Month: April 2025

The Penguin Lessons

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

The Penguin Lessons follows Tom Michell (Steve Coogan), a down on his luck English teacher who has just arrived in Argentina to work at a boarding school. He befriends a penguin and his life is changed for the better.

One of the things that I loved about this film is that it is based on true events. Tom Michell wrote a memoir about this significant time in his life and I knew that I had to read it before the film was released. As with many book to screen adaptations, there were a few changes, but I think they enhanced the story and made for one of the most delightful cinema experiences I’ve had so far this year.

Coogan was superb as the main character. He was more or less what I had imagined while reading the book. There’s a lot you don’t know about him going in and although some of the layers are peeled back, I like how the focus isn’t really about him at all. It’s about the friendship he forms with the penguin.

Juan Salvador, the penguin, was without a doubt the scene stealer. He was just SO CUTE. The fact that they used real penguins as well just made it more authentic. The friendship that Juan Salvador formed with Tom was so heartwarming to watch. Actually, everyone was rather taken by the little creature from the school students, to headmaster Buckle (Jonathan Pryce) and the housekeepers Sofia (Alfonsina Carrocio) and Maria (Vivian El Jaber). Who could blame them?

There was conflict in Argentina during 1976. I appreciated how they brought this more into focus for the film since it wasn’t really expanded upon in the book. It wasn’t something I knew much about so I feel like I learned something. Sofia and Maria weren’t based on real characters, but they represented those who were affected by the events.

I knew that I was going to enjoy The Penguin Lessons, but I wasn’t expecting it to have such an impact on me. It made me laugh out loud and it also made me sob. There were so many important messages woven through too. It’s definitely the best films of 2025 so far and I highly recommend seeing it for yourself.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Drop

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

From director Christopher Landon comes a heart pounding, adrenaline pumping thriller. Violet (Meghann Fahy) is a widowed mother who is about to go on her first date in years. Henry (Brendan Sklenar) is exactly the time of guy she’s been looking for. But the date soon takes a turn for the worst when Violet starts to receive threatening drops on her phone and she has no choice but to comply with its demands.

I loved this movie though it does help to check all logic at the door for it. Once that’s done, I guarantee you’ll be glued to the screen straight away. There is simply never a dull moment.

Fahy has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with. From her start in The Bold Type to the second season of The White Lotus, she has more than cemented herself as a leading lady. This is her film, everyone else is simply allowing her to shine. The way in which she portrays Violet is excellent; you feel everything she is feeling and just want her to get through this. Hollywood, please keep casting her in more projects!

The film wouldn’t be the same without some other key players. Sklenar as Henry reminded me a lot of Atlas in It Ends With Us, but I don’t mean that in a bad way. His character was super supportive of Violet’s situation and he was clearly concerned about her as the night grew more sinister. Both he and Fahy had a natural chemistry which was lovely to watch. Jeffrey Shelf played Matt, the unlucky waiter who just so happened to be having his first shift when he encounters the potential couple. He stole every scene he was in and provided some much needed comic relief. Violett Beane was Violet’s sister Jen. Though she wasn’t as prominent throughout, the way in which she looks out for Violet and Violet’s son Toby (Jacob Robinson) was touching. It was also fun getting to know Richard, portrayed by Reed Diamond, a man who Violet encounters at the restaurant who is on a rather disastrous first date himself.

This type of horror is one hundred per cent my vibe. It had a locked room mystery element to it that added to the suspense and made everyone present a suspect. The fact that this location also happened to be in a glass high rise just added to the thrills.

Overall, Drop had all the right ingredients for an exhilarating thriller. Complete with some brilliant performances, a swanky setting and a premise that shouldn’t work whatsoever and yet does, I highly recommend checking this one out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Death Of A Unicorn

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

While on the way to a wilderness retreat in Canada, father and daughter Elliot (Paul Rudd) and Ridley (Jenna Ortega) hit a unicorn. They put the creature in their car and bring it with them. The Leopolds, owners of a popular pharmaceutical company, want to use the unicorn for personal gain, but Ridley doesn’t feel good about that at all.

Going into this film mostly blind was the best way to do it. I also didn’t have high expectations and I really enjoyed myself. It’s not to be taken seriously whatsoever, but the hidden undertones do give it that something extra which I appreciated.

One of the main selling points here is the star studded cast. I wasn’t fully convinced by Rudd and Ortega as father and daughter though I do like them both individually. I’ve never seen Rudd play such a smarmy character before, but I think he was convincing enough (also how does this guy not age?!) Ortega plays emo well and I liked how she had that connection with the unicorns.

The Leopolds consisted of Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni and Will Poulter. I couldn’t say who was the worst of the bunch; they were all equally awful. Poulter really seemed to give it his all though and I found myself laughing out loud during the majority of his scenes.

This truly was the perfect blend of comedy and horror. Most of the jokes landed and the blood and gore was so over the top. I’ll admit that there were some moments where I had to close my eyes because of it and also because of the many jump scares but it all worked.

Overall, Death Of A Unicorn is a fun, campy film that is a guaranteed good time. With a fabulous cast and an interesting storyline, I’m glad I checked it out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️



The Life List

Published on by DanielaLeave a comment

Alex (Sofia Carson) used to know what she wanted in life, but lately she’s been feeling lost. When her mother Elizabeth (Connie Britton) passes away, she implores Alex to complete the life list she made when she was thirteen years old. From getting a tattoo to learning how to play Clair de Lune on the piano to going back to teaching, Alex starts to fall in love with her life again.

I actually didn’t know much about this film going into it. Here I was expecting a light-hearted romantic comedy so you could imagine my surprise when I discovered it wasn’t quite that at all. Instead, what I discovered, was something more.

Carson has played similar characters in the past. What I liked about Alex and what I felt was different this time around was the emotional rollercoaster she goes through. From losing her mom, to trying to find herself again and maybe even falling in love along the way, it was a more complex role and I thought she did well. Though Britton’s Elizabeth is killed off rather quickly, she is still very much an integral part of the story. I loved the relationship she and Alex shared; you could tell that it was them against the world.

The theme of romance was certainly prominent throughout, but it wasn’t at the forefront. One of the items on Alex’s life list was to find true love and this was no easy feat. Her two potential suitors Brad (Kyle Allen) and Garrett (Sebastian De Souza) were attractive and had many positive attributes to them. She really could have ended up with either of them, though I did have my preference.

What I liked the most about this film was the message behind it. Pain and loss is a part of life. It’s how to deal with it that makes all the difference. This is easier said than done, but it was really inspiring to see how Alex did what she could to lift herself up in what was otherwise a heartbreaking situation.

Overall, The Life List is definitely one of Netflix’s better original films. The depth and emotions behind it wasn’t what I was expecting whatsoever, but that just made the experience so much more enjoyable.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5