Considering the very controversial and sickening nature of this story and how it can be sensitively portrayed everything about this film is outstanding and highly impressive. From the performances of the leading ensemble cast to the supporting actors it is clear the entire team of the ‘Spotlight’ film knew the importance of what they were making.
For the victims then and the victims now this is a testament to the absolute corruption, abuse of power the true helplessness and impotence of those on the lower rungs of the ladder.
All of this in a film with no sensationalism, no recourse to graphic detail, no deliberate emotional overloads. It is as if the film crew followed the Spotlight team around as their long and difficult investigation. As far as I can tell this film is truly authentic which is a rare commodity in a film these days especially those that are based on true events. The cinematography relies on a natural look and this gritty realistic feel to the ongoing investigation is as important to the story as the top-class acting on display.
Everything about this movie is outstanding -- the performances, the way the true events are handled, the cinematography. In this day of digital news, this movie makes us stand back and realize what we may lose in the way of investigative journalism as we slowly kill off print media.
Each character is portrayed very well and I never got the feeling that the story was preaching or too dramatic. The cast truly is an ensemble cast and no one actor pokes their head above the parapet shouting look at me, look at me. Mark Ruffalo clearly studied Mike Rezendes’ manners and way of behaving and Rachel McAdams gives her best performance to date. In this part of the review I could just list each actor and say how great they were but really looking at the cast list you know you are going to get good value for money, Live Schreiber and Stanley Tucci are in it for goodness sake. I was particularly impressed with how each character was given just a little background story beyond their life as a reporter to flesh them out, make them ‘real’, but not enough to distract, slow-down or make the film melodramatic. Other film-makers should take a long hard look at that aspect.
There is never a wasted scene or character in the film, nothing is sensationalised but the overwhelmingly powerful message is that this happened, was allowed to happen and then covered-up by those with the power to stop it – and worst of all is still happening and probably will continue….
Sometimes a film is more than just a film.
An amazing movie which shows you how far one group can go to defend power and the most awful problem that still persists in the world since the beginning of civilization.
'All the president's men' meets the Catholic church.
I absolutely loved this movie, it's the kind of movie that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I grew up in a catholic household and one of my local priests was accused of pedophilia, everything about this movie felt so incredibly real. It's a story we've all heard before, yet when it's told by the victims and by those in the middle of it it becomes all the more powerful. The acting in this movie was superb, not just from the leads but from the side characters. The performances from the victims were fantastic and incredibly moving. The directing is so subtle and laid back, McCarthy lets the story do it's work without needing flashy visuals or incredible shots. The movie is so simple, and it lets it's story and acting be the center point, adding to the power. The score is perfect background music, it doesn't distract from the movie and fits perfectly into the background. I'm having a hard time thinking of anything I disliked about it, it was a little slow but that made it feel more real and worthwhile. It's easily my favorite film of 2015, passing Ex Machina. I almost never give movies 10/10, but this movie deserves it.
It's a good docu-drama that does things the way you should, there is nothing obviously wrong with it, but somehow the final product is only a good movie, not a great one, maybe because the focus feels wrong. It's not about the content of the story they are writing, it's not about the people who did horrible things, or their victims, it's a process story about how they came to write that great story, and everyone got themselves some awards. It's news media inside baseball.
I (German) watched this with my (American) husband at the cinema today. We took away very different things from the experience. I enjoyed the film, though I felt it was a bit overlong, while my husband found it incredibly boring. The difference? He grew up in an environment (all boys school in a poor area) where school teachers and pastors abusing and having sex with children was a part of everyday life and followed this on the news when it happened - I grew up as far removed as can be and didn't follow it on the news when it initially happened. I was aware of key facts, but no details. I think this was quite frankly made too soon after the events. This story dominated airwaves throughout 2002, the earliest you can make a movie about it that is interesting to everybody is in another 10-15 years. Wait at least a full generation. It gets more enjoyable the less you already know - much like American Crime Story, to name another recent example (where my husband and I had the exact same reactions).
I loved it so much I bought it. This movie was amazing to watch. Afterwards I found out that this was shot in a few weeks with a relatively low budget. That was a really tight shoot. The cast and the crew were amazing and the DOP, magnificent. The story was strong and the pacing was just right. Everyone needs to see this at least once. The story is against the grain or not easy to take. It is surprising and discussion provoking. This movie was well done and disturbing. Exceptional performances by Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson. Bait and Trap.
Special movie with great ending scene..Last 20 minutes just perfect..Hard to watch some parts but if you concetrate on acting perfomances you won't waste your time..Ellen's Page perfomance was one of the best perfomances i have seen in my life just woww!!
7.6/10
A very pleasant surprise! From a low-budget project I did not expect a high-quality feel like it. Ellen Page is always wonderful in every role she plays. The story is interesting and is tactfully with an issue as difficult as that of pedophilia. Very raw at times and, therefore, recommended for adult audiences.
Lost in Translation was a slow but beautiful movie. It's pretty understated and subtle, with very nuanced performances by Scarlett Johansson (whom I don't usually like; apparently she was 19 when she made this) and Bill Murray. Probably one of the best romance movies I've seen, though definitely not for everybody.
