A cool time at the Mr. Popper's Penguins premiere

Don't get me wrong, growing up in Hollywood, California, has its perks. Like, for one, the best year-round weather, and two, the many celebrity sightings, and three, the home of movie making and premieres. But sometimes, out of the clear blue skies, you could be walking down Hollywood Boulevard and find yourself walking right into a blizzard!

It was Sunday, June 12, and I was heading toward Grauman's Chinese Theater for the premiere of Jim Carrey's new movie, Mr. Popper's Penguins. The streets were closed off and lined with fans awaiting the arrival of the stars for the movie. Expecting to see a red carpet, I was surprised to find that the whole theater was covered in frost and snow and a white carpet. Above, there were big machines blowing snow and from the speakers came howling wind sounds.

The crowd suddenly came alive with cheers and at first I thought it was Mr. Carrey himself, but I couldn't see because my spot was at the end of the "white carpet." I was so surprised when, before my eyes, I saw the stars of the movie waddling down the press line. It was the penguins themselves: Captain, Nimrod, Lovey, Bitey, Stinky, and Loudy! They waddled to an icy spot where they posed for pictures with people.

I met the director, Mark Waters, who told me they learned a lot working with the penguins and that they each had a personality of their own, which kept it very entertaining and interesting. I also met Maxwell Perry Cotton, (who plays Billy, son of Mr. Popper). He told me that they were constantly drinking something hot like hot cocoa or coffee to stay warm on the set. The set had to be kept at 30 degrees!

Then, just as the snowfall began to clear, I heard another roar from the crowds. It was much louder than before. It was Jim Carrey, walking down the snowy white carpet. He had that funny squint in his eyes and his humorous smile greeted everyone. When he got down to the end of the carpet, I introduced myself to him. He remembered me from the phone interview I did with him back in April. We both shared some laughs about the funny things penguins do. Who would have thought I'd meet my most favorite actor, Jim Carrey, who stars in a movie about my favorite animal of all time, penguins! Mr. Carrey was so busy with people all around him and he still made time to shake my hand and talk penguin talk with me.

The movie starts out getting to know Mr. Popper and, like the book it was inspired by, Mr. Popper is a serious business man who put his love of work before family. It wasn't until he inherited six penguins that his life was turned upside down. The penguins' loving and playful ways brought so much fun back to Mr. Popper's life that it made his family much closer and mostly made Mr. Popper himself see that he didn't want to keep missing out on spending time with his family just to work more.

The movie is full of the kind of funny mischief and stunts that you always get with Jim Carrey. It's a movie the whole family can enjoy, from oldest to youngest. The theater was laughing out loud and cheering a lot because there were some things in the movie you didn't expect.

You may be wondering is it the type of movie you want to see again? YEABSOLUTELY!! I will be going again, but this time with my Gramps!

Be sure to check out my interview with Jim Carrey on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

 

—Kid Reporter Damien Murphy

Photo: Damien Murphy on the white carpet for the premiere of Mr. Popper's Penguins. (Courtesy Damien Murphy)

Comments

[Dick]

What a lucky guy to be able to meet and talk with Jim Carrey. Great review of the white carpet premiere. Must have been real exciting. I can hardly wait to see the movie.

[Jeremy]

I read Mr.Poppers penguins and I like it. I will watch it when Mr.Poppers and his penguins waddle into the theater.

[Michelle]

Awesome! I can't wait to see it this Friday!!

[Janet]

Great article Damien! It makes me want to go see the movie! You've done a great job as reporter this year. I can't wait to see what you write about next year. Keep up the good work!

[larry]

What a great report with an amazing actor. Hope you continue with scholastic and keep giving us great insight on your up close and personal interviews with great talented people. You are a natural!

[Wendy b]

I can't wait to hear your review of the Movie, only in Hollywood would run into a blizzard.

[Ronnie]

I am impressed with your writing in this article. Great job. You make someone like me, an adult, want to see the movie.

[Damien]

Thank you all for your support. I feel honored to have the opportunity!

[Kidspressblog]

The book is really great and I recommend to all avid readers. I can't wait to see the movie sometime. Thanks for the excellent blog post; Carrey is the best.

KR: Andrew L.

[A]

So cool, wish I was there.