Best of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels

“Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!”

-Harry Dunne, Dumb and Dumber

20 Years Later and Still Dumber Than Ever

On November 14, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels return to screens in their iconic roles as two idiotic friends. After twenty years, Harry and Lloyd have jumped back into the Mutt Cutts van for another dumb adventure.

Twenty years is a long time and these hilarious actors have changed quite a bit, so in honor of the release of Dumb and Dumber To, have a look back at both of their eclectic careers.  

Jim Carrey: The Rubber Faced Comedian Turned Dramatist

Recently Jim Carrey hosted Saturday Night Live and perfectly lampooned his comedic starring roles proving that he’s still got it. The only problem with the sketch is that it focused on Carrey’s comedic performances, but some of our favorite films he starred in actually presented his dramatic abilities.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Who could possibly forget Carrey’s departure from talking butts and goofy facial expressions when he starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind opposite Kate Winslet? Carrey as the tragic character Joel Barish is brilliant. The actor manages to pull back his aggressive comedy antics and falls into the role subtlely.

The Mask

Jim Carrey produced comedy gold in the 90’s. The actor released hit after hit, had both children and adults laughing hysterically, and dominated the box office. The Mask was one of Carrey’s biggest hits and showcases an actor completely in his element. The rubber faced man obviously delighted in the manic energy of the film and is seen having fun spoofing everything from Tex Avery cartoons to Sally Field’s Oscar speech. Sssssmokin!

Man on the Moon

We’ve now told you about a modern classic comedy and drama, but the film that perfectly captures both genres is Man on the Moon. This underrated film brings to light the life of comedian Andy Kaufman, an inspiration and idol to many comedians including Jim Carrey. Carrey perfectly captures the unique stylized content Kaufman was so famous for and brings humanity to the face of the kooky comedian.

Jeff Daniels: A Charming Actor with a Dark Side

Jeff Daniels is one of the best character actors in film and finally stepped into leading man status after years of stealing scenes in films. For that reason, we want to see everything that Daniels has to offer whether he’s making a big splash in one scene or finally getting his just desserts as a leading man.

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Woody Allen is a controversial man, but it’s obvious that he’s a man who loves the cinema. Nowhere is it clearer than in his 1985 film The Purple Rose of Cairo. Daniels plays an optimistic, young character in a film that Mia Farrow watches every day. It’s a beautiful romantic tale directed and written with a steady hand by Allen and perfectly acted by Mia Farrow and Daniels.

The Squid and the Whale

The Squid and the Whale is one of the most underrated movies of the last ten years and features phenomenal performances by Daniels, Jesse Eisenberg, and Laura Linney. Daniels plays Eisenberg’s father, who is divorcing his wife played by Linney. Daniels’ character is far from the ideal father, but his dry humor and existential life lessons make for an electric performance.

The Newsroom

You can’t talk about Jeff Daniels today without mentioning his impressive performance on the HBO television show The Newsroom. Daniels perfectly captures the 24 hour news cycles string of personalities. Additionally, he embodies the frustration of many American citizens, upset with the path of current news media.

We’re huge fans of this dumb duo and we anxiously await the return of Harry and Lloyd. Don’t forget to see Dumb and Dumber To at Aksarben Cinema when it comes out on November 14! 

The Life and Career of Christopher Nolan

             “Every film should have its own world, a logic and feel to it that expands beyond the exact image that the audience is seeing.”

-Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is one of the premiere Hollywood directors and has been named on more than one occasion as one of the best living filmmakers. His latest film, Interstellar, will undoubtedly cement this reputation in the annals of cinema. In honor of the November 7th release of Interstellar, we proudly present a short glimpse of The Life and Career of Christopher Nolan, a master storyteller.

Early Life

The writer/director/producer was born in London, England on July 30, 1970. Using his father’s Super-8 camera, Nolan clearly had an eye for filmmaking. Nolan’s experiences and education later influenced his first foray into low-budget independent feature filmmaking. The budget for his first film Following was only $6,000. Regardless of the film’s budget, it was clear that Nolan’s was a talent worth sharing.

