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Avenging
Angels
An unnerving tale
of unholy visions.
By Lois
Wadsworth
FRAILTY: Directed by Bill Paxton.
Written by Brent Hanley. Produced by David Kirshner, David Blocker, Corey Sienega.
Executive producers Karen Loop, Tom Huckabee, Tom Ortenberg. Cinematography, Bill
Butler. Editor, Arnold Glasman. Production design, Nelson Coates. Costumes, April
Ferry. Art director, Kevin Cozen. Set docorator, Linda Lee Sutton. Music, Brian Tyler.
Starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matthew O'Leary and Jeremy
Sumpter. Lion's Gate Films, 2002. R. 100 minutes.
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Dad (Bill Paxton) wields a mighty
helper in thi sdouble-edged Otis axe.me,
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I'm not a fan of the horror genre, so despite Bill Paxton's expert,
naturalistic directorial debut in this compact, Pentecostal, Southern thriller, I
was filled with dread and fear. That's the point, of course. Like other recent films
-- The Others, The Gift, The Pledge and A Simple Plan,
in which Paxton played a central role -- Frailty is more about suspense than
gore. The artful use of shadow, mist and moonlight transforms the ordinary into the
scary. The simple love between brothers is expressed through a cup of water poured
through a hole into a receiving, open mouth. And while the filmmakers keep the worst
of the film's killings offscreen, the emotional impact is undiluted.
Like the characters in these smarter genre pictures, the Meiks
family -- Dad (Bill Paxton), Fenton (Matthew O'Leary) and Adam (Jeremy Sumptor) --
seem to be an everyday, all-American family. But we already know that something is
terribly wrong with these nice folks because the film opens as a now adult but unwaveringly
creepy Fenton (Matthew McConaughey) tells skeptical FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (Powers
Boothe) that he knows the killer in the unsolved God's Hand murders.
From that point on, Fenton's voice leads us back into the past
to show us the turning point in his life, the night his auto mechanic dad wakes him
and his little brother, Adam, to tell them that the angel of God has come to him
in a dream with a "special plan" for his family. From the start, Fenton
is a non-believer, while Adam takes to dad's unholy visions and the destruction (i.e.,
murder) of demons in human form. This nightmare scenario plays out in different ways
for the two boys, but it's hard to not see child abuse as a major theme for both
children.
Dad's Apocalyptic visions and the electrifying states that possess
him as he touches his victims before administering the coup de grace (the stroke
of mercy) manifest as psychopathology. Despite the father's rational, loving side,
these images evoke a monster father figure not unlike the bloody-minded dad Jack
Nicholson portrays in Kubrick's The Shining. With its roots deep in the rich,
brown Texas soil, Frailty ultimately spins a macabre twist into the bond between
brothers and one brother's promise of a rose garden.
Paxton delivers a smart, scary movie here, and he's frighteningly
able as the murderous father. At first a cautionary tale about where a religious
obsession with ridding the world of evil leads, by the end, Frailty's many
kinky snarls have shown it to be anything but a simple plan. Now playing at Cinemark,
see this one only if you can handle it.
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OPENING OR
RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
City of Lost Children, The: French directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet
and Marc Caro's surreal fairy tale about a sinister land of lost innocence, where
tough, precocious children are treasured and exploited. Brilliant dark fantasy with
excellent performances from Ron Perlman and young Judith Vittet includes some graphic
violence. R. At 7 pm on 4/25 in 180 PLC. Free.
Crush: Girlfriend comedy stars Andie MacDowell, Imelda Staunton
and Anna Chancellor in a film by British director John McKay. R. Bijou.
Death to Smoochy: Robin Williams is a children's TV show
actor who is fired and replaced by Smoochy, a rhino played by Edward Norton. Danny
de Vito also stars in, and directs, this dark satire. R. Movies 12.
Eat Drink Man Woman: Romantic comedy filled with spectacular
Chinese cooking. Taiwan's greatest living chef tries to cope with three rebellious
adult daughters and the men in their lives. Directed by Ang Lee (The Wedding Banquet).
