New Penguin Bloom Trailer Previews Netflix’s Newest Inspiring Drama

Netflix has released a brand new trailer for Glendyn Ivin’s forthcoming film adaptation of Penguin Bloom, featuring the incredible true story of Samantha Bloom, who finds hope in an unlikely hero. Starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln, the film will be available for streaming on January 27, 2021. Check out the video in the player below!

RELATED: The Adam Project: Filming Begins on Ryan Reynolds’ New Netflix Film

Penguin Bloom tells the true story of Sam Bloom, a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near-fatal accident leaves her paralyzed. Sam’s husband, (Andrew Lincoln), her three young boys and her mother, are struggling to adjust to their new situation when an unlikely ally enters their world in the form of an injured baby magpie they name Penguin. The bird’s arrival is a welcome distraction for the Bloom family, eventually making a profound difference in the family’s life.

Pick up a copy of the book here!

The film stars Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive, Impossible), Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, The Walking Dead), Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom), Rachel House (Moana, Thor: Ragnarok), and Leeanna Walsman (Star Wars: Attack of the Clones). It will also feature Lisa Hensley, Griffin Murray-Johnston, Felix Cameron, and Abe Clifford-Barr.

RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Skydance Spy Series Acquired by Netflix

Penguin Bloom is directed by Glendyn Ivin from a screenplay adapted by Shaun Grant and Harry Cripps. The film is produced by Watts and Emma Cooper through their Jam Tart Films banner along with Made Up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, and Jodi Matterson. It is executive produced by Sam and Cameron Bloom along with Sonia Amoroso, George Kekeli, Meryl Metni, Ricci Swart, Greive, Joel Pearlman, Edwina Waddy, and Jill Bilcock.

The post New Penguin Bloom Trailer Previews Netflix’s Newest Inspiring Drama appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

The Woman in the Window Finally Set For 2021 Debut on Netflix

According to EW, acclaimed filmmaker Joe Wright’s long-delayed thriller film The Woman in the Window will finally be making its debut during the first half of this year, exclusively on Netflix. This confirmation comes after the Amy Adams-led feature had suffered three release delays since 2019 due to negative test screenings. Netflix recently acquired the film after 20th Century Studios decided to remove it from their official theatrical release schedule due to the ongoing pandemic.

RELATED: Amy Adams Officially Returning for Disenchanted, Now Disney+ Exclusive

In addition, Wright also had the chance to address the few setbacks that The Woman in the Window had gone through, confirming that they decided to undergo reshoots in order to clarify some points of the movie that confused the audience of the initial test screenings.

“There were some plot points that people found a bit confusing — I would say possibly too opaque maybe,” Wright explained. “So we had to go back and clarify certain points, but I think also we tried to make sure we didn’t oversimplify anything and make things too clear. There’s an enjoyment in not knowing what’s going on, but at the same time, you have to give the audience something to hold on to — you have to lead them through the labyrinth of mystery and fear.”

In The Woman in the Window, an agoraphobic child psychologist befriends a neighbor across the street from her New York City brownstone, only to see her own life turned upside down when the woman disappears and she suspects foul play. A stellar ensemble cast brings Tracy Letts’ screenplay based on the gripping, best-selling novel to life, where shocking secrets are revealed, and no one-and nothing-is what it seems.

The film features an A-list ensemble that includes five time Academy-Award nominee Amy Adams (Arrival) and Academy-Award winners Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Gary Oldman; the latter reuniting with his Darkest Hour director. It will also star Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

RELATED: Dear Evan Hansen: Julianne Moore Joins Universal’s Film Adaptation

The Woman in the Window is directed by Joe Wright from a script written by Tracy Letts. It is produced by Scott Rudin (Lady Bird, No Country for Old Men), Eli Bush (Lady Bird, Annihilation), and Antony Katagas.

The post The Woman in the Window Finally Set For 2021 Debut on Netflix appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

BEGIN SLIDESHOW

First trailer & new photos revealed for Netflix’s Malcolm & Marie

Ahead of its February premiere on the streaming platform, Netflix has unveiled the first trailer and new photos for the John David Washington (Tenet) and Zendaya (Euphoria)-led romantic drama Malcolm & Marie, both of which can be viewed below!