                Nolan’s next film was the cult classic Memento, a written collaboration with his brother Jonathan. Guy Pearce took the starring role after big names such as Brad Pitt and Alec Baldwin were thrown around. Pearce as Leonard is now an iconic character and Nolan received his first major award nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Unfortunately Nolan did not win, but his credibility as a modern filmmaker continued to rise. The independent auteur went on to direct an American version of the Norwegian hit Insomnia starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank.

Nolan Bursts Into Big-Budget Filmmaking

                Nolan began with psychologically twisting and turning films, but it wasn’t until Warner Bros. approached him to helm a new Batman franchise that Nolan become a household name. Batman Begins marked a new beginning for the caped crusader and a change in how superhero movies were made. Nolan’s focus was character building and the story; the action came second, but was still flawless. Nolan took a “break” after Begins came out to direct one of our favorite films The Prestige, a brilliant exploration of greed, treachery, and sleight of hand with a magicians’ backdrop.

                Nolan outdid his previous creations with his masterpiece Batman film The Dark Knight. The film went on to gross a billion dollars worldwide and received multiple Academy Award nominations including a Best Supporting nod and posthumous win for Heath Ledger as the Joker. Nolan was far from done astounding audiences though, as he had yet another trick up his sleeve in the form of  2010’s Inception. His previous original film blew audiences away emotionally, mentally, and dipped into their wallets with an exceptional $800 million gross.

A Brief Break

                In 2012, after his longest break from filmmaking, Nolan finalized his intoxicating Batman trilogy with the introduction of Bane and an epic fight for Gotham City. His sequel was not nearly as well-received as The Dark Knight, but still managed to make nearly $500 million. Nolan was far from done with Warner Bros. and superheroes though. He currently works as a producer for DC Comics projects including Man of Steel and the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

                Wow, what a trip down memory lane! Simply thinking about Nolan’s sterling career brings back images of thousands of brilliant shots, phenomenal performances, and insane storytelling. Please join Aksarben Cinema and revel in a career spanning nearly 20 years that has wrought some of the greatest cinematic treasures of all time. 

5 Best Horror Movies of All Time

“It's Halloween; everyone's entitled to one good scare.”

-Sheriff Leigh Brackett, Halloween

We love horror movies! We’ve recommended them because they provide great health benefits and deserve to stand amongst the best films of all time for providing oodles of ooky, spooky good times.

For our celebration of all things that go bump in the night, we introduced audiences to both traditional and modern classics with our new Cinematic Fanatic program. The program has been wildly successful and we’re so excited to see individuals revisiting these phenomenal films. In honor of our new program and the exciting release of Halloween directed by John Carpenter we present to you the 5 Best Horror Movies of All Time.

      1.Halloween

A great horror movie has to terrify, but also provide thorough entertainment for an audience. No other horror film in the history of cinema possesses those qualities the way Halloween does. John Carpenter’s master work provided tons of slow-building scares and the groundwork for a new generation of horror.

Did you know that the infamous Michael Myers mask is actually a William Shatner mask celebrating the 1970s television show Star Trek? The prop department spray painted the mask white, teased the hair, and reshaped the eye holes to create the infamous face of Michael Myers. Halloween proves that anything can be scary you just need to know how to use it, even if it’s a 1970s icon’s likeness.

      2.The Exorcist

It does not get any more iconic than the special effects driven 1973 film The Exorcist. What filmmaker William Friedkin was doing on the set of this spooky production was groundbreaking on nearly all levels, from the makeup to the practical effects and language.

Friedkin put his faith in a fourteen-year-old girl, buckets of vomit-green pea soup, and a screenplay that would make the most immoral people blush. Who would have guessed that this film would be the smartest investment Warner Bros. would ever make, considering the film is the highest grossing WB film of all time when adjusted for inflation?

      3.The Fly

David Cronenberg is nuts and nowhere is it more obvious than in his 1986 film The Fly. The film features some of the best makeup in the motion picture business. You will absolutely believe that Jeff Goldblum is transforming into a fly before your eyes.

