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Movie: Syriana (Business and Politics of Oil)

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RichKid

RichKid

PlanYourTrade > TradeYourPlan
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Syriana
George Clooney, Matt Damon etc.

I like the comparison of the oil trade with the drug trade and how the analysis about how the ME is being exploited by the US and other Western powers. This is far more complex than anyone would believe.

I thought this was an interesting movie, not the most even but good enough for highlighting the issues, especially as oil and the ME is topical, you can't lose concentration for one second though if you watch it, lots happens in the first hour. I can't believe this guy was for real! Cloak and dagger stuff. Any comments? I'd like to read the book, despite the government censorship (see Amazon comments).

Official website: www.syrianamovie.warnerbros.com

Audio discussion with cast/crew; amazing stuff about CIA operatives: http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbmovies/syriana/podcast/SyrianaQandANov21.mp3

The book, See No Evil by Robrt Baer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140004684X/102-7106585-0942514?v=glance&n=283155
 
This is without a doubt the WORST movie I have ever seen. I think it took what could have been a great look at this industry, religion and side of things we don't see and just completely stuffed it up.

The plot was wayward, there were lots and lots of inconsequential events that had no bearing on the plot and to me it never felt like the movie starts.

Keep in mind I LOVE the premise for the movie, and I think if done right it could have been fantastic, I love the ideas it presented, but as a movie I thought it was pathetic and any accolades it receives are thoroughly undeserved.
 
ctp6360 said:
This is without a doubt the WORST movie I have ever seen. I think it took what could have been a great look at this industry, religion and side of things we don't see and just completely stuffed it up.

The plot was wayward, there were lots and lots of inconsequential events that had no bearing on the plot and to me it never felt like the movie starts.

Keep in mind I LOVE the premise for the movie, and I think if done right it could have been fantastic, I love the ideas it presented, but as a movie I thought it was pathetic and any accolades it receives are thoroughly undeserved.
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agree 100%

i was very disappointed
 
Emm, so guess I'm alone on this one then!
It's important to understand that this movie actually got made and shown around the world, when one considers the US political climate that's a plus. I agree it's not the best movie but I wasn't looking at it as a blockbuster or a doco, there are very few ways for Hollywood to communicate with the world profitably without using the stereotype of the Arab people as sadistic tribesman or extremists or even monopolistic oil barons; imo it showed the difficulties the Middle East faces and how sophisticated the US can get when it wants something. The movie portrayed some of the complexities of the industry and the mixing of business, politics and military power- even China, half way across the world was mentioned. The average person would know little about these issues, they only know oil is affecting the cost of their petrol, the ME has lots of oil and terrorists and the US wants the oil but not the terrorists and maybe some land for military bases.

I do agree that it's a shame the movie wasn't more potent artistically but it's a start. Good to hear different views. I wonder how the book is...

PS: If only they could make 'Metal Men' into a movie, wonder who would play Rich??!! Like something out of a Ludlum thriller. Emm, might dig up that 'Best books on commodities..' thread (or whatever I called it) and add to it.
 
I'd like to see the movie soon. It sounds enticing.

As a movie I'd like to see made, it would have to be Shibumi. A book by Trevanian. It is outdated and flawed, though it could make a great big screen block spectical.
 
Stan 101 said:
I'd like to see the movie soon. It sounds enticing.

As a movie I'd like to see made, it would have to be Shibumi. A book by Trevanian. It is outdated and flawed, though it could make a great big screen block spectical.
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I saw some references to that novel here on ASF, think GP or someone may have mentioned it in the book/novels thread. Sounds interesting. Well, oil is on the way down again, there's always something happening on the oil scene.
 
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