JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonFrailty (2001)-Footage Included
September 21st 2006 09:34
Frailty
DVD Cover
Director: Bill Paxton
Writer:Brent Handley
Starring: Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Mathew McConaughey, Luke Askew, Jeremy Sumpter, Matt O Leary
“You can't make things like that up, son. Killing people is wrong, destroying demons is good. Don't worry, God will send you your own list when you're older”.-Dad
Released with little fanfare, Frailty is a classic style gothic thriller with confronting ideas, a compelling script and controlled cinematography. Directed by Bill Paxton this is a story that will unnerve and dismay, but at the same time houses a real sense of wonder.
This is definitely a less is more situation when it comes down to how much you need to know about the plotline. The easiest way, is to tell you about the first 10 minutes of the film.
A methodical serial killer is on a rampage and authorities are stumped. It’s a dark, stormy night when Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaugh) walks into FBI headquarters and begins to tell his childhood tale that may house the identity of The God’s Hand Killer.
Told through the eyes of teenaged Fenton (matt O Leary), we meet his younger brother Adam (Jeremy Sumpter) and his Dad Meiks (Bill Paxton). Their father is recently widowed, a caring doting authority figure who loves his children above all else.
Then one night in a vision he is visited upon by God almighty, now stay with me here. God tells him that on earth, right now there is a battle raging between Angels and Demons. That the demons look completly human but a chosen few are given the sight, which allows them to find the devils servants that walk amongst us.
Straight away, dear old dad bursts into the childrens room, gleefully telling them what just happened and that they must now prepare to begin slaying the sinners. It isn’t long before the lord shines his light on “Otis”, a sharp, long handled axe for doing the lords work.
“Don't cry for her son, she wasn't human”-Dad
John Doe says:
This film surprised me at every turn.
First off, Im not a massive Bill Paxton (Aliens, One false Move, Near Dark) fan and doubted he had any directorial ability.
Second, Mathew McConaughey (Lone Star, Dazed and Confused) usually just bores me.
Third, I usually hate kid actors.
So when I sat down at a festival screening a few years ago to watch this, I wasn’t exactly excited, but I had to admit the buzz Id heard was all good.
Happily upon screening, it became one of those films I told all my buddies:
Me-“Fuck man if I had to be lazy Id just say it’s the best thriller I’ve seen since Seven”
Numerous buddies-“Big call”
Me-“Give it a go, see what you think”
Bill Paxton plays it all low key and lets you invest your emotions in the two young-uns. The depth and understanding that Jeremy Sumpter (Peter Pan) and Matt O Leary (Brick) convey, is well beyond their years and sometimes mine as well I think.
Powers Boothe (DeadWood, Sin City, Southern Comfort) is one of those actors I can always watch and the role is tailored to him. Matthew McConaughey comes through as well.
The tough unrelenting tension is in large part due to the fact this all unfolds through a child’s eyes. The innocence, purity and simplicity of youth are ripped away, all in the name of a fathers love, for both his children and god.
The look of the film keeps your attention and allows a subtle ambience that sets the mood and tone. The intelligent script is taut, fuelled by its deliberate pace and much like the film maintains an atmosphere of menace and mystery. The direction is very restrained and allows this macabre tale to unfold at a natural pace.
There are a few minor hiccups, but the questions of faith, retribution and parenting that it raises will have you and your friends happily debating for hours.
The DVD:
Really schmick transfer, the shadows and light keep you on edge and the 5.1 dolby means if the lights are out, your heart will be pounding and your mind reeling. No extras really.
Writer:Brent Handley
Starring: Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Mathew McConaughey, Luke Askew, Jeremy Sumpter, Matt O Leary
“You can't make things like that up, son. Killing people is wrong, destroying demons is good. Don't worry, God will send you your own list when you're older”.-Dad
Released with little fanfare, Frailty is a classic style gothic thriller with confronting ideas, a compelling script and controlled cinematography. Directed by Bill Paxton this is a story that will unnerve and dismay, but at the same time houses a real sense of wonder.
This is definitely a less is more situation when it comes down to how much you need to know about the plotline. The easiest way, is to tell you about the first 10 minutes of the film.
