Jim Carrey is one of my favorite actors. He made his name by making silly faces and silly jokes, but he is just as good as a serious actor. Some of his more recent movies have shown this. Born in 1962, and acting since the 1980s, Jim Carrey has made it into 39 movies or tv shows so far. Out of these I have chosen my 10 favorites that I think are all really great movies for everyone to see 🙂 Here they are in order descending by year. I’m sure he will have more fun movies in the future, but as of 2006 these are my favs!!!
Most Adventurous Jim Carrey Movie
1. Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) also starring… Emily Browning, Kara Hoffman, Liam Aiken
Based on some book I never read, this is the story of 3 children who after losing their parents are sent from family member to family member. The whole time they are trying to avoid a distant relative Count Olaf who only wants them for their inheritance. Each relative is stranger than the next and a whole lot of unfortunate things happen along the way. Although this movie was “strange” I did find it interesting. This is Jim Carrey’s best adventure movie because of the fantasy places and things that happen to him and the children. His character in this film is very much unlike Jim Carrey, and even a little boring sometimes, but he did with it what he could and the movie was fun to watch with him in one of the starring roles. Listen closely because he says a lot of crazy things!
My Fav Quotes…
Count Olaf: All that I ask is that you do every little thing that pops into my head, while I enjoy the enormous fortune your parents left behind.
Count Olaf: I must say, you are a gloomy-looking bunch. Why so glum?
Klaus Baudelaire: Our parents just died.
Count Olaf: Ah yes. How very, very tragic. Wait! Wait! Give me that line again, while it’s fresh in my head.
Klaus Baudelaire: Our… parents just died?
Count Olaf: [not acting very well] Yes. Very horrible.
Sunny: [in baby talk] What a schmuck!
Most Twisted Jim Carrey Movie
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) also starring… Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst
In this movie Jim Carrey plays a man who meets Kate Winslet on a train. They begin to fall in love but soon Jim realizes they were once in love before. The plot comes down to mind erasing. Kate has had Jim erased from her mind and as we watch the movie Jim is having Kate removed from his. They apparently had fought a lot in the past and wanted to erase the heartbreak from their heads completely. Jim begans to fight this erasure and we go on a twisted back and forth ride through the past and preset! He realizes that having the memory is better than not. Jim is great in this movie and I like the sci-fi aspect of it overall. The movie was “twisted” because you can’t really know what is happening until you watch it. Will Jim be able to hold on to the memories of his former girlfriend? You’ll have to see!
My Fav Quotes…
Joel: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Howard: Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but on a par with a night of heavy drinking. Nothing you’ll miss.
Clementine: You’re not a stalker, or anything, right?
Joel: I’m not a stalker. YOU’RE the one that talked to me, remember?
Clementine: That is the oldest trick in the stalker book.
Joel: Really? There’s a stalker book? Great, I gotta read that one.
Most Religious Jim Carrey Movie
3. Bruce Almighty (2003) also starring… Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall
This movie is just plain hilarious. Here Jim is a guy who complains so much that God gets a little angry. God basically says “Fine, you think you can do it better, well here you go” and Jim is given absolute power just like God. With this power he finds there isn’t all happiness and ease. Instead he now has to start answering prayers, by the 1000s! He uses his powers for some good (giving people what they want) and some evil (sabotaging the guy who stole his anchorman spot). He’s having loads of fun until he realizes he can’t make his girlfriend love him even with all the power in the world. This movie is so funny because of the things Bruce does once he gets the power. It makes you think of what you would do if you could do anything! A new sports car perhaps? Watch this movie if you want some laughs 😀 It’s also got a great religious message as it shows that God may be almighty, but that doesn’t mean his job is easy!
My Fav Quote…
Bruce after finding out Evan got the anchorman spot over him:
Bruce: Bruce Nolan here, aboard the Maid of the Mist in fabulous Niagara Falls, New York. First off, let me just add another congratulations to Evan Backstabber – pardon me, Baxter, rather. It is good to see what someone with real talent can do when great opportunities are given to them instead of me. Anyway, I’m here with Katherine Hepburn’s mom. Tell me, why did you toss the “blue heart of the ocean” jewel over the railing of Titanic? Did you feel bad at all letting Leo DiCaprio drown, while you were safe floating on the big door? Could you have taken turns, or were you just too afraid to freeze your big fat butt off?
