree on a phenomenon called "Peak Oil"." Apparently, the probability is 100 percent. This movie is playing out before our eyes. The only difference between the movie and what actually occurred is the the LOOP platform was not destroyed. Ninety-five percent of the rigs and refineries are offline. Gasoline in Atlanta is selling for over 6 dollars a gallon.
I suspect many people will be watching this movie for a second time in the near future (if it gets re-aired). While it was widely criticized when it first aired, it appears to be eerily prophetic. Lets hope the reality ends up being not as bad as this movie predicts.
Incredibly thought provoking - fascinating viewing - great TV!
julialevy8 June 2005
This is an incredible show - by bringing to life a series of thoroughly plausible events, it really acts as a wake-up call to this Country to think about our dependence on oil and how easily this balance could be upset. It also makes for thoroughly captivating viewing.
The film starts with a hurricane hitting Louisiana - you see the preparations, the storm hitting and the devastation that it leaves in its wake. This has dramatic and direct consequences and would have made us think on its own. However, the hurricane is only the first in a series of entirely plausible events which, taken together, have catastrophic consequences.
I had to keep reminding myself that the show was a drama rather than a factual documentary - the characters were all so real and it was so easy to identify with their plights. It all made for very sombre but thoroughly compelling viewing.
This film must be seen!
The film starts with a hurricane hitting Louisiana - you see the preparations, the storm hitting and the devastation that it leaves in its wake. This has dramatic and direct consequences and would have made us think on its own. However, the hurricane is only the first in a series of entirely plausible events which, taken together, have catastrophic consequences.
I had to keep reminding myself that the show was a drama rather than a factual documentary - the characters were all so real and it was so easy to identify with their plights. It all made for very sombre but thoroughly compelling viewing.
This film must be seen!
If you really want to get scared....
davzee1027 September 2005
Before the end of this decade, most of what happened in Oil Storm will come to pass. The phenomenon is called Peak Oil. Pity it wasn't mentioned in the movie, cause at this point, all that needs to happen is for demand to outstrip supply by 5 percent maybe as little as 3, and all hell breaks loose. We won't need a hurricane...although we got one anyway, to bring this country to it's economic knees. All I can say to those who think this was liberalist, environmentalist claptrap is, DO THE RESEARCH! Get the facts for yourself. Peak Oil is beyond a mere political issue. Although, that is what our military is dying for in Iraq, and Afgahastan, and our dependence on oil is what killed 3,000 Americans on Sept 11, 2001. To find out how, DO THE RESEARCH! The info is out there. We'll probably dodge a bullet with this hurricane, but there are still 3 months left in the season, and, as anyone who lives in Florida can tell you, multiple "hits" are not outside the realm of possibilities. I was unnerved when I watched this movie, when it was only a work of fiction, but no I'm downright terrified, and you should be too. We've waited to long, and now even alternative fuels aren't going to be able to save us. Look for the third front of the resource war to open up soon...and draft cards in your children's mailboxes. Maybe if were lucky, Dubya will get us nuked and we won't have to face a life without oil at all. In closing...the movie is worth a look, I doubt Fox will air it again tho.
Had potential, but instead was stupid.
mrskippy5 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I'm sorry, but this has to be one of the worst "disaster" films ever made and I can't believe I watched the whole two hours. I was shockingly disappointed with the whole thing and really saw this as nothing more than an environmentalists hit piece on the United States Government and the oil industry.
The hurricane hurting the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico was a great start and is certainly within the realm of being possible. It has long been feared that a major hurricane could destroy the oil industry in the Gulf. But, the devastation and the events that followed were a little extreme.
Hurricanes, no matter how bad, probably aren't going to do as much damage to the oil industry as the one did in the film. Oil platforms certainly could be damaged, but I don't think a secured pipeline, on the surface below the Gulf would be damaged too badly. I also don't think the entire port is going to get flooded that much. Moreso, you would likely see those waters quickly recede and probably wouldn't see that much damage. Most of that stuff is designed to withstand hurricane force winds.
The government would immediately instill a national emergency if it was as bad as it was. The oil reserves would be tapped right away, with limits and rationing. The purpose would be to replenish as much supply as possible that was lost from the damaged port/pipeline.
The damaged pipeline likely would be the first thing fixed. The government and oil industry would immediately work to restore as many of the oil drilling platforms connected to the pipeline. And, they would restore as much intake and refining in the port area as possible from the start. The key is to restore as much output as possible. They made it sound like it would sit there for months untouched.
