Los secretos de Hillsong

Who needs to be told that a hipster in a leather jacket, who posts shirtless photos of himself and cries on cue, leading a megachurch that has services which look like pop concerts isn't actually a real spiritual leader?

I feel insulted that this documentary even exists, I guess this is made for people who are genuinely surprised that Donald Trump is a narcissist and a liar.

Next I'm looking forward to Secrets of Wal-Mart and Secrets of the Ku Klux Klan.

Fifteen minutes into this documentary I'm just laughing at these people and thinking no wonder most of the people in the crowd are teenagers.

As with nearly every documentary that lifts the lid on these "charismatic" movements there is a dirty underbelly. Since Henry VIII created his own form of christianity to suit his own ends so many humans have followed suit. The subject matter of this movement follows the same pattern - somebody saw the chance to "create" a faith that suits a mindset that will bring rewards. The rewards are power, control, adulation and money. The "leaders" of these "faiths" are definitely never short of material possessions and a comfortable lifestyle and they run it like a business because that's exactly what it is. Sometimes I wish there was such a place as a fiery Hell, an often used tool of fear by them, because that is where so many of them would be going and their fake tears wouldn't quench the flames.

I am pretty omnivorous when it comes to film. I like everything from silent movies to new releases. I am fine with foreign language films. But there's one thing that I love most of all - a well crafted documentary. The Secrets of Hillsong is a great example.

It's grounded in facts and interviews. Yet, somehow, the production team managed to keep me on the edge of my seat.

I am not going to reveal any spoilers, but several times, after a major revelation, I'd think, ok, this is obviously the end of this episode- and it never was.

Many of the interviews must have been painful. I applaud those brave souls for finding the inner strength to do them.

If you love great documentaries I suggest that you see this. To me it offers a master class in how to tell a story that is both factual and gripping.

I listened to the other one megachurched exposed vy Discovery+ and this one is less deep into emotional drama and Vanity Fair has it to add the Razzle Dazzle in their Docu series. I loved it way much better, even that I literally created a account on IMBD just to let everyone (like me) who still reads these comments to say its worth the watch of you like good docu series. I hope they make other ones like this. Not that the discovery+ one is not legitimate, it is! It just had a different direction or path from one another. You should watch it if you're still wondering if you should watch it or not.

As an ex-evangelical and graduate of the infamous Liberty University, I am always intrigued by these kinds of stories. Hillsong was a big part of the worship music culture I grew up in, and so it was quite surprising for me to see the scandals that have just come to light.

This doc, compared to the HBO doc, goes much more in depth to the story, and it actually has Carl featured as an interviewee. Had no idea about the monstrous crimes of Frank Houston, pastor father of the founder of Hillsong. Just goes again to show you that all institutions, religious or otherwise, will almost inevitably result in abuse of power.

The doc is a pretty tight 4 episodes, I don't think it was overlong like others said. Maybe it could have been 3 episodes and shaved down the rhetoric from some of the speakers. Although it's all truthful and insightful, and there's always some person who hasn't yet grasped why they find themselves disappointed with people and institutions they so love and trust.