RELATED: Netflix Unveils First-Look Photo & Release of Malcolm & Marie

Madly in love. @Zendaya and John David Washington star in Malcolm & Marie. Coming to @Netflix on Feb 5. pic.twitter.com/HSTNqpoE0G

— Malcolm & Marie (@malcolmariefilm) January 8, 2021

A filmmaker (Washington) returns home with his girlfriend (Zendaya) following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what’s sure to be imminent critical and financial success. The evening suddenly takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love.

The idea for the project first started when Zendaya contacted Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, asking that if it was possible for him to write and direct a movie during the quarantine. After a few days, Levinson came up with the story for the Zendaya-led film. In order to make this project a reality, Levinson and production partner Ashley Levinson (Queen & Slim) along with Kevin Turen, Washington, and Zendaya personally financed the project during the pre-production and production stages.

Before and during filming, producers reportedly implemented strict protocols to ensure the safety of the cast and crew and to meet with the necessary requirements by the WGA, DGA, and SAG. One of the safety measures exercised was that no one was allowed to leave the property they rented as the cast and crew had their own designated dwellings. Another guideline was that no crew member could be in close contact with the actors without proper personal protective equipment.

Malcolm & Marie is executive produced by Aaron L. Gilbert, Will Greenfield, Washington, Zendaya, and Scott Mescudi better known as Kid Cudi along with Katia Washington, Harrison Kreiss, Stuart Manashil and Kenneth Yu. Before filming started, New Regency’s Yariv Milchan and Michael Schafer got wind of the upcoming film and immediately boarded the project as executive producers and to support financing.

RELATED: Jurassic World: Dominion Director Discusses Resuming Production

The film is slated to hit Netflix on February 5.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
  5
  images

The post First Trailer & New Photos Revealed for Netflix’s Malcolm & Marie appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Rating: 

7/10

Cast:

Hilary Swank as Detective Valerie Quinlan

Michael Ealy as Derrick Tyler

Mike Colter as Rafe Grimes

Geoffrey Owens as Bill Cranepool

Damaris Lewis as Tracie Tyler

Danny Pino as Carter Haywood

David Hoflin as Officer Lowe

Sam Daly as Officer Stallman

Tyrin Turner as Tyrin Abenathy

Directed by Deon Taylor; Written by David Loughery

Click here to rent Fatale!

Fatale Review:

The adultery-fueled erotic stalker thriller subgenre is frequently one of the least interesting and most predictable of the bunch, generally appearing more cartoonish in their portrayals of unhinged characters and forcing audiences to side with the married/partnered person in the equation. Though the film may home some issues in its dialogue and pacing, Deon Taylor and David Loughery’s latest entry into the subgenre, Fatale, actually proves to be a happy surprise with some departures from these well-worn tropes to deliver a relatively enticing tale.

After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life.

The opening act of the film is admittedly pretty rough, with the setup for Derrick’s failing marriage feeling far too familiar and underwhelming, especially given his career position as a Black man in power, which feels far too rare still in stories. Once the inevitable night arrives and audiences are introduced to Hilary Swank’s Valerie, the film takes a real dour turn for a short while, with no real initial chemistry being shared between the two as Ealy plays the awkward-might-cheat-on-my-wife angle while Swank’s dialogue drifts hard into bad porno-level territory.

But once this passes and Derrick returns home looking to repair things with his wife and the break-in leads to Valerie returning into his life, things start taking a turn for the better. The moment Valerie walks into Derrick’s living room is honestly nothing short of brilliant, not on a story-level per se, but more in the direction and performances from Swank and Ealy. Often times in these scenes actors and characters devolve rapidly into a stuttering mess with bugged-out eyes, but Ealy delivers a slower look of realization as Swank enters the room that really tightens the film’s grip on its audience and helps establish the palpable tension that remains for nearly the remainder of the film.

The evolution of Swank’s Valerie is also a far more unique and grounded path that keeps the mystery going and leaving audiences wondering on how exactly to judge her. As previously mentioned, so many films in the genre portray the non-partnered half of the affair to be a clingy and deranged individual willing to throw their life away to be with the other person, but with Valerie, Loughery has written a very well-rounded and compelling character. She has her own goals and troubled backstory audiences can sympathize with, but Swank bolsters the character further with a cold ambiguity that helps encapsulate audiences’ concerns as to whether they can actually trust her or ignore her troubles.

