Ah yes, Friday. A day of the week that actually means something to me now that I am no longer shackled to the weekends of retail. How glorious. It’s also a day to talk about the movies that have had a great impact on my life. From horror and suspense, to action and (dare I say) romance. Gasp! Today’s film has all of these qualities, but not in the way you might expect. In fact, nothing about this movie is what you expect, and that’s what makes it work so damn well.

I’m talking about Frailty, the 2001 flick directed by, and starring, Bill Paxton. I swear on my mothers life, if you have never seen this movie, add it to whatever list you are keeping, then move it to the top, okay?

Written by Brent Hanley, Frailty is told from the perspective of Fenton Meeks, who comes forward to the FBI and confesses that his brother, Adam, may be a serial killer known as ‘The God’s Hands Killer.’ Using flashbacks to show the lives of the two brothers growing up, it mainly focuses on their father, who believed that he was on a mission from God to destroy demons that inhabit the bodies of humans. Fenton saw his dad as evil, but Adam adored him, and would do anything to please him.

Don’t let the religious undertones of the movie scare you off. They work so subtly well that you look right past them and into the eyes of the father, played diabolically by Paxton. Through it all, you witness how one man’s sickness affects his children when they grow up. It’s an extremely well told story, and one that will resonate with you long after the credits have rolled.

I can remember shutting this one off after it was over and sitting there in awe at it. Up until that point, I don’t think a movie had impressed me to the point of me wanting to scream it from the rooftops that everyone should see it. Years later, while working at Blockbuster, whenever someone asked me for a recommendation, I put Frailty in their hands whether they wanted it or not, and they always came back and thanked me for it.

So check it out, and see for yourself how a good story is told. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll enjoy it.

UPDATE

After a few days of silence from the person who calls herself Zoe, I received another disturbing email last night. I don’t know what kind of game she is playing, if any, but I’ve just about had it up to here. These letters continue to get freakier and freakier each time. Either she is in trouble and this is the only way she knows how to call out for help, or it’s some kind of sick game she is playing with me. Regardless, I am seriously considering going to the authorities after this last one. What do you guys think? Should I wash my hands of Zoe and give it over to the professionals? Read on and let me know.

(click to enlarge)