Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

The Farrelly Brothers' uproarious comedy about a Rhode Island state trooper with "Jekyll & Hyde" split personality disorder is criminally underrated and vulgar to the extreme. I remember watching this in theaters on opening day and people rolling in the aisles and that's what stays with me the most. Good times. Along with Dumb & Dumber, the Farrellys gift us one of Jim Carrey's funniest performances, and the subtle way he's able to "switch" from Charlie to Hank never fails to delight me. Like The Mask, it's extreme wish fulfillment, especially if you have a hair trigger and ever wanted to go off on people.

4 cocks up the ass out of 5

Liar Liar (1997)

A lawyer who can't lie. Hilarity ensues. This might have been a forgettable comedy if not for the brilliant physical comedic performance of Jim Carrey, and it is gleefully profane for a "family" film. I'm always surprised they never tried milking this idea for all it's worth, because it's such a great concept to suppress one's natural instincts. Jim is at the top of his game here and it shows.

4 reeeee blue pens out of 5

The Cable Guy (1996)

In a sharp turn from his earlier roles, Jim Carrey embraces the darkness in this satirical black comedy about a lonely cable guy who becomes obsessed when one of his customers (Matthew Broderick) bribes him for free cable, and inserts himself into his life, upturning it in every way. Critically reviled at the time of its release, it's since attained a cult following and showcases Carrey's unique ability to turn on a dime. It's much better than I gave it credit for at the time.

3½ CABLE GUBLAHS out of 5

The Mask (1994)

Stanley Ipkiss is a mild-mannered bank teller who is treated like a doormat by all until he comes across a magical mask that taps into his id and unleashes his inner superhero. Full of trademark catchphrases and Carrey's dynamic ability to turn himself into a cartoon character, the CGI is almost unnecessary here.

Based on the Dark Horse comic of the same name, the bright and bold color scheme at times reminded me of Batman Forever, which Carrey would go on to star in the next year, while Cameron Diaz (in her first role) is smokin' hot as a femme fatale that brings to mind Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

It's a bit of self-indulgence and wish fulfillment, but satisfying at every turn.

4 wolf whistles out of 5

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

Trading an urban environment for the jungles of Africa, Ace has achieved enlightenment and become one with nature when he's summoned to rescue a tribe's sacred white bat, Shikaka, from poachers. After that, the plot becomes irrelevant as Jim Carrey is let off his leash and causes havoc to all who meet him. This is another one of those raucous comedies where you can't analyze it too much or it loses all its value. It's fucking hilarious and I could list enough memorable scenes to cement it as a classic. I was originally going to give it a lower score, but upon revisiting it, I think it holds up as well as the original.

4 birthing rhinos out of 5

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

As far as great comedies go, Ace sits at the top of the heap. Jim Carrey had an incredible string of hits in the 1990s, from his stint on sketch comedy series In Living Color to The Mask, Dumb & Dumber, and many more, but his first major studio hit is still as funny as it was 30 years ago. This shit is over the top, weird and audacious, but so singular in its stupidity that it transcends further critical analysis. Maybe you just have to be totally puerile to get on its wavelength. 

This is one of those films that has been deemed "offensive" in recent years, as changing mores don't allow you to poke fun at certain topics anymore. Yawn.

4 Alrighty Thens! out of 5

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

What lengths would you go to forget your painful past and wipe the slate clean? Undergo an experimental treatment to surgically remove those memories forever? We view the inside of one such mind as this procedure is being conducted. Past and present blend together as we begin to understand the reasons for such extreme measures. Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry's poignant sci-fi romantic drama explores the nature of love and memory in an intimate fashion, where you feel the loss right along with the characters. It contains all of the ways in which regret, disappointment and baggage weigh us down in life. It's a deeply rich and layered experience, and an absolutely genius example of cinematic achievement that rewards repeat viewings. The world that's created feels real and lived in and it's easy to lose oneself in the smallest details. This is one of those "comfort" films for when you're feeling isolated and disconnected from the rest of the world.

