Fate

Being a fatalist at heart, I picked up this film at the local videostore to find one of the most boring movies to hit their shelves. I couldn't keep my attention to this almost at all. It reminds me of something on TV (just more drawn out). The director was trying to lead you along a police-investigation tale (with a solid premise and story, mind you), but I can't help but shudder at the fact that these movies are being released like this!

The sound and music were thrown-together clichés and the story added all of the religious BS from every other murder mystery of our time. Se7en makers should be thankful that David Fincher was working with them and not this guy, because that film was along the same lines as this one, in a way. I'm surprised that filmmakers still try to make cop-dramas like this. At least they should throw some abnormal camera-work or effects in there to spice it up a little. This just seems to exist instead of grabbing you from its videostore shelf, like I said.

A gave it a 2/10 for seeing Philip Michael Thomas again since his album and Miami Vice days, but otherwise, don't waste $3 on this at the videostore. You'll be disappointed if you're trying to find entertainment.

Actors Pare and Phillips portrayed police detectives with an authentic feel.

There were no cop movie clichés to tire you out like so many of the police films you see. I picture this is how an actual police department and it's homicide investigations are conducted...with professionalism and seriousness. I enjoyed this consistent feel the director kept throughout the film. The casting was very good and effective at keeping this feel of realism. I hope to see Pare and Phillips together in another film!

Lee Majors is a popular actor and it was fun seeing him in the rare antagonist role. I would like to see Majors in more films. As well as Pare and Phillips. At one time or another I have wondered what happened to each of these larger than life actors?

Armed with no particular viewing agenda when I arrived at the video store the other night, I decided to rent this handsome thriller of a film. The result was one of those happy accidents where you inadvertently discover a film that turns out to be quite enjoyable, and you think, "Man, I'm glad I got to see this." It's certainly worth the watch.

The story was compelling and I really did not expect the surprise ending. I've seen plenty of bad b-movies whose plots (if you want to call them that) are flat and boring, where you know exactly how things are going to turn out in the first five minutes. "Fate" kept me interested until the end with its compelling premise and storytelling.

The film also looked great...in a league similar to some of the Hollywood studios' more moderate budget action fare. And, the make up effects were cool, too.

The acting also held up as well. I pretty much expected Phillip Michael Thomas to be washed up, but he surprised me with his subtle and smoldering performance. And while he wasn't part of the main name cast, there was something about director Ace Cruz's performance that made his detective colleague character enjoyable to watch.

What else can I say? I think it's worth checking out, and I look forward to more from Ace Cruz and the gang.

Fate first appears as cop/thriller rip of Seven or Silence of the Lambs, but offers a little more than you'd think. While the characters are a bit stereotyped, Lee Majors and the rest really do the best with what they were given. The extremely low budget for this film is easily overlooked by Ace Cruz's ability to make a visually pleasing film. Many films today are over-budgeted and given to Hollywood hacks that throw money at big name actors and special effects and end up being no better than this film. (eg: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, American Treasure, or Daredevil.) Fate had several unexpected twists and offers a fresh look into the psyche of a serial killer. Rent it at Blockbuster and be sure to watch the making-of.

I was unfortunate enough to work on a film with same the guys that made Fate. The guy that wrote it, (Ash Smith) also wrote/directed Paranoid, one of the other terrible movies from this production company. I read the script and tried to give him some constructive criticism which he would have no part of. I worked for free as a P.A. and they made me feel like they were doing me a favor. It was good experience but what I really learned was how not to make a movie. If you have a chance, rent or buy "Paranoid", made by the same production company, and instead if watching it, beat yourself over the head with it. It will be less painful. Also, I can almost guarantee that any positive comments made about this film or "Paranoid" came from the people that made it.