FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Frailty [DVD] [2002]

Frailty [DVD] [2002]
enlarge	Director: Bill Paxton Actors: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary, Luke Askew Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£15.99~~ Buy Used: £0.01 as of 25/11/2009 21:14 GMT details You Save: £15.98 (100%) New (10) Used (13) Collectible (1) from £0.01 Seller: zoverstocks Rating: 15 reviews Sales Rank: 5029 Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 96 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014437825834 ASIN: B00008MIZA Theatrical Release Date: 2002 Release Date: April 7, 2003 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Steeped in gloomy atmosphere,IFrailty/I locates its horror in the tyranny of religious fanaticism. Making an assured directorial debut, actor Bill Paxton co-stars as a Texas widower who believes God has recruited him to destroy demons in human form. Feeling divinely justified in committing a series of axe murders (discreetly unseen), he urges his two young sons to assist him in the killings--a living nightmare recalled in flashback by one of the now-adult sons (Matthew McConaughey) to the FBI agent (Powers Boothe) who's investigating the murders. But mystery is of secondary importance in Brent Hanley's cleverly twisting screenplay; IFrailty/I suggests, with unsettling subtlety, that Paxton's mission may not be delusional, thus burdening his deadly wrath with spiritually disturbing significance. It's definitely not a feel-good film, but with celebrity endorsements by Stephen King and directors James Cameron and Sam Raimi (who both made films with Paxton), IFrailty/I gets under the skin with insidious efficiency. --IJeff Shannon/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next » Thriller in every sense of the word April 6, 2003 Mick E (Up north) 11 out of 11 found this review helpful 'Frailty' didn't do much at the UK box office on it's release - maybe because it was up against M. Night Shyamalan's much-anticipated (and slightly over-rated) 'Signs'. A bit of a shame as this is an excellent and gripping thriller from start to finish. It deals with the FBI's search for a serial killer known as 'God's Hand'. When Fenton Meeks (McConaughey) walks into the FBI's offices claiming he knows the identity of the killer his claims are initially met with scepticism. He relates the story of his motherless family's transformation from an everyday happy unit into one of serial murder. This change is caused when Fenton and his brother Adam are awoken during the night by their father (Paxton) who claims he has been given a mission from God. The mission is to kill demons who are masquerading as human beings. Fenton believes his father has gone raving mad but Adam believes him and a trail of death ensues. br / br /'Frailty' is Bill Paxton's directorial debut and I look forward to seeing what he does next as this is a cracking film that nearly always keeps you guessing. The acting is mostly top-notch with Paxton delivering a fairly low-key performance as the father and McConaughey goes into sombre mode as Fenton. It is also worth noting that the child performances are very good too. There are one or two formulaic moments when certain plot elements and some of the characterisation seem a little obvious but on the whole it all builds up really well toward the final twist. I enjoyed 'Frailty' a lot more than 'Signs' and it seems baffling to me how it didn't do a lot better at the cinema. Still, that's what a bit of hype can do I suppose. Excellent! November 22, 2004 6 out of 6 found this review helpful This film is simple yet keeps you gripped througout! An excellent thriller with a brilliannt end to it all.pFrailty is one those gems that can be easily missed but when you do watch it - you'll always wonder how it got away! A CHILLING MASTERPIECE OF GOTHIC HORROR... March 14, 2005 Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) 12 out of 13 found this review helpful 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? pThe 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. pThis 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. pBill 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. pThe 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. pThis 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. pAll in all, this is a superlative film that is worthy of being in one's personal collection. Bravo! Paxton excels at his first attempt May 20, 2003 Duncan Preston 4 out of 4 found this review helpful I first saw this film by accident, picking up the wrong video in the store, however subsequently i was very glad i did. Paxton eloquently explores how, under the influence of something that he perceives as completely true, one man can follow his beliefs to any end. however, just as the film seems to be progressing to a logical conclusion and being a horror film that focuses largely on the psychological impact of spiritual experiences, he introduces a whole new dimension to the film. this could appear as if the film takes a completely new tack and has decided, as many before it have unsuccessfully attempted, to deal with multiple issues by adding another theme onto the end. this is not the case because as the film is explained, in the same vein as the "Usual Suspects", it becomes apparent that everything that has gone before has a purpose, even the most seemingly insignificant details, and that this is not just a discussion about fanaticism. bralso, unlike many films in Hollywood, there is little desire to fill the script with gratuitous swearing, or needless violence. true there are a couple of instances of swearing but it is not littered in the script like many blockbusters, and the violence is made horrific by being left to the imagination, with the use of sound conveying the act of murder.brFor a directorial debut this is a fantastic film, with Matthew McConaughey giving his best performance to date. one of those films that when you rewatch it it becomes better as you pick out more of the subtle hints and touches Paxton leaves in to interest the audience. Outstanding thriller January 19, 2008 Kona (Emerald City) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful Fenton Mieks (Matthew McConaughey) goes to the FBI one night and calmly tells the agent (Powers Boothe) that his father and brother were mass murderers known as the "God's Hands Killers." In flashbacks, we see young Fenton and his little brother Adam sharing a good life with their father (Bill Paxton), until the night Dad claimed he was visited by an angel and told to destroy demons. Dad received the names of his victims from God, brought them home to be killed, and then buried them in a nearby rose garden with the help of his sons. Little Adam thinks this is all great, but Fenton thinks Dad is crazy. For his disbelief, Dad puts Fenton down in the "dungeon" and leaves him there... br / br /This is quite a creepy, intense, and effective thriller that has kept me glued to the screen for five viewings. The first time, I was confused about what I saw, but my questions have since been answered. The script is terrific - the father commits horrifying acts in an almost serene way, because he is convinced he's doing the right thing; this keeps you wondering: Is he really divinely called to kill demons, or is he just insane? br / br /Star/director Bill Paxton is completely convincing and scary as the father, and Matt O'Leary gives a heartbreaking performance as young Fenton. This is an unusual and unforgettable horror story. Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next »

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