The primary problems in the film really lie in its pacing and some of its dialogue, with more than a handful of conversations proving too vulgar and cringe-worthy that takes the atmosphere out of a number of scenes. The story nearly speeds through its opening half as though it intends on only running a 90-minute race, only to shift gears to a more deliberate pace and it’s not an entirely poor decision on its part, but it does create a disjointed feeling that also will drive the question in some audiences’ minds of how much further can this story go?

Overall, Fatale may not be a masterpiece or break entirely new ground, but thanks to more original character development and storytelling, stylish direction from Taylor and solid performances from Swank and Ealy, it proves to be one of the best thrillers of its kind in years.

The post Fatale Review: A Well-Acted & Fairly Unique Twist On Well-Worn Formula appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Roku Nabs Global Rights to Quibi Library Including Over 12 New Shows

After Quibi’s official shutdown, Roku has announced that they have successfully acquired the majority of the now-defunct streamer’s content library which includes scripted series, reality shows and documentaries led by A-list stars such as Idris Elba, Anna Kendrick, Kevin Hart, Liam Hemsworth, Chrissy Teigen, Lena Waithe and more. More than 75 Quibi shows will be streaming for free sometime this year on the Roku Channel.

RELATED: MGM Looking to Sell Entire Film Library and Studio

“We do think this deal represents a great value,” Roku’s VP of Programming Rob Holmes said in a statement (via Variety). “Fundamentally, we think that Quibi has created great, high-quality content. It’s a great value proposition for our users… We’re pivoting from Quibi’s SVOD model to an ad-supported model, and this type of new, original content is not usually available for free.”

“The most creative and imaginative minds in Hollywood created groundbreaking content for Quibi that exceeded our expectations,” Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg said. “We are thrilled that these stories, from the surreal to the sublime, have found a new home on the Roku Channel.”

In addition, the new deal also includes over 12 new Quibi shows that will finally be able to make their debuts on the Roku Channel. Shows included are: Peter Farrelly’s new comedy series The Now; the Russo Brothers’ Marvel vs. DC comics docuseries; Steven Spielberg’s horror series titled Spielberg’s After Dark, and more.

RELATED: Universal Classic Monster Films to Stream Free for a Week on YouTube

Quibi, which is short for “Quick Bites” had made its launched last April 6, 2020, with more than a billion dollars raised from its investors. It previously had a number of projects in development. Guillermo del Toro, Sam Raimi, Catherine Hardwick, Steven Spielberg, Paul Feig, Anna Kendrick, Laurence Fishburne, and Don Cheadle are eight of the many producers and talents who were involved in the said projects.

At its April launch, the platform had roughly 50 original titles including various reality series starring Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen and Chance the Rapper, as well as a number of major scripted programs including Sam Raimi’s 50 States of Fright, the Liam Hemsworth-starring Most Dangerous Game, Anna Kendrick-led Dummy, Kevin Hart-starring Die Hart and the revival of Comedy Central’s Reno! 911.

After six months, the mobile streamer had failed to garner enough subscription numbers to keep it alive among the competitive streaming landscape which led the Jeffrey Katzenberg  and Meg Whitman to officially shutdown Quibi last month.

The post Roku Nabs Global Rights to Quibi Library Including Over 12 New Shows appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Sacrifice Trailer: Barbara Crampton stars in new Lovecraftian horror

Acting icon Barbara Crampton has been in her fair share of horror movies since making her debut in 1983 but the world of Lovecraftian terror is a stomping ground she’s visited a few times before and now she’s back with the first trailer and poster for Andy Collier and Tor Mian’s Sacrifice, both of which can be viewed below!

RELATED: The Reckoning Trailer: Fear Spreads Like the Plague

New Yorker Isaac and his pregnant wife return to a remote Norwegian village of his birth to claim an unexpected inheritance. Here they find themselves caught in a nightmare as an ancient evil awakens to claim a birthright of its own.

The film is co-written and co-directed by Andy Collier and Tor Mian (The Sky in Bloom, Charismata) and sees Crampton starring alongside Dag Sorlie (That’s Interesting), Erik Lundin (Happy Hour in Paradise, Blue Eyes), Jack Kristiansen (Under the Crystal Dome, Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey), Johanna Adde Dahl, Ludovic Hughes (Murder Maps, Ride), Lukas Loughran (The Postcard Killings, Krypton) and Sophie Stevens (The Black Palace, The Haunted).

