Frality

[Moviefreek]

I dont know about you guys, but after reading Joblo's and The Arrows reviews on this film, i can't wait to see it , i was kind of thinking bout waiting till dvd, but i think im going to see this one before changing lanes now.

[Moviefreek]

i do realize i spelled it wrong...my bad

[dh1989]

I am dying to see this movie. I just finished reading The Arrow and JoBlo's reviews. They have got me superexcited. I called my theatre and bought tickets for tonight at 11:40 PM. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

[therealjohng]

Don't even wait until 11:40 to see it. GHO right now and sit in front of the theater until it opens. the movie Fucking rocks. Creepy as hell!

[gyro_44]

"Frailty" is an outstanding directorial debut for Bill Paxton. The construction of the film is brilliant and it's also highly disturbing... unlike anything in recent memory.

Brett Hanley's screenplay is not up to Paxton's direction, but he handles topics like family and religious fanaticism extremely well. Overall a very scary, thought-provoking movie and a dynamite debut for Mr. Paxton. 8/10.

[max]

Saw this at a sneak preview last Thursday. Not quite the 9/10 Joblo rating or the 4-star movie Ebert proclaimed it to be, it's still a decent little thriller that offers two creepy performances by Bill Paxton and Matthew McConaughey. As a director, Bill Paxton shows poise and restraint. It's not your typical gorefest--the violence is offscreen--which proves that what's imagined can be a lot more frightening than what's actually shown. At times, the movie can't seem to decide exactly what it wants to be. There was unintentional laughter throughout the screening. Some of it, I guess, was out of nervousness; some in obvious response to the rather silly plot and dialogue. There is one scene I guarantee would make you literally jump out of your seat. That scene alone is worth the price of admission.

[idealdiscountdude]

Frailty is disturbing, creepy, and by far the best film of the year thus far.

It's a perfect film in every aspect. It's the creepiest film I have ever seen. The performances are spellbinding, especially the two young boys who play young Finton and Adam.

Definetly a must-see!!

9.5/10

[This message has been edited by idealdiscountdude (edited 04-13-2002).]

[kici]

I saw it. I liked it. Paxton's direction helped the film a great deal. What a disturbing flick.

[dh1989]

MAJOR SPOILERS

I called up one my buddies(who had 4:20 FRAILTY tickets) and I traded my ticket for his. So I got back from the film a while ago and I decided to post my review. FRAILTY is a freaky little thriller. I can't believe that Bill Paxton, in his directorial debut, did better work than seasoned directors. I just fell for this films Goth setting and tone. It is just plain amazing. The killing scenes were just terrible. I felt like every ax swing also hit me. But the thing that really propelled this movie the wonderful acting. Matthew McConaughey was very strong and in the end he was just plain freaky. VERY COOL! Bill Paxton went beautifully from loving father to maniac killer in the name of God. Matt O' Leary is now, in my opinion, one of the newcomer sin Hollywood with major potential. He really got everyone to believe in his character. I know my audience clapped when he axed daddy. The other boy was also admirable. The film was very scary. I freaked when that evil angel visited Paxton under the car. Very atmospheric. The films end was just great. It was very interesting. I could not believe Powers Booth killed his mom. The only thing that bugged me was the fact that the hero Fenton became a big serial killer. It kinda sucked. But the whole film mad eup for that. I reccomend you drop what you are doing and go seethis(and afterwords sneak into HUMAN NATURE).

[bskutle]

"Frailty"- B
I found the "surprise" ending kind of predictible (mind you, I'm familiar with the recent surprise ending flicks more than your average moviegoer; plus, I just finished watching 30-plus hours of "Twin Peaks" a week or two ago), but thanks to the unsettling themes of writer Brent Hanley's script and the atmosphere created by Bill Paxton's assured direction (it's his first film behind the camera), "Frailty" has more allure and lasting power than your run-of-the-mill slasher flick. The story revolves around Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey, in a memorable performance), and his confession to an FBI agent (Powers Boothe) about how- in 1979- his father (Paxton, effective if not terribly chilling) was chosen by God to rid the Earth of Satan's demons, which are in human form. Fenton's little brother Adam is with his father; Fenton is skeptical, and grows more disturbed as his father delves deeper and deeper into apparent insanity. But is he really insane, or has he really been charged by God? You won't really be able to answer that definitively after the film ends, but you will be thinking about the answers. The film's unsettling themes- accentuated by the score by Brian Tyler- about religious fanaticism, how much influence a father can have on their children, and how far one will go for their beliefs are what make the film scarily relavent in these post-9/11 times, and what puts "Frailty" in the class of "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Se7en" instead of the increasingly lame teen slasher genre Mike Myers and Jason built. If only the film were ahead of me, instead of the other way around.

[Scarface98.9]

Ebert loved it. filmthreat loved it. most of the rotten tomatoes critics loved. the Schmoes love it (so far). that means Leonard Maltin on his weak-excuse critic show with that annoying bingo hall co-host girl hate it cause their "parents." usually thats a sign of how Roeper will rate it (or hate it cause of no clear answer to the movie mysteries, which he does quite often

[SteveSzyk]

Frailty was incredible. An absorbing premise, a disturbing, and scary execution, plus some fine acting all make this the best film of the year so far. The twists in the end will have you shocked, confused, and talking about it long after you've left the theatre (anyone have any theories?). Great, great flick. 9.5/10

[Moviefreek]

*Spoilers*

I just got back from seeing it, yes it was disturbing, and that one scene made the whole theatre jump, but we did have people that found some of it funny, which kind of got on my nerves. And the ending was predictibale, i kind of figured it from the moment he stepped into the office. But overall it was a good, creepy, film. 8/10

