My Top 5 Jim Carrey Movies

In my opinion, Jim Carrey is one of the finest actors of our time. Between the 90's and 00's, Carrey starred in many iconic films and gave some very memorable performances. He may be well known for his comedic skills, ranging from straight-forward funnyman to zany maniac, but he's also been praised for his serious roles in drama films. When I think about it, there aren't many movies I can think of where Carrey isn't entertaining in some variety. Growing up on his films, some of them stand out to me more than others. So I wanted to take some time to talk about my top five Jim Carrey movies, and my choices may be surprising.

5. YES MAN (2008)

Since this isn't a well known Carrey film, I'll explain the plot. Carrey plays bank loan officer Carl Allen, who is having a rough time following his divorce, leading to him ignoring his friends and just having a dim outlook on life. After being suggested that he attend a motivational seminar, Carl follows the speaker's advice to say "yes" to any opportunity that presents itself. This leads to a chain of events that not only helps improve Carl's life but those around him.
This is a more down-to-earth comedy for Carrey. He's not as zany as when he was younger, but he still has that Carrey charm when it comes to the comedy. Carrey is also supported by a well rounded cast who work naturally off each other, including Bradley Cooper and Danny Masterson. Zooey Deschanel plays Allison, Carl's new love interest, and I love the quirky chemistry her and Carrey share.
What also stands out to me in this film is the music, specifically two selections. The first is "Separate Ways" by Journey. The song is epic in its own right, but its meanings and use at the beginning and end of the film greatly show Carl's progress. It's featured as Carl's ringtone when he's at the video store and he's called by Pete (Bradley Cooper). At this point, Carl is depressed due to his divorce, and that works with the song's break-up meaning. By the end of the film, the song is played again as Carl is driving a Ducati motorcycle he borrowed from a friend to get to Allison across town. This time it plays on the song's more triumphant themes of love, corresponding to Carl's new positive outlook and his feelings for Allison.
The other song is "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind, though in this case, it's Carl putting his new guitar lessons to use by playing the song trying to talk down a man threatening to kill himself.

The first time I saw this movie was early 2012, and I'll be honest, I was feeling really down on myself at the time. I think Carrey's performance and the meaning of the song being played out gave me a new appreciation for "Jumper". I was in no way suicidal, but I had this feeling of being unwanted, and it was a deep cut. I think "Jumper" and "Yes Man" helped me out a lot during that time.
Basically, it's more of a personal connection that makes "Yes Man" one of my favorite Jim Carrey movies. Its message is one I needed when I first saw it: a little positivity goes a long way. Plus, it's a funny movie in its own right, and if you haven't seen it, I really recommend it.

4. BATMAN FOREVER (1995)

This is definitely an unpopular opinion, but "Batman Forever" is my favorite of the original Batman movie series. I know fully well it has some problems, the biggest probably being the contrasting tones, with the film being stuck between the dark aesthetic of the prior Tim Burton films and before director Joel Schumacher went full neon camp in "Batman & Robin". That being said, I feel there is a balance that brings a lot of cool shots, with the lighting actually helping accent the darker colors. Considering "Batman: The Animated Series" was airing at the time, I think "Forever" matched the tone in some way with a mix of serious and fun. There's also a lot of cool designs, from the Batcave, vehicles, villain lairs, and costumes (batnipples notwithstanding). Plus, it actually gave more focus to Bruce (the main character I remind you) than the other films in the series.

So admittedly, Jim Carrey as the Riddler isn't the main reason I like this movie. But this is still a Jim Carrey movie and the film has a place in my heart, so that's why it makes the list. That said, Jim Carrey is pretty entertaining in the film and is a major part of what makes it fun. He brings his standard zany schtick, but considering the high energy Frank Gorshin brought to the role in the 60's TV series, I'd like to think Carrey was inspired by that. One person who definitely didn't like Carrey was Tommy Lee Jones, who played Two-Face in the film. He flat out told Carrey he hated him while also trying to match Carrey's energy in his own performance. I feel like that's the impact Jim Carrey can have; Jones didn't like him yet was so threatened by him that he tried to be like him. Admittedly, it probably would have been better if Jones played the more serious villain by comparison, but that's what happens when ego goes unabated.
Whether you liked Carrey's performance or not, it was definitely a memorable one.

3. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004)

I'd dare say that this is one of the best movies ever made due to its emotional resonance and cinematography.

Jim Carrey plays Joel, a soft spoken man who decides to have a procedure to erase his memories of his free spirited girlfriend Clementine (played by Kate Winslet) after learning she had done the same over him. Joel finds himself in a dream state reliving his relationship in reverse, but remembering the good moments of their time together leads Joel to regret his decision and attempt to keep some sliver of Clementine alive in his mind.

I first saw this about ten years ago for a film study class back in college; it moved me to tears then, and it still does whenever I decide to rewatch it. Carrey and Winslet bring this immediate connection as Joel and Clementine and there's so much emotion in their performances. You become invested in them from their budding beginnings to their slow burn of a break-up, with all the fun and heartfelt moments they shared in between.

