Moonlight: Crash Course Film Criticism #13 

In that scene when he's getting lectured after being beaten up you can almost pin-point the very instant he decides to kill his potential for vulnerability. Powerful stuff.

Homosexuality and Masculinity are not opposites. Thought the movie, Black struggles finding a way to fit both concepts together, that is his struggle.

Cinematography is what makes this film imo. Best HD cinematography ever - makes black skin look absolutely LUMINOUS

I hear people calling this a "gay" movie but I didn't even notice that. I'm from the hood and it felt like I was seeing deep into my soul. Inner city life for real. A boy growing up in the hood, I felt it hard.

'your the only man whos ever touched me'. that line made me understand suicidal tendencies and mental illness a bit, bc i cant imagine someone that desperate for an emotional and physical partner wouldnt have such thoughts cross their mind.

I cried. Everyone I know in the hood cried. It's too much. This is more than a story. It's real life told in the most beautiful and intense way. The hermeneutics are insane too. Notice that his name is spelled EXACTLY like the famous historical Greek Centaur Chiron, who was COMPLETELY different than his counterparts and fellow Centaurs. Centaurs are known for violence and a lack of self control-Just like the cultural narrative of American black men. However Chiron was different. Known for his bravery and knowledge. Chiron gained his benevolence from an absolutely HORRIBLE early life. Just like in moonlight; Chiron too had been abandoned by his mother, and soon adopted by the god Apollo. In astrology the astroid named after Chiron; is representative of early childhood traumatic experiences and emotional growth from pain wrongfully inflicted on you. All the layers to moonlight are overwhelming. I cry thinking about my dark skinned gay cousin the daily pain he faces from that stigma alone.

I choked up a bit just from that clip of Chiron meeting his mother again as an adult.

I love how all of the actors that played Chirron have thrived after this movie!

SPOILERS I love Juan so much. I was physically hurt to find out that he died in the second part of the film.

My jaw dropped during the third act of this film. Just magnificent.

This movie made me cry in the theater. So relatable to inner city life.

Janelle Monae was gorgeous

I heard about this movie about a group of African American women in the 60's that used maths to empower themselves and help NASA win the space race. I assumed it was this movie called 'Moonlight'. 1.5hrs into it I was still thinking when they'd get to the maths and space. Turns out the movie was called 'Hidden Figures'.

And how did Barry Jenkins NOT win an Oscar for Best Director for MOONLIGHT? I like Damien Chazelle too, but LA LA LAND is not nearly as good as MOONLIGHT.

I was so glad when LA LA Land lost. It made my night.

This movie devastated me like no other. My university’s (WVU) LGBTQ center showed this at the student theater and I left feeling both uplifted and crushed. I like what you said at the end; for me, all the artful switches between formalism and realism serve to elevate the supremely impactful story. Thanks for talking about this perfect film. I hope you guys cover Her as well!

I think the ice and cold was significant as after him first using the ice pack in the office he first began to lean into his more closed and traditionally masculine behavior. And you notice that he goes and sticks his head back in the fridge in a scene in his 20’s. I think the cold is representative of him closing up and hardening while the beach represents the opposite for him as it’s at the beach where he opens up and makes himself more vulnerable. I love how this movie simply for the amount of symbolism and metaphors and whatnot to pick apart. I can’t personally relate to any of main topic the movie touches on as I’m straight and Native American, but i still found it to be incredibly compelling as a piece of art and even made me think more about theses things as it presents it in a not obnoxious way. It doesn’t feel like it’s just agenda-pushing propaganda as it just shows you all this stuff and lets you use your own mind to come to your own conclusions and judgements. Excellent movie.

There's a great interview on Song Exploder about the soundtrack for this movie. Chyrone's theme when he's little is the basis of the score and then at each stage of his life the score is pitch shifted down to make it darker and more distorted, while still keeping the heart. It's a way of showing through sound that Chyrone might change on the outside, taking on signifiers in order to protect himself, but his core is unchanging. It makes me think of a matryoshka doll.

I truly think Moonlight is one of the best films ever made

I cried so so much on this movie, it was so beautiful; every time I watch it, it makes my heart release all its sorrows

one of the best films I have ever seen. truly moving. and so important to watch

This was such a great movie and you explained it so well! Seeing the little brown animations made me so happy lol

I feel for the black community.. Especially young black boys and men. Society won't let them be vulnerable and their true selves shine. Many put up a front of strength when they don't have a family or society who gives them love and respect for being human and who they are.

