Frailty
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Movie Reviews of Frailty
Movie Review: Leisurely paced thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
The idea of a laconic rural based film against a taut psychological thriller is interesting. The pace is nicely set up throughout the film with a cast of characters that are accessable people with a terrible, brutal twist.The ending was a surprise but unlike many films that resort to such endings it wasn't to make the film tie up loose ends, rather in Frailty's ending not only are the lose ends tied up but your perceptions are turned on end. Very few films can do this and I'm hesitant to say which because they may spoil this film.
Even if there wasn't a unique twist the story is rendered well. The boys playing the brothers are excellent at portraying realistic emotions in a situation anything but normal. Bill Paxton does a good job as a director and although some differ, it is refreshing to see his and for that matter, all the characters played in an understated way.
Possible downfalls? The film takes it's time getting started. This is bad for those who can't make it past 30 minutes without a car explosion or someone cursing profusely. Instead, situations are built upon so when the actions start they are more profound. And because the characters seem so blaze the story starts getting more tense as the plot continiously develops.
Whether Frailty is profound or perfectly acted, scripted, etc. isn't the point. It works and sometimes it's that something unexplainable that makes weaker material exceptional.
Frailty offers good acting, good plot and some degree of contraversey. The extras on the DVD also help explain choices in the making of the film.
If you don't mind a modest start you will be rewarded by a at times Hitchcock-like feel that shows up now and then in certain scenes. Also, much of the violence is off screen. That people find it offensive indicates how effective the film is at portraying such ideas.
Movie Review: Good directing debut for Bill Paxton
Summary: 5 Stars
"Frailty" begins with Mathew McConaughey going to the FBI office in Texas an telling the agent in charge (Powers Boothe) the most-wanted serial killer who calls himself the "God's Hands" is, in fact, his brother. The story of the movie develops as McConaughey tells the FBI agent how his little family fell apart when his father (Bill Paxton, in one of his best performances) received the visit of an angel, 20 years ago, and this angel gives his father weapons and a list of "demons" that must be slain. Of course, there's much more than this in the story, but I don't want to give anything away.
Paxton's first time direction is surprisingly competent and strong, although simple. The movie was shot in only 37 days. The visual is also very simple, but effective. Paxton is able o manipulate the audience, showing in the screen only what is needed to understand the movie. There are lots of violent scenes, but only once we are shown blood.
I felt this thriller's story was a mix of a Stephen King's book ("Bag of bones", for example) with similarities to movies like "Seven". In the last five minutes, the dozens of plot twists may be confusing, but I was able to understand all what was happening because of the good edition and script of the movie.
In the end, there are lots of subliminar implications that made me think about the motives and reasons for the serial killings. I was also impressed by the children's performances, and that is a hard thing to accomplish if you're a first-time director.
"Frailty" is the simple kind of movie that is hard to forget because of its strong presence. Another movie I could say the same thing about, although in the sci-fi genre, is "Event Horizon". They're low profile, they almost don't get the attention they deserve, and they're a good surprise when you watch them.
Grade 9.0/10
Movie Review: A Deeply Disturbing Thriller
Summary: 5 Stars
"Frailty," actor Bill Paxton's feature-film directing debut, is a remarkably structured, thriller; a film with religious and supernatural themes you are not sure whether to believe, but are, nevertheless, utterly convincing throughout. Without giving too much of the story, all you need to know is that "Frailty" tells the story (through flashback) of a father (Paxton) and his two young sons. They live in small-town Texas, and one night, the father has a vision from an angel, who informs him he and his two sons have been chosen to destroy demons, who are hidden all around them in human form. The film deals predominantly with the feelings of Fenton, the eldest of the two sons, who is old enough to understand that perhaps his father is going crazy.
However, throughout the film, there are many hints to suggest the father is not making it all up, and in this, the film is successful at completely engrossing the viewer.
The film has a terrific - and more importantly, believable and fully explained - climax, and it will leave you with a lasting sense of discomfort.
Also, the musical score by Brian Tyler ("Six-String Samurai," and "Bubba Ho-tep"), is appropriately gorgeous and haunting.
The DVD itself has two great featurettes, one of which is a basic 'making-of', the other, a special from the Sundance Channel, the "Anatomy of a Scene", where one of the film's most crucial scenes is picked apart from concept, through production. It is a fascinating documentary, and offers amazing insight in to the making of films in general.
My only complaint is that the DVD transfer seems to be lacking a bit, visually. But, it is not enough to destroy the movie, by any means. This is a must-see for thriller-fans, if you can stomach some of the difficult themes.
Movie Review: Cellar Door
Summary: 5 Stars
I know that there is the one guy out there that hated this movie, but for me this is the best movie I have seen since a Beautiful Mind.There are no holes, it all makes since, and though you may leave scratching your head, later that night the light bulb will definately go off. Bill Paxton has created the craftiest movie released so far this year, and the exciting thing is he has only just begun his directoral career.
In the spirit of Hitchcock, Raimi, and Shyamalen, the movie is spooky and tense. And I'll tell you honestly, my faith in Matthew McConaughey has been reborn. He has a creepy aura about him unlike anything anything he has done before. If you have seen it, don't you agree?
The budget was used so wisely with this movie. It seems every cent is front and center only to further the enjoyable experience. I am just plain excited to see a movie that doesn't rely on the high-dollar cartoon-like effects as seen in recent films. Everything seems real, even a short sequence in which Paxton appears to be seeing an angel drifting down to him from a high chapel.
As far as the story: twist's. I am not trying to play up this movie, and even though there are people who aren't going to like it, for whatever reason, the twist's cannot be denied. Its refreshing to see a movie that dares its audience to use their brain power, rather than some other movies released this past year that have felt down-right insulting.
It would take a miracle (no pun intended) to remove Frailty from my Best of 2002 list. In the light of such massive epic's as Spiderman and Episode II, that's a gamble on my part. If you want to avoid the crowd during the next month, see Frailty, and when the dvd gets here you should seriously consider adding it to your collection. ~s.a.o.s.~
Movie Review: Much Better Than Expected
Summary: 5 Stars
I had, of course, heard of this film when it came out in the theatres. Nonetheless, I did not obtain the chance to see the film then. I did finally see the film now that it has been out on video and the like. I was totally surprised by how it developed and turned out. Some people are classifying this as horror and that is not the case. This film is more in the mystery, suspense territory: (the UNBREAKABLE league). I mean what the story sets the viewer up for takes a very stunning twist and turn at the end. Because I know movies well, I kind of was on target with my initial prediction but it was further off point than I would have ever imagined.This is one of those films that contain many religious elements about God but SEEMINGLY taken too far to the zealous and fanatical level. However, although I am a devout Christian, I was kind of turned off by the craziness of Bill Paxton towards his children about killing the demons that lurk the earth. I thought for sure that he was out of his mind; that he had some kind of mental condition that was seriously affecting him. I was wrong as the film went on though because it is something that was substantial. It was actually a mission from God that he was put on with his sons who have their own twists with who is really who and who is not on the dad's side and who is really what the dad is against. I do not want to give all of the plot away but this is definitely a film that you gotta see. I really do not promote films that much but I am going to get all the people I know to see this masterpiece of a film. The directions that it travels down is fascinating. Although it did not make too much noise at the box office, it stil is a very good film. Get it and watch it to see what I am talking about.