Ever since the release of Netflix’s new awards-contending drama, “Malcolm & Marie,” the discussion around the film seems to stem from the writing/direction of Sam Levinson. Most people agree that Zendaya and John David Washington are doing well in their performances, but there are folks that are concerned about a white man (Levinson) as the writer-director of a film about a Black filmmaker and his relationship with a much younger Black woman.

Continue reading Zendaya Says “A Little Bit Of Our Agency Was Stripped Away” In The ‘Malcolm & Marie’ Critical Discourse at The Playlist.

With “Malcolm & Marie” finally available for everyone on Netflix, there is a large number of people watching the highly-anticipated awards contender. And with that, there are new people watching the film and having questions about the way the film came together and potentially problematic issues with the story. Now, writer-director Sam Levinson aims to explain some of those issues and why they don’t really seem applicable to “Malcolm & Marie.”

LISTEN: Sam Levinson Talks ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ The Return Of ‘Euphoria’ & His Filmmaking Father [The Playlist Podcast]

Even before the film was released, there were questions about the large age gap between the two stars of the film, Zendaya and John David Washington.

Continue reading Sam Levinson Defends Age Gap & Racial Concerns In ‘Malcolm & Marie’ at The Playlist.

“Malcolm & Marie” is far from your typical film. Not only is it an incredibly intimate black and white drama with a cast list of only two actors and a setting inside a beautiful mansion, “Malcolm & Marie” is one of the first films that entered production during the pandemic last year. And this week, on The Playlist Podcast, we speak to Sam Levinson, the writer-director of “Malcolm & Marie,” as well as the creator of HBO’s award-winning “Euphoria,” about his new film, his hit show, and his legendary father, Barry Levinson.

Continue reading Sam Levinson Talks ‘Malcolm & Marie,’ The Return Of ‘Euphoria’ & His Filmmaking Father [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

After a relatively slow start to the year, on the film front, at least, February looks to provide a larger range of films across streaming platforms (and some still only available in theaters.) There’s a decent mix of awards hopefuls, feel-good romances, and experimental indie films in the mix, with trilogy finales, directorial debuts, and knock-out performances from Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Kaluuya to look forward to.

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2021

The movie world, as it has been for nearly a year now, remains in flux, but looking ahead it’s comforting to see there’s still plenty on the docket that we’ll be able to immerse ourselves in, including plenty that aren’t even listed below.

Continue reading 11 Movies To See In February: ‘Cherry,’ ‘Land,’ ‘Judas’ & More at The Playlist.

“No one fucking cares about that sh*t, Malcolm!” shouts an exasperated Marie (Zendaya). Malcolm (John David Washington) worships the classic filmmakers—a love externalized by way of the vintage title credits that open the film—espousing the genius of William Wyler and the brilliance of “The Best Years of Our Lives” and “Citizen Kane.” Within the confines of this luxe modernist home, nestled in the Hollywood hills, the ensuing quarrel between the couple is unlike any other.

Continue reading ‘Malcolm & Marie:’ Zendaya And John David Washington Make For A Bad Romance That Grows Tedious [Review] at The Playlist.

In a relatively short time, John David Washington went from the newcomer starring in “BlacKkKlansman” to one of the biggest actors on the planet thanks to films like “Tenet” and the forthcoming “Malcolm & Marie,” which might land him an Oscar-nomination. So, you would have to imagine that the film world is opening up to Washington in a big, big way, and the actor knows the filmmakers he would love to collaborate with next.

Continue reading John David Washington Names Paul Thomas Anderson & Barry Jenkins As Directors He Wants To Collab With Next at The Playlist.

Everyone’s getting into the 100 Most Anticipated Films action, only with Netflix, they really have the volume and muscle to back it up. In a huge flex this morning, the streaming service/burgeoning movie studio revealed a video that boasts a new movie EVERY WEEK on Netflix for nearly the entire year.

READ MORE: The 25 Best Films Of 2020 You Didn’t See

Their sneak peek included first looks at the action-comedy “Red Notice” starring Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson, the much-anticipated all-Black Western “The Harder They Fall” (Regina King, Jonathan Majors), Halle Berry‘s boxing drama directorial debut, “Bruised,” a new superhero action-comedy from Melissa McCarthy (“Thunder Force” co-starring Octavia Spencer), “Tron Legacy” director Joseph Kosinski‘s “Escape from Spiderhead” with Chris Hemsworth, Zack Snyder‘s “Army Of The Dead” (revealed yesterday to be arriving in the summer) and perhaps the biggest serve of all, a first look at “Don’t Look Up,” filmmaker Adam McKay’s new political satire disaster film with the insane cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet and dozens more.

Continue reading Netflix 2021 Teaser Flex: First Looks At ‘Don’t Look Up’ With DiCaprio & Jennifer Lawrence, ‘The Harder They Fall’ Western With Idris Elba & Dozens More at The Playlist.

There are multiple reasons why people are excited about the upcoming Netflix film, “Malcolm & Marie.” First, it’s a late entry into the Oscars race, but with names like Zendaya and John David Washington, the film already has considerable awards buzz. Second, the film marks the latest collaboration between Zendaya and Sam Levinson, who are both doing great work on “Euphoria.” And last, but not least, the film was conceived, written, and produced completely during quarantine last year and marks one of the first features to carry that distinction.

Continue reading ‘Malcolm & Marie’ Trailer: Zendaya & John David Washington Star In Netflix Drama From ‘Euphoria’ Creator at The Playlist.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. Aside from the election result, Trashfire 2020™ was a shitty year. And a weird and disorienting year thanks to COVID-19 and having to shelter-in-place, quarantine, and social distance from one another blah, blah, blah coronavirus f*cked us hard. Movies certainly took it in the teeth this year, and especially the theatrical industrial complex, which feels like it’s on its last legs. But regardless of what happens next for theaters, people are going to continue making and releasing movies.

Continue reading The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2021 at The Playlist.

Back in July, it was revealed that John David Washington, Zendaya, and writer-director Sam Levinson quietly filmed an entire black and white feature, “Malcolm & Marie,” while in quarantine. And while there weren’t a ton of details revealed about the film, just having the creator of “Euphoria” working on a new film with those two actors was enough to get people pretty damn excited.

Continue reading ‘Malcolm & Marie’: Netflix Spends $30 Million To Land New Film Starring Zendaya & John David Washington at The Playlist.

Over the past several months, we’ve seen multiple reports about how Hollywood studios were anxiously trying to figure out how to shoot films and TV series under the new COVID-19 restrictions. Will there be crowded backgrounds in films with hundreds of extras? Are fight scenes and love scenes even feasible? And can you really social distance with a crew of more than 100 people on set? Well, not all those questions have answers yet, but that isn’t stopping filmmaking from happening.

Continue reading Zendaya & John David Washington Filmed A Secret Movie During Quarantine With ‘Euphoria’ Creator at The Playlist.