In Chinese with English subtitles. Unrated. At 7 pm 4/26, International Lounge, EMU.
Free.
In the Bedroom: One of the best of 2001, this intimate domestic
drama directed by Todd Field from an Andre Dubus story stars Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson
and Marisa Tomei. Academy awards for Spacek, Tomei and screenwriters. Highest recommendations.
R. Movies 12. See
review.
Jason X: Screamfest with tagline "Evil Gets an Upgrade."
R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Life or Something Like It: Angelina Jolie stars with Edward
Burns, Tony Shalhoub, Stockard Channing and Christian Kane in Stephen Herek's cautionary
tale about learning to lead a meaningful life. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Return to Neverland: Disney animated tale of the rebellious
12-year old daughter of grown up Wendy (from Peter Pan). Pete's still around,
and he tries to help her. G. Movies 12.
Salt of the Earth (1953): Powerful tale of women's liberation
set during a union strike in New Mexico. Directed by Herbert Biberman, one of the
original Hollywood ten blacklisted for resisting McCarthyism. Completed in the face
of vigilante attacks, deportation of its star and denial of technical facilities,
film won major awards in Europe. Stars Rosaura Revueltas and Will Geer. NR. At 7
pm on 5/2 in 180 PLC. Free.
Time Machine: Guy Pearce (Memento) stars in this
remake of H.G. Welles sci-fi novel, directed by Simon Wells (The Prince of Egypt).
Creator of time machine is hurled 800,000 years into the future, where he finds there
are only hunters and the hunted. PG-13. Movies 12.
Underground Zero: Thirty shorts representing professional
and novice independent filmmakers' response to the attacks of September 11 produced
by Guggenheim Fellowship teachers Jay Rosenblatt and Caveh Zahedi. NR. At 7:30 4/26
at 1136 W. 5th Ave., $3-$5 donation.
CONTINUING
Beautiful Mind, A: Inspired by the true story of a mathematical
genius whose great discovery came early in his career, Ron Howard's film stars Russell
Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly. Academy Awards for supporting actress, directing,
best picture, and writing. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinemark. See review.
Black Hawk Down: Ridley Scott directs this true story based
on the mission-gone-wrong of American special forces in Somalia, 1993. Stars Josh
Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Ron Eldard and Sam Shepard. AFI award for best picture,
2001. R. Movies 12.
Blade 2: Directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also directed
Devil's Backbone. But there the resemblance ends. Wesley Snipes stars in this vampire
horror flick. R. Cinemark.
Changing Lanes: Starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson
as, two men who meet in a minor car accident and set out to destroy each other's
lives. Directed by Roger Mitchell and produced by Scott Rudin. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Clockstoppers: Johnathan Frakes directs this teen movie
about a boy who finds a way to stop time. Starring Jessie Bradford, French Stewart
and Paula Garces. PG. Cinemark.
Count of Monte Cristo, The: Alexandre Duma's classic tale
of wrongful imprisonment and revenge stars Jim Caviezel, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce
and Richard Harris. Scenes in prison are the film's best; much else is overblown.
PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives.
Crossroads: Britney Spears and two childhood friends hit
the road together and learn a lot about life. PG 13. Movies 12.
Frailty: Matthew McConaughey tells an FBI agent he knows
the God's Hand serial killer. Bill Paxton plays the fanatical dad, who believes God's
mission for him and his young sons is to destroy demons on Earth. Paxton directs.
R. Cinemark. See review.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Utterly faithful
to J.K. Rowling's book. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie
Coltrane and more. Directed by Chris Columbus. PG. Movies 12. See review.
High Crimes: Ashley Judd plays a woman who finds out her
husband is not who he claimed to be. She and Morgan Freedman must defend him from
being framed by the military. PG 13. Cinemark.
Ice Age: Chris Wedge directs the voices of Ray Romano, John
Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Goran Vizjnic in this digitally animated story of prehistoric
creatures trying to save a human child. G. Cinemark, Cinema World.
