Attention authors, publishers and retailers! Are you trying to market a newly-released Thelemic product? This site is viewed daily up to 20,000 times by some of the most influential Thelemites. If you'd like to bring your product to their attention, contact us now to arrange for a review to be placed on lashtal.com.
Random Quote
Mankind can live free in a society hemmed in by laws, but we have yet to find a historical example of mankind living free in lawless anarchy.
Joined: Feb 13, 2005
Posts: 289
Location: the channel
Status: Offline
Just watched it, and quite enjoyed it, although it's a pile of tosh. I don't think it'll attract anyone to the legacy of AC other than the usual disaffected metalheads. Callow obviously had great fun doing it, and was very good. Can't say the same for some of the other acting.
My major problems with it however, are technical. Whoever mixed the sound should go back to school. A lot of the dialogue was virtually inaudible if there was any other sound or music going on, and if the character moved away from the camera. This was particularly evident in the first third for some reason. I noted the boom operator was related to the director (or at least had the same surname, so i'm presuming....) Also some really bad camera work which stood out because there were shots done in more difficult lighting conditions which looked much better.
It's no work of art, and it's not what the Thelemic community was waiting for.At least there wasn't too much Iron Maiden in the soundtrack, though the sudden extreme increase in sound levels during one scene involving such music was REALLY annoying .
Oh by the way, just to reiterate, I quite enjoyed it.It was in the Horror section of the local HMV. If you want a good horror movie.... rec is it.
_________________ The colours are many, but the light is one.
I finally watched it on DVD last night. I wanted a lot of it. One of my favourite films is "Night of the Demon", based on M R James' "Casting of the Runes", and my main misgiving about that was that the magician's just revenge should be overturned by a pair of know-nothings (does this make me evil?). I've been a fan of Simon Callow since I first saw him on TV in Chance in a Million. I was quite prepared to see the whole thing treated as a simple horror story, and was prepared to forgive that as putting off slaves while encouraging others to find out more - my own interest in the occult starting in childhood partly as a result of Dennis Wheatley and H P Lovecraft.
So I expected a lot of this film, I wanted it to replace Night of the Demon but without the cop-out ending. Maybe it was this over-expectation, but I felt unsatisfied at the end. I agree with the observation that the script was sometimes incomprehensible, and not helped by the sound track overwhelming the dialogue early on. That said, it certainly has its high points. I particularly enjoyed Crowley/Haddo emerging from the gents like some malicious version of George Melly, and the inclusion of Henry Hall and George Formby on the soundtrack was appreciated. I watched it with my wife who is less than sympathetic to Thelema and I struggled to avoid blathering on about all the little references in the film for the cognoscenti. She said little after, but I expect acid comment on my return from my next OTO meeting!
I think my expectations probably influenced my reaction as, in fairness, the production values were generally fairly good and it had a decent little horror story to tell - though I would have preferred a different ending. I'll have to try loaning it to my daughter to watch without me there and with less bias. While continuing the Bottomley approach to Crowley, at least it makes no pretence to being more than a fiction - more than can be said for "In Search of the Great Beast" where the absurdities are blended in with facts so as to make them indistinguishable.
My thanks to Chameleon for pointing out this article from The Times:
XL collapse: Iron Maiden to the rescue
Simon Alford
IT was business as usual for Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson this weekend — not belting out a heavy-metal hit to a packed stadium crowd with his band — but taking control of a Boeing 757.
Dickinson, 50, was one of the pilots and crew who helped man specially chartered flights to ease the crisis facing travellers this weekend following the collapse of XL.
The singer, who has worked for the airline Astraeus for nine years, took up flying during a low point in his solo career after he quit the band in 1993. He trained to fly commercial jets and has been a captain with Astraeus for 2Å years.
Although he rejoined the band in 1999 he continues to work as a full-time pilot taking leaves of absence when the group goes on tour. “My life’s great,” he said yesterday, “I get paid to do my two hobbies.”
Yesterday morning he came to the rescue of 221 holidaymakers stranded in the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh. Last night he was back in the air to collect another batch of tourists stuck on the Greek island of Kos. Earlier this month he flew 106 RAF crew back to the UK after service in Afghanistan on a plane chartered by the Ministry of Defence.
Since rejoining the group, who have sold 80m albums and whose hits include Run to the Hills and The Number of the Beast, Dickinson has flown his bandmates around the world in a customised 757 dubbed “Ed Force One” after the group’s mascot “Eddie”. “I get 80% of my income through performing with Iron Maiden but only spend 20% of my time with the group,” he said.
When not on stage or in the cockpit, Dickinson has also worked as a radio DJ and co-written a feature-length film.
_________________ Paul
Owner & Editor
LAShTAL.COM
alysa
Post subject:Posted: Sep 14, 2008 - 03:28 PM
Joined: Jul 09, 2008
Posts: 47
Status: Offline
Thank you both very much for putting that news on Lashtal.com.
badfreddy
Post subject:Posted: Sep 29, 2008 - 06:32 PM
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 134
Location: The North
Status: Offline
It was only last week that I got my hands on the DVD from blockbuster's rental outlet.
