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Reviews4
greenknight-2's rating
I was torn when I watched this film - on the one hand, it's a very average film, mostly confusing and random, sometimes poorly acted (and sometimes not) and of a subject matter that I am very critical; on the other hand, if you view it as a (relatively) low-budget, British B-movie it's actually quite good. Not entertaining, mind you, it never actually manages to fight its way out of the swamp of "too many ideas, crammed into too little time with no coherence". But the production and direction of the film is commendable.
The basic plot of the film is that Aleister Crowley, "the wickedest man in Britain" (in the early part of the last century - I doubt he'd rank above "dirty old perv" these days) manages to get reincarnated into the body of a Cambridge professor (played by Simon Callow - by far the best part of the film) and starts a 4-day (? - the query is because a lot happens, but little relevant, over the 4 days) campaign to become wholly physical again.
Basically, stuff happens; lots of it random, and I'm sure was more meaningful to the writers than it was to me as a viewer (and that as an educated and informed viewer). Unfortunately, as good as it looks at times, and as many good ideas are just screaming to to be exploited, it just ends up being a B-movie. I'd still watch it though, just the once.
I realise that this constitutes a critique rather than a review, but it's difficult to sum up what happens in the film other than what I've just said - it's a bit random, and if you're into thelemic mysticism you'll probably enjoy it, but unfortunately I view the whole subject as occultism for people who are too scared to throw off the shackles of catholic Judaism, and compensate for their reticence to abandon Christianity for something more pure with an unhealthy interest in the Christian devil. But you're talking about a film about an early 20th century English occultist raised in a strict Christian family, so what can you expect? Anyway, if you're in the mood for a British B-movie (well made, but not exactly stimulating) - this is the movie for you (or watch Razorblade Smile or Dead Mans Shoes instead).
The basic plot of the film is that Aleister Crowley, "the wickedest man in Britain" (in the early part of the last century - I doubt he'd rank above "dirty old perv" these days) manages to get reincarnated into the body of a Cambridge professor (played by Simon Callow - by far the best part of the film) and starts a 4-day (? - the query is because a lot happens, but little relevant, over the 4 days) campaign to become wholly physical again.
Basically, stuff happens; lots of it random, and I'm sure was more meaningful to the writers than it was to me as a viewer (and that as an educated and informed viewer). Unfortunately, as good as it looks at times, and as many good ideas are just screaming to to be exploited, it just ends up being a B-movie. I'd still watch it though, just the once.
I realise that this constitutes a critique rather than a review, but it's difficult to sum up what happens in the film other than what I've just said - it's a bit random, and if you're into thelemic mysticism you'll probably enjoy it, but unfortunately I view the whole subject as occultism for people who are too scared to throw off the shackles of catholic Judaism, and compensate for their reticence to abandon Christianity for something more pure with an unhealthy interest in the Christian devil. But you're talking about a film about an early 20th century English occultist raised in a strict Christian family, so what can you expect? Anyway, if you're in the mood for a British B-movie (well made, but not exactly stimulating) - this is the movie for you (or watch Razorblade Smile or Dead Mans Shoes instead).
A video rental store under threat of closure. Two idiots who stumble on a way to exploit other idiots to save the store. Ummm...that's it.
I get this film. I understand what it's trying to do, I really do. But at the end of the day it's just rubbish.
Yeah, so some people are entertained by amateurish remakes of films. Good for them. Sentimental stuff about Fats Waller is good too; there's nothing wrong about preserving things worth saving for future generations to ignore.
What this film amounts to is the list of films that are paraded for you to take note of somewhere in the middle. By all means, watch them, enjoy them, make your own judgements. That's all this film is about...could've been achieved by some obsessive nerd listing his favourite films and likes on his blog.
The world has moved on. VHS won't be mourned like vinyl. Amateur videos are okay on Youtube, but most people actually have lives. What is the point of this film? Please explain.
I get this film. I understand what it's trying to do, I really do. But at the end of the day it's just rubbish.
Yeah, so some people are entertained by amateurish remakes of films. Good for them. Sentimental stuff about Fats Waller is good too; there's nothing wrong about preserving things worth saving for future generations to ignore.
What this film amounts to is the list of films that are paraded for you to take note of somewhere in the middle. By all means, watch them, enjoy them, make your own judgements. That's all this film is about...could've been achieved by some obsessive nerd listing his favourite films and likes on his blog.
The world has moved on. VHS won't be mourned like vinyl. Amateur videos are okay on Youtube, but most people actually have lives. What is the point of this film? Please explain.