[Kami]

*****SPOILERS*****

I swear my heart skipped a beat when Adam came screaming and killed Brad Smith. I didn't see the father killing coming, but when Adam did that it was a quadruple whammy for me. Agreed on the axe looking like it was coming at you. This movie really freaked me out and I was really surprised that it wasn't cheesy or lame. I thought Bill Paxton was awesome; his voice just sounds so loving and wacko at the same time. I was kinda wondering when Fenton was going to start looking like Arnie with all that digging he was doing. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[BitchTits]

Frailty- 8/10

Frailty was a fairly decent psychological horror flick that's a decent break from all the MTV-teen slasher garbage we've been getting recently. This movie doesn't try to wow you with its special effects, it doesn't try to sell you a fucking soundtrack, what it does try to do is get in your head and kick it around a little bit. Ball Paxton and Matt were both excellent in this flick.

However, I can see a large portion of the people seeing this saying that it was stupid. But that's beside the point.

SPOILER
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I could see the boy hitting his father with the axe from a mile away. However, what made me jump out of my seat was when Adam came running to the man with the axe.

[Common Sense Man]

8/10

http://www.premiere.com/Premiere/images/201/frailty.jpg

Well if you even make it to my post you should understand by now that this movie is very good in many ways and definately worth the price of admission.

So go see it you bastard!

But I have some observations to make that are spoilers so if you have not seen it yet and you are reading this STOP you fool!

Spoilers
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Okay I thought the pacing of the movie was a bit slow at the start but it was not too slow, I was not squirming in my seat going come on! like I do at some flicks.

And the acting was fantastic, almost understated at times, it is the type of acting that does not look like acting, so hence it is great acting, what an irony!

And I love a good mystery and although some parts where predictable most hit me from left feild and left me guessing until the end.

I must admit I was expecting to see some gore but I guess when you corrupt your kids and make them watch you brutally murder people, then get them to help you the MPAA thinks adding gore would be a little much, and I have to agree.

Now here are some observations that no one has talked about yet. Did anyone notice these things.

Bill is never bloody and they never show blood on him or the boys when he destroys a demon, and they never show the axe with blood on it when he is demon killing.

Bill gets violently ill when he kills the sheriff a person he believes to be human. I thought that was very well done, to show he truly believes in what he is doing. And of course he and his son is covered in blood after the sheriff is killed, and he is later shown cleaning the blood off the axe.

Also there is the mind fuck aspect, was Bill right. Was he really doing Gods work? You are always allowed to make your own choice about this until the end of the flick when you see Adam get away with everything he has done thru mysterious coincidences. Plus the FBI agent cannot recognize him.

Was this just luck and huge balls on Adams part, or divine intervention.

I love it when a movie leaves you thinking and not simply because the story was stupid and you are trying to figure it out.

But I had two small problems with this movie, and they are very small.

1. They made the Older brother look Younger than Matthew in the present time line scenes.

It worked well at the beginning to fool you that the person he was talking to on the phone was his younger brother, but later on in the film when he reveals he is Adam I was like hey that other guy looks younger than you how does that work?

2. What was up with Powers Booth at the end getting all whimpy?

I actually thought he had shot him for a moment because he grabbed the gun and pointed it towards him.

Then he gets all whoosy and falls to his knees and basicaly lets himself be killed.

Now maybe they where saying he was guilty and God was preventing him from fighting back, but I would have liked to see a bit of a strugle, I mean Powers is bigger than Matthew.

But I guess if you really think it is God's will then he will win no matter what Powers does.

And I originally wondered why Fenton would go on to kill other people. But I guess if he was a demon as God has told Paxton then he was just doing evil.

I saw the whole killing the father thing comming, but the rest caught me fairly off gaurd, I knew there had to be a trick ending.

And of course when Adam wacked the dude with the axe everyone and I mean everyone in the theater jumped. That scene will go down in history as one of the all time greatest movie scares. I hardly ever jump and I jumped big time.

I can watch horror movie after horror movie and never see a moment like that.

This movie really makes you think about what was really happening and I like that.

I hope they remember this flick when the awards shows start to come around becasue it sure deserves some.

And Bill if your reading this, congrats man!

Out...................

[CriticalBill6966]

This movie is great.

Too bad it'll be passed up by the Academy just because it was too early in the year, because Paxton deserves a Nommination for Actor and Director and Macaganay(sp?) deserves one for Supporting Actor.

Everyone and everything about this movie was great.

[flamepillar]

I thought it was pretty good. At a certain point, though, you're forced to question everything you've just seen, and it's tough to pay attention to the current scene when you're so busy rearranging the past scenes in your mind trying to make sense of it all. But I think that's what I like about it so much! This is the most challenging movie since Memento, for sure.

I'm still trying to figure out how both of the brothers are alive in the future when one of them shot himself at the beginning... am I just really that idiotic or was I not paying attention? I dunno... I'll be seeing this one again.

[beachblanketmomma]

***SPOILER****

"I'm still trying to figure out how both of the brothers are alive in the future when one of them shot himself at the beginning... "
I think that suicide was just Fenton/Adam's story to Powers Booth.
I'm sorry people...this movie just didn't do it for me. I almost fell asleep at one point! I guess I was into for a while, but saw so much coming, that it almost wasn't fun. Great jump scenes, tho. Creepy aspect was the wife's involvement...obviously she was in on it too, cuz of the phone call where she said he had stolen the ambulance, etc. Yuck. And her being pregnant...a new little hand of God on the way!

[chinton]

Fenton never shot himself. Adam made that up in the begginging. Do you really think Adam would come in and say "By the way I killed my brother Fenton."

