What’s it About?
A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course: The father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings – a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder.
“Big Bad Wolves”
Directed by Aharon Keshales, Navot Papushado
8 1/2 out of 10
By Paul Knoop
Wow, I have no idea where I should start after having just witnessed the one hour and fifty minutes that ‘Big Bad Wolves’ takes to tell its story. Earlier this year I saw ‘Prisoners’, the child abduction drama with Hugh Jackman, and that movie packed a punch for me. In some ways, ‘Big Bad Wolves’ is similar, the center of the story is the hunt for the murderer of a little girl and the people affected by that murder.
But let’s begin at the same point I started: totally blank. I heard about this movie through the horror forums on the internet and decided to download it and watch it without any prior knowledge of what it’s about. Since you are reading this, you can’t have the same experience I had but rest assured, ten minutes in you’ll know everything I am telling you now.
We meet Micki (Lior Ashkenazi), an Israeli cop, in the middle of trying to beat the truth out of schoolteacher Dror (Rotem Keinan) for his role in the murder of a little girl. The beating he and his mates give Dror accidentally lands on YouTube and forces his boss to put Micki off the case and off the police force. But not before letting him now that he can still pursue Dror, prove he’s guilty, and clean his own record so he can get reinstated with the police.
So far, so good right? This all sounds like your basic ‘Se7en’ meets ‘Silence of the Lambs’ type scenario, and in ways it is. Where it differs greatly from those movies is that it emphasizes the black humor of the situation. There are many moments when the movie is headed towards some very gory scenes yet something darkly funny interrupts the scene. By the time we meet up with the father of the murdered girl, director duo Aharon Kehales and Navot Papushado have actively set the scene for what’s to follow.
It’s at times as gut wrenching as ‘Prisoners’ was and at other times it tries and make fun of what it is. This conflicting clash of styles makes for a rather unusual and very emotional movie that can make you grin as much as it can make you clamp onto your seat for what’s to come. It’s safe to say that ‘Big Bad Wolves’ is a blow to the stomach, in more ways then one.
And I urge everyone to search for this Israeli movie, either way you can and let me know what you thought of it. As far as child abduction movies go, I think I’ve had my share for 2014 already.
VIC'S MOVIE DEN 
Good stuff!! THIS MOVIE IS EXCELLENT!!!
I am looking forward to this one big time. I recall you gave it a really great write up.
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it!
Great post Vic 🙂
Thanks! I appreciate it. 😉
The credit goes all to my good Dutch friend, Paul, who knows how to put together a brief, concise and objective review!
Thanks for stopping by!
I still need to see this one. You make it sound pretty to very good, though, as have many before you. Need to find some way to see it.
Definitely watch this one Vic! Excellent post, right to the point and gives it enough praise :).
I plan to! Paul also insisted I watch it right away. It looks very good. I’m glad you enjoyed his review!
I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
Hearing some really good things about this one. Definitely gonna keep an eye open for it. Nice post Vic!
Glad you enjoyed Paul’s review! I am very stoked for this one. Sounds like it’s going to actually live up to the hype.
Thanks for stopping by!
My bad, nice work Paul!
No harm done. 🙂 I’ve changed the way I lay out the regular film reviews. Instead of Vic’s Review or Paul’s Review etc etc, I just list the title of the film and in the body of the review itself I just add in “By Vic” or “By Paul” or “By Brian” etc etc.
I hope it works out, lol. I had a feeling it could cause some confusion.
Good review, glad you liked it. Am gonna check it out as soon as possible 😀
Happy to hear you enjoyed Paul’s review, Tim! I am very excited about this one. Can’t wait to sit down and catch up with it myself.
Thanks for swinging by! 🙂
Same here looks great 😀
This is a great flick! I loved it as well! Did you ever get around to viewing it Vic?
I have a copy. I need to move it to the top of the pile. Really looking forward to it, though. Since Paul already reviewed it I may not give it a write up but I will let you know when I get around to it 🙂
I am watching Afflicted this weekend! Can’t wait!
YES VIC! Hopefully my heavy promotion of it does not let you down!
Ha! I’m sure it won’t. 🙂 Your review was killer and has me really stoked for it.
I saw this film at Lincoln Center back in January and loved it! I totally understood why Quentin Tarantino loved it so much.