Crowley

On the whole I like this movie because its about the only film I know that deals with Alaistor Crowley - an incredible man who is long overdue for a major film of his life. Unfortunately the makers of this film go for the easy option and make Crowley into a right evil sod..........killing people whenever it takes his fancy.........all in pursuit of the "chemical wedding". Now in reality Crowley sounds like he was a man to be feared and avoided but he didn't go around killing people - despite all the newspaper garbage of the time about him being the most wicked man in the world, etc, etc. Why the makers chose this approach to an interesting subject is anybody's guess - but it probably comes down to box-office! Dress up Crowley as the occult's answer to Hannibal Lector and it will ring up megabucks at the box-office........or at least the makers hope! However despite those reservations its still quite an unusual film and well worth seeing - even if its just for Simon Callows marvellous OTT turn as Crowley. But as I've indicated the definitive film on the Great Beast is still to be made. Lets hope British film-makers do it before Hollywood does!

Crowley

source: Crowley

Moviecut—Crowley

Well, as much as I like Bruce Dickinson as a musician, I can't say the same about his movie producing skills. This was quite mediocre and looked amateurish to me, although I'm not a certified film critic! The story had some interesting parts, the script made me think about many Iron Maiden/Bruce Dickinson songs, but other than that, I think any of us here might have done a better work. The acting was bearable, but that's about it! The ending tried to be interesting, but I am not so sure it achieved it. Nothing new to offer as plots go, really. Finally, I didn't think the soundtrack matched the scenes at any given time and I would much rather listen to Dickinson's music outside the context of this movie! BUT... I have seen a lot worse films and I could say I went through this one almost painlessly! If you're dead bored, it might offer a thought-free couple of hours of entertainment!

This is without doubt, one of the worst films I have ever seen. The direction is pointless and childish. The editing does nothing to make up for or improve the amateurish photography. The sound is ghastly. Was the sound recordist one of the students? Simon Callow's Haddo is more League of Gentleman than Ordo Templi Orientis and actually made me laugh out loud. This burst of misplaced mirth was no recompense for wasting nearly two, irretrievable hours attempting to digest this mish mash of the worst of Doctor Who and some diabolical (in the wrong sense) student flick. Crap films can be fun. "Blood on Satans Claw", "Witchfinder General", Lust for a Vampire" spring to mind. This is not one of them

If you have read anything by Crowley, the Satanic Bible, or Marquis de Sade, this movie will fall along those kind of lines and not upset you too much. However, if you can't handle a weird mixture of sadism (both sexual and other), a perversion of the Christian religion (mostly in the distortion of Biblical verses to emphasize sexual things), and (just for kicks) a little Sci-Fi (kinda like "The Mangler 2"), then do not watch. But, I found it entertaining, although a bit confusing trying to mix so many genres into one movie. Basically, a professor becomes possessed by Alastair Crowley, via virtual reality, which is being tested by (basically) an American Tech Support guy. Prof. Hallow completely changes. Most of the movie is about spouting Crowley's rhetoric, with a few deaths thrown in for good measure. The movie also quotes and/or refers to many ideas regarding thoughts about space, time, philosophy, etc. I cannot expand too much because it has been a very long time since I studied any of the points that are brought up in the movie. But I will say that the ones I remember (and the ones I looked up for a refresher), were accurately presented and expressed from an educated (for one opinion or another) point of view. I do love the acting from the character Hallow. His descent into madness and deviance is great. The other actors are good as well, but his performance steals the show. Also note: do NOT let children watch this movie. There is at least one scene that is very "Fifty Shades". I'm sorry I do not know any of the actors names.

Given what a filthy, perverted, deviant 'beast' Aleister Crowley was, it's not surprising to find that this film, in which the influential 1920s occultist is a central figure, is packed full of all kinds of depravity. It is this wanton debauchery that will undoubtedly draw in the punters, along with the involvement of legendary heavy metal singer Bruce Dickinson—but be warned... without an in-depth knowledge of sexual magick and the philosophy of Thelema (Crowley's religion), the majority of this film will probably make no sense whatsoever (although I also suspect that even devout Crowley acolytes will be non-plussed by most of what they see). My limited knowledge of the subject matter certainly meant that I didn't have a clue what was going on for much of the time, and I found the stuff about the super computer and the virtual reality cyber-suit even more inexplicable; this inaccessibility led to utter confusion which ultimately led to utter boredom, despite such lurid weirdness as Simon Callow sending a very unusual message via fax, a * nailed to a door (hey, that rhymes!), Callow peeing over his students during an unconventional lecture about Shakespeare's Hamlet, and a pan-sexual satanic orgy featuring people doing all manner of unspeakably naughty things.

I would not pay too much attention to our American friend's review.One surely cannot have an opinion when he knows nothing of the film makers main character, who's nature and role, played an influential part in the world of the occult! I could make a few assumptions that would lean on inadequate notions but lets get back to the film. I found it quirky and at times a little to jazzed up.If you're into magik you will adore any scene that features the beast.If you are not into the man or magik, than it's not really for you. You will just end up writing something silly like the gentleman from America and start waffling on about politics!

AKA: Chemical Wedding Rating: 3 out of 5 Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Occult Director: Julian Doyle Stars: Robert Ashby, Jared Ashe, Terence Bayler, Antonia Beamish, Esmé Bianco, Geoff Breton, Simon Callow, Jud Charlton, Lucy Cudden, Lily Dumont, Richard Franklin Synopsis: At an English academy the most powerful computer in the world is used to perform time sensitive experiments. When an experiment goes awry and the spirit of Aleister Crowley inhabits a professor participating in the experiment. Thoughts: I could explain the plot but I can't really do it justice. The detailed script written by the director and Bruce Dickinson (from the metal legends Iron Maiden) is pretty good with you enough twisted Crowley debauchery to keep you engaged. The first thirty or so minutes are a bit slow so hang in. As you can guess a horror film that borrows from the depraved life of the "Wickedest Man in the World" gives you such perverted pleasures as orgies and canning. The script does get a bit bogged down in the final act when its more lofty, SciFi conventions kick in but hey it delivers the weird goods. In Conclusion: Yup we get treated to Iron Maiden and Dickinson tunes throughout the film. Not enough but that's just me. Say didn't the mighty Bruce become a born-again Christian? An odd choice and subject for a horror movie I believe. 