[gyro_44]

**MAJOR SPOILERS**


"The only thing that bugged me was the fact that the hero Fenton became a big serial killer"

What exactly do you mean by this, dh? I'm of the opinion (like most here) that McConaughey was actually Adam Meiks like he revealed in the rose garden. The part of the flashback when "Adam" (or really Fenton) shot himself in the head was a fabrication made up for the purpose of deceiving FBI agent Powers Boothe.

So Fenton still was the hero. Adam killed him because his dad's dying words were that Fenton was a demon.

Some of the somersault twists at the end belonged in a lesser movie, but I still found them fascinating. For instance, had the Meiks' family REALLY been given a mission from God? The fact that the security tapes were fuzzed out and the one FBI agent could not, for the life of him, recognize Adam as the one who walked into the FBI office support this theory. This puts a whole new spin on things. When those people were tied and gagged and brought home by Dad, it was terrifying because they could very well be innocent people. But WERE they??

And at the film's conclusion, that was obviously Adam's girlfriend or wife (pregneant too) who stands right by his side. She was obviously in on the killings. I think Adam got into law enforcement so he could keep the "peace" and slay demons and get around easier in doing so. Please weigh in on some of your opinions everyone, I'm curious to hear them.

On a final note, I will not be able to get this movie out of my head for a while. It is deeply disturbing and even profound, something you may not realize until afterward.

[Moviefreek]

*SPOILERS*

1. I myself, being a church goer, felt that he was pshycotic, he was not on a mission form god, he just had problems.

2. As for Fenton being a seriel killer, i dont think that is so, adam did say he had to wait untill God told him to kill fenton, as in the beginning, Bill had told him that God will one day give him his own list.

3. The dad being killed i saw that coming, as well as "fenton" was really "adam", the only unexpected thing was the boy coming with the ax, the scene which is worth the movie itself.

4. About Adams wife, i'm not to sure what to think about that, it wasn't really clear, if she new about everything that was going on or not.

[The Heart Collector]

Could someone write a review WITHOUT fucking spoilers???

[the saw is family]

pretty strong little thriller,i enjoyed it for the most part. good performances all around. paxton's role as the psychotic father was absolutely brilliant by far one of the sickest serial killers presented in recent film. can't really decide if his killer was mentally ill or they used it as sort of anti-religion sort of thing,maybethe message being that don;t let your beliefs get too out of hand because thats all they are is beliefes not facts. only two things i didnt like about the film one was i knew matthew mchaughey was going to be the killer a few minutes into the film. also i thought the part wheer paxton saw the angel coming down was abit cheesy but over all a pretty good film.

frailty-8/10

[Kami]

**SPOILERS**

I think you have to look at the movie from a Usual Suspects kinda view, everything that "Fenton" is telling the FBI guy could be a lie. I mean, he's not even Fenton and he's telling it from his point of view. Still, I think the basic story was true, he just changed details here and there to preserve identity. Sad to say, I think Fenton was the God's Hand killer. As mentioned, the bodies were never found and Adam says that Fenton kept them as trophies in his basement and did that to attract Adam to him. So in the end, he did turn out to be a demon. Although his father probably seriously contributed to that. Also, since from the ending this is obviously a fantasy-like movie, so Powers Boothe most likely was simply weakened by the vision that they both saw when he touched him. They never touch before that, he tells him to put the handcuffs on himself. He tries to touch his head to help Adam into the car, but he says, "I got it."

[CriticalBill6966]

*****SPOILER****


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by gyro_44:
**MAJOR SPOILERS**


"The only thing that bugged me was the fact that the hero Fenton became a big serial killer"

</font>

Wrong dude! The hero, or the person you were rooting for, died by the hands of his little brother.

He did start killing people but I think he wanted to die so by killing he was put on his brother's list. Because if you remember his brother saying it took a long time for his brother to show up on the list.

[Moviefreek]

SAd to see it only opened at Number 9

[gyro_44]

Remember though moviefreek, it's a low-budget film, and it opened in about 1,000 theaters less than "Changing Lanes" and "The Sweetest Thing". Of course, I gotta admit I was hoping for better too.

I hope word-of-mouth will catch on and this will stick around for a while. That is, if there's any justice in Hollywood anymore.

[od1]

I can't believe they're making movies like this, teaching kids to do evil deeds. Sad, this could have an affect on a kid for life.

[Snowboy]

A very creepy thriller with rock-solid acting, a cool score, and some cool twists and turns. I HAVE to give it up to Bill Paxton's directing. He plays like a pro here. Same goes for his performance. You really feel for him. Is he crazy? Or is he telling the truth? That's the great mystery behind this film. While not exactly what I thought it would be, this film did manage to keep me entertained. 7/10

[Moviefreek]

Ok, first of all kids shouldn't be seeing this film. Ok back to the movie, my friend who saw it with me said something from hs point of view that i thought i would share, havn't seen noone else talk bout it, at the end when the guy shakes Adams hand, my friend said that the reason the guy gave him the strange look was becouse he met him in the beggining of the film, and i think he noticed who it was, but i'm not sure, my friend thinks they will make a sequal, and i said that would be a big mistake, making a sequal to what could be a classic would be a bad move, he says they left it off like it could, and i said, its meant to be that way to make discussion among the people who have seen it, like we are doing here.

[dh1989]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CriticalBill6966:
*****SPOILER****


He did start killing people but I think he wanted to die so by killing he was put on his brother's list. Because if you remember his brother saying it took a long time for his brother to show up on the list.</font>


SPOILERS


Yeah that is what I did not like. I did not want Fenton to become a serial killer just so Adam would come and kill him. I liked Fenton. I wanted him to live a full life after being brave and killing his dad.

