Movie Reviews and Other Writings

CONTENT WARNING: This film contains many scenes of violent physical abuse. The United States vs. Billie Holiday is about jazz musician Billie Holiday and her struggles with heroin addiction. In the midst of her fame she also produces the song "Strange Fruit," which is about the epidemic of vigilante lynchings in the United States. The federal agents can't prosecute her for the song, but they keep trying to make her drug charges stick in order to find out who is supplying the

Nomadland is about Fern, who recently lost her husband, her job, her home and her town. She becomes a nomad, hunting for work where she can find it and connecting with other people along the way. As Fern travels, she sees the perils, the hardships, and the romance of life on the road, exploring places people seldom tread. The film stars Frances McDormand, Linda May, Swankie, and David Strathairn. The film is written and directed by Chloé Zhao. The film is in theaters, but muc

DISCLAIMER: I didn't see this film in a theater. I watched it with my HBO Max subscription. I highly recommend you don't go see it in a theater even if it is playing near you. That's too risky with all the virus cases across the U.S. and the world. Stay safe! Judas and the Black Messiah is about the FBI's intent to undermine and dissolve the Illinois Black Panther Party and rid themselves of its charismatic leader Chairman Fred Hampton. The feds plant Bill O'Neal in the organ

Malcolm & Marie is about a filmmaker who is excited about the energy and buzz of his film premiere, but the mood turns sour when his girlfriend brings up the fact he didn't thank her in a speech he made at the during the event. The fight lasts long into the night as the argument dredges up other things that have been festering for a while. The film stars Zendaya and John David Washington. The film is written and directed by Sam Levinson. The film is streaming exclusively on N