a review of 魔法

2021 CULT MOVIE CHALLENGE WEEK 36: OZPLOITATION WEEK An almost casually weird thriller that doesn't *quite* come together in the end, but is entertaining enough for what it is. It seems pretty clear that the first choice to play the movie's Rasputin-analog was David Bowie, and David Powell (fresh off of playing the title character in 1977's "Jesus of Nazareth") does a good job of playing up the mystery with his character. But it's like the movie couldn't quite connect the dots between his manipulation of the family and the larger shell games being played by the government. The movie also kind of wants to be an Omen/Exorcist style thriller with the subplot about the son's budding telekinetic powers (and possible psychic possession?), but sadly this doesn't really go anywhere. All that said, I kind of enjoyed what this movie was going for even if it didn't really get there.