Honestly, i didn't want to see Moonlight because of all the hype when it was originally released (ignorant of what it was actually about). Now i HAVE to see it. It sounds and looks absolutely gorgeous.

“i hate you mom.” When i tell you i CRIEDDDDD

I love this series of Crashcourse You are not only giving good detailed and insightful looks into films but also uplifting films that would normally be over looked by normal movie seers. Thank you, I look forward to the next video!

I am crying right now... just from watching your video about this movie. A masterpiece of emotive film-making.

Moonlight was a film I had not understood, but after watching this video I have now understood way more about it. Just the little hidden things and techniques Barry Jenkins puts into Moonlight is astonishing and truly makes this film a masterpiece

The scene where he confessed he was trapping, was an emotional gut shank.

One of my favorite films. Can’t wait to see Barry Jenkins’ next film!

'Moonlight' has become my word for a near-perfect movie that is head-and-shoulders above the competition. Eg, "in 2015 and 2017, there was no clear Moonlight."

The scene with Juan and Chiron where Chiron is talking about drugs and how he already has an idea of his environment and the pain on Juan's face afterward almost made me cry. That was an excellent scene

I saw this movie but I never really understood what it was about (in a critical sense)... But now that I saw this video I feel completely different about it!!! It was truly a masterpiece!!! 💕

The soundtrack was great in Moonlight too!

this was literally the most beautiful movie i think ive ever watched. i cant get it out of my mind

This man didn't blink once

One of the top10 movies I´ve ever watched. Period.

i couldnt even make it through this critique without crying. Moonlight moved me beyond words and had stuck with me since.

I felt that ending. You felt that ending. Your whole neighborhood felt that ending

Saw the notification for this series of crash course and it immediately made my day

Time to dive into La La Land.. NO wait it's Moonlight!

the clip of chiron's mother saying she loves him made me cry again. i'm crying as i type wow i love this film. great video!!

I didn't watch it until AFTER it won Best Picture because I had full hope La La Land would win. I tried to watch it a while later, and had a little trouble setting it up. This would usually be a sign of a bad movie. I finally began watching. And half way through, I thought "Damn it! This is good movie!"

Ugh I know that it works perfectly ending the way it did, but boy would I love a sequel where we get to see them together more.

I adored this movie. Honestly, one of the best and most thoughtful ones I've ever seen

Review had a severe lack of musical analysis, a key to the movie of Moonlight

Just being reminded how beautiful moonlight is still takes my breath away.

This was a really beautiful movie. Surprised me that Miami seemed like a third world country to me, but I guess thats the inequality of America.

This movie just made my year. Black actors and gay characters. How many movies can compare?

I watched this movie recently and it made me cry so hard.

Great video! You guys could make one about the “Waltz with Bashir”!! It’s an amazing movie!

I loved this movie, but it was just to powerful and heavy that I really can't see myself wanting to watch it again.

One of my favorite movies. Ive seen it multiple times. It's relatable aswell.

First in the Mood for Love and now Moonlight? You guys are winning me over!

Love this! I saw Moonlight with a friend and they hated it, while it had a huge impact on me. We had some friendly back-and-forth about whether it was good or bad, but I couldn't explain why I found it so powerful! Now I understand the technique behind it a little better.

yesssss this was beautiful ☺️✨when i fist watched moonlight, i was kind of unsatisfied because i didn't quite understand it, but Michael made an elegant and thorough job of explaining its significance and the true masterpiece that it is!

This video does a wonderful job of explaining Barry Jenkin's use of formalist style to express the deep complex emotions felt by the characters. Great job as always Crash Course.

this movie broke my heart

Barry Jenkins is from my city and went to my rival high school. Liberty City is about 15 minutes away from me. What I loved most about it is the realness of the city he bought to film.

I haven’t see the movie, but now I must! I see why it was so critically acclaimed. It’s beautiful.

I very randomly came across this video and decided to watch it so I don't know what going one. A I can say is that this video feels more like when you have to do a project for school on a book or a movie (usually in English class) versus a regular review of a movie.