I firstly want to say, Paul you were right to praise it! Its very well made and very funny. I just dont understand the critics dismissal of it.
There were moments of bad acting (younger cast members) but Callow was magnificent.
I think you need some background knowledge to appreciate it fully, especially the Parsons links etc but it all came together rather well for me. So, yes... its a laugh. I was relived it wasnt so bad as I was told. phew.
Im still waiting for Bruce LaBruce to make a version tho.. did anyone see 'Otto, up with the dead people? gosh! that was dark.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Just finished watching it, and I think it's awesome. I'll definately watch again! I do agree about the sound quality, but the dialogue was only inaudible in a few spots. And then there was that one unexpectedly loud spot of music in the middle. Overall a great film. I do wish they hadn't misquoted in a few spots but oh well that's life.
_________________ "He who knoweth little, thinketh he knoweth much, but he who knoweth much hath learned his own ignorance." -Liber Librae
wulfram
Post subject:Posted: Sep 30, 2008 - 06:44 PM
Joined: Jan 08, 2004
Posts: 129
Location: Indiana
Status: Offline
I just finished watching Chemical Wedding and I was staggered by its sense of good fun. How this movie could not be a positive influence toward drawing people to Crowley's works is beyond me. I venture to say that Old Crow himself would have been quite pleased with this work. Hilarious and charming, Callow was a whirlwind of excellence.
Well said, Wulfram! At last... Someone gets the point.
_________________ Paul
Owner & Editor
LAShTAL.COM
bubbafett4hire
Post subject:Posted: Oct 19, 2008 - 12:09 AM
Joined: May 25, 2008
Posts: 17
Status: Offline
93
For those of you who have already watched the movie Chemical Wedding I was wondering if you could fill in the blank on a question for me.
First Bruce and Julie did a wonderful job with the naming of certain characters as well as to a point there place so to speak such as Lia , Mathers, and of course Victor, Unless it's just me i found a sick joy in seeing the character Victor acted like Crowley's little puppy just like the Victor Neuburg in real life.
My question is the character Symons who as a young man was there when Crowley died (in the movie) and then later helped Mathers to defeat Haddo who was his character named from. I noticed that to a point many if not all the main characters names are people in Crowley's life and can't seem to place Symons unless i am missing it somewhere.
Yes thank you Paul, didn't know that Mr. John Symonds knew Dylan Thomas.
FraterProRata
Post subject:Posted: Oct 29, 2008 - 08:12 PM
Joined: Jan 29, 2008
Posts: 12
Status: Offline
Got my copy in the post this morning... played a few seconds just to make sure it played... and laughed outrageously at the song under the 'Hastings 1947' caption
Looking forward to watching it immensly...
FraterProRata
Post subject: Re: Chemical Wedding: DVD Release Posted: Oct 29, 2008 - 08:24 PM
Joined: Jan 29, 2008
Posts: 12
Status: Offline
Is it anywhere in Cornwall..?
lashtal
Post subject: RE: Re: Chemical Wedding: DVD Release Posted: Oct 29, 2008 - 09:09 PM
It was better than I expected. The comical angle worked extremley well and in my opinion somewhat saved it. Callow was brilliant and I am really quite taken aback at how well he played Aleister, he just isnt someone you would consider casting.
The only bone of contention for me was that it played up to the most evil man reputation. I mean sure its a comical and indulgent delight but regardless I would have liked to have seen that notion stunted and somehwhat made a mockery of.
Overall great fun but I still await a serious and accurate work that pays a great homage to our friend Mr Crowley.
Raven
Post subject:Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 02:27 PM
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 3
Status: Offline
Whilst I agree that Simon Callow's performance was outstanding I was a litttle concerned that it does appear to perpetuate the stereotypical public perceptions of Crowley. Whilst it may attract further interest in Crowley from some quarters it will also put others off who may have found, with further investigation, that there was a great deal more depth to Crowley and his Work than generally understood.
Of course this was never meant to be a serious attempt to portray Crowley or his Work but to be honest, at times, it felt as if Barbara Windsor might totter in commenting 'Do What Thou Wilt ....you saucepot!' Carry on Crowley indeed.
Whilst I'm sure the man himself would have loved the film, It needed at least some something to raise questions and some doubt in the public perception of a very complex and misunderstood man.
Draconuit
Post subject:Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 02:55 PM
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Posts: 78
Location: London U.K.
Status: Offline
An enjoyable romp, certainly, with little reference to reality, it seems. Simon Callows performance is
spectacular! His portrayal of self assured vigour, as Crowley, is impressive.
I love the final concept of the way of incarnation of ' Moonchild.'
As to the effect this film will emote, curiosity would seem likely.
Good fun!
_________________ ONE<>ALL
sirius
Post subject: Will there be an American DVD available? Posted: Oct 31, 2008 - 03:09 PM
Joined: May 05, 2006
Posts: 3
Status: Offline
I'm quite curious as to whether there is an edition of this that is an NTSC region 1 format that will play on American DVD players. We publish a thelemically oriented newsletter called 'Another Mirror at the End of the Road' and I'm very interested in doing a review of this movie.
in 1° 
: 
in 15° 
: Anno IVxvi 
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
