Frailty
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Movie Reviews of Frailty
Movie Review: One of the Best films this 21st Century God Willing.
Summary: 5 Stars
On a quite day in 1979, Bill Paxton (Dad) has a vision that changes his life and the life of his sons, forever. As a single parent mechanic living in rural Texas he now has a new mission - his family are really superheros, chosen by God to do his will, go by the name of "God's Hands", and Dad must kill demons with his children, Fenton and Adam... but Fenton does not believe... and we are not so sure either.The theme of Frailty is moral weakness as Fenton, the older of the two children, is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that his father has probably gone insane. Adam, however, trusts everything and when his father uses three magic weapons (given to him by God) to `destroy' the evil, he sees the demons too, but Fenton has no faith and can not see the demons. Also Dad has learned some secrets about Fenton that he hopes to prove wrong. Fenton challenges his father's beliefs, but Dad is having none of that because the mission is to relentlessly destroy demons (who look human) on a list given to them by an angel and to bury the decimated bodies in a rose garden behind their home. It is a destiny that Fenton must recognize before it is too late... but Fenton is frail and he wants to expose his father's sickness to the local town's sheriff.
Frailty is told in flashback style as Matthew McConaughey turns up at the FBI, over 30 years since the killings began, to tell Agent Doyle (Powers Boothe) that he knows who the "God's Hands" serial killer is, but in order for Doyle to understand more he must listen to the story of "Dad" and why he believes that his brother is the "God Hands" killer. Are you a little confused? You will be until the final credits role but by then you will have connected everything and the twists are good and many.
Frailty is a brilliant movie. In fact it has been a long time coming but Bill Paxton not only has his best role to date, but shines as an actor turned director in the same vein as Clint Eastwood or Sean Penn. The story is near perfection and the acting is on flying form. Frailty will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It will mess with your mind and turn your world upside down. Seeing Dad slaughter a woman in front of his children will transmit a shrill up your spine every time. You don't know what is going on and your doubts will be many... but maybe your doubts are correct and like Fenton you have been tricked by Dad...
Frailty requires repeat viewing to absorb the material entirety. You MUST listen and watch absolutely everything that is going on. Pay attention especially to the names of people. It is an extremely detailed film with much more going on inside than what the story presents us with (and it presents us with a lot and gets even deeper in the final minutes). If the film has any flaw it is only in not revealing enough about the latest work of the "God's Hands" serial killer but the motives are there and if you watch the film carefully then you will realize that it is near perfect and any holes in the plot are in fact your own confusions. Repeat viewing is a must if you do not get everything. It is all there though.
The bottom line is that Paxton was essentially an 80s actor of mostly horror and sci-fi movies. Here he takes the same 80s horror themes, along with a great story, some fine casting, solid acting and creates a psychological horror of the kind we have not seen in over a decade. If you are a fan of 80s horror, like intelligent psychological horror or feel that the 21st century has delivered on some really dismal horror movies, then Frailty will restore your faith in the system. I am a fan of this genre and I have not seen a good film like this in a long time. I can safely say that DVD ownership is an absolute must have and I will be watching this one for many years to come... and I am sure you will too....
.... God Willing, of course.
Movie Review: A CHILLING MASTERPIECE OF GOTHIC HORROR...
Summary: 5 Stars
I happened to catch this film on the Sci-Fi Channel on cable last night, and am I ever glad that I did! This has got to be one of the best films that I have ever seen in this genre. It is a veritable masterpiece, delivering a great storyline, an amazing directorial debut by Bill Paxton, and excellent performances by the entire cast. What could be better?
The film revolves around the happy and loving Meeks family, which consists of a Texas widower (Bill Paxton) and his two boys, Fenton and Adam. All is well until late one night, when this pleasant, mild-mannered father claims to have received a visitation from an angel with a very special message for him from God. It seems that demons are among us, disguised as human beings. It appears that Dad, as well as his boys, are being given a very special mission. They are to destroy these demons. God will supply the weapons and the names of those who are to be destroyed. Dad will be able to ensure that he is destroying a demon simply by laying his hands upon the purported demon. Therein lies the tale, and it is a positively chilling one.
