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‘The United States Vs. Billie Holiday’ Review
by Betti Halsell
In The United States Vs. Billie Holiday the audience is thrown into a war zone. Viewers stare at the social terrain with world-renowned Jazz legend Billie Holiday, as she climbs through trenches of trauma, addiction, love, betrayal, and corruption, ultimately leaving some of her best men behind.
Holiday, played by Andra Day, encapsulated the current state of events happening to Black Americans with a simple string of verses over a solemn melody. Her song Strange Fruit paints a vivid picture of events that took place during her time – lynchings in the 1930’s that were happening with no reprimand. The melancholic melody still hits home today, as if America is still singing the same song, with a different tune.
Holiday bellowed with her smoldering voice,
“Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.”
The recording and performance of Strange Fruit stood out like a thorn protruding from the rosey lens the rest of America looked through, causing a problem for those in “high places”. So they created a suffocating smoke around the singer’s life, following her to her final resting place.
The movie focuses on the unsolicited surveillance from federal and local law enforcement because of the pressure that came with the iconic song. It touches on a reoccurring theme happening in newly released biographic films, uncovering people within the Black community supplying incriminating intel to the federal government.
This confirms the involvement of federal sources, but also the lack of trust happening within the collective community. The film was as explicit as the song itself, telling an unbiased truth of an Artist caught in a war that went far beyond her talent.
Directed by Lee Daniels and written by Pulitzer prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks and Johann Harri, the movie depicts Holiday as an undeniable force – she was feminine and sensual, yet she held a sense of masculine ownership over her life. Although the 1900s were set in gender roles and confined social placement, Holiday was outspoken and knew she had a level of power. The salute to her self-awareness may have beckoned from her childhood. The film exposed Holiday’s early surroundings, which included the power in sexuality and a sense of liberty for women when she was young.
However, there are two sides to every coin. The trauma in her childhood may have given her the soul that is found in her voice and a sense of empowerment, but it also left her damaged. The movie captured her dependency on strong stimulants, to mange her mental state. The singer’s upbringing left her without a true vision of her reflection. The feature focused on nostalgic transitions and captured an unfiltered story of Holiday’s flaws as a friend and lover.
In The United States vs Billie Holiday, Day is joined by Trevante Rhodes (Birdbox) who played Jimmy Fletcher, the first Black FBN agent and Garrett Hedlund (Four Brothers) as Harry Aslinger, Chief of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.
Rendering the critiques from Rotten Tomatoes, the story was labeled “sloppy” and “over-characterized.” However, most of those inferential opinions came from predominantly White men. This leaves the opportunity that they may have been missed; the concept of struggle in being a Black woman, while fighting multiple layers of internal and external battles and combating different perspectives of self-worth.
America is still singing about the strange fruit that holds a rotten core, the Anti-lynching Bill was passed last year. A back-breaking victory, countless marches, too many lives lost, all for roughly 100 years of “consideration.”
The strange fruit from those times left seeds, a new harvest of injustice is ripening. Thanks to Holiday’s strong will to keep performing the truth, others have joined the choir for change. The nation is still singing about the obscurities found in racism. It’s all the same song, just a different tune. Stream The United States Vs. Billie Holiday on Hulu starting February 26.
It’s a wrap for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. This year’s ceremony occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, hosting many of Hollywood’s biggest names. From the most iconic looks to the funniest encounters and historic wins, here are the most memorable moments from the 82nd Golden Globes.
Zendaya showed off a gorgeous $200,000 engagement ring while walking the red carpet.
Zendaya’s red carpet appearance at this year’s Golden Globes turned many heads (as usual), but this time for more than just her stunning look.
Multiple cameras captured the sparkling $200K diamond ring the “Dune” star was wearing on her engagement finger, which fueled speculation that the 28-year-old might be secretly engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Tom Holland.
TMZ reported this morning that the couple is indeed engaged. According to the publication, sources close to the couple have confirmed that “the’ Spider-Man ‘ star popped the question between Christmas and New Year’s… dropping to one knee in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya’s family homes in the United States.” 
Anthony Mackie hilariously crashes Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globes Post-Win Interview.
Anthony Mackie took over Sebastian Stan’s post-win interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner. ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ co-stars caught up after Stan won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical or Comedy for ‘A Different Man’ at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.
Vin Diesel had a brief and awkward interaction with Dwayne Johnson
Vin Diesel made sure to give a quick “hey” to “Fast and Furious” co-star Dwayne Johnson when he took the stage to present the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at last night’s Golden Globes
“Hey, Dwayne,” Diesel awkwardly said, smiling, while Johnson responded with a quick and subtle smile.
For context, Diesel and Johnson have been on good terms for the last few years despite their infamous feud, which lasted roughly nine years and involved disagreements during the production of “Fast 8.”
A source told People magazine in 2016 that “Vin has been having problems with The Rock because The Rock keeps showing up late for production. ” The source also explained that “sometimes he doesn’t show up at all, and he’s delaying the production.”
That same year, Johnson wrote (in a since-deleted Instagram post), “There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one…. My female co-stars are always amazing, and I love ’em. My male co-stars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” he continued. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s— to do anything about it anyway. Candy a-—. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you’re right.”
Later, in June of 2023, Johnson announced that Luke Hobbs would return to the Fast and Furious franchise (for FastX: Part II) via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He added, “Last summer, Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love. “
Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe Award for “Emilia Perez.”
Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe for Female Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for her role as Rita Mora Castro in Jacques Audiard’s avant-garde film Emilia Pérez.
The actress honored her fellow castmates in an emotional and moving speech.
“I don’t have much time, and I have dyslexia, so I tend to forget when I’m really anxious and I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude,” Saldana kicked off her speech. “Thank you so much to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film and honoring the women of Emilia Pérez. This is the first time for me, and I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this moment with Selena, and Karla, and Jacque, and all of my fellow nominees. I’m in awe of you, your strength, your complexity, and your undeniable talent.”
Morris Chestnut attended his first Golden Globes, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Pam Byse-Chestnut.
Morris and Pam Chestnut showed up and showed out for their first Golden Globe Awards. The couple, who tied the knot in 1995, will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year!
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With the ‘Gladiator 2’ premiere date fast approaching, Denzel Washington has been on the road promoting the highly anticipated sequel. During one of the interviews, the actor, who stars as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s action epic, revealed that he plans to retire once he completes a number of exciting upcoming projects, including “Black Panther 3.”
In an interview with Today on Australia’s Channel 9, which has now gone viral, Washington detailed his plan for accomplishing his retirement goals.
“At this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best.” The 69-year-old movie legend said. “I don’t know how many more movies I’m gonna make. probably not that many. I wanna do things I haven’t done.”
“I played Othello at 22, I’m about to play Othello at 70.” He continued, “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next “Black Panther.” After that, I’m gonna do the film “Othello.” After that, I’m gonna do “King Lear.” After that, I’m gonna retire.”
‘Gladiator II’ will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024.
Most Memorable Moments From the 82nd Golden Globes
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