[Moviefreek]

SPOILER

Um, ok i don't think that Fenton was a serial killer, becouse adam was told that one day he would get his own list, and i think the reason fenton was on it was becouse of killing his father, they never said fenton was a serial killer, that was never mentioned, but i might have missed something, but i don't think he was a serial killer..

[darkface]

SPOILERS***


I believe that Fenton was already a demion when he killed his dad, since his dad was *God's Hand* and since he killed his dad it put him on the long list of Demions. But he might not have killed anyone else b/c Adam blammed the killings on Fenton. But if Fenton ever did kill anyone else i could understand why, b/c he had a f*(@ked up childhood lol

But DAmn Good Movie

[This message has been edited by darkface (edited 04-15-2002).]

[vexu]

Gotta agree with everyone else how liked the film. Definitely 9/10 material. Best movie I've seen this year and an amazingly good directorial debut from Paxton... didn't see that one coming. Exellent work from him and the whole cast. I do hope that the movie will have legs and gross nicely since it would really deserve that.

[This message has been edited by vexu (edited 04-15-2002).]

[Professor Steve]

I just watched Ebert and Roeper praise the hell out of this flick, saying it's the best of the year so far.

Then, in the next half hour, the show "Hot Ticket" was on with Leonard Maltin and some lady who both proceded to tear the thing to pieces. The lady said that every frame of Frailty was an abomination and it made her sick because of the child abuse(?). Maltin didn't have anything better to say. He couldn't figure out why Bill Paxton would want to make a movie like this.

[badgirl]

I registered on this site because i have not been able to get this movie out of my head. You must see it!!! I was reminded of the Sixth Sense in a big way, and i wanted to post a few observations i had that i didn't read in the other posts. SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
1. The movie is not as ambiguous as some people are interpreting, as the ending pretty much makes it clear that they were not delusions (more evidence is the Powers Booth character's past, the younger FBI agent not being able to recognize him, the survelience tape not picking up his image). Indeed, according to this movie, God was delivering messages via daddy and litle brother.
2. I think i might have been the only person to notice (maybe just mention) that as soon as they flashbacked to childhood, i noticed that Matthew's character looked a lot more like the younger brother, and the other guy looked like the older brother (there hair colors!!) I even turned to my friend to make sure i didn't have them confused, which is so cool because, like the Sixth Sense, they were giving us that clue from the beginning. Sure, everyone knew that Matthew would end up being the killer, but they were giving us clues from the beginning.
3. I also noticed his wedding ring from the beginning, which definitely didn't fit in with the story at that point.
4. The story really does come full circle: Daddy was hearing directly from God, Fenton was a demon (which explains why he went on to kill people), and Adam was continuing Daddy's work. So cool. Everything added up and when you realize it all you see that it was there all along. I love that shit!!!
And that one scene!!! I can't remember being scared like that. What a powerful movie!!!

[Moviefreek]

See, i know the survelince taped didn't reviel it, but i still don't belive he was gods hands, he is a psycho, a psycho i repeate, i can't explain the reason the tape didn't pick it up, i want to think it was a bad tape, cause i cant convince myself that god asked him to do something like that, but it continues to boggle the mind.

[Strider]

Frailty (2002)

Rated R for Violence & Language

Director: Bill Paxton

Starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Luke Askew, Jeremy Sumpter, & Matt O' Leary.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0264616/pic_03_150dpi.jpg

The film's plot focuses on Fenton Meiks(Matthew McConaughey) who claims to know the indentity of a serial killer behind a series of murders called the "God's hands" killings.

Frailty marks the directorial debut of Bill Paxton. And his film is an impressive piece of film making. Paxton also stars in the film as a loving father, but also a psychotic, twisted, and demented human being. He delivered a brilliant performance. Definitely one of his finest. As for the rest: I was impressed by everybody. Matthew McConaughey was great as this man who experienced many bad things during his childhood. And the child actor, Matt O' Leary, did an excellent job portraying his younger self.

Brent Haley's wonderful script is so unique, so intriguing, and so disturbing. I truly believe that Haley's script enable Bill Paxton as a director to do a terrific job. Along with the acting and direction, the script is responsible for sending chills down your spine with every step.

Frailty reminded me of such classic Horror films like The Omen or The Shining. They all do not bombard you with massive amounts of blood and gore to frighten you. Instead, they rely on their intelligence and well-written stories to accomplish that. Several years from now, Frailty will become a movie people will immediately think of when they feel like watching something from the Horror genre.

Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Grade: 9/10

Strider

[max]

Warning: SPOILERS!!!

The last 15 minutes almost ruined the film for me. I thought the story of the father and his two sons held up very well on its own, without the various twists that seemed to pile one atop another in the film's resolution . What bugged me a bit was the film's decision not to leave the question of whether or not the visions are real unanswered. Even more annoying was the revelation that the narrator is Adam. It's just not possible for Adam to have told the story the way he did. Too much of it depends upon intimate knowledge of Fenton's state of mind. Otherwise, a terrific film overall.

[badgirl]

Moviefreek, if you believe that the people who he killed were actually demons and that they really did kill other people, then it becomes easier to digest the idea of God commissioning others to do his work. But in terms of the movie being clear about that message, i don't know how you can doubt that. It's not as disturbing though if you beleive that that older man did molest and kill those children.