This living nightmare is recalled in flashback by one of the now grown boys (Mathew McConaughey) to FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (Powers Boothe), who is investigating a series of killings referred to as the "God's Hand" murders. He recounts what life was like for the Meeks family after dear old Dad got his divine calling and woke them up one night from a sound sleep to tell them of his new found mission. The boys are sworn to secrecy and are called upon to assist with this divine calling. While the younger boy, Adam, gets with the program, the older son, Fenton, is clearly disturbed by what he sees as the psychotic transformation of his formerly benign father. He is only hoping that things will blow over, and Dad will return to normal. Unfortunately, things will never again be the same.
Bill Paxton's directorial debut may best be described as stunningly self-assured. His direction is deft, yet restrained, as he is obviously someone who knows that less is more. He certainly realizes that what passes through the viewer's imagination can often be far more terrifying than any garish special effects. Consequently, this is not a film for those who look for mindless blood splatter and gore, as there is virtually none of that in this film. The camera rightly turns away at the crucial moment, leaving the viewer's imagination to work overtime.
The performances that are exacted from the cast are uniformly terrific, but there are two that merit special note. Bill Paxton is simply astounding, giving a bravura performance that is complex and compelling. The viewer believes all along that he is truly a loving father, even when he is seemingly at his most psychotic and on his divine mission destroying demons. Matt O'Leary also gives a singular performance as young Fenton, the son who has difficulty accepting the tune that his beloved father is now singing. His is an angst filled performance that will tear at the viewer's heart.
This is truly a terrific tale of gothic horror and one that deserves to become a classic. It boasts an intelligent and clever screenplay by Brent Hanley with enough twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing until the very end. It is a screenplay that has many layers of complexity. The question for the viewer is whether or not Dad was simply a delusional psychotic killer or truly acting upon a divine mission. This may not be as easy to answer as one may think.
All in all, this is a superlative film that is worthy of being in one's personal collection. Bravo!
Movie Review: A Disturbing Thriller You Will NEVER Forget.
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes! Finally, it is here on DVD! I could not wait to purchase it!"Frailty" is a dark and terrifying film that surprised me so many times. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, the next scene would prove me wrong. The complexity and creativeness that went into this film is so mind-blowing. It takes risks, and forces us to ask questions that are better left unanswered.
A series of murders has been contaminating a small town. The case is known as the "God's Hand". The movie starts with McConaughey entering the FBI station, claiming that he knows who the "God's Hand" killer is. With this, he tells his story and we witness shocking flashbacks to when he was a kid.
Paxton, who is also the director, stars as a very religious and loving father. His two sons, (remember, this is all McConaughey's story, so this entire part is the flashback) mean all the world to him. Everything seems perfect, until Paxton awakes his sons, telling him that an angel visited him at night, telling him that there were demons lurking around and they took the form of human-beings. He instructs his sons that they must "destroy" them. (Meaning, "killing.") The oldest son thinks his father has lost it, but he has no idea how far things are about to go. I cannot tell you anymore, otherwise it'll ruin the movie for you. Know this, however, you will be shocked, and you will feel disturbed when it is all said and done.
Bill Paxton does an outstanding job as a first time director. This is the type of movie that really requires talent from famous and acclaimed directors, but Paxton proves to us that not only can he act, but he can direct. Every shot in the movie is very well planned and laid out. He also proves exactly what kinds of emotions he wants his actors to show us. That task, I'm sure, is not a very easy one. The acting was really impressive, and must've been quite a chore to accomplish in this type of film. It is the direction and the acting that makes this movie so unique and chilling.
Yes, this film is very disturbing and very violent. Not in graphic detail; there's hardly any blood or gore. It's just the overall idea and the way the "destruction of the demons" are presented to us. Be warned; this is not for people with weak hearts or stomaches.
This movie still shocked and frightened me, even seeing it for the second time. Even though I knew exactly what was going to happen, I still felt very uneasy and disturbed, as if I were just experiencing it for the first time.
Now, on to the DVD. For it being an independent film, it has some pretty neat features, including commentary, a making of feature, theatrical trailer, and more. The picture and sound quality was also very good.
This movie isn't for everybody, especially if you are the really religous type who get offended easily. This movie IS NOT FOR YOU! Don't even attempt it! If you can handle dark and terrifying thrillers, than chances are you will enjoy this film. All in all, "Frailty" is gut-wrenching, dark and twisted thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. And even after it's all over, this movie will still be on your mind.
Want to try something fun? Watch this movie really LATE. Right before bedtime. See if you can get a goodnight's sleep after that.
