42. Moonlight (2016) Film Review

In 2016, A24 produced their first full length film in "Moonlight," and it ended up winning three Oscars including Best Picture. Almost no film studio’s win Best Picture with the first movie they produce, but many knew Moonlight was special the day it was released. Written and directed by Barry Jenkins and based off a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney: Moonlight brings us into the world of Little, Chiron, and Black. Little is growing up in poverty in Liberty City, Miami with a single mom (played by Naomie Harris) and a peer group that does not accept him. Juan (played by Mahershala Ali) finds him in an abandoned apartment complex running away from bullies, and quickly becomes the father figure he never had. Many say this beautifully photographed and phenomenally acted arthouse piece was one of the best film's of the last 25 years. Do these ragtag group of Midwestern film reviewers agree? Caution: movie spoilers.