Michael Fredianelli's film THE FEAR OF GOD is a nice return to form from the director after the decent (but somewhat unsatisfying vampire flick APOCRYPHA). THE FEAR OF GOD also (while maybe not quite as memorable as Fredianelli's earlier horror/thriller feature THE MINSTREL KILLER) easily stands as one of the director's best films to date.
One aspect that makes the film unique is in the casting of Wild Dogs regular Michael Nosé in a rare lead role. While he may not have shown the greatest acting prowess in previous movies, Nosé works well here and gives a more than adequate performance as Kenny Kitagawa (a struggling Christian and pizza delivery boy). Other memorable performances include that of James Soderborg as a seasoned cop and Michael Hernandez as the films killer antagonist. Aaron Stielstra (while restricted to a cameo) proves his fine acting chops in an extremely memorable role as a homeless man who goes by the alias of "Telly Savalas." Stielstra (as he often does) also provides the film's thrilling music score that easily rivals much of his work in THE MINSTREL KILLER. Furthermore, the film is very well shot and Fredianelli proves that he can be a fine DP in addition to editor, director, etc. Todd Jurgess once again collaborates with Fredianelli as writer and does a decent job (though the films he works on always seem to share very similar elements) on what is perhaps a very unique script. The film however will be best remembered for an amazing climax full of some amazing stunt work that dwarfs even some of the action scenes in bigger budget, Hollywood productions today. All in all, a very good flick that showcases the quality of productions Wild Dogs is capable of. If this movie doesn't wet the appetites for their fantastic looking new production THE SCARLET WORM, I don't know what will.
