Latest news with #DeadPoetsSociety
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just got one of the best movies you (probably) missed in theatres — and it's like ‘Dead Poets Society' but with a penguin
To many people, 1989's 'Dead Poets Society' with the late-great Robin Williams is pretty much the perfect movie. But it appears that you can actually improve upon perfection, as 'The Penguin Lessons' takes a similar basic concept and throws in a truly adorable aquatic bird. Flying into theatres back in March (yes, I'm aware penguins are flightless birds, just go with it), 'The Penguin Lesson' stars the loveable Steve Coogan and is a sweet tale of unexpected friendship between a grumpy educator and a wayward aquatic creature. It returned only a modest sum at the global box office, but I expect it's about to enjoy a surge in popularity as it arrives on Netflix this weekend (July 26). It seems primed to charm the streaming service's subscriber base and is the perfect feel-good watch when you need a lift. Based on a true story, it's one of my favorite easy-watching movies of the year, and if you're looking for a Netflix movie full of charm and heart-warming moments, look no further. Set in the 1970s, 'The Penguin Lessons' opens with English teacher Tom Michell (Steve Cooage) moving to Argentina to teach at an exclusive all-boys school overseen by Headmaster Timothy Buckle (Jonathan Pryce). He arrives at a time of significant political upheaval in the South American country, and faces a classroom full of generally uninterested students. During a school closure, he takes a trip to Uruguay and discovers a lost penguin in an oil slick. He rescues it and brings it back to his hotel room. Michell's attempts to free himself of the bird prove tricky when the penguin refuses to leave his side. So with little choice, he reluctantly adopts the penguins, which he names Juan. This proves to be a life-changing decision as he forms a close bond with his unconventional pet. There's nothing inherently original about 'The Penguin Lessons'' core formula. There are numerous movies about an initially cantankerous figure softening up as they allow a new friend (or sometimes romantic partner) into their lives. But what 'The Penguin Lesson' lacks in originality, it makes up for in sheer spirit. It's an optimistic tale of finding the joy in life. While it's certainly not above manipulating your emotions, 'The Penguin Lessons' has plenty of gentle chuckles throughout, and I have no doubt many viewers will come away having shed a tear or two (or more). But its overall message is one of hope and of finding friends to help you out. Steven Coogan is well cast in the lead role of Tom Michell. It plays up the grumpy side of Michell's personality well, but even from the start, you can tell that underneath the sarcasm, there is a sweet soul just waiting to be unlocked. And oh boy, does Juan manage to do so. Perhaps where 'The Penguin Lesson' falls most is in its central setting of 1970s Argentina during the country's coup d'état. Last year's Oscar-winning 'I'm Still Here' took on the subject matter of a military coup in 1960s Brazil with steely determination, but here, the Argentine military coup isn't handled with the same appropriate force. It is touched upon often and informs several character motivations and arcs, but it does, on occasion, feel like the harsh realities of that period of history are glossed over in favour of charming scenes spent with a penguin. On the flipside, there's something to be said for a movie displaying that even in the darkest of times, there are rays of light. Just don't expect a rousing speech that matches the iconic ones delivered by Williams as John Keating in 'Dead Poets Society,' but in 'The Penguin Lessons,' you'll find a charming story, a strong leading performance, and a sidekick that will have you googling penguin adoption (No, you can't keep a penguin as a pet. I checked already). Over on Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Penguin Lessons' was largely well-received. It holds a 76% score from critics, which is enough for a 'Certified Fresh' seal of approval. Reviewers praised Coogan's performance and the lightly humorous tone, but criticism was levied at the movie's handling of real-life history. Meanwhile, viewers were seriously charmed by this one. 'The Penguin Lessons' has a 95% rating on the Popcornmeter (RT's audience rating metric), with recent reviews calling it 'brilliant, 'a must watch,' and 'absolutely adorable.' I assume that latter praise is referring to Juan Salvador the penguin, or perhaps their celebrity crush is Steve Coogan? While I'm a staunch advocate for seeing as many movies in theatres as possible — 'Fantastic Four: The First Steps' was my 50th cinema trip of 2025 — 'The Penguin Lesson' does feel like a flick that has found a good home on Netflix. It's ideal for a lazy Sunday or when you just need a little pick-me-up, and I suspect it might become a sleeper hit in the library. 'The Penguin Lessons' certainly isn't the only new movie that's been added to Netflix this month. Here's a guide to everything new on Netflix in July 2025 for even more options. Watch "The Penguin Lessons" on Netflix now
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Dead Poets Society' hits a nerve with Gen Z — have we been teaching the wrong lessons all along?
