Rape of the Soul (2006) User Reviews

This must be a joke

[NoWireHangers · 1/10 · 20 March 2013]

I rarely write reviews on IMDb but seeing this movie had so many 10 star reviews I had to give my opinion:

This film starts out with a story about how Michael A Calace ("writer, director, actor, inventor") was refused permission to shoot a movie in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Convinced he was the victim of some evil conspiracy, he starts to investigate the Archdiocese's website and finds examples of what he believes to be hidden pornographic and satanic messages in its artwork. As he continues his "investigation" he realizes this is a worldwide phenomenon and the viewer is treated to over two hours of examples. A few of these (including some renaissance artworks) may really have hidden messages in them, but most of them are just plain nonsense, about as credible as TBN's exposé of backwards messages in rock music. Calace even claims that a renaissance era painting depicts Vladimir Putin and his wife and that this proves the painter had some evil, supernatural guidance. After all of this nonsense, he calls these alleged messages with "rape of the soul" and compares them to actual rape, which is a slap in the face of actual rape victims.

"Rape of the Soul" offers some insight into the deluded religious mind of its director, and a few laughs, but nothing else, and is certainly not worth spending 140 minutes of your life on, let alone money to pay for it. I'm seriously wondering if this movie may be a hoax, a mockumentary parody of religious scare films.

A complete joke

[Namfoodle · 1/10 · 28 April 2014]

I just noticed that each of the reviewers of this film (mostly 10/10 stars, one 9/10 stars) have joined IMDb at 2007, and have not rated any other films than this one. The only reviewer who has rated other films than this is the guy who gave it 1/10 stars... From the user comments you can hear that the director's "company also spent thousands of dollars buying out most of the seats to the weekend prime time shows so the movie appeared to make money." I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote all of these reviews himself.

The film itself is interesting look into the paranoia and craziness of Michael A. Calace, nothing more. It's way too long to be interesting just for this case and visually it's very boring. It starts to repeat itself till the end after about 20 minutes, when it gets into the completely bonkers analysis of Christian paintings where Calace finds phallic symbols and demons and what ever from every single detail with not a single plausible evidence for anything that he says. Some of the stuff the experts say might be plausible, but I didn't really care that far.

This film ROCKS ...the entire Toronto archdiocese to big shake-up

[jpresse187 · 10/10 · 22 March 2007]

While vacationing, I came across "Rape of the Soul" yet again, and it is astonishing. Being from Toronto, the film begins in my hometown, and the movie just recently caused a big shakeup at my Archdiocese of Toronto, as the Cardinal had to just resign, his Monsignor was defrocked, and the woman Suzanne Scorsone who triggered the director Calace to investigate her and the archdiocese in the first place, was dismissed from multiple jobs, especially as Communications Director. She was always in the news.

All of these people are named in the movie among many others, which is great as there is no guessing as to who the players are and what happened. It's all explained, as it's an important part of the film.

I emailed the Silver Sword International movie production company, and have yet to hear back, but I am sure they know the impact that their film has done.

The movie is very clearly defined and also shows art from the States and Europe - incredible works that I had originally thought were perfect – NOT! They're filled with embedded horror.

Also, their is contemporary art that is put in the churches in Canada and in the US. The covers of the books show many images of sex and Satanism. I can't believe that the Vatican has done nothing to stop this.

It's impossible to deny the visual proof

[shari9001 · 10/10 · 22 March 2007]

I recently read that the "Rape of the Soul" transcript was acquired by the Academy's library for its permanent collection. Disbelieving, I searched it on Oscars.org and there it is. That's more than enough for me, and after seeing it, I can see why. It is professionally made, and it's not just someone taking a position, but there is visual proof that simply can't be denied.

As a secular Jew originally from the US, the educational factor of the film is priceless. – And I don't think that it can be considered Catholic bashing at all.

It's an art film, and you can't help but be astonished. Proof that we are always learning, no matter how old we are or where we are.

Dr. Judith Reisman is particularly excellent, and the almost too calm and cool Michael A. Calace is superbly convincing. They recognize that they have a factual story with clear visual evidence and then it is presented and proved over and over again. To discuss such hellishness and sex with aplomb is a testament to honesty.

Society has been penetrated by deception in everything, even historical and contemporary art.