5 trips to Montauk out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

Who would have thought that Sonic would become a Jim Carrey vehicle? This time, we've got two Eggmen and two hedgehogs, so double the destruction. As usual, stuff is happening at supersonic speed, there are characters from games I haven't played (Shadow is this volume's latest addition, voiced by Keanu) and a backstory going back 50 years that feels secondary to the plot. But every time Jim graces the screen, I've got a stupid smile plastered on my face. As far as quality is concerned, I would say this franchise has remained consistently entertaining, although clearly skewed for younger audiences.

It's more of the same, so if you enjoyed the others, you'll enjoy this one.

3 diamonds in the sky out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

I really have to appreciate that in 2022, a 60-year-old Jim Carrey is still doing the same larger-than-life comedy that I used to love back in the '90s. It's great just to watch him let loose and have fun with the character. There's a lot of collateral nostalgia from this movie, particularly if you grew up in that era. As far as video game adaptations go, this does feel true to its roots. It has the same hyper energy as the games and it's fun in that brain dead way where you don't have to think too much to enjoy it. As far as "plot" is concerned, Sonic is joined by Tails and finds a new foe in Knuckles. The most baffling decision is centering a whole B-plot around the human characters at a wedding in Hawaii that doesn't have much to do with anything.

3 green emeralds out of 5

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Sonic makes his way from his world into ours, where he quickly makes a friend and a mortal enemy. Just like a video game, the plot is secondary to the action and the spectacle. Sonic's design looks great and the human characters around him bring him to life. Of particular note is Jim Carrey basically playing himself as Dr. Robotnik, which is both my biggest criticism of the movie and also its saving grace. It's that dumb kind of infectious fun where it doesn't do anything special, but you don't regret having sat through it. It's all very silly and over the top, but it's a bright and shiny diversion from the doldrums of life.

3 golden rings out of 5

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

I think I've always liked this film more than other people. That's because Jim Carrey is a walking cartoon, so he embodies the animated character so effortlessly. Ron Howard's adaptation of the misanthropic children's classic is a bit long in the tooth, but it's cemented itself in the minds of a lot of kids due to being aired annually on TV. It's not perfect by any means (they add a lot of backstory which I find a touch unnecessary), but it's a perfect accompaniment to the original, despite the fact that some of the Whovian make-up effects might trigger nightmares in smaller kids. But then again, isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Those prosthetic effects (by Rick Baker) are excellent, although Carrey had such a hard time during the production that they hired a CIA agent to give him torture endurance training. That's what I call suffering for your art.

When you think about it, this is the original Wicked.

3½ thirty-nine-and-a-half foot poles out of 5

YES MAN [2008]

I wanted to watch something forgettable, not very good but somewhat entertaining to pass the time as I gave my brain a rest.
Director Peyton Reed's Jim Carrey vehicle Yes Man seemed to fit that description to a tee.
Carrey plays a man who decides he has to say "yes" to everything in order to start living life in a better way...the results are sometimes hilarious.  30 seconds into the trailer of the film you'll predict the beginning, middle and end, so if you're expecting more than be prepared to be laughed at.
It isn't very good...at all...but it did it's job and for that I commend it.

2 Prisoners of Azkaban out of 5

DUMB & DUMBER TO [2014]

20 years later, Harry & Lloyd are back in Dumb & Dumber To, the sequel to the Farrelly Brothers' big screen debut.
Continuing the road trip/buddy flick blueprint, the boys head out in search of Harry's long lost daughter and inevitably hijinks ensue.  I'd be lying if I said this was any sort of quality film-making but, like the first, it never tries to be and lives up to it's name.  There's plenty of laughs to be had, insuring the Farrelly's don't lose their crown as the kings of gross-out comedy.   It feels a little outdated at times but if you're a huge fan of the original you'll find plenty to enjoy from this nostalgic trip through stupidity.

3 Pee Stains out of 5

DUMB & DUMBER [1994]

Peter & Bobby Farrelly's big-screen debut, the buddy road movie comedy, Dumb & Dumber, is exactly as the title advertises.
A slapstick, gross-out comedy classic that never tries to hide it's lack of intelligence behind all the gut-wrenchingly funny moments.  Jim Carrey is at the top of his game here but it's Jeff Daniels who surprises going against his usual typecast and never allows Carrey's antics to overshadow his comedy chops.  As gross as the film gets it's never mean-spirited and that's where it earns extra points with its good-natured characters that just don't get it.

