Documentary on the "church" of Scientology and its teachings. The first half of this is all about L. Ron Hubbard the founder of Scientology. It goes into detail about his life and beliefs and how he formed and developed the "church". The second half documents how the "church" changed and grew and used mind control and drew people into its beliefs...and wouldn't let them go. It gets into detail about their two star recruits--John Travolta and Tom Cruise. Travolta gets off pretty easy but Cruise comes off as a maniac. It also has interviews with former "church" members and their tales and revelations are nothing short of horrific.

Maddening and scary documentary that shows exactly what is going on with Scientology. People can say this is a pack of lies and dismiss it...but why is this so-called "church" not suing them for libel? Also the director and writer of this are former church members so they know what they're talking about. For many years I remember walking around Boston and I was approached by a handsome young man or a pretty young woman and asked if I wanted to take a "personality test". I always politely said no and went on my way. That was how Scientology used to recruit people. They always approached young men and women, got them to go to their offices (Boston had--and still has--a chapter) and started to indoctrinate them. The most disturbing thing about this is there is extensive footage of Scientology conventions that look and sound like Nazi rallies! Everyone should see this.

A few years ago, the folks making the film "The Master" hinted that it would be an exposé on Scientology. Unfortunately, by the time the film was ready for the theaters, it was a washed out mess that seemed to have nothing to do with Scientology in the least and I have no idea what the actual goal of the film actually was. Rumors were that the filmmakers buckled to the usual litigious reaction from this 'church'. Fortunately, the folks who made "Going Clear" were never so timid. Their documentary is tough, fair and fascinating and doesn't pull its punches.

The documentary is exquisitely crafted and presents its case in the destructiveness of Scientology. While I am sure members of this organization will refuse to watch it and denounce it, the film appears fair and could have made many more accusations (such as a few suspicious deaths never mentioned in the film). It also consisted mostly of disaffected ex-members discussing the organization's shortcomings. Some of these were just your average members but many were also among the highest ranking members. There also are LOTS of these folks, so it's not just one or two angry folks but quite a few people in the know discussing a 'church' which uses many unsavory and illegal tactics. What they are and how destructive the organization is you should see for yourself. My job is just discussing the quality of the film itself. And, in this sense, the documentary is exceptionally well made--professional, well presented and utterly convincing. This is THE exposé to see on this disturbing group and its leaders.

Documentarian Alex Gibney produces a devastating investigative report on Scientology based on Lawrence Wright's book. First he lays out L. Ron Hubbard and his questionable past. It's a recitation of his poor war record, his bad marriage, his sci-fi stories and his propensity for fiction in his own life. The movie puts the creation of the religion down to a tax dodge.

For the most of the movie, I find the religion being described as a money grab, soft cult. There is true ugliness in the world and this seems to be more of a middling evil. The story that Sylvia 'Spanky' Taylor tells about her child is heart-wrenching but most of the first 2/3 of the movie is reminiscent of a pyramid scheme. In fact, I thought the movie over-stepped by implying that John Travolta stayed because of the records they keep on the members. The movie has nothing to back up that claim and implying it is almost as bad as the Travolta gay rumors running on the supermarket rags.

The last 30 minutes is where the true ugliness is recounted. Scientology leader David Miscavige is essentially a paranoid dictator of a vast monetary kingdom. The imprisonment and torture techniques are fascinating. It's rich material to base another movie on. This is an eye-opening look inside some closed doors.