A true stunner of a movie

[AFtextrav30 · 10/10 · 24 March 2007]

I saw this film with a large group and the critical message of "Rape of the Soul" is bad news, REAL bad news. The fact that the film is absolutely amazing leaves me with an impression that I have never felt in watching a movie before. "Amazing bad news." Is there such a thing??? The experts in this film are the most credible witnesses that you'll ever see in a documentary or on a witness stand for that matter, and they all come from totally different backgrounds, but they stay in their specific fields, and still all agree with each others conclusions, which is a rarity indeed. This is a testimony of excellent producing, as everything is covered.

The director Michael A. Calace is also in the film as the embed art expert, and he shows these many images floating out and moving across the screen right off the paintings. He is the main person that explains the uncovering of the embed imagery areas. You can tell that he has many years of experience in this realm of locating them, as he explains techniques that I have never heard of before, and uses the visuals to back it up.

Robert swan lays in the narration both on and off screen as great as a bass guitar lays in the heart of a song. After all, he is a bass opera star and actor.

I read Dr. Wilson Bryan Key's books before, and he now looks about to be in his 80's, and is quite magnetic and cerebral at the same time. So is Judith Reisman, who backs up Calace and Key as well as the others, as she explains what this material does to you and what are its causes.

"Rape of the Soul" is a very engrossing film and a big time keeper.

Proof right in plain sight. Tremendous film

[gmgav86 · 10/10 · 1 April 2007]

Rape of the Soul was well worth my time, but it's not for kids though. I can see why this film has caused so much controversy. Yet most negatives have never seen the film, but still discuss it, and never mention the pictures, which are 100% proof positive. I've always waited until I could see the film for myself, as a judge in a professional sense it is imperative.

Undoubtedly, the director must be a hated man by the perpetrators, but you can't fault him, as he ran into some horrible scandals that only he knew, and he actually did something about it, while cover-ups tried to stop him.

What I found most amazing besides the imagery, which is clearly evident, (but you can't absorb it consciously unless it is pointed out to you), is that Michael A. Calace was an expert at the very subject matter that he discovered in the scandals, but was never looking for it in the first place. He backed into all of this while developing another movie called "Intimate Fear." Next to my bench, expert witnesses are always featured, but to have just happen upon a situation is simply a matter of fate. The other experts, such as Dr. Wilson Bryan Key and Dr. Judith Reisman, Dr. Monteith and Dr. Oster shine as well. Highly credible experts all.

Many famous artists are in the film as well as new artists who have been exposed, yielded impressive results. Calace and his fellow experts know their business.

I have just truly realized one of my worst fears

[rakerque · 10/10 · 24 March 2007]

Now I've seen everything. I was very skeptical at first, because I didn't want to think that such nastiness could be in my Church, especially with such a title as engaging as "Rape of the Soul." The imagery is impossible to make up, as hard as I have tried to nitpick. I first saw this in my local Regal theater, and then while on vacation recently viewed it again, and there was more to see each time. The first time is kind of a shocker, especially being religious. There were gasps in the audience, and I swear people were emotional.

I admit that I was afraid that I might see something that would make me look at art, or worse yet, my Church in a different way, especially through famous religious art, and I waited to see it for a while, hoping my curiosity would go away, but it wouldn't.

Everything from phallic symbols to the word sex to 666 and demon faces are clearly appearing in loads of art, some of it very famous. Even famous artists showing demonism and sexual scenes right in the most famous paintings. It's tough to swallow for me as a Catholic, but it's the truth, and what more can you ask for, then good no nonsense honest truth? That's what documentaries are supposed to be anyway. Gulp.

A mesmerising educational experience in vivid detail

[Reg682 · 10/10 · 21 March 2007]

RAPE OF THE SOUL is quite stunning with amazingly detailed pictures as this chap Michael A. Calace extracts the embedded imagery right out of the artworks before you can see it yourself with your conscious mind. I heard of this subject briefly over the years in psychology, but now seeing is believing.

This is a film lover's dream. I wish I saw it in a theatre, but to view it in HD at home is just splendid. Any time you can take rarely discussed or never before seen subject matter and then educate people through visual arts, is true fascination.

The experts in this film are the most credible witnesses that you'll ever see in a documentary, and they all come from completely different backgrounds, ages and preferences, yet they stay in their specific fields, and still all agree with each other, which is a rarity indeed.