The government (Secy of State, President, Energy Dept., etc.) would be talking with oil trading partners around the world right away, securing as many deals as possible. It wouldn't just turn to the Saudi government. Russia, Venezuela, and the other Arab Gulf states would be in talks. The trade talks would be far reaching.
In order to pay for the oil, the government (Congress) likely would pass a spending bill devoting hundreds of billions, if not trillions of dollars to simply buying oil. That bill likely would include rescinding earlier tax cuts by President Bush, as well as creating new taxes (possibly a gas tax at the pump). The bill likely would also include other places to cut, but I don't think the government would be so brash as to cut aid to farmers (than again, there is a solution to this one).
Congress and Bush likely would immediately tap into the ANWR oil shelf in Alaska. Controversial yes. It really wouldn't take that long to setup drills/rigs to get some supply out and pumping into the Alaska Pipeline. This would alleviate even more pressure off the reserves.
It's plausible that within a few months, you could possibly have as much oil as you had coming into the country before, though it still wouldn't be 100 percent optimal. Than again, it isn't even 100 percent optimal now.
The next silly thing about this film was the whole colliding tankers in Houston. Houston is but one major oil refining port in the United States. In California, you have the refineries near Los Angeles and San Francisco. And, IIRC, there are other oil ports in Texas and along the Gulf. Furthermore, many ports have the ability to store refined oil for tanker trucks to pickup and deliver. The only thing that is happening is that you are alleviating stress from the one port in Louisiana, until its fixed. Not too difficult.
I'm not even going to touch the heating oil thing, other than to say you likely would have had emergency Red Cross shelters established as you would in any cold snap. People would have turned to wood burning stoves/fireplaces or to friends with them. The whole thing was a bit extreme.
And, the farmers. Well, it may have seen reduced crops and output, but they can plant/harvest the old-fashioned way (by hand and animal-driven plows). Plus, did they really expect to get subsidies to buy gas for their tractors anyway (ie additional farm aid)? I'm curious as to who was the brainchild behind this garbage.
The hurricane hurting the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico was a great start and is certainly within the realm of being possible. It has long been feared that a major hurricane could destroy the oil industry in the Gulf. But, the devastation and the events that followed were a little extreme.
Hurricanes, no matter how bad, probably aren't going to do as much damage to the oil industry as the one did in the film. Oil platforms certainly could be damaged, but I don't think a secured pipeline, on the surface below the Gulf would be damaged too badly. I also don't think the entire port is going to get flooded that much. Moreso, you would likely see those waters quickly recede and probably wouldn't see that much damage. Most of that stuff is designed to withstand hurricane force winds.
The government would immediately instill a national emergency if it was as bad as it was. The oil reserves would be tapped right away, with limits and rationing. The purpose would be to replenish as much supply as possible that was lost from the damaged port/pipeline.
The damaged pipeline likely would be the first thing fixed. The government and oil industry would immediately work to restore as many of the oil drilling platforms connected to the pipeline. And, they would restore as much intake and refining in the port area as possible from the start. The key is to restore as much output as possible. They made it sound like it would sit there for months untouched.
The government (Secy of State, President, Energy Dept., etc.) would be talking with oil trading partners around the world right away, securing as many deals as possible. It wouldn't just turn to the Saudi government. Russia, Venezuela, and the other Arab Gulf states would be in talks. The trade talks would be far reaching.
In order to pay for the oil, the government (Congress) likely would pass a spending bill devoting hundreds of billions, if not trillions of dollars to simply buying oil. That bill likely would include rescinding earlier tax cuts by President Bush, as well as creating new taxes (possibly a gas tax at the pump). The bill likely would also include other places to cut, but I don't think the government would be so brash as to cut aid to farmers (than again, there is a solution to this one).
Congress and Bush likely would immediately tap into the ANWR oil shelf in Alaska. Controversial yes. It really wouldn't take that long to setup drills/rigs to get some supply out and pumping into the Alaska Pipeline. This would alleviate even more pressure off the reserves.
It's plausible that within a few months, you could possibly have as much oil as you had coming into the country before, though it still wouldn't be 100 percent optimal. Than again, it isn't even 100 percent optimal now.
