Promised Land (2012)

This was okay, it didn't leave as much of an impression on me as it was probably meant to with its controversial subject matter but it is a quality film. Beautifully shot, with a fantastic cast and involving story. Its also funny at times and for the most part involving if a little dry.Matt Damon is Steve Butler, a salesman for a natural gas company who along with his partner Sue(Frances McDormand) arrive in a small Pennsylvania town to secure drilling rights for a natural-gas company. Steve goes door to door and promises millions to the financially suffering farmers, holds a town meeting in the gym, where he gets shut down by a retired science teacher (the awesome Hal Holbrook) and then proceeds to get drunk in the local bar where he meets a schoolteacher who he repeatedly lets know, "I'm a good guy". Obviously Steve is doubting himself since he's sold out to the man. Steve's conscience plays heavily into this story, whereas to Sue, she tells us its just a job.Before long the leader of an environmental group (John Krasinski) shows up and works the townsfolk against Steve so that despite the economic down turn the townspeople are no longer willing to just accept whatever deal is laid before them. Seems like this sure thing deal isn't going to be so easy.Both Matt Damon and John Kransinski do a great job in conveying their character's qualities and aspirations and I also enjoyed the relationship between Matt and Frances, you do get to know all these characters and in that respect this film shines. A bit of a twist towards the end just in case you felt pulled in one direction or the other ethically but all in not a film I'm going to remember for long. 5/3/16

A movie made by Middle East interests does not bode well for honesty. The movie is a total misrepresentation of fracking processes and does not even attempt to portray the truth. Promised Land is supported by zealous environmentalists who either should know better and do not accept anyother truth or the people who support such trash as this movie and Gasland are all dupes to a persuasive anti fracking group. The Middle East wants all of NA to rely on their oil forever. Shame of Matt Damon but then I guess ethics can be bought for a price. Avoid Promised Land. It is poor entertainment and it is very poor science. Take time to learn about fracking, you may be surprised with the truth.

Thank you UAE for backing a delightful comedy about the competition for your wonderful export. As a former general partner in an Oil & Gas Exploration venture based in Dallas, I was intrigued to uncover the great debate over fracing. Looks like I was more than blessed in the many rewards in viewing this film by educating the masses in the rural dumb folk mentality, how to build an entire town fair with your own two hands, and how young entrepreneurs hate tips!! Once Damon gets promoted to the big kids table all hell breaks loose when he gets a conscience and this after getting the VP of Land Management position in the city! It was a lurid white knuckler until the great reveal and all I wanted to know is did he get the girl. So much for fiction, fantasy and fracing.I was not on site for the filming of Gasland but it kinda looked grim and the fact that Putin is pushing for world domination....again....all this survival nonsense is actually working to keep that petro dollar live n kickin. So you figure all the casualties of war greatly overshadow a few farm animals and we do not slide into oblivion like other nations.I, for one, am a tree hugger to the max, however, not at the price of freedom and a semblance of democracy. So, hats off to UAE for letting us know you are very, very afraid of us. Love it!PS-The corporate plant was obvious after Open Mic Night! DUH!

The word I'm looking for is...sweet, I guess. Matt Damon is cool as always and becomes the hero in what seems like a play where he might have ended up being the bad guy. The story is about a gas company trying to invest in this lovely country side and own these poor folks' lands. Matt works for them and is sent to this town to spread word about the company and get the peoples attention and to sign some deals. There seems to be competition too when an environmental organization makes its presence and gives the downside of the whole deal. There seems to be a stage where the Green guy gets the girl instead of our hero. The movie ends up in a twist that even I didn't expect until the end.. Go ahead and try it out..