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Wednesday 4 September 2019

Lord of Illusions: A Review

3rd September, 2019.


It has to be said, I’ve just had a look at my emails.

And … ?



I’m getting one or two offers of interview coming through.



At a time I suspect I won’t be able to claim help from the job centre: as I’m now working part time … 


Oy!

At any rate … ?

And outside of any parliamentary excitement?

Today’s been a day off.

Which means it’s time for a movie.

I finally made my mind up, and went for … Lord of Illusions.

Hmmm …



~≈†≈~




Written and directed by Clive Barker, Lord of Illusions opens deep in the Mojave Desert: showing us the cult group led by Nix (Daniel von Bargen): as it’s brought down by Swann (Kevin J. O’Connor).

Then moves — thirteen years later — to the New York base of private detective, Harry D’Amour (Scott Bakula).



Who — like private eyes, everywhere — is making just enough cash to support a rickety office …



When he get’s an offer: that means travelling to the City of Angels, working for Swan and his wife, Dorothea (Famke Janssen) … 



Until?



Until Swann, noted illusionist that he is … ?

Is killed on stage.



That’s where the fun starts.

Swann has faked his own death: to protect Dorothea.



From a Nix who isn’t as dead as Swann thought … 

~≈†≈~

Now …

‘Hmmm’ … ?



I have to admit, I’m not sure if I was at all taken with Lord of Illusions.

Not completely.

Granted: Scott Bakula is great as Harry D’Amour.

But I’m not convinced the rest of the cast were a good match for their roles: with the possible exception of former Bond girl, Famke Janssen.

Although, to be frank?   Janssen looked like she had more fun strangling people to death with her thighs.




Oh, the cast do well enough … 



But not so well that I was riveted.

On top of that?



I’m very aware that Barker is a bit of an artistic polymath: writing well spoken of novels, and having at least one other directing credit — Hellraiser — to his name.

Frankly?



Plenty of his stories have been turned into film.



And, frankly?



As good as Bakula is, and as watchable some of the effects are?

I think there’s better Barker films doing the rounds: Midnight Meat Train, for one, Candyman, another.



Actually, I think the original Candyman was fantastic.

Which leaves me wondering …



What on Earth went wrong with Lord of Illusions?



Lord of Illusions isn’t what it could be.
Lord of Illusions
★☆☆☆
at

7 comments:

  1. DEATH COMES TO US ALLWed Sept 04, 11:52:00 am BST

    I wasn't as drawn into this as I was Midnight Meat train or other works of Clive Barker. However, like the cast, nice to see Scott Stewart Bakula (Quantum Leap) star and Xmen star Famke Janssen. 1995 film so we're talking 24 years ago. Steve Golin one of the producers worked on Candyman has been involved with a number of films so this one would have been 8 years maybe into his career. Kevin James O'Connor the other producer worked on a number of Horrors and some good films.
    I watched the (theatrical cut)which is 12 minutes shorter than director cut . This was I bbelieve the 3rd film that was brought to screen from the Book of Blood

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nik NakWed Sept 04, 12:05:00 pm BST

    I’ll bee honest, I think I’m going to have to sit down the Books of Blood: the original short story of Lord of Illusion sounds like it’s a lot better than the film … !

    Oh, there was a film version of Book of Blood: the first story in the collection … 

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nik NakWed Sept 04, 12:10:00 pm BST

    Oh, just as a thought, Anne: did you ever managed to catch Outcast

    Karen Gillan’s got a small part … !

    ReplyDelete
  4. DEATH COMES TO US ALLWed Sept 04, 12:16:00 pm BST

    No have not seen Outcast I will have a look at that when I'm back. I am going to look at other films from the Books of Blood, "Rawhead Rex" (1986)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nik NakWed Sept 04, 04:20:00 pm BST

    This one, you mean, Anne?

    I alway got the impression Barker wasn’t especially pleased with it.

    I get the impression he did Hellrasier — the year after — to make sure it got made as well as it could be

    ReplyDelete
  6. DEATH COMES TO US ALLWed Sept 04, 04:39:00 pm BST

    I think I'm just gonna watch back to back Clive Barker films, my mind is racing I like to cross-reference directors, producers, compare. I annoy myself. I used to have a database years ago GB's on hard drive drives of Movies and writers.
    Do you remember me looking for a History Horror with Mark Gatiss, well while sorting out DVD my ex wants (Doctor Who) back off me lol, I came across a copy of it! yes how entertaining.In a box in my attic

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nik NakWed Sept 04, 06:46:00 pm BST

    Yes, I remember you mentioning it.

    Actually?

    I remember seeing it on BBC 4: first time I’d heard the word giallo: you know, the Italian horror genre?

    I’d not worry about looking in the attic, though.

    I’ve found the first part on YouTube … !

    ReplyDelete

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