Makeup courtesy of Academy Award winner Chris Walas receives the first credit at the end of the film. It’s a fitting tribute to an accomplished creator. He provides the film a terrifying transition and Cronenberg presents gross-out gags that possess a dark humor only he could provide.

      4.The Shining

This 1980 film is one of the most controversial of all in the genre. Shelley Duvall has said that performing her role was torturous, rumors of over 120 takes per shots were circulated, and author Stephen King was NOT a fan of the final film. Additionally, multiple film scholars and relatively crazy people have dissected, rebuilt, and dissected again this horror classic with unorthodox, yet fascinating, results.

Regardless of all the work, whether necessary or not, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining still holds up today. The film sizzles with pacing that is blood trickling slow and a climax which solidified Jack Nicholson as one of the best actors in his day.

      5.The Evil Dead

We wanted to provide readers with an option that might seem a little unorthodox and earns laughter as well as gasps. Movies that come to mind are Scream, Cabin in the Woods, or Young Frankenstein, but the film that combines both humorous and horrific qualities perfectly, whether purposefully or not is The Evil Dead. Sam Raimi’s breakthrough feature is a brilliant picture that utilizes simple effects and easy thrills, but there is something deeper present in the freshman effort. Raimi moves with his camera operator in flawless, sweeping motions that create a horror environment that today’s modern gore fest lacks.

So there you have it! Now jump in and devour all these delicious manic morsels including Halloween, which returns to Aksarben Cinema this week for a special engagement. Aksarben Cinema will start showings of Halloween Wednesday, October 29, and go through Halloween weekend. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one of these five horrifying films before Halloween night!  You can also catch Saw for one week only!  Get showtimes and tickets here.

5 Directors Who Will Make You Laugh

“Comedy is tragedy plus time!”

-Crimes and Misdemeanors

We proudly present the Top 5 Comedy Directors of All Time.

1890-1940

The Great Dictator - Charlie Chaplin

http://youtu.be/z-lmF5DAssU

You don’t talk about comedy without mentioning the mastermind behind the genre after film was first introduced. Charlie Chaplin created a collection of cinema treasures that will forever be celebrated, but what is even more impressive is that the films are just as laugh-out-loud funny as they were in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.

If you have not seen Chaplin’s sharp-witted shish kabobbing of WWII tyrants in The Great Dictator then it’s time to embrace a furiously funny opportunity. Chaplin, best known for his comedy, is simply delightful in this 1940 film, but you’ll see how intelligent The Tramp is when he opens his mouth to speak at the end.

Other Chaplin films: The Kid (1921) - The Gold Rush (1925) - City Lights (1931) - Modern Times (1936)

1940-1980

Annie Hall - Woody Allen

http://youtu.be/OqVgCfZX-yE

Woody Allen’s Annie Hall was a comedy gamechanger in 1977 with its fourth wall breaking and unorthodox humor. Before Allen’s scandalous moments in the negative spotlight he was churning out hit after hit with his brilliant blend of brainy humor and slapstick satire. Who could ever forget Allen sneezing into a friend’s drug of choice in the genius comedy romance? Watch as Allen skewers uppity collegiate types, falls in and out of love, and pursues a bumpy career in stand-up comedy.

Other Allen films: Bananas (1971) - Sleeper (1973) - Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) - Midnight in Paris (2011)

1980-1990

When Harry Met Sally - Rob Reiner

http://youtu.be/V8DgDmUHVto

Rob Reiner does love stories right as a director and nowhere is this truer than in When Harry Met Sally starring the phenomenal Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. Reiner obviously takes a page out of Allen’s romantic comedy How To guide, but personally manages to make his film more approachable for a mainstream audience.

Reiner provides energy and sophistication to his film which is just as much about sex as it is about romance, but he is not the only creative talent that should be appreciated. Without writer Nora Ephron there is no When Harry Met Sally or eternally quotable dialogue ingrained in American pop culture.