Kandahar: A fictional story, set just as the Taliban took
over power in Afghanistan, follows an educated woman, played by Nelofer Pazira, who
returns to her homeland to rescue her sister. We see the state of the country and
its people through her eyes. Written, directed and produced by Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
NR. Bijou. See review
.
Kissing Jessica Stein: Written by and starring Heather Juergensen
and Jennifer Wesfeldt, this romantic comedy explores gender issues and intimacy.
Jessica meets Helen through a personals add and is shocked to find a real connection
and attraction. But will that be enough? R. Bijou.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring: The
first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson stars
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee.
Academy Award winner for cinematography, makeup, and visual effects. Highest recommendations.
PG-13. Cinemark. See
review.
Monsoon Wedding: As a Punjabi family in Delhi gathers for
a wedding celebration, traditional and contemporary culture mix. Created by Mira
Nair (Salaam Bombay!), staring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey and others.
R. Bijou. See review.
Murder by Numbers: Sandra Bullock stars in this detective
thriller which pits her against two clever teens (Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt).
Produced by Bullock herself, and directed by Barbet Schroeder. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Ocean's Eleven: Steven Soderbergh's remake stars George
Clooney, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Andy Garcia. This gang plans to
hit several Las Vegas casinos on the same night. Soderbergh never disappoints. PG-13.
Movies 12. See
review.
Other Side of Heaven, The: Christopher Gorham stars as a
young missionary sent to Tongan, and Anne Hathaway is the sweetheart he leaves behind.
She writes him letters and helps keep his spirits up. Not actually created by the
Church of Latter Day Saints, it's more of a story of missionaries in general. PG.
Cinemark.
Panic Room: David Fincher directs Jodie Foster, Forrest
Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam in this creepy thriller about a woman and her daughter
stuck in a room in their own home. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Rookie, The: Dennis Quaid stars as baseball coach who makes
a deal with his team and ends up trying out for a minor league contract. Also with
Rachel Griffiths. G. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Royal Tenenbaums, The: Wes Anderson directs this critically
acclaimed film that looks at a family of geniuses who turn out to be simply neurotic.
Stars Gene Hackman, Angelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth
Paltrow, Danny Glover and Bill Murray. AFI Award: Hackman. Academy noms to Anderson
and Wilson's screenplay. Much sweeter on second seeing. Highest recommendations.
R. Movies 12. See
review.
Scorpion King, The: Inspired by The Mummy Returns, this
thriller stars WWF's The Rock and is directed by WWF's The Mask, aka Eraser Chuck
Russell. The Rock plays a hired assassin trying to stop the evil ruler of the city
of Gomorra. Our bets are on him. PG 13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Snow Dogs: Brian Levant directs Cuba Gooding Jr. in this
Disney tale of a man who goes to Alaska to claim his inheritance -- a team of sled
dogs with their own minds. With James Coburn, M. Emmet Walsh and Graham Greene. PG.
Movies 12.
Sweetest Thing, The: Looking for love on the road, Cameron
Diaz and Christina Applegate star in this romantic comedy. Thomas Jane stars as Mr.
Right, directed by Roger Kumble. R. Cinemark.
Vanilla Sky: Cameron Crowe directs this erotic thriller
starring Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee
and Timothy Spall. Highly recommended. R. Movies 12. See review.
Walk to Remember, A: Shane West and Mandy Moore star in
this adaptation of a best-seller. Directed by Adam Shankman. PG. Movies 12.
MOVIE
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Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
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Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
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Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
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Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
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Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
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NEW RELEASES
ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of
EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Ali: Will Smith plays Muhammad Ali in Michael MannÍs film. Also stars Jon Voight,
Giancarlo Esposito, Mario Van Peebles. Academy noms for Smith, Voight. Brilliant
film, true to AliÍs spirit; biting in its exploration of racism, 1964-1974. Very
highest recommendations. R. Online archives.
Not Another Teen Movie: Directed by MTV producer Joel Gallen, high school
comedy involves a bet a jock (Chris Evans) takes to turn a nerdy girl (Chyler Leigh)
into a prom queen. Duh! R.
Next week: Earth VS the Spider, In the Time of the Butterflies, OceanÍs
Eleven and Waking Life.
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