Movie Review: Chilling Heartland Horror
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is the best horror I have seen so far this year, possibly in the past few years. It is a quiet film that keeps most of its blood and guts (thankfully) off-screen, leaving one's mind to fill in the awful details on its own. Still the terrible deeds and the shocking motivations of our characters are disturbing to one's very soul.The story begins with a man (Matthew McConaughey) coming forward with unbelievable information in a very public case involving a serial killer. While the FBI agent scoffs at first, he lets the man tell his awful story.
We see how his family lived happily together despite the loss of the mother years before. Bill Paxton is a dedicated father caring for his two children who love him in return. One night, he makes a shocking revelation that he has had a vision from God commanding him to hunt down and destroy demons masquerading as people. He tells his sons they are on a great mission and they must accept it without question. It comes out of the blue, and the two boys are confused and frightened. Both love their father, but the older child Fenton cannot reconcile this 'mission' with what he knows of right and wrong.
Bill Paxton brings a strange human quality to his axe-wielding demon hunter. His character is just as tragic as he is terrible; as tortured by his older son's rejection as he is determined to carry out God's work. Paxton's portrayal is very good, bringing out a father's loving kindness as well as a killer's chilling dissociation.
Matthew O'Leary does a great job as the older boy Fenton, who is conflicted by his love for his father, and his desire to protect his younger brother Adam. His helplessnes as Dad commits murder in front of them makes the horror of this picture cut more deeply than flesh-eating zombies or action-hero vampires ever could.
Jeremy Sumpter plays the young Adam, who accepts Dad's behavior with all the power of innocence. He is almost as chilling as the father, constantly begging his brother to accept God's will even as Fenton is imprisoned in a cellar he had to dig himself.
The last player worth mentioning is Powers Boothe as the disbelieving FBI agent. He listens to this amazing story with a mixture of amusement, disbelief and horrified acceptance as the truth is finally revealed, knocking him (and the audience) for a loop.
Frailty is a familiar and uniquely American horror tale; the small-town family that seemed so normal is revealed to have a great darkness within it. This film's crowning achievement is that the evil is actually very well hidden, from both the characters onscreen and the audience. The story hides it's most interesting premise at the end of the film, rather than using it as bait to drive box-office sales.
Before you go see Resident Evil, or Blade 2; before you rent the latest teen-slasher flick studios are shoving down our throats this week, go see this film. You will actually get your money's worth, and may even go see it again.
Movie Review: A Dark and Disturbing Thriller that will Keep You Guessing
Summary: 5 Stars
"Frailty" is a dark and terrifying film that surprised me so many times. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, the next scene would prove me wrong. This is a very complex film with such a creative (and believable) story and realistic characters to form one of the best horror movies in recent years.A series of murders has been contaminating a small town. The case is known as the "God's Hand". The movie starts with McConaughey entering the FBI station, claiming that he knows who the "God's Hand" killer is. With this, he tells his story and we witness shocking flashbacks to when he was a kid.
Paxton, who is also the director, stars as a very religious and loving father. His two sons, (remember, this is all McConaughey's story, so this entire part is the flashback) mean all the world to him. Everything seems perfect, until Paxton wakes his sons, telling him that an angel visited him at night, telling him that there were demons lurking around and they took the form of human-beings. He instructs his sons that they must "destroy" them. (Meaning, "killing.") The oldest son thinks his father has lost it, but he has no idea how far things are about to go. I cannot tell you anymore, otherwise it'll ruin the movie for you. Know this, however, you will be shocked, and you will feel disturbed when you leave that theatre.
Bill Paxton does an outstanding job as a first time director. This is they type of movie that really requires talent from famous and acclaimed directors, but Paxton proves to us that not only can he act, but he can direct. Every shot in the movie is very well planned and laid out. He also proves exactly what kinds of emotions he wants his actors to show us. That task, I'm sure, is not a very easy one.
Yes, this film is very disturbing and very violent. Not in graphic detail; there's hardly any blood or gore. It's just the overall idea and the way the "destruction of the demons" are presented to us. Be warned; this is not for people with weak hearts or stomaches.
I really enjoyed this film, and I believe that it may even become classic. Like I said, the acting and directing is really great in this movie. This movie really did remind me of "The Shining" at times. If you want to see a quality horror film, (not the poor quality slasher films that have been recently released), then see "Frailty." If you want blood and gore and a stupid story line, then maybe you should see "Jason X." I'm sure that the movie is less complex and you won't have to think too much. I loved "Frailty," and I look forward into seeing it again. Be warned; you will leave the theatre with a very disturbed and uneasy feeling inside of you.
P.S. SLEEP