[gyro_44]

**MORE HUGE SPOILERS (sorry)**

You're exactly right, badgirl. Some of the events at the end of the film support the theory that the visions were real, that they really WERE on a mission from God, which makes the previous crimes less disturbing in nature because it means those people were in fact demons. The real question is: are these occurences enough to convince us that Bill Paxton hadn't gone mad, and the Meiks family were demon-slayers? I don't know. This is left unclear, and we have to each come to our own conclusions. I find it interesting how some church-going folk are adamant in saying Paxton was psycho, and they refuse to believe God would have orchestrated such a grisly mission...

Now for another can o' worms: the FBI stumbles upon some bodies in Fenton's basement at the end of the film. Some people say that Fenton became a serial killer himself and really was a demon, and this is why Adam killed him. I don't think I believe this, personally. Remember that Paxton whispered in Adam's ear as he died that Fenton was a demon. I think perhaps Adam went on believing this, but Fenton's name wasn't on the list (was it?) so it wasn't his priority to murder his brother, "the demon". As for the bodies in Fenton's basement, couldn't Adam have planted them there? Or could they be the bodies of people who interfered, like the sheriff? Or even Paxton's body?? Please feel free to share your thoughts everyone.

Oh, and one more thing: Leonard Maltin and his rent-a-critic suck.

[Moviefreek]

Ok, yeah, i've been saying that, i didn't think fenton was a serial killer, becouse the never said he was, i think the same way i think his dad told adam that he was a demon, and when adam got his own list, the name was there, and so thats why he killed fenton, plus the fact, that he killed his dad, would make all the more reason for him to be a demon.

[badgirl]

Gyro, the questions you raised are very similar to those raised by my friend at the end of the movie when i was trying to explain to him the entire connections and why the movie ultimately did make sense and fit together. There are infinite possibilities for the bodies in the basement, etc, but if you read the movie as a complete story that comes full circle by revealing itself and tying up all loose ends (which is how we should hope movies are because it sucks when there are elements that just don't add up), then Fenton was actually a demon (by being a serial killer) so the bodies were actually there. The only way the movie justifies itself is for this to be the only real plausible ending. Also, like i mentioned in an earlier post, there were numerous signs throughout that if you didn't see the first time you will the second: The younger Fenton's reactions and the length of time that the camera focused on younger fenton throughout struck me as strange (my friend pointed this out as well) that after that first night, the only one who was acting really wierd was Fenton!!! Adam and the father both were acting normal, but it seemed the opposite because we didn't know the ending yet. It you reverse everything you thought initially, i mean everything, it all makes perfect sense and you can see how it was there all along- just like the sixth sense.

[beachblanketmomma]

*********SPOILER (but isn't this whole thread??)*********************

In regards to whether Fenton was a serial killer: Definately. Wasn't Powers Boothe investigating the Hand Of God Killings?? And who else but Fenton would have been doing those in that way? And Fenton's bulletin board in his house was full of those clippings about the murders, etc. I think the murders were by Fenton, to get himself on Adam's list. BUT...at the end when all the cops are at Fenton's, they close up on the bulletin board ... AND A LIST with P. Boothe's character's name on it is there, isn't it??? Now what the ....????

And I just want to agree with others who have said that the ending ruined the movie for them...or at least took away from their overall enjoyment.

[Moviefreek]

By the time the agent got there, Adam had put that list up on the Fentons Bulletien board, as well as putting the bodies in the basement.

[Salvitore Leone]

Frailty
Director: Bill Paxton
Rating: R (For Violence and Language)

Grade: 10/10

The best movie some far this year. Creepy as hell, the kids didn't annoy me (typically, all kid characters in a film piss the hell out of me), and the story was fantastic. Tons of twists and turns, and a killer http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif ending. See this movie as soon as you can. A LOT better than Changing Lanes (which, by the way, was a great film ... 8/10).

This is Salvitore Leone from Chicago...Out...

[badgirl]

Moviefreek, definitely entitled to your oppinion, but that particular reading, that Adam fraimed Fenton to look like the killer, makes the movie not add up. With a reading like that the movie raises more questions than it answers, where as if you believe that Fenton really was a demon then the movie answers all its own questions, making everything consistent. Fenton really was the killer they were looking for and Adam's job was to help his father rid the world of its demons. Not the most pleasent reading, but it pieces everything together.

[gyro_44]

I'm beginning to adhere to your intelligent theories, badgirl, but there is a gaping hole in your last post:

I think we must agree to some extent that Adam framed Fenton somehow. The list on Fenton's bulletin board dictates this. Why? Because Wesley Doyle's name is on the list, and crossed out. This can't be Fenton's list of people he has murdered, because we know Adam was responsible for Doyle's demise. So obviously Adam DID indeed plant this list, and the bloodied FBI badge, in Fenton's house to implicate him somehow. Adam killed Doyle. Am I right?

[Common Sense Man]

Yes Adam did kill the FBI agent, you saw it on screen, and it was obvious that he planted the wallet and list.

BUT......

Fenton did kill people. Was it because he was a demon or simply fucked in the head for watching his Dad kill people, who knows that is one of the things you have to decide for yourself.

Either way works, as Adam did not kill him until his name was given to him. Maybe it was because he was a demon or maybe it was because he had become a serial killer.

Out.....................

[badgirl]

Gyro, you're right about the planting of evidence, and i'm pleased that you agree with my reading of the movie- it's the only way that all the pieces fit together!

[CriticalBill6966]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dh1989:

SPOILERS


Yeah that is what I did not like. I did not want Fenton to become a serial killer just so Adam would come and kill him. I liked Fenton. I wanted him to live a full life after being brave and killing his dad.

</font>


I can see that, but I don't think I would want to live after killing my dad or if I saw what that kid did.