What also makes this film stand out is how it depicts memories and dreams within the mind. It's not as clean cut as other stories make it out to be. This film shows memories blending in and mixing together as Joel's lucidity allows him to try and manipulate the situation he's in, allowing for surreal moments as well. There's also the degradation of memories, which is shown through both blatant and subtle ways. In both aspects, they are done very well with the set designs and the mix of practical and computer effects. Even the music has this distortion to it, working well with the dreamscape and the fading of memories.

The film has a big twist moment that I won't spoil here if you haven't seen it, but the observant may pick up on it right away while others may catch the hints the next time around. I also feel the film leaves things open-ended, and that what the viewer thinks happens next depends on whether they want to look at the situation logically or hopefully. In that regard, I'd like to believe in a happy ending.

2. THE MASK (1994)

Sometimes I feel lucky that I grew up with Cartoon Network in the 90's. Not only did it have much more variety than it does now, but it gave kids a chance to experience and appreciate the classic cartoons their parents grew up on, including the Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera catalogs. And it was the slapstick comedy of those cartoons, particularly the works of Tex Avery, that helped inspire one of the most iconic movies of all time, "The Mask."

Jim Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk that comes across a magical mask that when donned suppresses the wearer's inhibitions and allows them to act on their impulsive desires in a chaotic way that can defy logic. In Stanley's case, his behavior as the Mask is like a wacky cartoon character in the vain of Bugs Bunny or Woody Woodpecker. While his initial use of the mask plays on his more selfish desires, his altruistic side shines through at the end.

Jim Carrey plays both sides of his character very well. Stanley is relatable as the lovable loser, whereas the Mask is funny as hell and totally quotable. He also gives two memorable music performances, with the night club dance scene to "Hey! Pachuco!" that had amazing choreography and a police stand-off where he's able to escape by performing "Cuban Pete" and getting the whole police force to sing and dance with him.

Carrey's not alone in what makes this movie great. We had Stanley's love interest Tina, played by Cameron Diaz in first ever film role; it was a hell of a debut for her as a character who was likable in her own right and wasn't just there for eye candy. There was also Stanley's dog, Milo; it's not only adorable watching Carrey act with him, but Milo also plays a significant role in the film's third act. Then you have police detectives Kellaway and Doyle, total opposites that have hilarious interactions with each other throughout the film; I tell you, I may have watched a movie that focused on these two if given the chance.

Much like the classic cartoons that it homaged, I feel there's a mostly timeless quality to "The Mask." Not only does it really feel like its own world, but it doesn't have any dated references. Even the CGI holds up pretty well over fifteen years later. I think this has to do with the cartoony nature of the Mask; you know it looks silly because it's supposed to be.

Overall, "The Mask" is a trifecta: a good Jim Carrey movie, a good comedy, and a good superhero film. On one hand, it's a shame we never got a direct sequel, but I think it just means we can appreciate the one film even more.

Before we get to number one, here are a couple honorable mentions:

* Liar Liar (1997): As a lawyer "cursed" with being unable to lie for 24 hours, Carrey is a laugh riot both verbally and physically in a performance that in the real world probably would have gotten him committed. In addition, Carrey's character goes through some decent development by the end and the bloopers at the beginning of the credits are just as funny as the rest of the movie.

* Bruce Almighty (2003): A unique premise for a comedy, Jim Carrey with the powers of God offers for some creative visual gags in addition to his own wacky personality. As Bruce learns the pressures and responsibility of being omnipotent, it leads to what I feel is a heartfelt and inspirational conclusion. Besides that, I enjoy Carrey and Jennifer Aniston's relationship and Morgan Freeman as God is just perfect. 

And my favorite Jim Carrey movie of all time is...

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000)

By extension, this is also my all time favorite Christmas movie. I make a point to watch this every year around the season, specifically the extended edition that airs on Freeform. From what I can tell, said edition never had a home release and I prefer to watch this since it gives extra laughs and more reasoning for Cindy's investigation about the Grinch.

Compared to other Christmas movies, I feel this has a timeless quality, like it really does exist in its own little world. I love the set designs and the make-up, especially the Grinch's look. Seriously, when I saw the first trailer as a kid, Carrey's look as the Grinch scared the crap out of me to the point where I could hardly look at the poster for the longest time. Considering the Grinch is supposed to be a scary guy, I think the desired reaction was achieved. Since the cartoon version with Boris Karloff was a big part of my childhood, I find it easy to see this film as an expanded version of the story (especially compared to the recent "Cumber-Grinch" version). Come to think of it, I feel this is probably the best Dr. Seuss movie adaptation as well; "Horton Hears a Who" is a close second, which coincidentally also starred Jim Carrey.

