Look up “Moonlight” online, and you’ll be overwhelmed by what you find.
On Rotten Tomatoes, a website that aggregates movie reviews,“Moonlight” is in a three-way tie for the highest rated film released in 2016, with a 98 percent approval rating. It’s hard to imagine the immense critical praise being heaped on the film could be any more overwhelming, considering the few small number of negative reviews coming from places like The National Review.
The Philadelphia Inquirer called “Moonlight” a true American masterpiece and one of the best films of the decade.” The Miami Herald described it as Miami’s first bonafide movie masterpiece.” The Washington Post labeled it a perfect film.” The Wall Street Journal went with the term masterpiece ― an overused word, but not the wrong one.” The Toronto Star said it was “an entirely fresh example of the power that great movies can exert on our lives,” and The Toronto Sun argued it’s “so good it may restore your faith in cinema.”
The New York Times’ A.O. Scott asked more simply, “Is This the Year’s Best Movie?” And it just might be. The film already took home Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes in January, and it’s up for eight awards at the 89th Academy Awards later this month ― Best Picture, Directing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Cinematography, Music (Original Score), Actor in a Supporting Role and Actress in a Supporting Role. That’s tied with “Arrival” for the second most nominations of this year, and only trails the Academy-tailored LA-based musical “La La Land.”
Critics love “Moonlight,” as does Hollywood. So why aren’t people seeing it?
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