[gyro_44]

Yes, Common Sense Man and badgirl, you both touched on bases there that I'm now agreeing with. Fenton did indeed kill people. I think, if this is true, the best explanation is that he is a demon. When you think about it, the childhood story was actually told from Adam's point of view. All of those sympathies gathered for young Fenton may not have been valid, because it wasn't coming from him. Maybe he was a demon. He was the one always rebelling against the family's mission to "serve God". Perhaps "God" was right when gave Paxton the message that Fenton was a demon. He was the one interfering with everything. Thanks again everybody for your most helpful thoughts on the film.

I'd encourage everyone to go see "Frailty". You'll be thinking about it for days afterward. I know I still am.

[entitee]

SPOILERS * * * *

man i was laughing through most of the movie. All these little lines about "he saw God because he paid the price." and "you better pray" were hilarious because the situation was so absurd. But damn at the end when it was revealed that God really had him do all these things I was highly disturbed. The "good guy" serving under God is an axe weilding murderer. Thats some fucked up shit to swallow at the end of a movie.

wow.

--kev

[Johnny Utah]

SPOILERS

I think that Paxton's dying words were not that Fenton was a demon, but that he told Adam to finsih off the guy laying on the floor. If Paxton had told Adam that Fenton was a demon then, Adam wouldn't have waited all those years to kill Fenton. I agree with the interpretation that Fenton became the God's Hands killer. I don't understand why Adam would go out of his way to frame Fenton for his murders when it is obvious he would probably keep killing demons in the future. I'd like to think there is a way for everything to logically add up but maybe we're given Paxton and Hanley too much credit. Still, its a creepy movie that falls short of greatness due to its glaring logic problems.

[badgirl]

Johnny- first of all, great handle, second of all, i am from Stamford also, so hello. Please read my posts about my interpretation because i really feel like the film all adds up and makes sense. It doesn't matter what Paxton said to Adam before he died, he could have told him about Fenton being a demon at any time. Also, Adam had to wait to kill Fenton (the demon) until God put him on his list (he says so at the end of the movie). Fenton was the God's Hand Killer (a serial killer) because he was, in fact, a demon. Furthermore, if you read the film that way, believing that those people weren't innocent, then it's not so hard to stomach. Yes?

[entitee]

SPOILERS AS USUAL!

another thing people might get confused with is that the "God's Hand Killer" is Fenton, but Adam is the one destroying demon's. Adam didn't leave notes about what he was doing. Along with the mysterious protection from God he also covered up his own tracks by framing Fenton.
But the idea that God gives people an axe to destroy demons that look like humans is hard to stomach no matter how you look at it.

[Moviefreek]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">But the idea that God gives people an axe to destroy demons that look like humans is hard to stomach no matter how you look at it.[/B]</font>

This is exactly what i think.

[badgirl]

Okay people, i saw Frailty again (i had to take my friend to see it!) and seeing it the second time makes everything so obvious, i was laughing a how blatant the clues are. Seriously, it is clear that Fenton is a demon, the movie says so over and over! So if you are still confused about how the movie ties together, please read my other posts because i can absolutely convinced that this is how it goes down. See it again, it's that much clearer.

[sleekproductions]

FRAILTY

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0264616/pic_02_300dpi.jpg

This was most likely one of the scariest and creepiest movies I have ever seen. The acting, directing, cinematography, and score were all great. However there were a few things that bugged me, thus taking away from my overall enjoyment of the film. Now don't get me wrong, I thought it was pretty good but

SPOILERS

First of all, I think they should've explained why Powers Boothe's character killed his mother. I found that kind of forced and unreasonable. Second I didn't like the fact they made Fenton (the supposed hero)a serial killer in the end. And yes, in my opinion, he became a serial killer. Third, I sort of felt that the film was pointless. Ok, they get a message from god to kill these demons, but why them? Why wouldn't god just kill them? I think these things could've been explained a bit better. I left the theatre feeling sort of like, ok, I was scared. But that's pretty much it. And well yeah I have to think about it, but why? What's the point. The final thing that bugged me was the image of the angel when Dad was under the car. I felt that was forced and didn't quite look right.

END SPOILERS

Overall it was a decent horror/thriller film that provided a lot of scares and great techincal things, just nothing more.

5/10

[nightin1]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dh1989:
[B]MAJOR SPOILERS
Does anyone know how Adam incapacitated the FBI agent? I know he ended up killing him with an axe, but when the agent came at him and Adam had handcuffs on did he stab the agent or what?

[badgirl]

nightin- my guess would be that, if anything, he stabbed him, but i think that is intentionally vague because Adam incapacitated him with shock, so to speak. I think above everything else, he was like completely paralyzed with fear which also explains why he didn't really try to fight back.

[gl2899]

I agree with JOBLO and ARROW On this one. Without a doubt the best movie (so far) of the year. Throw in elements from slasher/mystery/unexplained genres and taking the viewer on a mind ride like no other. Solid performances (Matt may be a naked bongo playing pot head but the boy can act) and paxton isnt bad AND he can direct!!

SPOLERS******

Adam was the good guy of the movie, NOT Fenton, FENTON WAS THE BAD GUY!!!!, Old dad was right, he was born to be a demon and when Fenton killed pops it wasnt a heroic act, Fenton had no faith. Fenton WAS a mass murderer and Adam couldnt kill him until he was put on GODS list.

Now I am not a religious guy, heck Im practically Anti-Christian. But it was nice to see a movie that asks "what if this person wasnt some whacko zealot? what if he was a hero continuing GOds work" So Fenton was a bad guy and Pops, Adam and Good old Oatis were the good guys.
'
Speaking of Oatis, did pops name him, or was he already named when God led him to it? "And there shal be an axe and that exes name shall be oatis, so sayeth God. lol.

