The release was odd, since it was an HBO Original Movie back when HBO didn't really produce it's own material.
I really enjoyed the movie, although it's low budget often shines through. If you like this, I recommend checking out Jim Butcher's
Dresden Files. The books, though, not the TV series.
I also quite enjoyed it's sequel,
Witch Hunt, even if it lost Fred Ward. The magic-as-communism as metaphor works surprisingly well.