The Master

EVEN CREEPY JOAQUIN PHOENIX CAN’T SAVE “THE MASTER”

#themaster #joaquinphoenix #janetcharlton

No WONDER Scientology bigwigs didn’t put up a big stink when they saw an early screening of “The Master.” It’s not likely to be much of a threat to the cult because the movie is SO drawn out and boring. Sure, there are a few similarities to L Ron Hubbard and his followers, but not enough to make it interesting. To make matters worse, the actors (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix) REALLY ham it up. As weak as the script is, some of the period 1950’s visuals are incredible. Early scenes featuring sleazy photographer Joaquin in a glamorous mid-century department store are ALMOST worth the price of admission. Perfect down to the tiniest detail. But most of the loooong film is painful to watch and a big disappointment.

By Janet / October 8, 2012

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‘THE MASTER” IS ANOTHER CRUSHING BLOW TO SCIENTOLOGY

#themaster #scientology #janetcharlton

Although the movie “The Master” was heavily played DOWN as a take-off on Scientology before its release, it turns out to be quite a criticism of the cult. A few years back, Hollywood was afraid to even use the WORD Scientology in a joking way. Lawsuits were a huge threat. Jokes on sitcoms were deleted to avoid litigation. But Scientology seems to be spectacularly losing its power in the wake of the Travolta sex scandal and Tom Cruise divorce. Journalists are freely writing critical essays on the subject (Vanity Fair, for instance) and drop-outs from the cult are telling all. Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie “The Master “ is a breakthrough because the main character based on L Ron Hubbard is a 50’s science fiction writer and a con-man, and its excellent reviews indicate that it will be seen by many people. Scientologists are complaining, but no one cares. This movie couldn’t have been made fifteen years ago when Scientology bullied Hollywood and magazine writers and we know this from personal experience. A Hollywood insider told the NY Post: “Scientology membership is now an admission of gullibility.” (Photo: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix star in “The Master.)

By Janet / September 16, 2012

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“SCIENTOLOGY” INSPIRED MOVIE RESURRECTED WITH JOAQUIN PHOENIX

Back in March we told you about Jeremy Renner dropping out of “The Master” – a movie loosely based on L Ron Hubbard and Scientology, to take a job in Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible IV.” Universal dropped the project for mysterious reasons (Scientology pressure?) but now, according to Deadline.com, the Paul Thomas Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”) script has gotten financing and been snapped up by The Weinstein Company and will proceed with Joaquin Phoenix in the Renner role. The original now-untitled script has been extensively rewritten for some reason (Scientology threats?) Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the ambitious self-help “guru” and Phoenix plays his ardent follower. (Ironically, Phoenix was raised by his family in the Children of God religious cult.)

By Janet / May 16, 2011

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Jeremy Renner Mission Impossible Scientology The Master Tom Cruise

TOM CRUISE MADE JEREMY RENNER A BETTER OFFER

Oscar nominated Jeremy Renner was set to star in “The Master” – a script by Paul Thomas Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”) that’s based on the life of L Ron Hubbard and Scientology – using different names. It’s about a quasi-religious organization started in 1952 America and features all the Scientology techniques such as auditing and living in seclusion on a ship – all in all, it is NOT flattering to the organization. Despite the writer’s pedigree, it’s been a rocky road to bring it to the big screen and insiders suspect Scientologists pulled strings to halt production. Ironically or not, Tom Cruise wooed and hired Jeremy Renner to star in his movie now filming, “Mission Impossible IV” (with a promise to take over the franchise) and the shooting days overlapped so Jeremy wasn’t available to do the Scientology movie. Universal dropped the project for puzzling reasons and now it is all but dead. We’re inclined to think the conspiracy theories are true.

By Janet / March 13, 2011

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