'Cars 2' Drives Away with Box Office Top Spot

Comstock Images/Thinkstock(LOS ANGELES) -- Cars 2 raced to first place at the box office over the weekend, garnering $68 million in its opening weekend, according to studio experts.

Also debuting over the weekend was the film Bad Teacher, which finished second in the box office tally, raking in $31 million.

Green Lantern ($18.4 million), Super 8 ($12.1 million) and Mr. Popper’s Penguins ($10.3 million) round out the weekend's top five at the box office, in that order.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

'Green Lantern' Tops Box Office

Ryan McVay/Photodisc(LOS ANGELES) -- Green Lantern made off with the top spot at the box office over the weekend, with the film about the comic book superhero pulling in $52.7 million in its opening weekend.

Coming in second in the standings was the film Super 8, which grossed $21.3 million.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins ($18.2 million), X-Men: First Class ($11.5 million) and The Hangover Part II ($9.6 million) round out the weekend's top five at the box office, in that order.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

'Green Lantern,' 'Mr. Popper's Penguins,' 'Buck' Open Friday

Comstock Images/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Here's a look at the new movies opening nationwide Friday:

-- Green Lantern: Ryan Reynolds' Hal Jordan is a test pilot who's enlisted by an intergalactic group called the Green Lantern Corps to help protect the universe from an enemy known as Parallax, using a powerful ring he's been given.  Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett, Tim Robbins and Geoffrey Rush also star in this adaptation of the DC Comics character, which is screening in 3D.  Rated PG-13.

-- Mr. Popper's Penguins: Jim Carrey is the title character, a New York businessman whose life takes an adventurous turn when he inherits six penguins.  The film is based on the 1938 children's book of the same name.  Rated PG.

And opening in limited release:

-- Buck: The documentary details the life of cowboy and horse trainer Buck Brannaman, the inspiration for the Robert Redford film The Horse Whisperer.  Rated PG.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Movie Review: ‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’

Ablestock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- In Mr. Popper's Penguins, Jim Carrey's ambitious Tom Popper has put his career before his family, resulting in a divorce and custody of the kids on weekends. In Tom’s case, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: he grew up rarely seeing his own father, an ambitious explorer.
 
When Tom’s father passes away, he bequeaths his son -- a penguin. Tom is less than thrilled when the flightless bird shows up at his posh New York City apartment and he immediately tries to send it back.  Something gets lost in translation, however, and five more birds arrive the next day. They immediately wreak havoc on his fancy flat and interfere with his life. Of course, Tom proceeds to learn life lessons from his relationship with the adorable, loud, flatulent and poop-happy penguins.

It’s worth noting that Ophelia Lovibond steals scenes as Tom’s letter-P-loving assistant Pippi.  Her performance alone is almost worth the price of admission.

Despite Carrey's over-the-top antics and the excessive penguin poop, Mr. Popper's Penguins manages to be funny, touching and good family entertainment.

Three-and-a-half out of five stars.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio