Trailer Talk: Penguin Bloom, Cowboys, and more!

Penguin Bloom

I’m sorry, this doesn’t look good. Seems harmless enough, but I’ve seen enough inspiration porn, and if that’s all this movie is interested in, you can count me out. I actually found the opening unintentionally funny because of how they showed her getting her injury. What, did she lean too hard against the railing? I mean, the whole thing was already up to her hips in height, so frankly, whatever happened was clearly her fault. Jokes aside, I’m sure these actors will do fine work, it’s nice to see Andrew Lincoln, apparently he hasn’t been in a film since 2010, which is pretty wild. But, yeah, this doesn’t look like my cup of tea.

Penguin Bloom hits Netflix on January 27th.

Cowboys

This is one I’ve been really looking forward to since I heard about it during its festival run, and by all accounts, it’s a good movie that handles its subject matter with sensitivity. I have been a fan of Steve Zahn for a long time, so any film that gives him a chance to shine is something I will be eagerly anticipating. It’s also interesting to see Jillian Bell in a dramatic antagonistic role. This appears to be Anna Kerrigan’s first big project as a writer-director, and I like the look and feel that she’s bringing here. It’s muted, but not murky, and it captures the environment really well. This is definitely one I can’t wait to check out.

Cowboys will open in virtual cinemas and VOD platforms on February 12th.

To All The Boys: Always and Forever

OK, I honestly don’t remember all that much from the previous film, so I hope there’s a little recap at the beginning. Although, I don’t think it’ll be that hard to figure out what’s going on, these movies are not complicated. I am impressed to see Netflix completing a whole trilogy of films, and I think they have another trilogy they’re closing later this year with the third Kissing Booth movie. Feels pretty significant for them. I will watch this, but it’s not necessarily my most anticipated or anything. I’ve gone this far with these characters, might as well go all the way.

To All The Boys: Always and Forever hits Netflix on February 12th.

Malcolm & Marie

Calling Sam Levinson a “visionary” seems like a real stretch, I was not a fan of Assassination Nation, and I think Euphoria manages to work despite his edgy indulgences. This…isn’t really swaying my opinion on him as a filmmaker. Shouty relationship dramas don’t really do it for me, it will really have to rely on the performances, which I’m sure will be good. Zendaya is a brilliant performer, and while it appears people are a bit mixed on John David Washington, I don’t mind him at all. The black-and-white sounds like a nice idea, but in practice, the lighting is not the best, that first moment where he says “I love you,” his face is pitch black, I can barely see him. I don’t know. I’ll probably check it out, but it’s not anything I’m excited for.

Malcolm & Marie will be released on Netflix on February 5th.

Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar

This felt so much like a trailer for a movie based on a SNL character, I had to look it up to see if it was, and shockingly, it’s not. There was also this feeling that I’d seen it before, and then I recall that I saw this trailer before seeing Bombshell back in December of 2019. It looks fine, I guess. It’s directed by Josh Greenbaum, who previously made documentaries, and it’s written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who both wrote Bridesmaids together, which is a film I liked a lot. So, maybe this will be fun.

Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar will hit VOD platforms on February 12th.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Lady Sings The Blues, as far as I could recall didn’t really delve too deep into her being targeted by the FBI, though I don’t know how much of that was known at the time. I do remember that film being really good, so this would have some big shoes to fill. Andra Day is not bad casting at all. However, this is Lee Daniels behind the camera, and while I may need to rewatch some of his stuff, I feel like he has been pretty consistently not great. I’m open minded though, I’ll give anyone a chance.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday will be released on Hulu on February 26th.

Finding ‘Ohana

This looks cute. It feels like a throwback to old kids adventure films like The Goonies, except less annoying. We don’t really get movies like these anymore, so it’s cool to see Netflix throw some money at a story like this. I especially like the addition of having it revolve around Hawaiian history, tradition, and mythology. It’s something I don’t know much about, and it’ll be cool to see it explored in a movie. It looks fairly standard for this particular style of storytelling, but it looks like it has enough charm to make it worth watching. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this.

Finding ‘Ohana hits Netflix on January 29th.

Thoughts on any of the trailers? Feel free to discuss in the comments!