The Light of the Moon (2017)

Nice effects though.

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Had no real expectations going into it, and was pretty floored by how authentic the whole film is. The film deals with a very common, painful scenario and it's one of the best films I have seen to deal with it in such a genuine, realistic way. The writing and dialogue is incredibly natural, and the film is helped by having two very strong, raw performances at its core. I had only seen Stephanie Beatriz in the always great, always consistent show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and here she gives a powerhouse of a dramatic performance. She's heartbreaking. Also powerful is Michael Stahl-David, who's equally as great at Beatriz in perfectly delivering the material in such an honest way. I strongly recommend this to anyone who hasn't seen it. Strong writing and acting make this a must-see.

This film really moved me. It is an intense journey but well worth it. It has a naturalism and realism that is rare to find. The story is simple but not easy. A woman, Bonnie, is raped one night walking home from a bar early in the film and spends the rest of the film trying to find a way to move forward with her life. The director and writer, Jessica Thompson, brings her characters to life in such a way that you really want to walk down this road with them. The drive of the film is not from any gimmicks or tricks, just a clear eyed appraisal of real people having real struggles. Stephanie Beatriz brings the lead role, Bonnie, to life in a courageous and moving performance, layered and rich. Many of the supporting actors also did great work. I also really connected with Conrad Ricamora, who plays her best friend. This story is one that would resonate at any time, but given this moment in our history where a dark history of sexual assault is finally getting to be acknowledged, it could not have come out at a better time.

Writer-director Jessica M. Thompson's gaze is both compassionate and unflinching-- a remarkable feat-- as she directs Stephanie Beatriz in a truly remarkable performance. The film tackles an unfortunately necessary topic at a necessary time. We need this movie and more filmmakers with Thompson's clear-eyed voice. Long takes and a naturalistic approach make her direction standout as well.

Light of the Moon is a unique film, approaching the subject of rape in a sobering, relatable way. The movie begins with a stylish architect who goes out for a typical Brooklyn-night-out with friends and is assaulted on her walk home. What's remarkable and most disturbing about this movie is how it pragmatic it presents the awful crime of rape. The residual events are rational and never over dramatic as the story follows Bonnie's psychology and that of her boyfriend's through the weeks the couple attempts at resolving the incident, sometimes through awkward moments, and sometimes through tearful fights. After all, the world continues to turn around Bonnie despite what happened to her. The dialogues are visceral as we understand the feelings of Bonnie as she accuses those around her for treating her like a victim, while simultaneously we empathize with her boyfriend and his point of view. This is an eye opening film.