In the 100th episode of Popcorn Podcast, Leigh and Tim discuss Penguin Bloom – a moving Australian film about hope and healing starring Naomi Watts as Sam Bloom. Plus, who will headline the Willy Wonka prequel? And there's more movement across the 2021 release schedule.

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PENGUIN BLOOM MOVIE REVIEW

Leigh: In Australia – let's explain a little bit for our international listeners – in Australia, magpies are generally a nuisance. They're very territorial.  They sweep at you. It's no mean feat to get an audience to connect with this bird. I think they've done a really good job with that in Penguin Bloom.

Tim: Yes, in springtime in Australia you have to be very careful when walking under certain trees in known areas and parks because magpies – they're out to get you! But it’s no mean feat, absolutely. But boy, I really connected with the performance that Penguin gave – be it through real birds, the animatronics or the minimal CGI that they used. And it was interesting that I felt so connected to her. How did you feel? Were you in love with the magpie?

Leigh: Oh, totally. Anything with animals provokes a strong emotional reaction in me. I had a few tears during the movie because of that. You get really invested, not just in Sam Bloom's story, but in Penguin’s story, too.

Tim: It was also interesting to see a magpie behave in that way. It just went to show the beautiful connection that animals and humans can have even in the most unique circumstances, like a magpie that’s not really known for being affectionate, but hops on your head and pinches your tea bags out of your teacups, like Penguin did for Sam.

MOVIE NEWS

– WB Pictures greenlight Wonka, a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Who is in the running for the lead role?
– Sony and Universal delay more movies, including Cinderella, Nobody, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Unchartered
– More on Bios, the sci-fi movie starring Tom Hanks