Crampton’s first dive into the world of H.P. Lovecraft came with one of her breakout roles in 1985’s adaptation of Re-Animator and would continue with her celebrated work in the following year’s From Beyond. Other notable roles of hers in the horror genre include Stuart Gordon’s Castle Freak, Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett’s You’re Next, Ted Geoghegan’s We Are Still Here and Jackson Stewart’s Beyond the Gates.

RELATED: Sator Trailer & Poster From Jordan Graham’s Demonic Thriller

Sacrifice is set to hit select theaters on February 5 and will be followed by a VOD release on February 9 and Blu-ray debut on February 23.

The post Sacrifice Trailer: Barbara Crampton Stars in New Lovecraftian Horror appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

BEGIN SLIDESHOW

Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch Sets US Theatrical & HBO Max Debut

Following the world premiere of Earwig and the Witch in Japan last month, GKIDS has finally announced the official U.S. release date for Studio Ghibli’s newest animated and first-ever CG film. Featuring the voices of Richard E. Grant and Kacey Musgraves, Earwig and the Witch will arrive in select theaters on February 11, 2021, and will be having its streaming debut on February 5, 2021, on HBO Max.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Goro Miyazaki’s magical new film to North American audiences next month,” GKIDS president Dave Jesteadt said in a statement (via Vital Thrills). “Earwig and the Witch is the first new Studio Ghibli release in four years, and is the studio’s first foray into computer animation. Working together with HBO Max, Fathom Events, and other theatrical partners will enable GKIDS to bring this wonderful film to the widest possible audience.”

RELATED: English Trailer For Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch Released!

Earwig and the Witch (or Aya and the Witch) will be based on the 2011 children’s novel of the same name which was written by the late British author Diana Wynne Jones, who has also written the source novel for Studio Ghibli’s popular fantasy film Howl’s Moving Castle. The novel follows the story of a smart orphan girl named Earwig as she gets adopted by a woman named Bella Yaga, who turns out to be a cruel witch that takes her to live in a haunted house.

Pick up a copy of the book here!

Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.

The English Dub voice cast features Oscar-nominated actor Richard E. Grant as the Mandrake, Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves as Earwig’s mother and Dan Stevens as Thomas along with Taylor Paige Henderson as Earwig, Pandora Colin as Matron, Alex Cartañá as Assistant Matron, JB Blanc as Mr. Jenkins, Logan Hannan as Custard, Summer Jenkins as Phyllis, Vivienne Rutherford as Sally, Tom Bromhead as Cook, Eva Kaminsky as Assistant Cook, and Vanessa Marshall as Bella Yaga.

RELATED: Lee Isaac Chung Tapped to Write/Direct Live-Action Your Name

Earwig and the Witch is directed by Goro Miyazaki, the son of Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki, who is also being credited with the planning of the film. It is a co-production by Studio Ghibli, NHK, and NEP.

GKIDS is planning to release the film in U.S. theaters in early 2021, just in time for it to qualify for awards consideration.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
  7
  images

The post Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch Sets US Theatrical & HBO Max Debut appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Kevin Feige’s Star Wars project sets Loki’s Michael Waldron to write

It’s been a year and a half since exciting word first broke that Marvel Studios President and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige was developing a Star Wars film and now it seems development is progressing further as Loki creator and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness screenwriter Michael Waldron has been tapped to pen the script, according to Deadline.

RELATED: Chris Pine Knows the Plot of Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron

Waldron previously inked a massive overall deal with both Disney and Marvel, a rare occurrence for either studio in recent history, and is reportedly being sought out to return as head writer and showrunner for a rumored second season of the Tom Hiddleston-fronted Disney+ series, with the first season currently slated to debut in May. Given his being attached to two of the major brands owned by Walt Disney Studios, it appears that the House of Mouse is very happy with his work thus far and will continue to utilize his mind in big projects in the future.

Prior to Loki, Waldron broke out with his Emmy-winning work on the fourth season of Adult Swim’s hit animated comedy Rick and Morty, having penned “The Old Man and the Gun” while also having produced episodes in prior seasons. In addition to currently scripting the Sam Raimi-helmed Doctor Strange sequel, Waldron also created and executive produced the upcoming Starz wrestling drama Heels led by Arrow vet Stephen Amell.