Dead Poets Society A generational divide has been stirred by a classic film once hailed as inspiring. Dead Poets Society , the 1989 drama that helped shape a generation of idealistic English teachers, has recently come under scrutiny from a new audience — Gen Z. As reported by Upworthy , a Gen X parent shared their experience of showing the film to their Gen Z children, expecting admiration and nostalgia, but was instead met with frustration, criticism, and unexpected emotional reactions. This divergence in response has raised questions about how educational values and storytelling are evolving across generations. Gen Z sees system failure, not heroic triumph While the film continues to be praised for Robin Williams' performance as the passionate English teacher John Keating, Gen Z viewers fixated on what they perceived as a lack of meaningful change. According to Upworthy , the viewer's 20-year-old child remarked, "Nothing changed! He got fired and the school is still run by a bunch of stodgy old white men forcing everyone to conform!" This comment highlighted a key generational difference: Gen Z's emphasis on systemic reform rather than individual rebellion. The Gen X perspective, shaped by an appreciation for personal expression against authority, found Keating's influence on his students uplifting. However, for Gen Z, the absence of structural change at the elite prep school undermined the film's inspirational message. Plot twists without warnings leave younger viewers reeling The abrupt emotional shift in the latter part of the film also contributed to Gen Z's strong reactions. As stated by Upworthy , one daughter responded with, "Why would you traumatise me like that?" The term "traumatise" was used colloquially, with Upworthy clarifying that Gen Z frequently employs it as an exaggeration to describe being emotionally caught off guard. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo Dead Poets Society (1989) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers Gen Z audiences, accustomed to trigger warnings and trauma-informed storytelling, found the film's tragic ending jarring. The film includes a major character's suicide and the subsequent fallout, elements that were considered intense by today's viewing standards, particularly without prior contextual warning. Romantic persistence or problematic pursuit? Gen Z calls out character conduct Character behaviour once brushed off as awkward romantic pursuit is now being reassessed. Knox Overstreet's attempts to win over a cheerleader — who is already in a relationship — drew sharp criticism from the Gen Z viewers. According to Upworthy , while the Gen X parent recalled Knox as "a bit much," their daughters referred to him as "a total creepo," noting his behaviour was more invasive than endearing. This difference reflects Gen Z's heightened awareness of consent, boundaries, and emotional nuance, especially in media portrayals of teenage romance. Classic film or cautionary tale? Despite the criticism, the Gen Z viewers did not dismiss the film entirely. As Upworthy reported, after expressing their dismay, they admitted, "But it was so gooood!" Their response underscores a complex engagement with the film — one where emotional impact and narrative discomfort coexist. The rewatch has led the parent to reconsider other 80s and 90s classics through a modern lens. The generational gap in interpreting inspiration, tragedy, and heroism suggests that educational values, much like curricula, are always evolving — sometimes one desk stand at a time. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Thrill Quest ft. Arjun Bijlani Summer in Abu Dhabi Totally Recommended
Lifestyle • 5 months ago As John Keating said in Dead Poets Society, "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race." Poetry has been a cornerstone of human expression for millennia. One of the earliest poetic texts, Hymn to the Death of Tammuz, dates back to 2500–3000 BCE, alongside the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh. Despite its timelessness, poetry has faced criticism, with philosophers like Plato and Aristotle questioning its value. Yet, visionaries like P.B. Shelley infused poetry with romanticism, reimagining its purpose. But in today's fast-paced, modern world—where does poetry stand? In this episode of #ThinkAboutIt, we delve into the enduring relevance of poetry. Why do we still read and write it? How does it help us connect with our inner selves and channel our emotions? Watch as we explore the profound world of poetry and its impact on the human spirit.
