The 1937 book, Mr. Popper's Penguins, figured into my early years. Chances are that you (and your kids) know and love the book, too--it's a classic. So when I learned it was going to turned into the movie Mr. Popper's Penguins starring Jim Carrey, I got twitchy. Would it be Hollywood-ified like so many other books-turned-movies, with rapping penguins and a Miley Cyrus soundtrack? Would it be anything like the book?
Answer: it's not like the book. And that's exactly why it's going to become a classic in its own right.
[catch a huge giveaway after the jump!]
In this version, Tom Popper (Carrey) is a successful real estate exec in New York City whose family life is in shambles. He receives half a dozen penguins after his absent world-traveling father dies, which his kids love, so he turns his modern apartment into a winter wonderland. Mayhem, as you can imagine, ensues.
As the temperatures grow colder, the chilly relationship between Popper and his family begins to thaw. And not to give away the ending or anything, but some of that condensation might pool in your eyes. Because even though this isn't the same story as the original book, it shares the same heart.
What's especially awesome? These penguins aren't voiced by Gilbert Gottfried or Ice T. In fact, they're not voiced by anyone. In fact, aside from some CGI to help the birds with their comic timing, these are real Gentoo penguins, doing penguiny things.
As Popper, Carrey is hilarious, adorable, and heartwarming, and in a roundtable interview, he proved that's the way he is in person, too. Between spot-on impressions of Dick Van Dyke and Rodney Dangerfield, he described how his elementary school teacher gave him 15 minutes at the end of every day to do a standup routine (no doubt shaping the amazing comic he is today). He also discussed his father, his daughter, and his toddler grandson's mischievous desire to make people laugh. How great to know he's yet another cool dad, making movies that families can feel good about.
Mr. Popper's Penguins--which also stars Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, Madeleine Carroll, and Clark Gregg, each perfectly cast--will theaters on June 17, just in time for Father's Day. Take your dad, your kids' dad, and maybe a penguin or two. -Lexi
EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! Congratulations to Marsha W. -- she won the $150 movie theater gift card! Congratulations also to the ten winners of a Mr. Popper's Penguins book: Lisa F., Charlotte M., Sharon Z., Patricia Z., Gigi S., Carissa C., Amy S., Miriam C., Kris S., and Megan Walsh.
Thanks so much to Twentieth Century Fox for including Cool Mom Picks on the press junket. I was well-fed and -feted at the Beverly Hilton in L.A. and totally loved meeting the film's cast and crew. But for the record, I know I would've loved the movie in my own hometown theater too.
Answer: it's not like the book. And that's exactly why it's going to become a classic in its own right.
[catch a huge giveaway after the jump!]
In this version, Tom Popper (Carrey) is a successful real estate exec in New York City whose family life is in shambles. He receives half a dozen penguins after his absent world-traveling father dies, which his kids love, so he turns his modern apartment into a winter wonderland. Mayhem, as you can imagine, ensues.
As the temperatures grow colder, the chilly relationship between Popper and his family begins to thaw. And not to give away the ending or anything, but some of that condensation might pool in your eyes. Because even though this isn't the same story as the original book, it shares the same heart.
What's especially awesome? These penguins aren't voiced by Gilbert Gottfried or Ice T. In fact, they're not voiced by anyone. In fact, aside from some CGI to help the birds with their comic timing, these are real Gentoo penguins, doing penguiny things.
As Popper, Carrey is hilarious, adorable, and heartwarming, and in a roundtable interview, he proved that's the way he is in person, too. Between spot-on impressions of Dick Van Dyke and Rodney Dangerfield, he described how his elementary school teacher gave him 15 minutes at the end of every day to do a standup routine (no doubt shaping the amazing comic he is today). He also discussed his father, his daughter, and his toddler grandson's mischievous desire to make people laugh. How great to know he's yet another cool dad, making movies that families can feel good about.
Mr. Popper's Penguins--which also stars Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, Madeleine Carroll, and Clark Gregg, each perfectly cast--will theaters on June 17, just in time for Father's Day. Take your dad, your kids' dad, and maybe a penguin or two. -Lexi
EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! Congratulations to Marsha W. -- she won the $150 movie theater gift card! Congratulations also to the ten winners of a Mr. Popper's Penguins book: Lisa F., Charlotte M., Sharon Z., Patricia Z., Gigi S., Carissa C., Amy S., Miriam C., Kris S., and Megan Walsh.
Thanks so much to Twentieth Century Fox for including Cool Mom Picks on the press junket. I was well-fed and -feted at the Beverly Hilton in L.A. and totally loved meeting the film's cast and crew. But for the record, I know I would've loved the movie in my own hometown theater too.