"The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you."
This movie really got to me. I was really cheering for them to be together. I thought Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson were perfect. Great soundtrack.
Beautiful. This film really gets under the skin. These are real lost people and Johansson and Murray's chemistry is the best I've ever seen. The sheer joy and realness in those karaoke/party scenes are just unforgettable.
A slow moving but excellent film with some great cinematography, great soundtrack and incredible performances.
Just a beautiful movie, perfect casting, fantastic script and beautifully shot.......perfect!
Beautiful. The chemistry between Murray and Johansson is palpable.
I wanna rate it 9, but the movie was really slow, so i guess 8 is fair.
Anyway, it was so beautiful, i mean this state of mind they were at was too relatable! I guess to be bored of your life, lose your passion, then lose yourself, all of that i've been through! i really like being alone, but as the movie clarified, it's a relief when you find someone that understands you, that you can share moments with him & then find what you really are.
It doesnt have to be a lover/bf/gf ,etc.... it can be a friend, someone you really love, however, he can be then the one you share your life with! who knows!
all of that i got from the movie, they obviously loved each other, and that evolved from love being together and talking with each other, it's not just about sex ffs! they shared the bed together talking, laughing, and watching a movie! that's what you need when you are lost.
but they hid their feelings, for so many reasons, age difference was one of course, she brought that up when she was obviously jelaous that he had a one night stand!
it's a very complicated situation, only if u feel how they feel u can understand why they loved each other when they found each other.
Anyway again, the movie was slow, no much for the script, but the cinematography & the cadres! WOW! amazing, i literally took 167 capture of the movie! the music was also good.
For the acting, SUPERB, Bill was really funny and broken! no many actors can pull this off.
Scarlett! i mean Young Scarlett! how cute, sexy & beautiful she is! she did a really good job in this one, loved her.
The Ending scene tho! i almost had tears when he hugged her & she cried! it was perfect.
This movie reminded me of all the trips I took while I was in college. While I was abroad I didn't really care about my life back in my city and was freer. The neon lighting of Tokio gave the movie a cyberpunkish feeling. I could relate to everything the characters were doing in the movie.
It may not be a masterpiece, I agree on that, but I really loved this movie. I like when Disney keeps it simple and things like family, friendship, love, fear and courage shine in one simple movie. I was teary in two moments of the movie and hoping that everything turns out good for Arlo and Spot. It was beautiful, simple but really beautiful. It was a good reminder that "courage doesn't exist without fear".
I am a 25 year old man who watched this with my 2 daughters. I cried. My daughters did not. Film was enjoyable by all however. Watched it a second time with my Mrs, she cried twice! Made me feel a little better about it all.
I thought it was pretty good. Started off a little slow but once spot is on the scene it is hilarious. I watched it with no kids and in my 30s and found myself laugh out loud several times. Even had me a little watery eyed at places. I thinks this is definitely worth a re-watch.
It's a sweet movie, unfortunately I got a bit disappointed because it reminded me a lot of The Lion King and a bit of Ice Age (not because of the theme). And I might have watched LOTR and Hobbit few times to many but some sequence sounded just like music from The Shire.
Anyway enough complaining. It's a nice family flick with a great message that you don't have to be fearless to be brave.
The Good Dinosaur in 1 word: Bambisaur :-D
I really enjoyed this movie. But it is not really an original one, more like a 2016, dinosaur version of the lion king. An a lot of references to great Disney classics. However, you can watch it without having any doubt about the screenplay and aesthetic quality :)
The movie overall was superb. Animation of the movie was amazing. The story was well told for any age to understand and to keep up with. There are sad moments and funny ones as well. I would recommend anyone to watch this even if you don't have children.
While it may not be a Pixar masterpiece like Inside Out, or Toy Story, The Good Dinosaur delivers visually beautiful animation, dinosaur-sized fun, and a sweet and touching story of friendship.
Amazing animation, voice acting and music. I fell in love with this movie immediately, and found myself laughing many times. Can't say there was a single character I disliked. One of the most notable aspects of this movie is that, unlike other Disney princesses, Merida's story does not revolve around a romance. She does not find a prince and that's just fine.
My only complaint is at points the story seemed a bit insubstantial. I felt like I could've gotten more at the end of the film. And the whole "witch grants a wish/spell that is not what you expected" part seemed a bit old hat. Been there, done that. Other than those two things, however, it was quite a good film.
The animation is fantastic, however I thought the story-line could of been a bit better (still entertaining though, especially for children). My only major problem with the story was how it portrayed men. I love the film for its strong, tenacious, and nonconforming female characters, but it's unfortunate that they have to be juxtaposed to the crude, thoughtless male characters. Why can't both genders be strong, one complimenting the other instead of one controlling and/or saving the other either through brain or muscle?
Beautifully imperfect. Disney is evolving and the effects are simply wonderful. I love everything about Merida - from her rough, take no prisoners personality, to her desperately wild hair. A must see for children and adults alike.