Speaking of, what would this movie be without Carrey as the mean one himself? Through the heavy make-up and suit, Carrey brings his trademark wit both verbally and physically to the role, resulting in a lot of quotable moments. The scariness of the Grinch is already on deck, but Carrey is also able to have a funny side show through even the character's cynical moments. Hell, as I get older, I've found the character can actually be relatable to adults at least when it comes to his home life. Plus, Carrey also puts his own spin on the classic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" song.

Between the original cartoon and the live action adaptation, whichever version you prefer, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a classic. In the latter's case, it's hard to imagine anyone else but Jim Carrey covered in all that green fur.

Movie Review: Birds of Prey - How Harley Got Her Groove Back

Many would agree that one of the best parts of the 2016 Suicide Squad movie was Margot Robbie's performance as Harley Quinn. It was only a question of when we would see her reprise her character. Enter "Birds of Prey". In the comics, the Birds of Prey are a group of female vigilantes based in Gotham. Despite the film using the team name, the marketing for the movie focused heavily on Harley, so much so that it made me worry that the rest of the team members were going to get shortchanged. A "Harley and friends" movie isn't a bad idea, but at least have the title match the contents. Thankfully I was worried for nothing, as the main protagonists all get a significant amount of screen time in a suprisingly wild ride of a film that's hardcore fun.

First and foremost, Margot Robbie outdoes her performance in "Suicide Squad" and brings new energy to her character. After her break-up with the Joker, Harley is trying to find a purpose and place as she sets out on her own, and it leads to a lot of crazy and fun antics that have consequences to the same degree. What's great about her journey in the film is that it doesn't change who she is deep down; she's only out for her own self-interest and those who get in her good graces, whether they want to be or not. Still a villain, close to anti-hero, but in no way a straight-up hero.
In recent years, Harley Quinn has been seen as DC's equivalent to Deadpool: a comedic red and black wearing reference making fourth-wall breaker. Bearing that in mind, one could see some Deadpool influence in the film, with Harley narrating most of the story (including flashbacks when needed), fantasy sequences and adding in some cartoony drawings from time to time.

The fight choreography is pretty damn amazing. In a more grounded story, there's less reliance on CGI and more abundance of real stunt work. Coupled with an R rating allows the film to get real brutal, and it kept surprising me with how much they didn't hold back.

While Harley is the majority focus, the film does a good job at showcasing the other characters in a way that feels natural to the story and warrants the movie being named after the team. Let's talk about each "Bird" in order of my favorites:
* Jumee Smollett-Bell as Dinah Lance/Black Canary: Next to Harley, Dinah's character has the most connections to others in the film. It's fun to watch her navigate her way through it all as she tries to figure out the right thing to do. There's also hints of an interesting backstory that could be explored in a future film.
* Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya: Perez gives a decent performance as a hard-as-nails veteran detective. The only downside to her character is that life seems to keep finding a way to shit on her for actually doing her job.
* Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli/Huntress: In terms of focus, this character unfortunately drew the short straw. It reminds me of Drax in the first Guardians film: a good character with entertaining moments, but doesn't seem to get as much spotlight as the other protagonists (plus, both characters are out to avenge their families). Hell, she doesn't even get to meet the others until the third act. It's honestly a shame, because I think Mary Elizabeth Winstead is probably the third most recognizable star in this film given her own filmography (Sky High, Final Destination 3, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 10 Cloverfield Lane). Hopefully like Drax, Huntress will get a little more attention in a future film.
* Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain: The young actress turns in a good performance as a charge that ends up befriending Harley. My only problem is how different this portrayal of the character is from the comics. I honestly don't mind her not being the daughter of assassins (as far as we know), but you know what would have been interesting? If they kept her mute. Just imagine Harley and the others having to act off a character who couldn't talk back to them. It certainly would have been different from the troubled foster kid in an abusive home we've seen many times before.

Then you have the villains. As soon as Ewan McGregor was cast as Roman Sionis/Black Mask, I was totally on board with the idea. His performance is pretty entertaining; he's a person who likes to have fun, both in a conventional sense and in a sadist kind of way. There's one scene in the film that gets down right unsettling, highlighting how unhinged his character is. It was also great to see him wearing the comic accurate mask for the film's climax, adding significance to it as he seems to wear it when it's time to get down to dirty business.
There's also Sionis' right hand man, Victor Zsasz, played by Chris Messina. He's shown to be just as deranged as his boss, and in keeping to the comics, we see that he scars his body with tally marks for each person that he's killed. Honestly though, I kind of wish he got a little more screen time, as I felt a little more fear towards Sionis, while it probably should have been the other way around.

My nitpicks aside, "Birds of Prey" is a damn fun film that doesn't pull any punches. Whether you're a Harley fan, an action movie watcher, or just want a good girl power adventure, this film is worth a view.

My DC Extended Universe Film Rankings:
1. Aquaman
2. Wonder Woman
3. Shazam!
4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
5. Man of Steel
6. Birds of Prey
7. Justice League
8. Suicide Squad