Are you ready for Star Wars, Kimchi-style? Or ready to watch Zendaya tackle a mature role? And can you accept a magpie as part of the family? The Goonies head to Hawaii, is that a pitch you’d nod to? That’s this week’s streaming options. Enjoy! Space Sweepers and Malcolm & Marie drop on Netflix on February 5th.

Space Sweepers (Netflix - Korea) - Here’s something that does come from South Korea but actually tries to be different from the K-dramas and Korean horror fare we’ve grown used to - and judging from how they rate on Netflix’s Most Watched, we Filipinos have embraced. It’s a space saga, a film being touted as Korea’s answer to Star Wars and Star Trek, but with a wonderful sense of humor, it’s about the space ‘basureros’. Sweepers in the title refers to the ones tasked getting rid of the space debris that has accumulated over the decades - the film is set in the far future of 2092.

I mention Star Wars because in true C-3PO form, we get a humanoid robot joining our intrepid trio of heroes/fortune hunters. The sweepers crew is captained by a woman, a salute to gender diversity and woman empowerment; and of course, the robot is there to provide lightness and humor to the proceedings. Does it all work? You be the judge. I was entertained, but felt that at over two hours, the film could have had some brisker editing. The effects are fine, and the dynamics between the crew members are as could be expected. Credible first foray into the SciFi/Space genre for Korea.

Malcolm & Marie (Netflix) - Written & directed by Sam Levinson, this is one of the pandemic films (shot under lockdown with a 22-man crew) that shines thanks to the performances of it’s main stars, Zendaya and John David Washington. At heart, it’s about two people and their relationship, tested over the course of a single night. Malcolm (Washington) is a movie director who has just premiered a successful film, while Marie (Zendaya) is his longtime girlfriend, but the one name he failed to mention when giving his Thank You’s post-film showing. There’s not much to the narrative, but the brutal honesty of the repartee, the ebb and flow of whether this relationship will last, are what keep us riveted to the screen.

In a sense, this is a throwback to the kind of film John Cassavetes would direct, but with a colored cast, and with the dialogue updated for today. This is Zendaya’s taking on a mature role; and while some have commented on the age difference of the two, the fact is that Zendaya is 24, while Washington is 36. As Zendaya herself commented, ‘I’ve been playing 16 since I was 16’. So this is the film that’s actually allowing her to act her age. The house is a character in itself (inspired by Parasite?), and the B&W cinematography is stunning. Super smart dialogue, and a mature film very worth watching.

Penguin Bloom (Netflix) - Based on the real life story of an Australian family and the disaster that befalls the mother, Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts), while the family was vacationing in Thailand, this film has modest hopes, and that works in its favor. The film showed at Toronto last year, and was well received. The ‘penguin’ in this case is a magpie, that one of Sam’s three sons decides to name after that Antarctic bird. The magpie plays an integral part in Sam’s recovery from her spinal injury, and moving out of self-pity and depression. In this film, it’s the relationship between Sam and the bird that gives the film the charm, and letting it possess the vital differentiating factor to make this family’s story unique and worth watching.

If there is a structural weakness to the film, it’s that it starts off with the accident, and so rather than getting a fully-fleshed family, it’s only Naomi’s character that rings true. Her husband (Andrew Licoln) is around but not being asked to do much more than clench his month, and look determined to be a steadfast anchor for Sam and their sons. One son brings home the wounded magpie; but at some point, the three boys are interchangeable. There’s much to like with the film and it’s earnestness, but you sometimes wish there was more to the film than Watts finally choosing a project worthy of her acting talents - something she hasn’t done for years now, after offering such great promise at the start of her career.

Finding Ohana (Netflix) - More than part tribute to that iconic film The Goonies, Finding Ohana knows how to salute its inspiration, while giving us something different enough to stand on its own. Replacing Oregon with Hawaii also helps to give this film a fresh outlook and distinct charm. The young cast knows how to keep us entranced, and while there’s much to commend with this film, one can’t escape how it’s trying hard to be ‘The Goonies Luau 2021’. Mind you, if there is one film of family entertainment to use as your peg, you can’t fault the producers with their choice.

As can be expected, it’s all about buried treasure, finding oneself while bonding with others, discovering the people who are there for you and you can depend on. For the older generation, they’ll enjoy the beats that take them back to The Goonies; while for the younger generation who never saw that iconic film, this will be something fresh and enjoyable. It’s your regular Netflix family fare, but this one works in a strong but minor key.