PodBill Just what I expected

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Leofwine_draca LORD OF ILLUSIONS is the third film directed by Clive Barker based on his own writing. I'm a fan of HELLRAISER so I was hoping for something of the same power and I got it: this is surprisingly similar to the writer's 1980s breakout and I'm saddened that it didn't do so well on release. It has all of the elements to make a good pulp horror story, from Scott Bakula's weary, private detective lead, to the sinister subject matter of black magic and real-world supernatural powers. Things kick off with an outstanding back story set-piece inside a crazy pastor's cult complex, before moving into mystery story territory. The likes of Bakula, Kevin J. O'Connor and Famke Janssen all deliver effective turns, but it's Barker who is the real star here. The film is filled with gruesome special effects work and ideas and there's a great deal of bodily horror, destruction, and dismemberment in the HELLRAISER style. CGI is used sparingly and, although dated, not too distracting. LORD OF ILLUSIONS is something of an underrated effort, icky and outrageous enough to work as a horror film, and with a chilly, chilling atmosphere from beginning to end.

Michael_Elliott Lord of Illusions (1995)** 1/2 (out of 4) A dark illusionist named Nix (Daniel von Bargen) is leading a cult of people but his "understudy" Swann (Kevin J. O'Connor) kills him and puts an end to his evil deeds. Or so he thinks. Flash-forward thirteen years and private detective Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula) travels from New York to L.A. and soon finds himself caught up with Swann's wife (Famke Janssen) and trying to determine what's going on with this magic cult including Nix coming back from the dead.Clive Barker's LORD OF ILLUSIONS is a film that I really enjoyed on many levels but I think there was one major problem with it that I will get to in a bit. As far as the film goes, it's currently available in two versions. There's the original theatrical cut as well as the Director's Cut, which is what I watched since Barker has made it very clear that he prefers that the version people should judge the film on.What I enjoyed most about the picture was the film noir elements. Barker apparently really loved this D'Amour character and it's easy to see. This film is basically a mystery/detective film with horror elements thrown into it. I really thought the detective angle worked quite well and the story was good enough to hold your attention throughout most of the picture. I'd argue that the performances were also quite good with Bakula doing fine in the lead role. Von Bargen is exceptionally good as the villain and Janssen was great in the lead female role.The film offers up some good visual effects, great cinematography and pretty much on a technical level the film is very impressive. As I said, I really enjoyed the film as I watched it but at the same time I thought the 121-minute running time was a bit too long. After a while you start to wish the ending would come to get everything over with. I think the film loses its focus somewhat during the final third of the picture, although there's no question that the special effects get bumped up during the finale.

trashgang Finally it's out there the full uncut or director's cut of Clive Barker's Lord Of Illusion. I remember have seen the theatrical cut years ago but now that it finally has it's Blu Ray release (so far only US region) I picked it up again to see the 121 minute version, the longest release, it even includes 3 minutes of deleted scene's so this release shows it all.Of course made in an era where horror was not done and horror was almost death this flick was overlooked and hated by a lot of geeks out there but have seen it in full glory I liked it somehow. You can easily spot that it was made by Barker just see the way men were dressed on stage, clearly a gay dressing. But what people made to turn their face away was the use of CGI. Back then when horror was outdated the effects used were laughable. And they still are if you look to this flick but luckily their are also on-camera tricks and effects. It never bored me and I did like the performances. Naturally, Nix (Daniel von Bargen) will remind you somehow to pinhead from the Hellraiser saga. The way he spoke and stands will ring a bell but hey, it's Clive Barker what do you expect?For the Kleenex boys there's also something to catch here and there but Famke Janssen who became famous shortly after as Jean Grey in the X-men franchise do go naked here and for so far i know it's her only flick you can spot her walking bear breasted. Worth picking up if you are a Clive Barker geek only watch out that the Blu Ray is coded to Region A as they did with Nightbreed (1990) which makes it even more collectible.Gore 1/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

SnoopyStyle In the Mojave Desert, practitioner of the dark arts Nix (Daniel von Bargen) leads a cult and has kidnapped a girl named Dorothea. His apprentice Swann (Kevin J. O'Connor) leads former cult members to rescue the girl. Nix can't be killed but Swann binds him and buries him. Thirteen years later, Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula) is a NY private eye specializing in the occult. He travels to L.A. on a case where he stumbles onto Swann, and his now wife Dorothea (Famke Janssen) as followers of Nix try to find the burial site and free Nix.This is a fine Clive Barker story. It has a compelling plot. Scott Bakula is good as the lead. The major drawback is the weak special effects and some weak directing from Barker. The CGI is pretty bad and some get really cheesy. The Nix apparition looks horrible. The final battle has some good parts and some bad parts. The makeup is mostly good. I like the henchman character Butterfield but I wish that he be played by the same actor in both time frame. I don't understand why there are two actors playing that character.