"La La Land" is one of the most exhilarating experiences you're likely to have at the movies.

The screenplay and directing by Damien Chazelle (director, "Whiplash," 2014), the naive yet wonderful singing and dancing by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling; choreography by Mandy Moore; amazing cinematography by Linus Sandgren ("Joy," 2015; "American Hustle," 2013), superb editing by Tom Cross ("Joy"; "Whiplash") and memorable original songs by Justin Hurwitz make the film more than a paean to the Golden Age of Hollywood movie musicals."La La Land" is audacious in its unvarnished exposition of the vagaries of romantic love and the realistic choices between career and Cupid.In "La La Land," Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a struggling jazz pianist fired from his restaurant gig (by J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"). Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress working at a movie studio-lot coffee shop.They "meet ugly" in the midst of a Los Angeles freeway traffic jam. They keep running into each other, finally brought together, not unlike Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, through song and dance.Their careers' trajectories separate them. Mia lands the lead in a major motion picture to be filmed overseas. Sebastian is hired by a jazz pop band led by Keith (John Legend)."La La Land," a derogatory appellation for Los Angeles and self-delusion, doesn't have a happy ending, but it ends happily."La La Land" is an astounding piece of cinema on multiple levels. Look for it to garner numerous Oscar nominations, including: picture, director, screenplay, soundtrack, song, actor (Gosling), actress (Stone), cinematography and editing.Also expect nominations for Production Design (David Wasco, "Pulp Fiction," 1994), Art Direction Austin Gorg ("Her," 2013), Set Decoration (Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, "Pulp Fiction") and Costuming (Mary Zophres, "True Grit," 2010).Stone is a complete charmer. She's a graceful dancer and a quiet but emotive singer. She reveals the raw emotions of hurt even as she puts on a brave face to continue her career quest. The on-screen chemistry between Stone and Gosling is palpable.Gosling downplays his goofy charm to bring forth a reservoir of strength of character that resonates with determination. He's elegant on his feet. His voice is almost timid, but also expressive and he accompanies himself quite impressively on the piano.In addition to the opening show-starter dance number ("Another Day Of Sun") filmed on a closed ramp of the connection between the 105 and 110 freeways, there are many other amazing magical-realism scenes: a song and dance number ("A Lovely Night") overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains that is breathtaking, a sequence at and inside Griffith Park Observatory ("City of Stars" leads into it) that references "Rebel Without A Cause" clips and scenes; an interior monologue audition by Mia ("Audition: The Fools Who Dream") and a "what-if" fantasy montage of such emotional depth that you wish it was true.Alas, it's just a movie. But what a movie. Here's a film that loves Hollywood and that Hollywood will love. You will too. Get ready to hear the evocative "Mia & Sebastian's Theme" during the Oscars telecast. A lot.If you haven't already, fly to "La La Land.""La La Land,"MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for some language; Genre: Musical, Drama, Comedy; Run time: 2 hrs., 8 mins.; Distributed by Lionsgate.Golden Globe Watchers Anonymous:"La La Land" set the Globes' all-time record, receiving seven in every category in which it was nominated: Musical or Comedy; Musical or Comedy Actor (Gosling), Musical or Comedy Actress (Stone), Director (Chazelle), Screenplay (Chazelle), Original Score (Hurwitz) and Original Song ("City of Stars.").Box Office,Jan. 6: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" continued at No. 1 for four weeks in a row, with $21.9 million, $477.2 million, four weeks, keeping "Hidden Figures" at No. 2 with $21.8 million, weekend, and $24.7 million, three weeks;3. "Sing," $19.5 million, $213.3 million, three weeks; 4. "Underworld: Blood Wars," $13.1 million, one week; 5. "La La Land," $10 million, $51.6 million, five weeks; 6. "Passengers," $8.8 million, $80.8 million, three weeks; 7. "Why Him?," $6.5 million, $48.5 million, three weeks, 8. "Moana," $6.4 million, $225.3 million, seven weeks; 9. "Fences." $4.7 million, $40.6 million, four weeks; 10. "Assassin's Creed," $3.8 million, $49.5 million, three weeks.Unreel,Jan. 13:"Monster Trucks,"PG: Chris Wedge directs the voice talents of Lucas Till, Jane Levy, Thomas Lennon and Barry Pepper in the science-fiction animation feature about a high school senior, who builds a Monster Truck from wrecked vehicles when a subterranean creature shows up to help him."Sleepless,"R: Baran bo Odar directs Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney and Gabrielle Union in the crime-thriller about a policeman searching for his kidnapped son."The Comedian,"R: Taylor Hackford directs Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, Danny DeVito and Edie Falco in the comedy about the life of an aging insult comic."The Book of Love,"PG-13: Bill Purple directs Jason Sudeikis, Maisie Williams, Jessica Biel and Mary Steenburgen in the drama about a man who helps a teen build a raft to sail across the Atlantic Ocean.