"Moonlight" is an extraordinary slice-of-life film, representing in the best sense what cinema is all about: to take us to places where we may not typically go in our life or imaginations.

The film's unusual cinematography elevates the material to a dreamlike state, which contrasts with remarkably realistic performances and a spare soundtrack that makes the film even more captivating."Moonlight" is based on a semi-autobiographical play, "In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue," by Tarell Alvin McCraney, with the screenplay written by the film's director Barry Jenkins."Moonlight," deservedly was nominated for eight Oscars, winning for Picture, Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali, who also received the Screen Actors Guild male supporting role award), and Adapted Screenplay (Jenkins). It was also nominated for Director (Jenkins), Supporting Actress (Naomie Harris), cinematography (James Laxton), editing (Nat Sanders, Joi McMillon) and music (Nicholas Britell).While the Academy determined the "Moonlight" screenplay to be adapted, it received the Writers Guild of America original screenplay award."Moonlight," which tells the story of Chiron, an African-American male growing up in a Miami housing project, is title-carded into three acts. A different actor plays the protagonist at each age. First, there's Little, with Alex Hibbert playing the boy; Chiron, with Ashton Sanders playing the teen, and Black, with Trevante Rhodes playing the young adult.Chiron is raised by a drug-addicted mother (a devastatingly good Naomie Harris) and mentored by Juan (a riveting Mahershala Ali) and his girlfriend, Teresa (an excellent Janelle Monée).While each actor playing Chiron is commendable, the transition from youth to teen appears seamless, while that from teen to young adult is less so. As often happens when one or more actor plays the same character at different ages, the performances are not merited with deserving nominations and awards.The camera use by Director of Photography Laxton is wandering, with unusual angles, and ever-mobile, giving a fluid and balletic quality to the actors' performances.Director Jenkins ("Medicine for Melancholy," 2008) is careful to let the scenes breathe and is unafraid to let the camera linger in moments when there's no dialogue."Moonlight" deals sensitively with sexual preference, peer pressure, conflict and mentoring in ways that are cliche-free. It also assesses the problems of poverty and social issues with great humanity."Moonlight" is a memorable film that reflects some light onto areas of life we might not all be familiar with."Moonlight,"MPAA rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) for some sexuality, drug use, brief violence and language throughout); Genre: Drama; Run time: 1 hr., 51 min.; Distributed by A24.Credit Readers Anonymous:"Moonlight" was filmed in Miami and Liberty City, Florida, the latter where the film's director Barry Jenkins and the playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney grew up.Unreel,March 3:"Logan,"R: James Mangold directs Doris Morgado, Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen and Boyd Holbrook in the science-fiction action film as Logan takes care of an ailing Professor X when a mutant arrives and all heck breaks loose."The Shack,"Stuart Hazeldine directs Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw and Radha Mitchell in the drama about meeting God in a place called "The Shack.""T2 Trainspotting,"R: Danny Boyle directs Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle in the comedy-drama that brings back the characters of the 1996 comedy-drama set in Scotland."Leap!,"Eric Summer and Éric Warin directs the voice talents of Elle Fanning, Maddie Ziegler, Carly Rae Jepsen and the Lehigh Valley's Dane DeHaan in the animated feature film about a young girl studying to be a ballerina in France."Table 19,"PG-13: Jeffrey Blitz directs Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow, Amanda Crew and Stephen Merchant in the drama-comedy about an ex-maid-of-honor who attends the wedding reception anyway, only to be seated at a table of random guests.Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes