The Wolfpack (2015)

Directed by Crystal Moselle
Starring the Angulo Family

Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Nicknamed, 'The Wolfpack,' the brothers spend their childhood reenacting their favorite films using elaborate homemade props and costumes. Their world is shaken up when one of the brothers escapes and everything changes.

Never in my life have I seen a documentary that told a story so open-mindedly, so detached from the usual "GOTCHA!" journalism and so honest as the one Crystal Moselle has told in this documentary. Even with a story that is so one-sided and obvious as to what's right and what's wrong, she reveals the opinion of everyone involved without cutting and splicing what they say to fit her agenda.

The true power of movies is revealed with this family-- a group of sons that have no reason to enjoy life, yet discover themselves in the films they watch. It was truly inspiring to see the excitement they have for life and the world which is still very new to them.

I expected to find nothing but heart break and darkness in the lives of these young men. But rather, I was shown how their bond pushed them past the obstacles they faced together and gave them hope. This is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible stories ever told.

My Rating: 10/10

The Red Army (2014)

Written and Directed by Gabe Polsky
Featuring Viacheslav Fetisov, Alexei Kastonov, Anatoli Karpov and Vladislav Tretiak

The story of the Soviet Union's famed Red Army Hockey team through the eyes of it's players.

An eye opening and personal look behind the Iron Curtain from the unlikeliest of political influences. The Red Army hockey club was once the best hockey club in the world (Although they couldn't beat the Broad Street Bullies! GO FLYERS!). I knew that this was gonna be a great hockey documentary. But I didn't expect the intimate details of what it was like being a hero to your countries citizens and a prisoner to their government.

Gabe Polsky developed a brilliant take on the infamous team. Interviewing key members of their many medals and championships, he breaks down their lives starting from the front of being a soldier on a hockey team and digging little by little into their tightly controlled lives.

Through interviews, Polsky gets the aging athletes to not only discuss life in the Soviet Union, but to also show the emotional impact it had. The pride, fear, loathing and love and all other complex feelings about their homeland came pouring out. It helped me to understand a sense of pride for such a tyrannical system, even in the slightest regard.

On top of all that, it showed how the same game could be played in two completely different ways just by being divided by oceans and a military standoff. The grace in finesse of the Russians was overpowering to the brutal way of the Canadians and Americans (even though brutality is what makes hockey interesting). 

An informative and touching documentary on the world's greatest game, this is a movie for all hockey fans.

My Rating: 8/10