And Powers FBI agent was weakened by Adams power. All of the people that he and Pops had killed were evil sinners. THe nurse killed some guy, the old man was a pedophile killer but what was the one truly evil looking dudes ("shut THE FUCK UP" lol) sins?

All of you people who think that Fenton was a good guy for killing pops because he was a "religious nut" have no vision. I am so glad that it did not end that they were just nuts, we see that plenty in real life. This movie ,again, asked WHAT IF??????

ANd yes I was glad when dad got 'whacked until I found out that Adam actually HAD the power and was using it for good (within the realm of Law enforcement, ha ha) and the last scene where our hero, adam shook the other agents hand (after the proof with the tape and the agent not recalling adams face from less than 24 hours earlier) and adam says "youre a good man" SWEET, up there with american beauty and fight club IMHO.

[Kami]

I think that Adam needed to cover up his tracks by framing Fenton because of what his father said once, "There is a time in a person's life when they can disappear without anyone really noticing." or something like that. Which is actually true in a way. However, Doyle was a high-up in the FBI and it's unlikely that there would be a time for him to disappear unnoticed. I think this shows that Adam had to alter his usual routine and make special plans to cover himself. Also, he had to frame Fenton for it because someone had to have visited Doyle. If they hadn't found the badge they might have kept investigating.

[gl2899]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Kami:
I think that Adam needed to cover up his tracks by framing Fenton because of what his father said once, "There is a time in a person's life when they can disappear without anyone really noticing." or something like that. Which is actually true in a way. However, Doyle was a high-up in the FBI and it's unlikely that there would be a time for him to disappear unnoticed. I think this shows that Adam had to alter his usual routine and make special plans to cover himself. Also, he had to frame Fenton for it because someone had to have visited Doyle. If they hadn't found the badge they might have kept investigating.</font>


in the words of arab X


WRONG!!!

[Kami]

Um, a little support to your "WRONG!!!" would make it more convincing.

[gyro_44]

Yeah man, I'm afraid Kami is right in pointing out that Adam framed Fenton somehow. I mean, we see Adam kill the FBI agent with our own eyes. Afterward his bloody badge is recovered in Fenton's house, with his name on a list on the bulletin board. So obviously Adam framed Fenton, whom he had killed earlier, to look like the real killer of the FBI agent. He had to cover his tracks, especially in killing an authority. It seems you are the one who is ... WRONG! http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by gyro_44 (edited 04-24-2002).]

[bad seed]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Johnny Utah:
SPOILERS

I think that Paxton's dying words were not that Fenton was a demon, but that he told Adam to finsih off the guy laying on the floor. If Paxton had told Adam that Fenton was a demon then, Adam wouldn't have waited all those years to kill Fenton. I agree with the interpretation that Fenton became the God's Hands killer. I don't understand why Adam would go out of his way to frame Fenton for his murders when it is obvious he would probably keep killing demons in the future. I'd like to think there is a way for everything to logically add up but maybe we're given Paxton and Hanley too much credit. Still, its a creepy movie that falls short of greatness due to its glaring logic problems.</font>

**Spoilers**
Johnny: What you said about the dad's dying words is exactly right. I can prove this point becauseif you listen extremley carefully you will hear the dad mumble something to the extent of "....must be killed...." and then wham the scariest part of the damn movie. But there would be no reason for his dying words to be about Fenton being a demon because he tells Adam that earlier in the film.

OUT......

[gl2899]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Kami:
I think that Adam needed to cover up his tracks by framing Fenton because of what his father said once, "There is a time in a person's life when they can disappear without anyone really noticing." or something like that. Which is actually true in a way. However, Doyle was a high-up in the FBI and it's unlikely that there would be a time for him to disappear unnoticed. I think this shows that Adam had to alter his usual routine and make special plans to cover himself. Also, he had to frame Fenton for it because someone had to have visited Doyle. If they hadn't found the badge they might have kept investigating.</font>

Yes, youre right Adam did set it up to make it look like Fenton was the killer, You are ABSOLUTELY right http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

sorry about my smat assedness (is that a word?) I just hope everyone realizes that Fenton was a murdering bastard demon and Adam was a good, demon hunting ass kicker with some sweet powers. I like the movie, gave a new twist to religious zealots, had slasher, supernatural and mystery elements but some people still insist that Poppa Meiks and Adam were just nut job psychos. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! Sure in most movies they would have gone the old tired path of "oh , theyre just religious nutsos" but this movie dared to ask "What if?, What if they werent nuts but actually had these powers from God?"
And As Ive stated , Im not a religious guy, but I LOVE this movie because its , as the doritos guy says, Bold AND daring http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

oh yeah, you were right about Adam framing Fenton for Powers' FBI agents murder http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[RogueSpear]

I finally saw this today and I absolutely loved it (9/10). After reading every one else's interpretation of the movie I decided to post my own.

Up until the ending I was convinced that Dad was just a delusional, pyscho nutjob but then I changed my mind. It seems as though I am part of the minority but I don't think that Fenton was supposed to be the hero of the movie. Adam was the hero the whole time. I believe that Fenton was a demon and while he was locked in the cellar he received a vision from the devil to kill Dad. He then became psychotic and went on the become the "God's Hand" killer. If it was because he wanted Adam to kill him I haven't figured out yet...I need to see it again, but I think that Dad and Adam were actually destroying demons. If you think about everything that happens at the end it all makes sense.

Adam killed Fenton, then killed Wesley Doyle because he was a demon. The list that was placed on Fenton's bulliton board was actually Adam's list of names given to him by God. He put the list in Fenton's house so that it would look like Fenton had killed him as his last victim. The F.B.I. badge was placed downstairs to cement the whole thing. I personally thought it all worked out perfectly in the end.

