BILL PAXTON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.  USA/Germany/Italy, 2001.  David Kirschner Productions, American Entertainment, Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, Cinedelta.  Screenplay by Brent Hanley.  Cinematography by Bill Butler.  Produced by David Blocker, David Kirschner, Corey Sienaga.  Music by Brian Tyler.  Production Design by Nelson Coates.  Costume Design by April Ferry.  Film Editing by Arnold Glassman.  National Board of Review Awards 2002.  Online Film Critics Awards 2002.  

A disturbed Matthew McConaughey shows up at police headquarters to tell chief investigator Powers Boothe that his brother is responsible for the serial killings that have been going on in their town. When Boothe asks for proof, McConaughey spins for him a tale as tall as any ever told in Texas. It seems that as little boys, he and his brother were forced by their father (Bill Paxton, who also directs) to take part in a series of grizzly murders that they were led to believe were ordained by God as the destruction of the world’s demons.  McConaughey, the elder of the two boys, never believed that this was the case and instead tried to get his brother away from his obviously insane father before it was too late. Paxton surprises us with his admirably fine direction, but the screenplay’s tricks and twists are a bit too obvious ahead of time and the finale doesn’t quite fit in right with the rest of the story. Still, the performances are strong and McConaughey pleases his fans by answering telephone calls without his shirt on (which gives the film its substance, actually).