The next silly thing about this film was the whole colliding tankers in Houston. Houston is but one major oil refining port in the United States. In California, you have the refineries near Los Angeles and San Francisco. And, IIRC, there are other oil ports in Texas and along the Gulf. Furthermore, many ports have the ability to store refined oil for tanker trucks to pickup and deliver. The only thing that is happening is that you are alleviating stress from the one port in Louisiana, until its fixed. Not too difficult.
I'm not even going to touch the heating oil thing, other than to say you likely would have had emergency Red Cross shelters established as you would in any cold snap. People would have turned to wood burning stoves/fireplaces or to friends with them. The whole thing was a bit extreme.
And, the farmers. Well, it may have seen reduced crops and output, but they can plant/harvest the old-fashioned way (by hand and animal-driven plows). Plus, did they really expect to get subsidies to buy gas for their tractors anyway (ie additional farm aid)? I'm curious as to who was the brainchild behind this garbage.
A good start on discussing Peak Oil
pstans256 June 2005
I have been following the concept of Peak Oil for over 5 years now. I was skeptical of this movie to show the things that could happen to our nation as oil prices go up. Overall, I think the movie did a good job showing things that could happen, but failed to explain the connection to oil and the concept of Hubbert's Peak. This movie was by no means a liberal environmentalist view of oil prices since it was made by Murdoch's Fox. I think the movie did a good job leaving politics out and just showing events that could easily happen. Check it out for a introduction to the consequences of being dependent on foreign oil and addicted to oil.
Katrina
doenterprises4 September 2005
It is now 6 days after Huricane Katrina, Aug. 29 2005, which devastated New Orleans and much of the central Gulf coast with winds of 175 mph at times. The US government and local authorities operated very poorly from the time of announcement of the hurricane to the first 5 days afterward. FEMA and Homeland (in)Security were a disappointment.
So go back and think of everyones mistakes shown on the movie.
After reviewing hurricane Katrina preparations and recovery , "Oil Storm" could happen; part of it did.
Ignore the sometimes substandard filming, and look at the film content compared to the mistakes in handling Katrina .
Scary?
Dick
So go back and think of everyones mistakes shown on the movie.
After reviewing hurricane Katrina preparations and recovery , "Oil Storm" could happen; part of it did.
Ignore the sometimes substandard filming, and look at the film content compared to the mistakes in handling Katrina .
Scary?
Dick
Decent idea, horrible execution
riley-355 June 2005
The basic plot and the setup to this "mockumentary" is a decent idea in theory, exploring the possibility of a series of natural disasters / man-made disasters disrupting America's oil supply and causing chaos. However, any thoughts of a decent movie is immediately dashed after about 5 minutes as the movie introduces the viewer to its fictional character. The actors / actresses simply aren't believable and as the movie progresses it seems more like a 2-hour long propaganda movie than a movie meant for entertainment. I sat through till the end hoping for a decent ending, but instead they cop out in the last 5 minutes in a barely plausible way. Like most made for TV movies, a decent idea to start with is over-worked and over-treated and what results is a propaganda-ridden joke of a movie.
And now Hurricane Katrina has dropped by...
L_Miller30 August 2005
NO is flooded, oil platforms are drifting in the Gulf and oil just went over $70/barrel. And guess what? They can release all the crude they want - turns out the refineries are the weak link. It's like the old line-based games; you can have all the raw material you want, but if the processing capacity isn't there the raw material sits and waits. Hello, $3/gallon gas...
Huh. This show might be the "China Syndrome" of we-had-30-years-to-get-off-foreign-oil-but-gee-I-feel-safer-in-a-SUV self-delusion. I wonder if the makers feel vindicated or saddened. I wonder if F/X will reshow it.
The cascade of events in the movie is a little choreographed, but it is certain that other ports will have to pick up the slack, and they're operating at capacity as is, so that's part of the chain of events. Add in a cold winter, instability in Saudi, and who knows? They might show this as a documentary.
Huh. This show might be the "China Syndrome" of we-had-30-years-to-get-off-foreign-oil-but-gee-I-feel-safer-in-a-SUV self-delusion. I wonder if the makers feel vindicated or saddened. I wonder if F/X will reshow it.
The cascade of events in the movie is a little choreographed, but it is certain that other ports will have to pick up the slack, and they're operating at capacity as is, so that's part of the chain of events. Add in a cold winter, instability in Saudi, and who knows? They might show this as a documentary.
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