Tag Archives: Steve Coogan

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE PENGUIN LESSONS (2024): The Things I Liked…

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The Penguin Lessons (2025), Micaela Breque, Steve Coogan, Lionsgate Films
The Penguin Lessons (2025), Micaela Breque, Steve Coogan, Lionsgate Films

Starring Steve Coogan, Björn Gustafsson and Jonathan Pryce, I wanted to watch The Penguin Lessons because the trailer strongly suggested it would be charming, and that it is.

What I didn’t know before sitting down to director Peter Cattaneo’s film is that it’s based on a true story, one about a man’s awakening, thanks to the impact his adopted penguin has on his life. 

Cattaneo’s movie offers, in equal measure, both dramatic and humorous moments. A combination resulting in a heartwarming and satisfying experience. It helps that Coogan and the penguin are an easy-to-watch and well-matched pairing. As I write this and reminisce, I would not say no to watching it all over again – and being transported back to 1970s Argentina.

Lastly, all performances, including that of the beautiful penguin, are memorable.

Watch it and be charmed.

Happy Film Loving, 

G 

Drama

THE PENGUIN LESSONS (2024): New Trailer From Steve Coogan, Björn Gustafsson, David Herrero, Jonathan Pryce…

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Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Penguin Lessons (2024).

An actual penguin is at the heart of Steve Coogan’s latest drama, The Penguin Lessons.

Directed by Peter Cattaneo, Coogan plays an Englishman who goes through an awakening after adopting a penguin.

I am fully charmed and can already see all the smiles this film will put on my face.

Is anyone else suddenly dreaming about a pet penguin?

Jonathan Pryce, Björn Gustafsson, David Herrero, Aimar Miranda, Hugo Fuertes, Ramiro Blas, Micaela Breque, Romina Cocca, Tomás Pozzi and Gra Maleh also star.

The Penguin Lessons Release Dates: April 18th, 2025 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Crime, Drama, Musical

JOKER – FOLIE À DEUX (2024): New Trailer Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz…

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Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga; it’s time for that long-awaited new Joker – Folie À Deux (Madness for Two) trailer.

I’m quite sure that the story that director Todd Phillips has chosen to tell will be engaging. Nevertheless, since many iterations of the Joker story have been told, it’s not the story that is pulling me in. Rather, it’s my curiosity about the performances and especially the visuals.

Part of what made Joker 2019 a must-see was the deep dive into his origin story, like never before. Now that we’re in the phase where he’s finally gained power, it will be interesting to see if this second part is presented in a way that doesn’t feel too much like a repetition of the ’empowered Joker story’. To begin with, Joker – Folie À Deux is a musical, which is certainly different.

What are your thoughts after seeing the above trailer?

Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan, Zazie Beetz, Ken Leung, Jacob Lofland, Gattlin Griffith, Leigh Gill Sharon Washington, Troy Metcalf, Harry Lawtey, Tim Dillon, George Carroll and Mike Houston also star.

Folie à Deux Release Dates: October 4th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Crime, Drama, Musical

JOKER – FOLIE À DEUX (2024): New Trailer From Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Lady Gaga, Catherine Keener…

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Joker – Folie À Deux (Madness for Two), the highly anticipated sequel to the story of Gotham City’s most beloved villain is soon upon us.

Directed and co-written by Todd Philips, this time, Joaquin Phoenix is joined by Lady Gaga, Steve Coogan, Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener to name just a few.

Admittedly, much of the subject matter of Joker (2019) made me sad. Thankfully, however, all the tragic material was balanced by the plenty there was to appreciate as far as great filmmaking is concerned. It is largely for this reason, plus my general appreciation of the talents of Phoenix and Phillips, that we can all consider my ticket for this release well and truly purchased.

We all have to suffer for our art sometimes, right? In this case, it’s suffering for the art I love to consume, as opposed to the art that I’m creating.

Another way I’ll potentially suffer while watching this is because I dislike, am turned off by and largely HATE 99.9% of musicals. But, hey. I at least have to try in this case, right?

Lastly, can Phillips, Joaquin and I also consider your ticket for Joker – Folie à Deux, well and truly purchased? Confirm at once!

Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan, Ken Leung, Jacob Lofland, Gattlin Griffith, Leigh Gill Sharon Washington, Troy Metcalf, Harry Lawtey, Tim Dillon, George Carroll and Mike Houston also star.

Folie à Deux Release Dates: October 4th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy

DESPICABLE ME 4 (2024): New Trailer Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Sofía Vergara, Steve Coogan,

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The fourth instalment of the Despicable Me movies has Gru (Steve Carell) and his family on the run from a new nemesis. This time, Gru has a brand new cute son named Gru Jr., A mischievous being who happens to enjoy tormenting his father.

Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage; additional key cast of Despicable Me 4 includes Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Sofía Vergara, Miranda Cosgrove and Steve Coogan.

Several years ago, if you’d told me that one day I’d look at the minions and be largely unaffected, I wouldn’t have believed you. I was one of those adults who squealed in delight at clips of The Minions, and unexpected sightings of their soft toys.

In fact, at the height of my obsession, I admit that I even briefly fantasised about permanently relieving a young child of their Minions backpack; something I’d of course NEVER do.

These days, now that The Minions fever has largely died down for myself and many others, I no longer refer to the small animated cuties as ‘The best happiness-inducing yellow beauties.’

Gru is fine and all. However, the only character I was interested in besides the many yellow ones was the bubblegum-chewing, purple shoulder pad-wearing supervillain, Balthazar Bratt of Despicable Me 3 (2017).

My fingers are crossed that I’ll also be enchanted by the new villain, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell). It might be a challenge without the dance moves and musical taste of Monsieur Bratt. We’ll just have to see. Still, something tells me that I’ll enjoy Gru Jr. in this new instalment. Especially because of the moderate Jack-Jack from The Incredibles 2 (2018) vibes he’s giving.

Are you still on the Despicable Me train?

Dana Gaier, Madison Skyy Polan, Stephen Colbert Chloe Fineman and Pierre Coffin also star.

Despicable Me 4 Release Dates: July 3rd , 2024 (US); July 5th, 2024 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G