A Crude Awakening (2006)

You just know that when a supposed 'documentary' begins with the comment "Oil is the excrement of the devil", that it will be an educated, well informed, unemotional and unbiased presentation....yeah right. Please...This was clearly produced by a bunch of extreme activists on an agenda and is very one-sided. Just more fear mongering...as is the trend today unfortunately. The public is taken for fools once again because of the actual shortage of intelligent people out there. Do we need to start heavily investing in alternative resources? Absolutely, but the situation is not as dire as these clowns claim it to be. It was good for a laugh anyways....If you enjoyed films like 'Loose Change' and 'An Inconvenient Truth', Then you'll love this little gem.

There's a scene in "Three days of the Condor (1975)", where the CIA hatchetman justifies his brutal killing of an entire fellow CIA cell, by saying that "when the oil runs out, people won't care how we get it, even if by war." This shocking documentary about the state of oil reserves left in the world, suggests indeed one solution for (America's) oil-problem: go and get it by force. That one is called "militarising oil" Basically, we only have enough oil left for 15 years, so whether your grand-kids will fly, is up for grabs.Also, the real secret behind America's dominance is revealed. For those who wondered how a people so stupid can yet rule the world, here's the answer.

The fact that a movie on this topic was made is admirable. I found the opening quarter a little rough (editing, footage choice), and had to overlook some exaggerations and oversights. But in terms of weaving a consistent message with data, dialog, music, and both historical and current video - hauntingly amazing. Whether you believe that message or its implications ... well, that's up to you ... and the movie leaves it at that. Although not directly comparable to An Inconvenient Truth, I'm sure viewers who liked one will like the other. If An Inconvenient Truth was about humanity's reach exceeding its grasp, then this movie is about humanity's reach falling short of its presumption.Sure there are alternatives. I'd watch a video of someone working out the environmental consequences of using coal gas, the political consequences of fighting for oil, or the economic consequences (a measure of ability) of developing nuclear, wind, and solar power. I guess I'd rather believe I have an empty tank and conserve than think I have a full tank and burn - even if the truth is the other way around. I think it makes me a better person for trying, and in my opinion provides a better opportunity to explore the alternatives. Call it inspiration through pessimism. If people continue to burn ridiculous amounts of fuel in a frivolous manner, out of convenience or perhaps poorly planned necessity, shame on us. Since, I'm no better than the average North American on this issue, I'm afraid that this is a lesson we'll all have to learn the hard way.

This is a stunning film that covers the oil question in a way never viewed before. What impressed me was the calm factual reasoning/questioning/answering/reviewing without the emotional drama normally associated with going to the cinema. This film filled in many gaps, that really made sense to me of what was going on and has been going on for a very long time. It has impressed me so much that I have started going back to review history because of all the questions it has raised for me. This film puts into perspective and also gives me many answers for the bloodshed carried out in many of the wars of the last century, and continuing into this century. When you have seen it there is a recognition, as when you get news/information/diagnosis that makes you go AH ! That explains it !For me it was like getting an economic clinical diagnosis - of an economic terminal illness. And these are the reasons why.... And we've ignored all the symptoms...... And all the indicators...... And now with the best will in the world we will probably still have a huge decline, before things can get better, if they ever will...... But - by doing nothing we will have an economic meltdown.By waking up and taking action - by making sure those in charge take action, we can slow the process and ensure that developing countries need to divert into renewable energy rather than old energy (oil) to achieve their aspirations.There is a lot that can be done, starting with the reasons why that are portrayed in this film. It is absolutely amazing to see such a film on a big screen - but I must remember that this is real - this is our lives/lifestyles we are watching going up in smoke. While cinema is the vehicle, but this is not a film about make believe - in fact it is doing the opposite of what films are normally about and using itself as a means to get us to believe. This is my honest reaction so far after having seen this film only once over a week ago. Initially I thought it a bit repetitive, but afterward I was glad as it has made it memorable, to the point that I can't let it drop. I look at everything differently and through a different value system. It really is like you hear of how people re-evaluate after getting a diagnosis of a terminal illness - that is what this film has done for me. I can't wait to get hold of a copy of the DVD.It is the best film I have ever seen - and the title couldn't have been better !