SPOTLIGHT (B+)

Familiarize yourself with SPOTLIGHT now. It may not be my favorite movie of the year, but come Oscar time it’s, rightfully, sure to be top-of-mind with those in the know...  It’s a compellingly predictable story of news writing tenacity and integrity – an intelligent tale of exposing horrendous societal wrongs.  The screenplay is taut, the direction is informative and the terrific ensemble cast (keep a watchful nomination eye on Keaton, Ruffalo and/or McAdams) delivers it all in a solid, no-nonsense, workman-like fashion.  A punch-to-the-gut from a subject matter standpoint, SPOTLIGHT remains a respectfully-toned, pseudo-thriller that focuses its print media gaze on the political and procedural nature of the investigation and, most quizzically, how does a person say ‘no’ to God.  On a slightly negative fringe, the nature of these true events easily lends itself to a no-frills, no-surprises conclusion – and, I would have welcomed a bit more background on the Boston Globe crew who turned these events in to a Pulitzer Prize winner.  Aside from those mild qualms, SPOTLIGHT remains a scrappy yet straightforward take down of the Catholic Church that’s sure to play in to the hands of awards voters and audiences alike.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, John Slattery and Billy Crudup

Directed by: Tom McCarthy (THE STATION AGENT, WIN WIN and THE VISITOR)

Rated: R

Running time: 2hr. 7min.

Story: SPOTLIGHT tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world's oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. (C) Open Road

Website: www.spotlightthefilm.com