THE TRUMAN SHOW (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Truman Show—an inspiring display of originality and creativity—becomes one of Jim Carrey’s better films. One of those ‘sit back and enjoy’ movies, due to its premium script, earns its WOW! KUDOS! as good entertainment for the whole family. Outstanding direction by Director Peter Weir. Watch for Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti in this movie as well as the legendary Composer Philip Glass (who acts as the keyboard artist).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Adopted by a movie company, Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) becomes a star of reality television from birth to his early thirties until he discovers something is not quite right in his world.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Weir for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Lynn Pleshette for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Meryl Burbank/Hannah Gill (Laura Linney), Marlon (Noah Emmerich), Lauren/Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), Truman’s Mother (Holland Taylor), Truman’s Father (Brian Delate), Young Truman (Blair Slater), Lawrence (Peter Krause), Vivien (Heidi Schanz), Ron (Ron Taylor), and Don (Don Taylor).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Classic comedy/drama that easily obtains ‘re-watchable’ status.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (Released in Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Sonic the Hedgehog 3—Jim Carrey returns as Doctor Robotnik and the grandfather of Doctor Robotnik—follows the Sonic story with the addition of an alter-ego of the lovable Sonic as the protagonist. The movie has a well written story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Sonic becomes involved with his alter-ego and must fight for justice.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Jeff Fowler for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno for making the film possible. Cast includes Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, James Marsden, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is not as good as the last two Sonic films but definitely follows the flavor and fun of the first two movies.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BATMAN FOREVER (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Batman Forever features Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, and Val Kilmer to tell its story. Despite its great cast, the story is difficult to get through due to poor timing and meager reliance on good transitioning between scenes. This creates a distinct ‘jittery, mixed-up feeling’ that steadily builds a desire to stop the film and watch something else. Director Joel Schumacher’s choice of Tommy Lee Jones for the Harvey Dent/Two Face character proves less effective in this movie than Director Christopher Nolan’s use of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face in The Dark Knight film. Interestingly, this lack of effect seems to revolve, not just in the acting, but around the makeup department. Batman Forever retains the original half green face for Two Face while The Dark Knight’s makeup department tosses the half green face in favor of a phenomenal use of rotting flesh that reveals teeth and bone, an amazing improvement over the traditional face. The Riddler, in this film, seems to dominate the scenes which becomes a natural outcome of choosing Jim Carrey to portray this character. It will be interesting to see what Christopher Nolan or Zack Snyder can do with that character in future films.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (Val Kilmer) has opportunity to battle the Riddler (Jim Carrey) and the criminal Two Face (Tommy Lee Jones).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joel Schumacher for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer), Harvey Dent (Tommy Lee Jones), Dr. Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey), Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), Robin/Dick Grayson (Chris O’Donnell), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Sugar (Drew Barrymore), Spice (Debi Mazar), and Gossip Gerty (Elizabeth Sanders).

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie enlarges Robin’s personality as he relates to Batman, which is a rather interesting enhancement of the ongoing Batman story. The film narrowly serves the ‘I love Batman club’ more than the overall movie audience seeking action entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JIM AND ANDY: THE GREAT BEYOND—FEATURING A VERY SPECIAL, CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED MENTION OF TONY CLIFTON (Netflix Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond—Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton—easily makes the 'best documentary list' for Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. Jim Carrey, one of the most talented actors of this generation, tells his story personably and well. A rare look at Jim Carrey, inside himself rather than inside another character, takes the audience on a deeply moving story that superbly examines, not only his working techniques, but his childhood and relationship with family. There is an array of behind the scenes footage for 1999’s Man on the Moon movie (about Andy Kaufman) that shows why Jim Carrey stays at the top of his game. Interesting and well formatted, this documentary deserves its kudos and encore all the way.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jim Carrey talks about his career, his family, and how he portrayed the comedian Andy Kaufman in the 1999 Man on the Moon film.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Chris Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jim Czarnecki, Michael Kronish, Nicole Montez, Eddy Moretti, and Shane Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Peter Bonerz), Himself (Jim Carrey), Himself (Randall Carver), Himself (Tony Danza), Himself (Danny DeVito), Himself (Andy Dick), Himself (Milos Forman), Himself (Paul Giamatti), Himself (Arsenio Hall), Himself (Hugh Hefner), Himself (Judd Hirsch), Himself (Elton John), and Herself (Carol Kane).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works at the adult and late teen level. It serves any Jim Carrey fan well and easily establishes itself as a great documentary.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers