Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Prismark10 If you wanted to know about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism. You might go to a church, temple or mosque and speak to a cleric or preacher and ask for more information. They would probably give you some leaflets and pamphlets. If you were interested in converting they would ask you to attend some talks, visit some classes so you will learn more.With Scientology, it will cost you hard cash. Want to know more? We take Visa and Mastercard.Of course Scientologists are more subtle at first. I first noticed them in adverts in computer magazines for Dianetics, where you unleash the full potential of the brain. They had a picture of Einstein in the ads.First time I saw Scientologists it was in Hollywood Boulevard. They just kind of approach you by handing out leaflets. It is the first step in getting you to do some initial audits and then sucker you into buying their books and courses. They have a big building just up the road.Over the last few years, the organisation has been criticised by ex members, ex sea-org workers who have posted their critique online and on YouTube type video sites. Scientologists so keen to go on the offensive to take down dissenters have problems shutting down people in the internet age.Going Clear was an expose of L Ron Hubbard, the pulp fiction writer who embellished his own status and started a cult and planned to make as much money as he could and keep it.It was also an unveiling of David Miscavige under whose leadership they have amassed billions of dollars in assets and tax exemption status as they are classified as a recognised religion despite the bullying tactics used against the IRS and other government departments.The key revelations are by ex church members some of them who were high up in the church, even involved in high profile smearing of rivals and critics. The dirty tricks brigade of the church is really eye popping. I am surprised the FBI have not branded them as a terrorist organisation.With Paul Haggis, the Oscar winning screenwriter I was aware of his public falling out with the church especially as the Scientologists are anti gay and Haggis had two gay daughters which seemed to be the source of the friction.Their is always the suspicion that these vocal critics have an axe to grind. They are ex members who have fallen out. Some of them lied, bullied and deceived on behalf of the church. One of them publicly denied that the church beat and humiliated people to another documentary crew a few years ago and now admits he lied.The church was given a right to reply but they declined. Membership of Scientologists is apparently falling and dissent is growing and becoming more public.No doubt that this was an interesting and wide ranging documentary, maybe a little too long. I did feel that the focus on Tom Cruise did smack a little like character assassination by using clips to make him look weird. In essence it has the problems of a lot of documentaries where you feel it was slanted to do a hatchet job even though it was deserved in this case.

Philippe Boulas Going Clear, directed by Alex Gibney, is a documentary about Scientology, revealing what is unknown to most of us. Xenu, the dictator of the "Galactic Confederacy" 75 million years ago brought people to Earth, as a prison, stacked them in volcanoes, then killed them with hydrogen bombs. Scientology's scriptures show that thetas (immortal spirits) of these aliens are within us, humans, causing spiritual harm. This is the foundation of Scientology, that most people find it crazy that people would believe in this so called "religion". Throughout this documentary, Alex Gibney uses factual evidence and personal memories from ex-scientologist to discover what makes Scientology so different from any other religion. This documentary starts off with the fundamentals and history of Scientology. It was founded by an American author L Ron Hubbard with the release of Dianetics. This was an explanation to auditing, where a counselor would get rid of your negative emotions associated with a traumatizing experience, by reliving that experience. His main teaching was that Scientology teaches us that we are immortal beings who have forgotten their true selves. Scientology drag you in, with the first test free, but start requesting money for the sessions. The more you do, the more money it will cost you. They use an e-meter, which calculates the level of thetas throughout your body, and the whole point of these sessions are to try and get rid of your thetans. The higher you progress, the more information is given to you about the secrets of Scientology, such as the secrets of Xenu. Sooner or later, people realize what Scientology really does to you. Only a few have, and have been able to escape it but there are many consequences for those actions. There is a disconnection policy, where if you know anyone who is skeptical or doubtful about this religion, you are obligated to disconnect from them. For the ex-scientologist, it has caused their whole family turning their backs on them. Most of the ones who realized what Scientology was really about, and who were able to escape have lost all their family because of this. Scientology manipulates is followers, to drown their bank accounts. They use this type of addiction mixed with consequences, policies and blackmailing to access your money. For members of the Sea Org., a branch of Scientology, they have been manipulated to give up everything they have to be apart of Scientology, and torture them and use physical abuse for their own benefit. When I started to learn about this 'religion', I thought it was a joke but as I started to read more about I realized how legitimate it was. It was only after I watched this documentary that I discovered the truth about Scientology. They didn't just tell us the information and the statistics but showed using ex-scientologist and live footage. It made you connect personally with the documentary and the life-style of people who still believe in such absurdity. Throughout this documentary, Alex Gibney exposed the truth of Scientology and the schemes that they have been pulling on everyone. It is a fantastic documentary that does not just regurgitate the information given to them, but puts it in context to connect empathically with the viewer. It also reveals the true essence of Scientology and how they came about to be so successful. No matter what you believe in, I strongly suggest this documentary. Alex Gibney has managed to direct a documentary that is not only factual, but connects with the viewer on a deeper level. The use of emotional connections and interviews with ex-scientologist really helped demonstrate the casualties that this organization is creating, on an emotional or physical level. I would rate this 10/10 without a single doubt. This is one of the most interesting and thought provoking documentary you will ever see.

