tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post1120094180734999968..comments2024-03-27T15:36:10.416-07:00Comments on Film Reviews from Two Guys in the Dark: Amour and Promised Land (and 2012 Top 10 Films)Ken Burke; Pat Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-17236070692795818552013-01-24T11:05:38.580-08:002013-01-24T11:05:38.580-08:00Hi rj, Excellent, informative comments. This is n...Hi rj, Excellent, informative comments. This is not a case of "I couldn't have said it better myself," it's a case of "I couldn't have said it at all," because except for the appropriate reference to <i>There Will Be Blood</i> I'm not nearly as informed on fracking as you are, so I really appreciate how you've meaningfully extended this review's dialogue, a consistent trait of yours.<br /><br />Thanks for the ongoing enhancements of the Two Guys' contributions to the world of cinema. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-65307344842615711852013-01-24T10:50:38.703-08:002013-01-24T10:50:38.703-08:00Continued great work in capturing and providing es...Continued great work in capturing and providing essential elements, nuances, and references. <br /><br /> I believe <i>Promised Land</i> reasonably portrays the opportunities provided by Hydraulic Fracking and a few of the concerns. Most people do not understand the technology or even the terminology but may have heard about the newly found oil and decent jobs. Unfortunately the film does not really improve our knowledge and is easily dismissed when presented through soap opera elements. <br /><br />This kind of "advanced" oil extraction in the US does have the potential to significantly reduce or eliminate imported oil dependence when combined with increasingly available alternative power options. Fracking adds wealth and jobs in our Central Texas area, facts that are emphasized almost daily through the local print and television media.<br /><br />In the San Antonio area <i>fracking has</i> creating a gigantic oil boom which is unlikely to go away unless a tragic loss of water resources occurs through overuse or contamination. Politics in Texas allows it full bore with minor oversight, which is really not that much different than the ruthless powerplays of 100 years ago as depicted well in 2007's <i>There Will Be Blood</i>. This film will never be compared to Anderson's masterpiece.<br /><br />While oil politics have changed and otherwise poor land owners <i>are</i> becoming millionaires overnight, the longterm threats this time are bigger than before. When you consider that many countries and US states do not allow hydraulic fracking at all, you realize something important is underlying the debate. <br /><br />An interesting link on the South Texas <b><a href="http://www.kcet.org/news/the_back_forty/commentary/golden-green/oil-and-water-dont-mix-or-what-fracking-is-doing-to-south-texas.html" rel="nofollow"> fracking and water issues</a></b> is here.<br /><br />In my mind, <i>Promised Land</i> was a little too gentle in it's depictions of what actually happens when huge amounts of water, propane and chemicals are injected by force into and through vital ground water resources. The technology does "fracture" structures underground to allow trapped hydrocarbons to be produced. Some of these chemicals are labeled "trade secrets" so open disclosure is not always mandated without state specific regulations. Some of the results near San Antonio include earthquakes for the first time in anyone's memory. <br /><br />While the film's charismatic environmental activist "defeating" the big company and stealing the girl made for some interesting moments, the "company plant" twist seemed too unrealistic and simply cheapen the message. Overall my grade is C, passing but nothing to write home about. Perhaps this introduction to fracking will be followed by something with more substance.<br /><br />rjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025728540081089210noreply@blogger.com