Penguins and pilots rule the movie theater this weekend!
In Theaters today (6/17/11):
1. Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury, and Ophelia Lovibond
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, young Tommy Popper looks forward to the moments when, on his tiptoes to reach a ham radio in his bedroom, he can talk to his world-traveling father. Years later, Tommy is now Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey), a highly successful real estate developer in Manhattan. Amicably divorced from Amanda (Carla Gugino), with two children (Madeline Carroll and Maxwell Perry Cotton) he sees on alternate weekends, Mr. Popper lives the life of luxury in his ultra-modern Park Avenue apartment and is well on his way to becoming partner at his prestigious firm. That is, until the morning a final gift from Popper’s late father, a souvenir from Antarctica, arrives in a crate at Popper’s front door.
Inside the wooden box, nestled amongst ice packs, is a two-foot tall penguin with bright orange feet. Not a toy penguin, or a stuffed bird from the taxidermist, as Popper at first assumes, but a real, live penguin, who scampers across Popper’s floor and emits loud honks. Eager to be rid of this wild creature, Popper contacts every city and state agency imaginable, but no one is willing to take a pet penguin. His call to Antarctica to try to ship the bird back instead results in the arrival of another five penguins at Popper’s door.
As he gets acquainted with – and increasingly attached to – his winged roommates, Popper’s life quickly unravels: his swanky New York apartment is turned into a snowy winter wonderland, the deal he’s long been working on is derailed, and he almost lands in jail. But thanks to his new charges, Popper comes to understand the importance of family – human and otherwise.
2. The Green Lantern (PG-13)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard
A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.
On DVD & BLU-RAY (6/14/11):
1. Red Riding Hood (PG-13)
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Max Irons, and Shiloh Fernandez
Set in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf, a young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family’s displeasure.
2. Hall Pass (R)
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, and Christina Applegate
A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well.
3. Battle: Los Angeles (PG-13)
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Cory Hardrict, and Ne-Yo
A Marine Staff Sergeant who has just had his retirement approved goes back into the line of duty in order to assist his platoon as they fight to reclaim the city of Los Angeles from alien invaders.
Photos courtesy of 20th Century Fox