3½ pretty birds out of 5

KICK-ASS 2 [2013]

For the sequel to Matt Vaughan's highly entertaining, hyper-violent comic book film Kick-Ass, Jeff Wadlow steps into the director's chair.
It's a little darker, bloodier and deals with some fairly serious subject matter but still manages to toss in some out of place one-liners and juvenile crudeness that will surely please the youthful minded.  I love the idea of these losers in life joining together to form a Justice League of their own only to be rivalled by a team of super villains who turn to be quite deadly.  It doesn't have the same shock-factor as the original did, so they wisely don't try to recreate that and instead opt for some interesting background to the Hit-Girl character, while Kick-Ass himself is left to wander around aimlessly.  Not as fun as the original but will probably please it's league of off-kilter fans.

3 sleepy shark tanks out of 5

THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE [2013]

30 Rock director Don Scardino makes a bumpy transition from TV to the big screen with the oddball comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
With a completely harebrained concept the film is disappointingly predictable and hardly takes any risks to stand above the run-of-the-mill inane comedy.  Still, it manages to pack in enough laughs and heart, even when it does take a distracting turn into the disgusting.  The uneven tone of the film makes the simple plot seem messier than it really is and that's where it hurts this potentially great idea the most.

2½ brain rapists out of 5

THE MAJESTIC [2001]

With The Majestic, director Frank Darabont set out to make a movie that would have folks saying "they don't make them like that anymore".

For the most part he succeeds, it's got a great cast of characters all of whom seem vaguely familiar but I could never quite place my finger on it, some good ol' fashion scene set ups and exits, melodramatic romance, fantastic soundtrack and Jim Carrey playing a straight-man role that seemed tailored for Jimmy Stewart.  The film loses it's balance a few times but Carrey, Martin Landau and Laurie Holden keep it stitched together.   If you're not familiar with Frank Capra's style of golden era film-making then this one ain't for you.  If you are, then you're in for a real treat.

3½  Big Parades out of 5

A CHRISTMAS CAROL [2009]

Robert Zemeckis continues his fascination with motion-capture animation in yet another adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. 

This time around it's Jim Carrey assuming the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and he does a pretty damned fine job at it.  Unfortunately, the film never really finds itself a heart and we're left with an entertaining performance, some interesting set-pieces and absolutely gorgeous animation.  When it all comes down to it you're left wondering if perhaps Zemeckis should have used live-action instead of animation to capture the soul of the story.  

3 multiples roles out of 5

BATMAN FOREVER [1995]

Ditching the dark, gritty timeless atmosphere Tim Burton had established for the Batman franchise, hit & miss director Joel Schumacher went for a more colorful "modern" Tokyo look which was deemed more MTV family friendly.
Val Kilmer does an adequate job at replacing Keaton as The Caped Crusader. Tommy Lee Jones doesn't seem to have a clue who Two-face was and comes off as more of cheap knock-off of Nicholson's Joker. Jim Carrey is on auto-pilot as The Riddler but is nonetheless entertaining. Nicole Kidman snoozes her way through the unintentionally skanky female lead. And Chis O'Donnell as Robin? No. Just no.
The painfully titled Batman Forever is embarrassingly bad at times and yet somehow manages to entertain just enough for the most part. It's not as horrible as it could be but it's a sure sign of the troubled times to come.

2½ Bat-butts out of 5

Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)

Why do I do this to myself?

Not even Jim Carrey could save this overbloated piece of fluff, filled with one too many penguin poop jokes. At one point, the movie goes in an interesting direction, when Mr. Popper loses his mind and adapts to the penguin's environment--but then it quickly turns head and becomes the usual formulaic family flick. I would have liked to see the other direction the movie could have gone.

In short: Stop making PG-rated comedies, Mr. Carrey.

1 cell phone in the blender out of 5