Feige has long been a vocal fan of the Star Wars franchise, going so far as to include a character getting a hand/limb severed in EVERY Phase 2 movie from Marvel Studios as a nod to Luke Skywalker’s hand amputation in The Empire Strikes Back. Countless jokes and references to the galaxy far, far away have been peppered into the MCU as well, such as Peter Parker’s reference to “that old movie” (also referring to Episode V).

RELATED: BREAKING: Kevin Feige Developing A Star Wars Film!

It’s currently unclear how fast the new Star Wars film will come to life, as Feige’s project was notably missing from the recent Disney Investor Day while a Patty Jenkins written/directed Rogue Squadron was revealed and set for a Christmas 2023 release, Taika Waititi is currently set to direct a film on a screenplay co-written by him and Krysty Wilson-Cairns and Sleight director J.D. Dillard and Luke Cage writer Matt Owens being tapped to develop another film. New trilogies from Game of Thrones duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and The Last Jedi writer/director Rian Johnson were in development, but the status of both are currently unknown as the former departed due to their commitment to their Netflix deal while the fan reception to the latter’s eighth Skywalker Saga chapter may have driven Lucasfilm to quietly cancel it.

(Photo Credits: Getty Images)

The post Kevin Feige’s Star Wars Project Sets Loki’s Michael Waldron to Write appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Spamalot Musical: Paramount Nabs Film Adaptation From Fox

It has been two years since we last heard an update about the development of the film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical Spamalot after 20th Century Fox acquired the rights to the project in 2018. However, due to Disney’s acquisition of Fox, Deadline brings word that the long-in-development project has officially found a new home in Paramount Pictures.

RELATED: Babylon: Paramount Sets Damien Chazelle’s New Film For 2022

The Spamalot film adaptation is based on the acclaimed 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a parody of the Arthurian legend whose Broadway production saw major actors perform, including Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Hank Azaria (Brockmire), and Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), and is one of the highest-grossing plays of all-time, having grossed over $175 million.

Pick up a copy of the 1975 film here!

Despite its major change in studio, the musical comedy feature is already fully developed with Monty Python alum Eric Idle and the original Broadway musical’s choreographer Casey Nicholaw still attached as the project’s writer and director, respectively. Casey Nicholaw is well-known for his work on the current Mean Girls play, as well as The Book of Mormon and Aladdin, and has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning one for Best Director in 2011 for Mormon.

RELATED: Spike Lee Set to Co-Write/Direct Movie Musical About Viagra at eOne

The Spamalot film will be produced by Idle and Dan Jinks with Paramount Pictures’ Jon Gonda, Meg Lewis and Mike Ireland set as executive producers. The studio is planning to start production sometime this year. The project will mark an interesting twist for the genre, as it is a musical adaptation of a Broadway musical that is in and of itself an adaptation of a comedy that is in and of itself an adaptation of an epic legend.

(Photo by KMazur/WireImage via Getty Images)

The post Spamalot Musical: Paramount Nabs Film Adaptation From Fox appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

Babylon: Paramount Sets Damien Chazelle’s New Film For 2022

According to Deadline, Paramount Pictures has decided to change the release date for director Damien Chazelle’s upcoming period drama film Babylon. Originally scheduled for Christmas 2021, the Brad Pitt-led film has now been pushed back to December 25, 2022 for a limited release which will then be followed by wide theatrical release on January 6, 2023.

In addition, Paramount has also officially removed Lee Daniels’ upcoming biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday from their theatrical release schedule after Hulu recently acquired the distribution rights for the film. The Andra Day and Trevante Rhodes-led film was originally expected for a February 2021 theatrical release.

RELATED: Brad Pitt-Led Bullet Train Lands Oscar Nominee Michael Shannon

Babylon is described as an original drama set in period Hollywood, a “bold auteur piece with a significant budget.” Lionsgate was previously in the lead to land the movie at auction until Paramount came through with the winning bid.

The film will be led by Oscar winner Brad Pitt with his Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood co-star Margot Robbie in talks to replace Emma Stone for the female lead. Li Jun Li (Wu Assassins, Evil) has also been cast as Anna May Wong.

RELATED: Quentin Tarantino Sets Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Novel for 2021

Chazelle, whose credits include 10 Cloverfield Lane, Whiplash, First Man, and The Last Exorcism Part II, wrote the script and will direct. Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt will serve as producers.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The post Babylon: Paramount Sets Damien Chazelle’s New Film For 2022 appeared first on ComingSoon.net.