Broadcast Pro
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Cinema Akil brings back ‘Summer of Classics' season
Spanning a full century, from the silent wonders of the 1920s to the poetic tales of today, this programme brings together 14 films that continue to move audiences around the world. Cinema Akil has announced the return of its Summer of Classics season, offering audiences in Dubai the chance to revisit 14 iconic films that span nearly 100 years of cinema history. As the summer slows down in terms of new blockbuster releases, this curated programme offers a journey through landmark works that continue to resonate with viewers across generations. The selection begins with two silent-era masterpieces from 1925: The Gold Rush and The Phantom of the Opera. Charlie Chaplin's timeless tale of hardship and resilience in The Gold Rush retains its charm and emotional pull even today, while The Phantom of the Opera showcases the enduring impact of gothic horror and the power of cinematic storytelling without dialogue. From West Africa, Ousmane Sembène's The Money Order (Mandabi) presents a critique of postcolonial bureaucracy and holds historical significance as the first film made in the Wolof language. The programme then shifts to the mid-20th century with Rebel Without a Cause, in which James Dean gives voice to the angst and alienation of postwar youth, a theme that finds a modern echo in La Haine, set in the politically charged streets of 1990s France. Both films explore the frustration of young people unheard by society. Themes of identity, belonging and expression run deeply through the programme. Dead Poets Society celebrates the transformative power of language and mentorship, while Edward Scissorhands tells a poetic tale of difference and acceptance through the lens of a gentle outsider. Similarly, Before Sunrise and Before Sunset explore the intimacy of fleeting connections and the weight of time through two deeply personal encounters, while Memento dives into fractured memory and identity in a gripping psychological narrative. The season also showcases films of epic scale and emotional depth. Braveheart captures the spirit of resistance and sacrifice in a tale of freedom and heroism, while Batman Begins redefines the superhero genre through a darker, psychologically rich portrayal of trauma and transformation. Rounding out the programme is Wes Anderson's visually lush The Grand Budapest Hotel, a bittersweet exploration of friendship and loss, and Undine, a lyrical, contemporary myth where love and water intertwine in a quiet meditation on longing. Through this diverse lineup, Cinema Akil's Summer of Classics invites audiences to reconnect with some of the most enduring works in cinema. These films, drawn from across genres, cultures and eras, not only entertain but continue to challenge, inspire, and comfort, offering timeless reflections on what it means to be human.
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘A supermarket for sexual predators': abuse scandal at elite boarding school shakes France
When 14-year-old Pascal Gélie saw a brochure for an elite French Catholic boarding school boasting swimming in summer and skiing in winter, he begged his parents to send him. He had just watched the American school drama Dead Poets Society and was expecting 'sport and friendship'. 'On the first night, I realised I'd made a terrible mistake,' said Gélie, now a 51-year-old office-worker in Bordeaux. 'There were 40 of us in a dormitory with decrepit mattresses. When I whispered to another boy for some toilet paper to take to the bathroom, the supervisor grabbed me by the face and pointed to the stone terrace outside. Someone told me to take my coat because you could be forced to stand outside for hours in the cold and damp. I was made to stand there all night.' He said: 'That was just the start: regular blows to the head, children hit so hard they were bloodied and knocked unconscious. I saw one boy's hair ripped out. One was hit so hard, he lost 40% of his hearing. Sometimes we would all be made to stand beside our beds for hours at night because someone whispered, or our beds were upturned with us in them. It was absolute terror.' Gélie is part of a group of former pupils at the private Catholic school, Notre-Dame de Bétharram, whose accounts of violence, rape and sexual assault have exposed what is thought to be the biggest school child abuse scandal in French history. The education minister, Élisabeth Borne, has called it a #MeTooSchools moment. A French parliamentary inquiry has heard months of testimony on Bétharram, which is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees near the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, and other private schools and children's homes across France. On Wednesday the inquiry is due to publish its report and 50 recommendations on preventing violence in education. It is expected to be damning on the French state's failure to protect children. The Bétharram scandal has also become a political challenge to the prime minister, François Bayrou, who sent several of his children to the school, where his