That last line, floored me. " I haven't touch any one else since "

This movie is perfect and beautiful. I cried so much for little, Alex Hibbert was just as amazing as the adults on screen

The First time I saw this movie was just after it won Best Picture but then i disliked it and hated it but even weeks later I kept thinking about it and the filmmaking then i realized that may be i missed something so i watch it again and then again and i found the genius of this movie , this movie has effected me so much that everytime i see bright sunlit views it reminds me of this movie.

AH YOU DID MY FAVORITE MOVIE!! (ALSO WHEN DID CRASH COURSE FILM BECOME A THING!!) Best day ever :')

When I saw this movie I loved it. If I had to pick a favorite 'genre' it would be character studies. (but I don't pick a favorite there are plenty of amazing movies in every genre)

Beautifully done. The movie and the film criticism. Aspiring filmmakers can learn a lot from this breakdown

This was such a great video. I knew Moonlight was a good film, but this did a great job the reasons why. I was able to pick up most of the contextual stuff like masculinity and identify, but really appreciated the break down of the technical elements - the stuff that's unique to film. Can't wait to see what else this series takes on. Thanks for sharing!

At the end of the movie we see Chiron on the beach as a kid. This represents how Chiron as an adult becomes vulnerable again like when he was a kid. Chiron is feeling vulnerability for the first time since he was a kid and becomes unhardened. Chiron realizes that his true self and accepts his sexuality and realized he is a vulnerable man and not a bad person who is a drug dealer who lives on the street.

gorgeous movie. bittersweet arc - this took me back haha

Damn. I need to watch this movie.

This film was amazing, and this video was very insightful.

please do a brighter summer day it is my favorite film of all time.

Moonlight was amazing!!!! Beautiful story, calming vibes and atmosphere!

First I've seen in this series. Am here to staaaaaaay. This was brilliant. I am pumped up to experience rest of what is or is coming! Moonlight is . . . eternal. Such a beautiful experience. Have seen it just once, but will probably enjoy myself even if I saw it 20 more times. What a film.

I loved this film when I first saw but didn't exactly understand why, this has helped me form my thoughts on it. Brilliant film & brilliant video!

Do Drive! Such an underlooked masterpiece

This movie was an incredible experience for me. Love this video, you made me love the movie even more, thanks

Yes! Beasts of No Nations is one of my favourite films! I can’t wait!

I cried only looking at the trailer

I love your channel

I'm crying again just watching this

Do Unbreakable, easily the most underrated film of the 21st century!!!

Can you do one about Get Out please? I'd love to see that !!!! Love that movie !!

Yes yes yes! An amazing and thorough analysis and I am greatly anticipating Beasts of No Nation in the next installment.

Please continue this series. There are still a lot of great movies to talk about.

I'm so happy, a new School of life video just arrived. Wait, wait, people this is not a joke crashcourse you won best picture...I mean this is a crashcourse video.

I seen Barry's first film a long time ago.. I had no clue he was the same director for moonlight.

when you thought crash course couldn’t get any better

As a gay guy, I feel empowered. I want to do what Chiron did, turn my sadness into anger and slayy!

I cried 3 times in this film

I like to hear people opinons on the ending of the film.

This was great, now I can't wait for the Beast of No nation episode.

Yea moonlight is my jam

I'm pretty sure NOBODY regretted the fact that LALA Land lost

one of my all time favorite movies

You guys should do call me by your name at some point

I freaking love this movie. Brilliant!

Wow, I'm gonna watch this one!

I understood everything about 'Moonlight', and yet the movie didn't excite me as much as I wanted it to be. I wanted to LIKE it, but I just found it boring. And now that I see this video, i can't help but be frustrated we don't get to see what happened to Juan or how Chiron got into prison. I feel there were things missing that could've helped - at least me anyway - connect to the film on an emotional level. I think what people liked about this movie is that they're so used to seeing and perceiving Black stereotypes that the image of Black boys being vulnerable is completely foreign. If seeing Black people as human and affectionate is this groundbreaking then I can't help but wonder how we were seen before this film. Glad it won an Oscar. I just wish it was worth the hype as far as story. I mean, hitting the bully with the chair got my attention and maybe the fight in the schoolyard too, but that was about it. Maybe I missed something else. I feel like I saw nothing new in this film, unfortunately.