It's quite refreshing to see something original in film these days, but even more so when it is a documentary. Bravo to all of those who had the temerity to make this important film a reality.

Quite an incredible display with intelligent commentary!

[cjcj48 · 10/10 · 22 March 2007]

-More bad news? I can't take it anymore. I don't care if it's true, I just don't want to believe it. But then I came across a detailed interview by a Catholic blogger called Athanasius, and it convinced me to see "Rape of the Soul." It is the best of the lot.

-Every time I pause the DVD, I see even more embed material in living colour! Nobody has anything to say when it's over. I have shown it to many, and they just sit there in shock. I've never seen a film like this before.

-It is truly great to be informed, and as a mother of two, I immediately went through everything in my house and what I could see as embeds when into the rubbish. You actually learn to spot them as the experts educate you as the film moves along and you can find your own way with the images.

-Michael A. Calace is quite believable and explains things as if he is both a teacher and a prosecuting barrister. He is splendid. Robert Swan the narrator is serious and professional. Dr. Judith Reisman was also top notch with her pornography expertise, and Dr. Key is unbeatable.

-I dare say it was refreshing to hear the truth, but I would not have believed it as much if the images were not clearly visible at the same time. They are indeed, and as the filmmakers say in their advertisements, I will never look at art the same way again.

The honest truth has finally been told and shown

[sallydd · 9/10 · 9 April 2007]

I had to see this film as it never left my mind after it premiered, even though I wanted to think it was ridiculous. It stayed in my Boston theater for 7 weeks, and each passing week I was sure it would be gone, which would give me the excuse to say I missed it.

I would have to lie to stick with my original impression before seeing it, as I had previously blogged that it was bogus without seeing it first. That was a foolish mistake.

It's emotional to watch painting after painting clearly implicating cardinals, bishops, priests and brothers of my Church, and there are loads of documents as well.

The worst for me is that I have (had) a huge pieces of one of these "famous" artworks in my house and it is shown clearly in the film that it contains shocking sexual embedded imagery. God help me! How did I miss this? Now my "artwork" is in the garbage! I guess it is somewhat of a comfort that even the techniques of these embeds are explained, especially on this piece of art and how the eyes and brain work and how the sick artists funded by the Church embed the blasphemous and sexual images.

Both the director Michael A. Calace and Dr. Wilson Bryan Key show graphically how the eye strikes art at certain predetermined places on the works of these horror artists, yet misses the places where the embedded image is located.

I thought fantastic information was supposed to make one feel good all around. At least I know the honest truth.

Splendid effort in a great film - Very brave indeed

[mwred321 · 10/10 · 19 July 2007]

I am ecstatic that someone finally had the nerve to expose the ever present world of embedded imagery in art. Michael A. Calace is a pure force as he delivers a stunning portrayal of both very famous centuries old art. Even contemporary, soon-to-be-well-known for their unconscious images, artworks are quite shocking indeed, maybe even more so.

We sat frozen in our seats, completely engrossed as the images inside the paintings came moving out of them and across the screen. This, along with excellent analysis was one fine tuned and educational lecture. The other experts, Dr. Judith Reisman and Dr. Wilson Key definitely know their material.

Undeniably one of the best films I have ever seen.

A great and most innovative movie!

[Pbest86 · 10/10 · 9 April 2007]

Rape of the Soul is a great film, as it brings together images that people only see unconsciously, yet is clearly defines the effects that these have on people.

Michael A. Calace is a tremendous art expert and I could never dispute his claims as he speaks so cool and eloquently and clearly shows the pictures to prove his points.

Anyone who attacks this man is obviously very upset about what he uncovered, and the fact that this film was excellent. I literally never moved from beginning to end from watching, it was that engrossing.

Narrator Robert Swan also appears on camera as they return to him from time to time to give the audience a slight break from the imagery, which is both plentiful and credible, and so very obvious after it is shown.

What makes the film so super is that you cannot see the embed images until they are identified for you, and although some of it is shocking, even though I am not religious, it is very, very amazing.

Also, the other experts are indisputable.

Surely, this film will be an educational tool for many, many years to come, as you'll surely have never seen a movie like this before. A wonderful job of film-making.

Gutsy performances in a really great flick!

