Stanko's Stance

Director: Tom McCarthy
Writers: Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy
Staring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci
Streaming: Netflix
Release Date: November 20, 2015

There is something to a fascinating journalistic movie that makes my juices flow. Something about due diligence, relentless work ethic and the creativity in getting an objective done; all of that makes me grow goosebumps.

Spotlight achieves all those marks and also accomplishes the task of being relentlessly entertaining. It is so hard to make a coherent story about journalists asking questions propulsive, but all the credit to Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer for bringing this story to light.

Spotlight shines a light on the not only the tenaciousness involved with the reporting, but also the problems within the church and the character of the city of Boston.

• The scene where “The Spotlight” crew find out that according to the math, six percent of all priests in Boston are pedophiles is amazing. The slow pan out of the quartet learning that the story is larger than them, swallowing them whole, is amazing filmmaking.
• Michael Keaton not being among those nominated for an Oscar for this movie is NUTS. Watching it back, he is the best of multiple phenomenal performances in Spotlight.
• The Mark Ruffalo “THEY KNEW!!!!” moment is iconic. It was him going for his Oscar.
• This movie is one of the best about the city of Boston, and that is a blog for a different day.
• Re-watching Spotlight this time around, I never realized how strong Stanley Tucci’s acting is. Everyone in this cast is remarkable.
• Best individual framed shot is when Matt Carrol (Brian d’Arcy James) is on a classic Boston apartment wooden porch asking questions of a survivor and a church is looming over them from buildings behind.
• After watching Spotlight, I immediately wanted to turn on All The President’s Men (1976).

Stanko Rating: A (5.0/5 Stars)

“Stanko’s Stance” Podcast Feed (Apple)
“Stanko’s Stance” Podcast Feed (Spotify)

Stanko Excel Lists | Movies, Books, Podcasts. TV Shows
Stanko Letterdbox Account