Where do fading actors go; not with a cry...

I remember character actor, Brad Dourif from his early days, notably the sci-fi big budget film, DUNE. Brad D. was always one of those top of the B list actors, accumulating an impressive resume of main supporting roles over the decades. But like anyone else on this planet, he had to put up with growing old. So his prime time is over. But like many B actors of his generation, that's not always a signal that it's over. Thanks to the low-budget film, independant films, and direct-to-dvd movie industry, actors like Brad D. can continue to earn a modicrum of a living long after their prime acting years are over along with their careers. It used to be something of a stigma to see a once prime actor starring in low-budget and/or direct-to-video movies. Remember the once-Hollywood-minority-sex-symbol, Erik Estrada from the late 70s, CHIPS? Estrada broke the race and ethnic barrier in Hollywood for becoming the Hispanic male version of his contemporary, Farrah Fawcett, as a sex symbol, but for the young ladies, of course. But after CHIPS, Estrada's career almost instantly faded into the world of the low-budget action flick and then direct-to-video VHS movies. Estrada became something of a billboard symbol for what happens to heretofore famous Hollywood actors who peak rapidly then decline just as quickly. Well, Brad D. was never a male sex symbol but stayed in his comfortable character niche as a quirky, oft eccentric, quasi or pseudo nerd dweeb who was much stronger than the outward image he depicted.

At least I liked the sci fi concept of FADING OF THE CRIES.

SPOILERS ***** SPOILERS

You don't really learn of it till late in the movie. Supporting main character, Jacob, who gives the impression of being perhaps an incarnation of a heavenly archangel, say, Gabriel, sent to earth to protect a human female, isn't an angel. Nor is he a superhuman or a human endowed mystically with superhuman powers. The original human Jacob died, murdered by Mathias. But a 'protection spell' survived Jacob, and manifested its power as a earthly image of Jacob, replete with superhuman agility, reflexes, and unearthly skill with a sword. That was something new I'd never seen before. Perhaps the same concept can be recycled in future similar movies.