Other Reiner films: This is Spinal Tap (1984) - Stand by Me (1986) - The Princess Bride (1987) - The Bucket List (2007)

1990-2000

Wayne’s World - Penelope Spheeris

http://youtu.be/OIuhsHpcNAU

Penelope Spheeris along with Nora Ephron and Penny Marshall cleared the way for female directors and writers both in television and film. Spheeris’ film version of the famous Saturday Night Live skit is easily one of the most clever and funny films ever made. Without Spheeris as director, this film simply would not contain the edge present in each scene.

Looking back at production photos with Spheeris on set you get a sense that she could play hard with the boys and direct material with a rockin’ attitude. Ephron and Nancy Myers are great directors, but we chose Spheeris because she challenged the norm and took on projects that traditionally a man would. 

Other female directed films: Big (1988) - Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - The Proposal (2009) - In a World... (2013)

2000-Today

Shaun of the Dead - Edgar Wright

http://youtu.be/z-lmF5DAssU

No one does physical humor like Edgar Wright. The man is purely gifted both artistically and in his writing. Never will you hear Queen’s famous tune “Can’t Stop Me Now” the same way after sitting down for this comedy masterpiece.

Wright’s Shaun of the Dead was a surprise hit. In Wright’s film, Simon Pegg bursts on screen with geeky confidence as the titular character. From that point on, viewers are presented with an eclectic mix of dry British humor and zombie action. Wright follows his predecessors by mixing genres with genuine understanding of both comedy and horror. Shaun of the Dead is a special film that will continue to be treasured by many along with its magnificent director Edgar Wright.

Other Wright films: Hot Fuzz (2007) - Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010) - The Adventures of Tintin (2011) - The World’s End (2013)

Honorable Mention: Coen Brothers (The Big Lebowski), Harold Ramis (The Groundhog Day), Terry Jones (Monty Python and the Holy Grail), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles)

Are There Benefits to Watching Scary Movies?

“There are two different stories in horror: internal and external. In external horror films, the evil comes from the outside, the other tribe, this thing in the darkness that we don’t understand. Internal is the human heart.”

-John Carpenter

“This Is Halloween”

Streets filled with monsters of mayhem, carefree candy flows out of pillow sacks, and horrendous horrors dominate television and film screens. The creatures of The Nightmare Before Christmas said it best, “This is Halloween!”

That’s right, Halloween is nearly upon us. Now what Halloween night would be complete without frightening flicks and popcorn?

           

Hollywood Horror Helps

            You may be skeptical right now and can’t imagine any potential benefits in watching horror movies, but before you dismiss us like The Ring tape, hear us out.

One study tested viewers as they watched horror film and found that you can burn around 200 calories. This resulting calorie loss is dependent on the movie, so we’re curious to know what movie you think would help you burn the most calories. The Exorcist certainly comes to mind or the more recent film The Conjuring, maybe? Tell us in the comments.

The More Blood On Screen, The More Blood Cells in Our Bodies

Another study found that scary movie viewing increases our white blood cell count, which ultimately can better equip us to fight disease and repair the body. The end result is a boosted immune system. So each time another slasher victim loses blood, ours gets stronger. That seems like twisted poetic justice.

Fear Factors

Researchers have also found evidence that suggests we can experience two emotions at the same time which explains the emotional value some put into horror films. Our brains are complex organs and they can accomplish incredible feats including the containment of both negative emotions related to the content of a horror film as well as the positive aspect which is overall enjoyment. Simply put, we like to get scared!

Can’t Sleep?

If you don’t like to roll the dice with fear because you’re scared of emotional damage, you’re not entirely off base. There have been extensive studies collected that have found many audiences of horror films experience sleep pattern disruption, increased fear in situations, and traumatic triggered events similar to a horror film. That being said, dealing with our fears is important to our DNA. Dr. Mathias Clasen found that horror movies might become emotional stimulators for fear situations and stimulate the DNA to respond.

Think about these positives when you’re considering watching a horror movie over the Halloween season. Horror movies may not save your life, but it appears that they can be effective in assisting your immune system and fear threshold. Who would have thought that Jason slashing or Leatherface sawing would help us in the long run?