Bruce: How do you make somebody love you without affecting free will?
God: [scoffs] Welcome to my world, son.
Most Kid-Friendly Jim Carrey Movie
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) also starring… Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon
This is of course a remake of the Dr. Suess Book where Jim plays the Grinch, and he plays it fantastically. Here Jim is a green ugly guy who was teased growing up and now hates Christmas and families and anything that’s good-spirited. Will he get the Christmas spirit? You probably already know but I won’t say! By putting on a green ugly costume and hours of makeup, Jim turns into the perfect kid-friendly villain and makes a really inspiring and fun film 🙂
My Fav Quotes…
The Grinch: Blast this Christmas music. It’s joyful and triumphant.
Cindy Lou Who: Santa, don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly, and his hands are cold and clammy, but I think he’s kinda… sweet.
The Grinch: SWEET…. You think he’s sweet?
[Cindy runs upstairs]
The Grinch: Cute kid, bad judge of character.
Most Dramatic Jim Carrey Movie
5. The Truman Show (1998) also starring… Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone
The Truman Show is a fantastic dramatic movie where Jim plays a man who seems to have the ideal happy life, but still wants to get out and experience the world. What he doesn’t know is that he isn’t in the real world at all but the star of a TV show centered around him and filled with actors. He suddenly starts to see little things here and there and realize that something is not right. Will he find out the truth? Watch it! Although the movie has humor thrown in, it is overall a drama and a really nice story.
My Fav Quotes…
Truman Burbank: It was Dad. I swear! Dressed like a homeless man. And you know what else was strange? A business man and a woman with a little dog came out of nowhere and forced him onto a bus.
Truman’s Mother: Well! It’s about time they cleaned up the trash downtown before we become just like the rest of the country.
Truman Burbank: Somebody help me, I’m being spontaneous!
Most Humorous Jim Carrey Movie
6. Liar Liar (1997) also starring… Maura Tierney, Justin Cooper, Jennifer Tilly
This movie is a classic and I’ve seen it many many times. Here Jim plays a lawyer who is also a divorced father. He uses lies to win cases, and also uses lies for why he never seems to be there for his son. One day his son has had it with the lies and wishes on his birthday cake that his dad will be unable to lie just for one day. Jim realizes something is wrong when he starts saying things he really doesn’t want to say…but it’s beyond his control. Will he be able to lie and win his big case? Or will he learn his lesson? This movie makes me laugh every time b/c it gets to the heart of every person who tells little white lies. For example, you aren’t going to tell someone something to hurt their feelings such as if you don’t like their hair, but in this movie Jim is forced to say these things and it’s hilarious to see the reactions of those around him.
My Fav Quotes… (I love every quote but here are a few)
Fletcher: You scratched my car!
Motorpool Guy: Where?
Fletcher: [indicating with his hands] Right there!
Motorpool Guy: OH… That was already there.
Fletcher: You – -LIAR! You know what I am going to do about this?
Motorpool Guy: what?
Fletcher: Nothing! Because if I take it to small claims court, it will just drain 8 hours out of my life and you probably won’t show up and even if I got the judgment you’d just stiff me anyway; so what I am going to do is p*ss and moan like an impotent jerk, and then bend over and take it up the tailpipe!
Motorpool Guy: [tossing the keys to Fletcher] You’ve been here before haven’t ya?
Cop: You know why I pulled you over?
Fletcher: Depends on how long you were following me!
Cop: Why don’t we just take it from the top?
Fletcher: Here goes: I sped. I followed too closely. I ran a stop sign. I almost hit a Chevy. I sped some more. I failed to yield at a crosswalk. I changed lanes at the intersection. I changed lanes without signaling while running a red light and *speeding*!
Cop: Is that all?
Fletcher: No… I have unpaid parking tickets. [groans]
Fletcher: …be gentle.
[Fletcher is on the phone with his mother]
Fletcher: [listens for a moment] Because I didn’t want to talk to you!
