Valerie Complex, Author at The Playlist

‘The United States Vs. Billie Holiday’: Lee Daniels’ Drama Can’t Honor The Trauma Behind ‘Strange Fruit’ [Review]

February 19, 2021 12:23 pm

"God Bless the Child" was the first Billie Holiday song I ever heard. It was one of my grandmother's favorites. She loved the lyrics because it was a lesson about how fake friends and money don't mix. Reading ...

BAFTA Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Best Actress, Oscars 2021

‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’: Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman Sparkle In A Musical Tale Of Ambition & Survival [Review]

Valerie Complex

November 20, 2020 2:45 pm

Features, News, Reviews

As one of America’s most respected playwrights, most people are familiar with August Wilson’s popular play “Fences.” Viola Davis and Denzel Washington (alumni of Wilson’s theater work), starred in that film ad...

Kelvin Harrison Jr. Talks His Love Of Music & Working With Tracee Ellis Ross On ‘The High Note’ [Interview]

Valerie Complex

June 25, 2020 12:59 pm

Interviews, News

Kelvin Harrison, Jr. has always been influenced by music. As the son of professional musicians, his parents played Jazz most days, and the actor grew to appreciate it. It’s this love for music that drove him t...

Nicole Beharie Talks ‘Miss Juneteenth,’ The Importance Of Community & More [Interview]

Valerie Complex

June 23, 2020 3:37 pm

Interviews, News

The new film “Miss Juneteenth” was released on the 155th anniversary of the first Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the delayed freedom of enslaved Black people in 1865. This film not only arrived on this anni...

The Movies That Changed My Life: ‘Doctor Strange’ And ‘Bermuda’ Director Scott Derrickson

Valerie Complex

April 18, 2020 1:18 pm

Features, News

Film director Scott Derrickson has his footprint all over the Hollywood horror genre. "The Exorcism of Emily Rose", and "Sinister" are among the many successful films on his resume. He added a flare of horror ...

‘Jumbo’ Director Zoe Wittock Talks About Her Love Story Between A Woman & An Amusement Park Ride [Interview]

Valerie Complex

April 2, 2020 11:42 am

Interviews, News

"Jumbo" is the beautifully weird love story from the mind of first time feature director, writer, and new CAA addition, Zoe Wittock. Initially, the film debuted at this year’s Sundance and was set to premiere ...

Anya Taylor-Joy Talks ‘Emma’ & Being A Jane Austen Antihero [Interview]

Valerie Complex

February 21, 2020 2:17 pm

Features, Interviews, News

Jane Austen never thought her books would be popular. She certainly didn’t expect any of her stories to spawn cinematic adaptations (because of course, movies didn’t exist at that time. There are different ver...

‘Luce’: Octavia Spencer & Naomi Watts Talk Complex Characters That Don’t Have All The Answers [Interview]

Valerie Complex

August 1, 2019 4:08 pm

Interviews, News, Video

Critics out of Sundance this year have been talking about Julius Onah’s new film, "Luce." Leads Kelvin Harrison Jr., Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, and Tim Roth bring their A-game in this thrilling drama that is...

Jordan Peele Talks ‘Us,’ Horror Tropes & The One Scene That’s Described As ‘The Shining’ Meets ‘Moonlight’ [Interview]

Valerie Complex

March 18, 2019 2:38 pm

Features, Interviews, News

Following the runaway smash success of his directorial debut "Get Out," awards season acclaim, Oscar nominations (including a Best Original Screenplay win), and the creation of the mooted "social horror" genre,...

Florence Pugh Talks ‘Fighting With My Family,’ Wrestling & Her “Bizarre Filmography” [Interview]

Valerie Complex

February 22, 2019 1:14 pm

Interviews, News

“Fighting With My Family" is the first truly great movie of 2019. Director Stephen Merchant directs a top-notch cast in this ballbusting, feel-good movie filled with love, laughs, and electricity. This is a mov...

Author Valerie Complex