A methodical serial killer is on a rampage and authorities are stumped. It’s a dark, stormy night when Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaugh) walks into FBI headquarters and begins to tell his childhood tale that may house the identity of The God’s Hand Killer.
Told through the eyes of teenaged Fenton (matt O Leary), we meet his younger brother Adam (Jeremy Sumpter) and his Dad Meiks (Bill Paxton). Their father is recently widowed, a caring doting authority figure who loves his children above all else.
Then one night in a vision he is visited upon by God almighty, now stay with me here. God tells him that on earth, right now there is a battle raging between Angels and Demons. That the demons look completly human but a chosen few are given the sight, which allows them to find the devils servants that walk amongst us.
Straight away, dear old dad bursts into the childrens room, gleefully telling them what just happened and that they must now prepare to begin slaying the sinners. It isn’t long before the lord shines his light on “Otis”, a sharp, long handled axe for doing the lords work.
“Don't cry for her son, she wasn't human”-Dad
"OK i will give you a clue. Were not going to Disneyland"
John Doe says:
This film surprised me at every turn.
First off, Im not a massive Bill Paxton (Aliens, One false Move, Near Dark) fan and doubted he had any directorial ability.
Second, Mathew McConaughey (Lone Star, Dazed and Confused) usually just bores me.
Third, I usually hate kid actors.
So when I sat down at a festival screening a few years ago to watch this, I wasn’t exactly excited, but I had to admit the buzz Id heard was all good.
Happily upon screening, it became one of those films I told all my buddies:
Me-“Fuck man if I had to be lazy Id just say it’s the best thriller I’ve seen since Seven”
Numerous buddies-“Big call”
Me-“Give it a go, see what you think”
Bill Paxton plays it all low key and lets you invest your emotions in the two young-uns. The depth and understanding that Jeremy Sumpter (Peter Pan) and Matt O Leary (Brick) convey, is well beyond their years and sometimes mine as well I think.
Powers Boothe (DeadWood, Sin City, Southern Comfort) is one of those actors I can always watch and the role is tailored to him. Matthew McConaughey comes through as well.
The tough unrelenting tension is in large part due to the fact this all unfolds through a child’s eyes. The innocence, purity and simplicity of youth are ripped away, all in the name of a fathers love, for both his children and god.
The look of the film keeps your attention and allows a subtle ambience that sets the mood and tone. The intelligent script is taut, fuelled by its deliberate pace and much like the film maintains an atmosphere of menace and mystery. The direction is very restrained and allows this macabre tale to unfold at a natural pace.
There are a few minor hiccups, but the questions of faith, retribution and parenting that it raises will have you and your friends happily debating for hours.
The DVD:
Really schmick transfer, the shadows and light keep you on edge and the 5.1 dolby means if the lights are out, your heart will be pounding and your mind reeling. No extras really.
Below is a fan clip for the movie set to New Orders Touched By The Hand of God.
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Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Out of curiosity....is there any kid actors you do like?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Dont go in expecting a gory slasher, instead its thoughtful tension you will receive.
Have you had a chance to watch any of my recommendations, like or hate any?
A few kid actors I dig, off the top of my head so I probably forgot some faves.
Matt O Leary and Jeremy Sumpter in Frailty
Natalie Portman (Leon and Beautiful Girls)
Kirsten Dunst (Interview With The Vampire
Jodie Foster (Taxi Driver, Freaky Friday and Bugsy Malone)
Tatum O Neal in (Paper Moon)
Ron Howard in (The Shootist)
River Phoeneix in (Stand By Me and The Explorers)
Jennifer Connelly in (Once Upon A Time In America and Labyrinth.)
Kurt Russell was funny in some of his Disney films
Mickey Rooney
Shirley Temple
Lucas Black inAmerican Gothic(TV Series)
Joseph Gordon Levit in 3rd Rock From the Sun(TV Series)
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
He was also in Weird Science, I think, as well as Club Dread. You know what I'm talking about?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
If your looking for a thoughtful thriller, you can do a lot worse.
Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Haven't had the chance to check Frailty out yet - but will hopefully this long weekend.
Will let you know what I think.
Cinico