[pauses, listening]
Fletcher: Because you insist on talking about Dad’s bowel movements; size, color, frequency, I”LL CALL YA LATER!
Fletcher: Your honor, would the court be willing to grant me a short bathroom break?
Judge: Can’t it wait?
Fletcher: Yes it can. But I’ve heard that if you hold it you could damage the prostate gland, making it very difficult to get an erection, or even become aroused!
Judge: Is that true?
Fletcher: It has to be!
Judge: In that case I’d better take a quick break myself.
Most Dumb Jim Carrey Movie
7. Dumb & Dumber (1994) also starring… Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Mike Starr
This movie is so stupid that it’s funny and it is also a classic. Jim stars along side Jeff Daniels as two very dumb men who find a suitcase and are determined to get it back to it’s beautiful owner. Neither of them realize what trouble they are getting themselves involved in and they encounter many fun characters on the road trip to find the girl. You will laugh during this movie not because you thought a lot about the jokes but just because they are silly out there jokes! Movies like this give your brain a break and still entertain 🙂
My Fav Quotes…
Lloyd: I expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this.
Harry: I was thinking the same thing.
Lloyd: That John Denver is full of it, man.
Harry: I can’t believe we drove around all day, and there’s not a single job in this town. There is nothing, nada, zip!
Lloyd: Yeah! Unless you wanna work forty hours a week.
Most Fun Jim Carrey Movie
8. The Mask (1994) also starring… Cameron Diaz, Richard Jeni, Peter Greene
The Mask is lots of fun b/c it is somewhat animated. Jim becomes a boring banker who longs for some excitement in his life. He finds this excitement after finding a mask that transforms him into a very animated and popular guy! He uses this new fun power to impress the ladies as well as solve some crimes. However problems ensue as The Mask takes over his personality and causes him to get into some trouble of his own! Jim goes over and beyond his normal personality traits to make this film where Big Band music is one of the themes. He dances, solves crimes, and makes all kinds of fun jokes and expressions! Don’t forget about that cute little dog Milo!
My Fav Quotes…
Mask: Hold me closer Ed, it’s getting dark. Tell Auntie Em to let Old Yeller out,
[cough cough]
Mask: , tell Tiny Tim I won’t be coming home this Christmas, tell Scarlett I do give a damn,
[he dies, an audience appears and applauds while The Mask is handed an acting award]
Mask: Thank you, you love me, you really love me!
Cop: A bazooka?
The Mask: I have a permit for that.
Most Silly Jim Carrey Movie
9. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) also starring… Courteney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc
This movie has a serious plot but is a comedy overall. Jim is a Pet Detective who learns that the Miami Dolphin’s are missing there Dolphin mascot. He is out to solve the mystery like no other detective can! This is one of Jim Carrey’s first big hits and has caused lots of people to laugh over his silly antics. It was so good they even made a sequel! Jim is a crazy crazy guy in this movie, nothing like the more serious characters he’s been playing now-a-days. This movie is classic-Jim and everyone should see it!
My Fav Quotes…
Ace Ventura: I’m looking for Ray Finkle.
Ace Ventura: …and a clean pair of shorts.
[coming out of the men’s room, all wet with his clothes torn]
Ace Ventura: Do *not* go in there! Pheeww!
Best Jim Carrey Movie from the 80s
10. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) also starring… Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans
If you haven’t seen this movie than what are you waiting for! Jim, Jeff and Damon play three aliens who crash land in Geena’s pool! Well they are waiting for their ship to be repaired, Geena starts to teach them about fitting in in the CA lifestyle. She gives them makeovers and her and her friend have loads of fun with these guys who are totally naive to the ways of the Earth people! It’s an 80s movie with a strong 80s vibe and it’s just funny. There’s no really heavy plot behind it, it’s just like any other 80s movie with valley girls and Jim and the other aliens are just trying to blend. The best thing is when they learn a lot about Earth from TV and TV commercials!
My Fav Quotes…
Mac: Are we limp and hard to manage?
Valerie: As if things weren’t bad enough, now I’ve been abducted by aliens.
Candy: Just because they’re aliens doesn’t mean they can’t be dates.