wife also taught catechism. Bayrou's daughter, now 53, recently revealed she was brutally beaten on a summer camp linked to the school but did not tell her father. Bayrou, who was education minister from 1993 to 1997 and held local political roles, was questioned by the inquiry about whether he knew about abuse at Bétharram and covered it up. He said he had 'hidden nothing', saying his foes were leading a political campaign of 'destruction' against him. In total, 200 legal complaints have been filed accusing Bétharram priests and staff of physical or sexual abuse from 1957 to 2004. Ninety complaints allege sexual violence or rape. Two complaints have led to charges against a former supervisor over the alleged sexual assault of a minor in 2004 and alleged rape of a minor from 1991 to 1994. He has been placed in custody while the investigation continues. Many other accusations were past the time-limit for prosecution. Gélie said: 'We want a change in the law to remove time limits for reporting child abuse.' Boris, 51, who now works in events management, said: 'Bétharram was like a supermarket for sexual predators and those of us who were sexually abused or raped often had the same profile: vulnerable children with separated or deceased parents.' From a poor, single-parent family in Bordeaux, he was sent to Bétharram aged 13, ironically because his mother wanted to protect him; at 12, he had been targeted by a grooming gang in Bordeaux who befriended him at his local swimming pool and sexually abused him over several months. Boris, who did not want his surname published, said: 'My mother wanted to get me away from Bordeaux so we begged the Bétharram school principal for a place. To persuade him, I told him about the abuse I'd endured, including the horrible detail that my attacker always handed me an envelope containing 50 French francs [the equivalent of €7, or £6].' Six months after Boris was admitted to Bétharram, the same school principal, Pierre Silviet-Carricart, a priest, called him into his office on his 14th birthday and sexually assaulted him, he said. 'Then he handed me an envelope containing 50 francs,' Boris said. 'The cynicism and cruelty of that …' Carricart was also accused of targeting an 11-year-old pupil whose father had just died in a road collision. The boy's mother, Martine, arranged to travel to the school to collect him at 6am on the day of his father's funeral. Martine, now 71, who does not want her surname published, said: 'Before I arrived, Father Carricart woke my son and took him to the priests' shower-room where he told him to wash to look nice for the funeral. Then, in that bathroom, he submitted my son to a terrible sexual attack.' Martine's son did not tell her about the abuse but she noticed his extreme anguish. She said: 'At the crematorium, he was distraught. He lay on his father's coffin and tried to open it. He said: 'I want to go with Dad.'' A decade later, in 1997, aged 21, Martine's son was arrested for exposing himself. He broke down in police questioning and for the first time spoke about repeated sexual abuse at Bétharram. A police investigation was opened for rape and sexual assault of a minor. Carricart, who denied the allegations, was charged and placed in pre-trial detention. But to the surprise of the lead investigator on the case, Carricart was released after two weeks, and was subsequently allowed to move to Rome. After French police contacted him for questioning over a second complaint filed in 2000, Carricart killed himself. Bayrou was asked by the parliamentary inquiry whether he had sought information on the case from the investigating magistrate and potentially intervened. He denied intervening in any way. 'My son's life has been destroyed by this,' Martine said. 'At 49, he has no family life, no job. He has been in so many psychiatric units. His skin is damaged from constantly scrubbing himself.' The organisation of priests that ran the school at Bétharram said in March that it accepted responsibility for the 'suffering' of former pupils, and had launched an independent inquiry into what it called 'massive abuse' over decades. Meanwhile, Gélie and the French survivors group have launched their own appeal for anyone affected internationally to contact them. The Bétharram order was a missionary order present across the world, from the UK to Brazil, Thailand and Ivory Coast. 'We think this goes far beyond France,' Gélie said. Another of those grappling with what he called the 'lifelong impact' of the abuse is Laurent, a public sector worker who said he was sexually assaulted in a priest's office and was once punched unconscious for throwing a snowball in the wrong direction in the playground. He has filed a legal complaint for verbal and physical violence and sexual assault. 'The violence wasn't just a slap, it was being beaten to the point of unconsciousness,' said Laurent, now 56. 'In my two years at the school, it was constant humiliation, violence and assaults – the impact of that is lifelong. I'm speaking out now to make sure this can never happen to any child again.' In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