This was a great movie. I have so much more respect for Bill Paxton now than I did before.

[badgirl]

Fenton didn't "become psychotic and then go on and become the God's hand Killer", he was a demon!!! That's the whole point, the whole twist.

[RogueSpear]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by badgirl:
Fenton didn't "become psychotic and then go on and become the God's hand Killer", he was a demon!!! That's the whole point, the whole twist.</font>

Damn, settle down. I know he was a demon and actually said that in my post. You wouldn't consider a demon to be a little psycho? The devil sure as hell is, why wouldn't his demons be?

And I thought that the fact that Dad and Adam were really on a mission from God and not delusional was a bigger twist than Fenton being a demon.

[Moviefreek]

Gyro, gl2899, i'm glad someone has some agreement with me, i've been hoping someone else would think the same way, i thought the same thing i felt that adam framed fenton. Bout time someone sees eye to eye with me on that.

[gl2899]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Moviefreek:
Gyro, gl2899, i'm glad someone has some agreement with me, i've been hoping someone else would think the same way, i thought the same thing i felt that adam framed fenton. Bout time someone sees eye to eye with me on that.</font>

Yeah, without a doubt Adam framed fenton for Agent Doyles "disappearance". As for Fentons other murders, those were all his and had nothing to do with Adam. In the end that was the difference, Adam was actually destroying demons whereas Fenton had become a serial killer. I have to see it again, what a great movie.

[badgirl]

Gyl- you know what though, (must first say that i am in agreement with your interpretation of the movie), it COULD have been possible that Adam also was the God's Hand Killer (not in a way that they both were) because in a sense, he was. Adam was killing people for God, so technically that makes him the God's Hand Killer, even though Fenton was the one killing people. The interesting thing is though, that although i believe that Fenton was a demon, the movie never showed him killing anyone, and the title of God's Hand Killer seems to fit more appropriately with Adam than with Fenton (though i am not debating your interpretation) i just think it could be another way to read it. Another thing too, is that technically, Fenton didn't have to kill anyone else. He killed Daddy, so that could have been enough to put him on Adam's list. I kind of like the idea of Adam being the God's Hand Killer better because he really was doing God's work, you know?

[dannywalker17]

FRAILTY
Written by Brent Hanley
Directed by Bill Paxton
Starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConahey, Matt O'Leary, and Powers Boothe

Rating: 9/10

I've been catching up on movies I didn't catch at the theatre, so I decided to check out this movie that Joblo loved. It is indeed a very creepy, captivating movie.

**MAJOR SPOILERS**













As this movie began, I found myself disappointed that it showed the end of the story and now we get to go back to the beginning and see it from there. In this kind of movie that doesn't work. Well, boy was I suprised. As the movie progressed, I became more and more inthralled in its story. It kept me guessing--and I predicted some things while others I didn't. I kept thinking it would be cool if it turned out that the FBI agent was a demon, but it sure seemed like they were going to insenuate that Pa Mieks was just nutzo crazy. Turns out...he wasn't. BTW, I think there is no reason that the agent killed his mother other than that he is a demon who kills. Anyway, I also had a feeling that young Fenton was going to kill his father instead of the demon. What I didn't predict was that Fenton was really Adam and that the "end of the story" that we saw at the beginning was not what really happened. I guess I really liked this movie because, although the ending was slightly predictable, I didn't really think they would go that way and thats the way I wanted it to end. I remember thinking "Well it won't happen, but he ultimate ending would be that there really are demons and the FBI guy is one." I got my wish.













**END SPOILERS**


As far as the rest of the movie besides plot goes, I loved it too. All the acting was good: Paxton, McConahey, and O'Leary who played young Fenton all did outstanding jobs. O'Leary gives us the best child performance this year. Paxton's directorial debut is commendable as well. He does an excellent job at making this movie, creepy, eerie, dark, suspensful, and disturbing. Paxton's depiction of a close family living with strange conditions is very believable, and the acting is very much a part of this too. Frailty is right up there with The Shining and The Others. The script is one of the best original screenplays of the year. I really liked this movie and it is strongly recommended.

[dannywalker17]

And my interpretation:

**Spoilers major**

Fenton really was a demon, and Adam and his father were really on a mission from God to kill these demons, including Fenton and Doyle. Adam sort of framed Fenton for Doyle's death to cover his tracks, but he was also protected by God in the case of the surveilence tapes and the young FBI agent not recognizing him. Fenton went on to kill people simply because he was a demon and he was the one being called The God's Hand Killer by the FBI and newspapers, because he was the one leaving behind notes and bodies. The thing to remember about this movie is that it's just a movie. I am a "church-goer", but the fact that this movie insenuates that they truly were on a mission from God does not offend me because its just make believe. Adam was the hero and Fenton was a demon. It's pretty clear to me.

[adamjohnson]

if a horror movie's quality is based on how much people talk about it AFTER they've seen it, then this is the greatest horror movie ever!! And, it's been a while, but the kid who killed paxton actually was a demon, paxton didnt want to believe it bc hes his son, but he is, which is why the other brother kills him. And the other brother rreally is a demon slayer and so was his father, hence the vision at the end.

Some less intelligent people - that stupid HOT ot NOT critic show - dont understand that they really were demon killers, and were genuinely disturbed by what they saw - WITHOUT EVEN GETTING IT AT ALL. it's ok if they dont like it, but when you dont even get it, it kinda makes you look dymb - which those two nerds are.

[idealdiscountdude]

As Frailty is already on video, it is no longer considered a Current Movie. To discuss this film further please do so in the General Movie Talk Forum.

This thread is closed.