Customer Reviews

Crude Impact

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a gripping documentary on the subject of peak oil--a sobering account of our dependence on ancient sunlight to power industrial civilization and the consequences we face as we top over the global oil production peak and enter the irreversible depletion phase. While there are other documentaries that treat the subject, I find Crude Impact notable, among other reasons, for its focus from the outset on the relationship between the size of the human population and the increasingly intensive extraction of resources.

I teach a semester-long high school seminar devoted entirely to peak oil and this is the documentary, among other excellent documentaries on this subject, which I have chosen for viewing by my students. Crude Impact is simply the clearest exposition of peak oil and its far-reaching consequences. The impact has been profound.

Interviews with leading experts in a variety of related fields forward the narrative, which is accompanied by arresting images, a judicious use of graphics, and haunting musical score. Indeed the concept of peak oil itself is not fully expanded until later in the documentary after an array economic, political, social, and economic threads are systematically explored--and the full impact of peak oil then becomes frighteningly clear.

If you are new to the notion of peak oil, this is a must view which should be shared with relatives and friends. In fact, it should be shared with everyone, even those already "peak oil aware," which I fear is all too few. Crude Impact is an impressive, if deeply disturbing, documentary.

I was at the screening when the film premiered on IDFA 2 years ago. The entire audience came out after the screening, to continue discussing the matter with the director in the hallway for another hour. I've never seen people so moved by an environmental film, and motivated to spread it's message. Truely a must see

I know it's not politically correct to make entertainment even a factor when discussing a movie about a serious subject like this - but this movie is proof that you can tell people what they need to know while keeping them glued to the picture. In fact nothing is quite so fascinating as the truth when it is told with honesty and by people who are passionate about the subject. If you want to learn what the problem is, why the problem is, and even how we might go about solving the problem you need to watch this.

This is one of those movies that can actually get you to change your behavior. It made me more aware of my impact.

You hear the term "Peak Oil" and you may think you know what it means. To truly understand where we are TODAY, the doc Crude Impact is a must-see. Finally a doc that sounds the alarm BEFORE it's too late. Wake up. Watch this film.

I loved this film and found it every bit as useful as Al Gore's movie. An absolute "must see" to understand some of the issues facing us today.

This is a very well done documentary that will get your attention. This film hits all important areas; the environment, sustainability and social justice. My life changed in a very positive way after seeing this hard hitting movie. A must see for our times!

I've read a couple of books regarding peak oil, and so was interested in seeing this documentary. I must honestly say that this film exceeds its mandate of discussing the impact of consumption and peak oil on our lifestyle and planet.

After establishing well the reality of the impending peak oil crisis that we will face unless we change our practices, the film quickly moves on to tackling other subjects and agendas. Very quickly the subject turns to population control, consumerism, and globalization. Sure, the tentacles of oil policy reach far and wide, but I got the impression from the complete shift in focus that rather than viewing valid supporting arguments, I was seeing the filmmakers' original intent for the documentary in the first place. Perspective viewers are brought to this film expecting to see a documentary on peak oil, but instead end up watching a two hour dialogue about globalization and American hegemony. Those subjects are certainly worth discussing, but don't tell me that I'm going to be watching a film about peak oil and then start talking about population control and globalism.

One interview subject declares that even if we found tomorrow a green technology that would eliminate completely the need for fossil fuels, our lifestyle would be unsustainable and that we need to make drastic changes. And off we go! No longer talking about peak oil, we're talking about corporate abuse, the military industrial complex, overpopulation, and every other leftist cause under the sun. If this documentary is intended for the active supporters of those positions, then great. But if it is intended to inform passive supporters, folks that are neutral, or even those in passive opposition, then this total shift in focus will alienate people and turn them off to the entire film--including its supposedly central focus of peak oil.

Bottom line, this isn't a film about peak oil. It is a film about a broader leftist agenda, with a slight focus on peak oil. Watching this film reminds of me of the anti-war protests in which I frequently participate. We're out there in opposition of the war in Iraq, but you've got the "free mumias," the "end corporate greedesters," the "anti-capitalists," the anarchists, the hippies, etc. As a consequence, the entire experience is cheapened and diluted.

This is an amazing, eye-opening film about Peak Oil. It's extremely informative and sounds the alarm about the importance of using alternative forms of energy. Buy this film and share it with your friends. That's how I first viewed it -- at a friend's home...and afterward we talked for hours about its content.

An interesting, informative and entertaining film that commanded my attention throughout its viewing. It also serves as a warning that we must move quickly toward, and support the development of, alternative forms of energy. Share this with your already formed groups (i.e., church or reading groups, social networks, etc.) - watching together is a great way to continue or start a discussion about energy, conservation, and social justice.

This is a very important film. The media has yet to fully embrace the reality of what this story reveals, mostly because the media is energy illiterate. Cuba has already begun living a "peak oil" type of living standard that is extreme, due to the embargo and sanctions. They would experience a needed relief w/o those barriers. We too, will be reduced to a "lower" living standard than we are used to w/o such embargoes. We had better begin learning to live differently, with Cuba showing us what it may look like. There are, however, silver linings in this scenario, in that life can be reconfigured to be much more rewarding and less "dog eat dog" and predatory. If we have the imagination, we can get through the coming transition. See this film and find out.