Review of Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) by Kendall C — 08 Apr 2015

A very creepy look albeit onsided look into the Church of Scientology that in part was based on a book released on the church around the time of Paul Haggis public exit from the controversial religion.

From what I have heard and gathered regarding Scientology, a lot of the hits and stories have already been covered in previous media ranging from the religion using Tom Cruise as their leading spokesman in the Aughts and having set him up on sanctioned dates following their forced divorce of him and Nicole Kidman, to their control over John Travolta, sketchy investments and looking for various forms of tax breaks, and various other no so favourable stories.

The most interesting thing of the doc for me was looking into the story of Hubbard in the first portion of the film since I was only aware of his writting in a very passive way so it was interesting to see his sketchy war record, and how much of a huckster he became when it came to cross polinating his science fiction writtings and his dianetics and how he was able to sell a croc to so many folks.

Also the fact, in 20/20 hindsight, how much of that they were able to incorporate into PT Andersons the Master which came out a few years ago. Will be a interesting follow up if ever some of the more powerful voices (and not just Haggis) come forward to add to this story.

Erie.