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Lord of Illusions

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Lord of Illusions

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Clive Barker's new picture is a good attempt at genre-snatching: he's taken clichés from horror and film noir and welded them together in a supernatural detective movie. The story-about a New York investigator who becomes involved in the black-magic lives of several illusionists and California cultists-rambles along unconvincingly, with a logic that is hazy at best. But Barker's images have the thrilling creepiness of a Nine Inch Nails video. The first half of the film, which includes some gruesome mutilation, is as comically suspenseful as the gimp scene in "Pulp Fiction." Unfortunately, at a certain point the supernatural takes over; the ending is just a blast of horror effects. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

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Product Details

Actors:	Scott Bakula, Kevin J. O'Connor, J. Trevor Edmond, Daniel von Bargen, Joseph Latimore
Directors:	Clive Barker
Format:	Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Special Edition, NTSC
Language:	English
Number of Tapes:	1
Studio:	MGM (Video & DVD)
VHS Tape Release Date:	September 01, 1998
Run Time:	109 minutes
Average Customer Rating:	based on 51 reviews

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: 4.0

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Leper Messiah... Sep 24, 2008
Back in 1982, a desert-dwelling cult leader was murdered by a group of ex-cult members. Now (1995), said cult leader, known as "Nix" and "The Puritan", is set for his return in a foretold resurrection. Enter a private detective named Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula), who finds himself right in the middle of a battle between the remaining Nix faithful, and a magician named Swann (Kevin J. O'Conner from The Mummy). D'Amour gets involved w/ Swann's breath-takingly beautiful wife (Famke Janssen) and winds up solving a mystery that he never bargained for. Packed w/ colorful, interesting characters and wild situations, LORD OF ILLUSIONS is a supremely satisfying supernatural spooker. Clive Barker always seems to have something new and dreadful up his dank sleeve. If you enjoyed HELLRAISER, NIGHTBREED, or CANDYMAN, then this little slice of putrifaction should bubble up your flesh just fine...

Fascinating Mar 24, 2008
This was a video about Dark magic that started in the past in a cult. Then it comes to a time when a PI of the occult steps in and shakes death up. The leader of the cult resurect from the dead. His Cult is still there like sheep. Many are killed.
Paul D. Eccles

An awesome thriller Feb 25, 2008
Clive Barker says that this movie was meant to be a cross between a horror film and a detective "film noir", and it works very well. The acting is superb, the plot is detailed and intriguing, and the special effects are beyond awesome.

You have to think during this movie and piece it together for yourself, which makes it all the more fun. You're solving the mystery along with Harry D'Amour, our hero and Barker's detective from his previous stories. Harry finds himself in Los Angeles and stumbles into something bizarre, and, we will find out later, supernatural. The plot centers on a creepy evil cult leader, Nix, and his band of followers, some of whom kill him and bury him in the desert. Years later, we see these wayward cult members being eliminated one by one. As it turns out, they plan to resurrect their master. The end scene is particularly thrilling, although somewhat predictable- the showdown of the main characters, or the battle between good and evil, with great special effects.

The commentary by Clive Barker is really great. He is alone, and doesn't chatter with others, as you have on some commentaries. He actually takes you into his thoughts- which are brilliant and imaginative- and makes you appreciate his vision, the film, even more.

Highly recommended.

0 of 2 found the following review helpful:

Great build, but disappointing finish Jul 06, 2007
Let me start off by saying that I am a fan of Clive Barker's work. He is not my favorite story-teller overall, but I find his imaginative and fantastical writings to be enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. He is no mere horror writer. Having said that, let me begin by stating that this film definitely has a Clive Barker flavor to it... and that's a good thing.

My problem with the movie is that the build-up (or crescendo if you will) is very well done. There is a mystery of sorts, something that the viewer can pretty well figure out, but a larger question that looms over all of the characters throughout. We are being led towards a climax of epic proportions, but once we arrive at the end, we are left very much empty and hungry for something larger. What could have been an epic struggle, a grandiose finalé, is instead a meteoric rise and a quick descent back to earth.

Without ruining anything (in case you have not yet seen it), the film is centered around a private detective (played well by Scott Bakula), who is on the trail of an illusionist called Swann (Kevin J. O'Connor). In the middle of everything is the love interest, Swann's wife (Famke Jansen in her earlier days). The central plot is focused around the world of illusionists and magicians, and the very 'real' difference between illusions and magic. The potential for mischief and mayhem is sadly not utilized as much as it could have been. The story is compelling, though, and the characters are mostly believable.

As far as the special features are concerned, there are your standard commentaries and trailers. Also, there are a few deleted scenes (only about three), but for the most part, the features are rather light. No matter, the real meat of the disc is in the film.

Despite the rather disappointing ending, the film is still worth a watch, and if you are interested in magic, illusionists, horror, mystery, suspense, or anything by Clive Barker, I would venture to say this might be a keeper for your collection. You might consider a rental first, though. Enjoy!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

A good buy Jan 11, 2007
I bought this for my husband and had never watched it before. Its a good movie with a good plot. It keeps you intrested and has some parts that make you do a double take. Its not really scary but its susupenseful but it is not for young children. At least ones that are used to horror films. There were parts that it lagged in but it was quickly picked up again. Plus it ends the way you want it too.