Netflix is spending like a drunken sailor at the various film festivals this weekend.
They plunked down $30 million for a movie called “Malcolm and Marie” starring John David Washington and Zendaya. Sam Levinson, creator and director of HBO’s “Euphoria” and son of director Barry Levinson, is the director.
Netflix spent $20 million on Halle Berry’s “Bruised,” starring and directed by the Oscar winning actress as a mixed martial arts fighter.
The media platform also shelled out some dough on “Pieces of a Woman” starring Shia LaBeouf and Vanessa Kirby as a couple that undergoes a terrible tragedy. It’s from Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó.
Netflix wants to be in the Oscar race, and they’re willing to open their coffers to get there. Will it work? It will be hard to beat “Nomadland,” that’s for sure. But Netflix is relentless. I haven’t head seen two of the films but “Pieces of a Woman” may be too intense for most audiences in theaters. In this case, home viewing is perhaps more advisable. One thing Netflix will get out of it is many awards nominations for Ellen Burstyn.
“Malcolm & Marie” stars Washington as a filmmaker and Zendaya as his girlfriend, following them after they return home from a movie premiere. It was shot this summer in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It also seems to be in black and white.
Stay tuned…
