REVIEWS
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The Wolfpack
Highlights
DIRECTOR: Crystal Moselle CAST: Bhagavan Angulo, Govinda Angulo, Jagadisa Angulo
“Our problem is not the subjects – they’re very very intriguing. The issue here is that the documentary seems to only scratch the surface.”
WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING?
The Wolfpack.
What’s it about? Seven siblings (six brothers and one sister) have grown up in near isolation, locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Angulo brothers have spent their childhood learning about the world through the films. When they venture outside without parental supervision for the first time, everything changes.
We remember when The Wolfpack made its Sundance premiere; it was the talk of the town. This documentary introduces a gang of siblings who have been raised in seclusion in the heart of New York City. They’ve been home schooled and much of their views on the outside world come from a well-stocked DVD and VHS library, which has prompted them to take refuge in play-acting of their favourite films – weird? A little. Our problem is not the subjects – they’re very very intriguing. The issue here is that the documentary seems to only scratch the surface; there are dark suggestions not pursued, mostly centering on Oscar, the father, a Peruvian follower of Hare Krishna who appears to be controlling every aspect of family life. There are also the scenes where it’s more than hinted that the wife, Susanne, may be a victim of domestic abuse. There is more than one elephant in the room here; the fact that social services is aware of this dysfunctional family is swept under the rug, and one of the boys reveals that there was a whole year when none of them left the apartment. It’s the strange yet fascinating, and mysterious, factors at the heart of The Wolfpack that make it so compelling to watch.
“The comedy factor is kept to a consistent, generous and pleasurable level, that doesn’t spoof the espionagethriller genre – in fact; Spy makes it all the more exciting.” Spy.
Spy What’s it about? A CIA analyst working a desk job is reminded that she once had dreams of being a spy. Lucky for her, a new mission requires someone unrecognisable to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and stop a diabolical global disaster, and so, she volunteers for the task.
DIRECTOR: Paul Feig CAST: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law WHY IT’S WORTH WATCHING? How amazing is Melissa McCarthy? This woman was made for comedy – she’s hilarious! Along with Paul Feig (director of The Heat and Bridesmaids), everything about Spy is amazing. The writing, the screenplay, and all the laugh out loud, witty one-liners, plus, who knew Jason Statham could do funny so well? The comedy factor is kept to a consistent, generous and pleasurable level, that doesn’t spoof the espionage-thriller genre – in fact; Spy makes it all the more exciting. Both Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig have a commitment to comedy, and from their proven track record, everything they touch, turns to comedy gold (excuse the cliché). Spy is brimming with gigglestuffed scenes, hitting the zeitgeist, hard! fact magazine
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