Box Office: 'Cars 2' finishes first with $68M!

The weekend at the movies belonged to the new releases, because "Cars 2" and "Bad Teacher" took over the North American box office, leaving their competition in the dust. Pixar's sequel to "Cars," for instance, grabbed a strong $68 million. 

That's right! "Cars 2" earned $8 million more than its predecessor, which comes as quite a surprise, considering the buzz around this film was clearly lower than that for, let's say, "Toy Story 3." Even critics didn't welcome "Cars 2" as warmly as they usually do a Pixar flick.

At No. 2, Cameron Diaz's comedy "Bad Teacher" bagged a strong $31 million from showings at 3,049 sites. In the film, Diaz plays a rough teacher shaking things up at a school. Yes, those two films alone brought in $100 million this weekend.

Click to read more ...

Box Office: 'Green Lantern' rules with $52M

Martin Campbell's "Green Lantern" scored an easy win at the North American box office this weekend with an estimated $52.6 million in ticket sales. It will take the film a while to earn back the $200 million it cost, but for now, this is not a terrible start.

"Green Lantern," which stars Ryan Reynolds in the role of a hero wearing one powerful ring, scored an average of $13,806 per theater at 3,816 locations. That's double the average secured by "Super 8," which came in second this weekend with $21.2 million.

Helmed by J.J. Abrams, the sci-fi movie lifted its cumulative gross to $72.7 million, which is quite the solid start for a flick that only cost $50 million to make. "Super 8" also fought off new entry "Mr. Popper's Penguins," which desbuted at No. 3 with $18.2 million.

Click to read more ...

Movie Review: 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Seen on: June 11, 2011

The players: Director: Mark Waters, Writers: Sean Anders, John Morris, Cast: Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, CGI Penguins

Facts of interest: Based on a children’s novel of the same name by Richard and Florence Atwater.

The plot: Self-centered sales guy Popper (Carrey) has his life turned upside down when he receives a crate of six penguins.

Our thoughts: Popper (Jim Carrey), as he his know by everyone (including his own family), has a high-powered career as a real estate broker in New York City with a beautiful loft apartment overlooking Central Park. As the film opens, he’s at the top of his game, gearing up for the big high-profile business deal that will get him partnership at his firm.

Click to read more ...

This week's new movie releases - June 17, 2011

"Super 8" entertained the summer crowd last week, and this weekend, cinemagoers can look forward to one big blockbuster and a family comedy. Martin Campbell's "Green Lantern" will land in theaters this Friday, and also debuting is Mark Waters' new flick "Mr. Popper's Penguins," which stars Jim Carrey.

GREEN LANTERN, with Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding "Green Lantern," but not all of it has been positive. I mean, let's face it, doesn't it look kind of weird? I was very skeptical too, at least until I heard the first screenings of the film generated some great feedback. So at this point, I'm intrigued. My excitment meter: 7/10

Click to read more ...

Jim Carrey heading back to 'Dumb & Dumber'?

As veteran comedian Jim Carrey is gearing up for the launch of "Mr. Popper's Penguins," it appears that he has his eyes set on some future projects as well. Recently, he stated in an interview that he would like to revisit some of the old characters from his films "Dumb & Dumber" and "Bruce Almighty."

While another installment of the "Bruce Almighty" series seems unlikely due to the less than stellar performance of "Evan Almighty" at the box office ($100 million on a budget of $170 million), it seems that a "Dumb & Dumber" might be plausible.

In fact, writer/director Bobby Farrelly recently revealed that he and his brother were interested in continuing the series if Carrey and co-star Jeff Daniels were to return. Are you excited for the prospects of another "Dumb & Dumber" film?

(via Movieline)

Two clips from 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Jim Carrey's got come penguins on his mind in Mark Waters' upcoming family film "Mr. Popper's Penguins," due in theaters June 17, 2011. Two new clips from the comedy have landed online today, and you can check them out after the jump. Moderately funny...

Truth be told, this flick could potentially be somewhat entertaining. Waters is a dab hand at directing amusing films ("Freaky Friday," "Mean Girls," "The Spiderwick Chronicles"), even though I must admit his recent "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" sucked big time. Enjoy!

Click to read more ...

Carla Gugino joins 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Carla Gugino is the latest to join the cast of the big-screen adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins" for 20th Century Fox. Jim Carrey is already on board.

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a wealthy businessman whose life takes a major turn when he inherits six real penguins. Taking care of these animals will teach him a lesson about family...

Mark Waters will direct a script by Sean Anders and John Morris. Jared Stern is polishing the script. Gugino will soon star in "Faster" and "Sucker Punch." She recently did "Race to Witch Mountain."

Jim Carrey to star in 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Jim Carrey will star in the adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins" for 20th Century Fox. Mark Waters will direct a script by Sean Anders and John Morris.

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a wealthy businessman whose life takes a major turn when he inherits a real penguin. He then receives a female one too, and soon, he's in charge of 12 penguins.

Deadline says the studio got Carrey for cheap. Jared Stern is polishing the script. Carrey starred in a bunch of films recently, including "A Christmas Carol," "Yes Man" and "I Love You Phillip Morris."

Mark Waters to direct 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Mark Waters is in talks to direct the big-screen adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins" for 20th Century Fox. Sean Anders and John Morris wrote the screenplay.

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a house painter whose life takes a major turn when he receives a real penguin in the mail. He then receives a female one too, and soon, he's in charge of 12 penguins.

Variety says Jim Carrey, Jack Black and Owen Wilson are loosely attached to the project. Waters' credits include "Freaky Friday," "Mean Girls," "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

Fox to develop big-screen 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'

Ready for some more big-screen penguin action?

Twentieth Century Fox has acquired the rights to develop a film version of Richard and Florence Atwater's children's book "Mr. Popper's Penguins."

Variety reported Sean Anders and John Morris will write the screenplay. The duo recently collaborated on "Sex Drive."

The story of the book follows Mr. Popper, a house painter whose life takes a major turn when he receives a real penguin in the mail.

Shortly after, Popper finds himself housing 12 penguins, which he plans to train for use in a stage act called Popper's Performing Penguins.

Anders and Morris most recently completed the script for Jim Field Smith's comedy "She's Out of My League."