[daktwb · 10/10 · 5 June 2007]

In seeing Rape of the Soul what I can say is wow, this is a tremendous film. Filmmaker Michael A. Calace kept me focused, while I tried to catch so many embedded items myself in the art. Afterward, I started talking to the other viewers. It was like I had to check with strangers to talk about the amazing images we just saw.

This is great film-making, the story is expertly told and all of the experts are really believable. Of course seeing the pictures with these embeds popping out right off the pictures is a big plus.

As the film kept going deeper, I was actually looking for the imagery ahead of time, and sometimes found one or two, which was really a lot of fun. I can't even remember seeing another movie where I never felt like I had time to leave and take a break.

I'm not religious, but a lot of this art is from some pretty sacred artists and other church people of today. This must be very shocking for churchgoers to see. I mean, this movie proves so much that it has to change one's perception about many issues.

Fabulous movie all in all, as it is always wonderful to learn something new.

Very interesting movie, as I'm always learning something new

[hmuller-2 · 9/10 · 23 July 2007]

I saw Rape of the Soul in a lecture presentation and it is an extremely engaging film. Never did I think that it was possible for very famous art, especially religious art to hide embedded material. Sex, demons, evil symbols and all of this. It is very clearly shown and nicely explained by the experts.

Michael A. Calace, Wilson Key, Stanley Monteith, Judith Reisman, Mark Oster all super lecturers. They all know their material, and as a student, it is always a check-up time to find out who your professors are. These five are top-notch.

The other amazing thing is that the new art of today also has embeds and just to know that these artists are still out there is cool, as they must be nervous that they will be caught too!

Bravo, spectacular originality and professional performances

[carlaflo · 10/10 · 19 July 2007]

I was anxious to finally see Rape of the Soul. And it is certainly is everything that I anticipated: Scandals, sex, horror, fear, the Church and more, all coming from an art perspective.

It well lived up to the promises and my expectations and then some....

The images are top-notch, and as the movie went along, I could certainly get a bit better at locating the embeds and Michael A. Calace's direction shows a superb timing whereby he gives the audience a chance before he identifies them. This is actually a bonus, and fun.

And all of this in just one movie. One couldn't pay for an entire years worth of expert lectures on such an engaging subject.

Dr. Monteith and Dr. Reisman are also terrific, as everybody seamlessly integrates with each other. A super film!

Awesome motion picture, or should I say pictures, as there are many!

[weisman567 · 10/10 · 23 July 2007]

Great stuff! Everything about this film is an achievement as the word "embed" has even been officially defined. You can tell that this is real testimony, as everyone from Michael A. Calace to Dr. Judith Reisman are the most confident of experts, as they are simply too good to argue with, specially with so many embedded images of art coming across the screen. This makes for a seamlessly directed film by Calace.

Incredibly, I actually remember seeing some of these contemporary pictures in books at churches. It's amazing that they contain embedded images, and that is truly sickening, especially when everything is analyzed in such a professional manner.

This is what makes learning worth the struggle. At least you get to enjoy the learning experience, despite the fact that it is humbling. Rape of the Soul is all of this and more.

Excellent movie! Love those motion graphics!

[Diz9009 · 10/10 · 25 July 2007]

I kept watching the amazing graphic detail in the artworks featured in Rape of the Soul over and over again, as I sat there in shock and awe. It is a marvelous piece of film-making. The experts are very convincing, especially Michael A. Calace, who directed the picture. He moves in artwork after artwork, including very well-known religious paintings, while brilliantly telling such an original story. Then the way the embedded items pop off of the painting before you can find it yourself, or should I say, because you cannot find it yourself in a conscious state, is amazing. Never saw a film like this one before, and I have seen it several times now.

Great to know that there are still fearless people out there

[Rwnudel33 · 10/10 · 26 July 2007]

I was attracted to Rape of the Soul both from the religious art standpoint and also from the press that the film and director Michael A. Calace have been getting. I had to see it for myself. I am convinced in both areas that not only is this a great film, as Calace so accurately shows that he has effectively exposed so many artists in the film, and the churchmen/women who have either hired or protected both the new and old the artists in planting embedded images.

The other experts such as Dr. Reisman and Dr. Key and Dr. Monteith are all very good as well and they back Calace up including with the pictures.

This is a movie not to be missed. It is a one of a kind film and backstory, that is both entertaining and instructional.