Tail_End_Charlie "Going Clear" manages to reveal disturbing things about Scientology and gives a glimpse of the snake oil salesman persona of Hubbard. When I watched it, a part of me wondered "how could people be so gullible or in need of fellowship that they would succumb to this regimented, oppressive program of mind control?" But, who am I to stand in judgment? Many sincere, interesting people seek freedom when they enter. Soon enough, they find they're required to climb a convoluted road towards enlightenment. In the meanwhile, they have to pay through the nose for the myriad of coursework.The film shows that even the power-players faced harsh consequences for what was deemed as disobedience. The footage of the large upscale Scientology galas reveal a cult-like fervor. It becomes clear that if you're a big celebrity willing to share your experience, the organization exploits you like there's no tomorrow. I had read several books on the subject prior to seeing the movie. I recommend Lawrence Wright's book. Another one which is extremely well-researched is by Janet Reitman. The film contains a few moments (visuals and music) which bordered on gimmicky eerie entertainment value. Seeing as this is a documentary, it just wasn't necessary. Several of the interviewees came across as self-consumed and less convincing. If the filmmakers would have interviewed a few current members, it would have provided more balance.

Volvican I finished this movie with more disappointment than revelation. Maybe it's because I live in the UK - where several other programmes about Scientology have aired throughout the years. But this film didn't really tell me anything new. Some of the Hubbard stuff at the beginning was interesting, (struck me as a sociopath) but it never really seemed to get to the nub of the issue. And at the end of the day, despite perhaps the intentions of it's leader, Scientology sure does seem to behave like most other religions in the world. I mean the Catholic church introduced confession as means of collecting more money. What in the world is different between that and Scientology fleecing it's participants for audits and larger levels? Yes, it does have that niggling problem with what exactly it's about - but if your stated goal is making individuals better, one at a time, through what is basically a psychoanalyses process, that must suffice. And that's the part that no one seems to point out - that essentially this is a religion at this point. A deeply screwed up, hypocritical, often abusive, religion - just like the rest of them. The other bit that was missing is asking the various interviewees just what it was that they either WERE getting or thought they were getting out of it. Because these people were in it for decades - they obvious did think they were getting something out of it. AND - a truly unbiased mind would have to ask if perhaps they actually DID get something out of it. Despite some pretty horrific stories of manipulation and abuse at the Gold Camp, these people are not crying wrecks of humanity. Quite the opposite - they seem like quite centered and clear individuals. Rathbun actually left and set up an independent auditing service (which is why the church hounded him so harshly and for so long) and yet the film actually left that bit out. Rathbun still believes in the efficacy of the auditing process. So it wasn't unbiased enough for me and nor did it delve deeply enough into the motivations of people involved. I would have liked to see a section on what we know of brain-washing and how it compares to the auditing and general Scientology processes. I would have liked to have seen more background on Miscavige - another raving sociopathic loon. Perhaps it's too difficult to get this information still - but at this point it feels necessary in understanding what's going on with this organisation.