6/27/12

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Here is a harmless, diverting little PG-rated comedy that you can use to entertain some children who are "bored." Rent this one (I got mine from the city library) and park them in front of the tube some cold, dreary afternoon. They will enjoy it. (This one can't be rated "G" because it has a couple of penguin-poop jokes.)

Carrey is an über-successful real estate agent whose job consumes his every waking minute. His father was a scientist who traveled and was away for most of our hero's childhood. When his famous father dies and he inherits a penguin, the fun starts.

The little 'uns will see:
  • Jim Carrey ("I Love You Phillip Morris") is Mr. Popper, who is his own worst enemy. He lives alone in a palatial high-rise with visiting rights to his children. He is energetic, egotistical and eccentric.
  • Carla Gugino ("New Year's Eve") is the ex-Mrs. Popper who shares custody of their two children. She has started dating again, but her heart really isn't in it.
  • David Krumholtz ("Harold & Kumar") is a snoopy neighbor who suspects our hero of breaking the "No Pets" rule in the building.
  • Clark Gregg ("The Avengers"), is an animal control officer trying to capture those darling little Gentoo penguins "for their own good."
  • Angela Lansbury ("Nanny McPhee") is a wealthy dowager, Mrs. Van Gundy, whose decision to sell Central Park's Tavern on the Green triggers a bidding war which our hero has been ordered to win.
  • Ophelia Lovibond ("Nowhere Boy") is Pippi Peponopolis, Mr. Popper's assistant, whose alliteration with "P"s will entertain the older children (and maybe some adults).
Of course, we suspend disbelief because we see an elegant apartment converted to an Antarctic climate and watch as penguins traipse up and down New York City streets and slide on the revered ramps of the Gug- genheim. Awww... Who cares! They really ARE cute!

NOTE: Yes, the real Tavern on the Green has now been converted into a Visitor's Center...sob...
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Here is a link to a preview:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi351509785/
* * * * * * * * * * * *