Has Jim Carrey jumped the shark?

mandy Fri, Nov 23, 2007 at 05:51 AM EST

I dont care what anyone says about Jim Carrey and his performances. He is a brilliant actor and better than alot of others. I loved his performances in Me, Myself and Irene,Liar Liar, The Trueman Show, The grinch (although not as much) and i have got most of his films he is in. He is not a bad actor, he just needs to have films that will work with the audience. Just wait till the next film, it'll b a cracker!!

Jacob Thu, May 10, 2007 at 10:12 PM EST

Jim carrey is the bomb and he is my favorite actor i have all of his movies. I don't think he his a bad actor i think he is great. Every movie of his is great. even if you think he is getting old the spirit of him will never die.

josh Fri, Mar 9, 2007 at 08:27 PM EST

jim carrey has been my favorite actor since i was 7 years old he has had awesome movies GO JIM CARREY!!!!!!!!!!

Giselle Sat, Mar 3, 2007 at 05:43 PM EST

I love Jim Carrey. Just because he had a few bad movies doesn't mean that he's not a star.

E Thu, Mar 1, 2007 at 11:49 AM EST

Number 23 was a really good movie - I enjoyed it thoroughly. Then again, I hated early, talk-out-of-my-butt Jim Carey. I am eternally grateful for new, serious Jim. He is actually a very talented actor when he leaves his posterior out of the act...

CleJLW Thu, Mar 1, 2007 at 08:36 AM EST

The problems with Jim Carrey are manifold. First, he is getting older and it is showing. Why does he insist on a haircut that is not age appropriate? His appearance and image have really taken a steep decline.

Another problem is that he has lost credibility with the movie "The Mystic". He wanted people to see him as a serious actor (probably in an attempt to win an Oscar) but he picked the most trite movie I had seen in years. I didn't see "Eternal Sunshine" until it came out on DVD because I assumed that it would be terrible. Oh, how wrong I was.... But the damage had been done.

Finally, Jim Carrey's schtick was not going to be funny forever. "I make funny faces. Laugh at me". How long could that really last???

CleJLW Thu, Mar 1, 2007 at 08:35 AM EST

The problems with Jim Carrey are manifold. First, he is getting older and it is showing. Why does he insist on a haircut that is not age appropriate? His appearance and image have really taken a steep decline.

Another problem is that he has lost credibility "The Mystic". He wanted people to see him as a serious actor (probably in an attempt to win an Oscar) but he picked the most trite movie I had seen in years. I didn't see "Eternal Sunshine" until it came out on DVD because I assumed that it would be terrible. Oh, how wrong I was.... But the damage had been done.

Finally, Jim Carrey's schtick was not going to be funny forever. "I make funny faces. Laugh at me". How long could that really last???

Observing Thu, Mar 1, 2007 at 12:47 AM EST

See him interviewed for the promo of this movie? Ugh, he is so full of himself and so completely out of touch with good movie making. Time's up buddy.

Howard Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 05:22 PM EST

Sometimes the stuff that looks interesting as a concept ends up being a dud on screen. This movie isn't exactly my genre, and I run the other way when I see "From the Director of Batman & Robin and Phone Booth", just like I should have when I saw "From the Director of Daredevil" on anything having to do with Ghost Rider.

This is an easy time of year to have a movie look like a hit because there's very few new movies coming out. Ghost Rider, while bad, had, as Ceballos put it "a built-in fanbase" (without which it would have tanked also), and Number 23 came out on one of the worst movie weekends (even though horror fans aren't usually pre-occupied with the Oscars).

As for Carrey's career, this may not help it, but it certainly won't kill it, anymore than Norbit will kill Eddie Murphy's. Carrey makes one movie that appeals to his usual fans, and he'll be back in the thick of things. Just like Travolta

Hey, I have 23 characters left! What a coincidence.

Ep Sato Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 04:34 PM EST

23 sounds like an attempt to cash in on movies like the Butterfly Affect, the Cell, Memento,etc. Oddball movies like that rarely make money when they are good (remember Donnie Darko?), so when they are bad, it's easy for them to be forgotten. Carey took a risk, and it didn't do for him anything because the movie itself seems flawed from the start.

On the other hand, if reviews had been glowing for this movie, I'd go see it this weekend...

april Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:42 PM EST

I would have to say the dark story line and rating of R had a big part to do with it. Jim makes me laugh and that is what I associate from him hard for one actor to be both good at funny and drama - one isn't going to be good as the other. And we already know what he is good at.

Dennis Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:27 PM EST

The reviews are what changed my mind about seeing the movie. Those, combined with the knowledge that Joel Schumacher directed.

Jeremy Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:22 PM EST

I don't think Carrey is to blame for lackluster box office receipts for 23... The concept for the film is just silly... The idea reeks of foul-smelling desperation -- Hollywood was out of ideas 10 years ago, and until they are willing to produce more challenging, riskier fare, we can all rest assured that there will be a sequel to 23 (unfortunately the filmmakers picked a bad number for the title, the logical sequel would of course be called 24, but I don't think Jack Bauer will stand for that).

And let's face it, has Schumacker directed anything great since... well... I'm not really sure since when...

maxpurr9 Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:09 PM EST

i love jim carrey and will always continue to support him! unless it comes out someday that he eats small furry kittens for breakfast...but i doubt that will ever be the case.

Jennifer Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:41 PM EST

I love Jim Carrey movies. I loved "Fun With Dick and Jane" (waited to watch it on HBO) and I thought Lemony Snicket was great. I rented it and thought it was good enough to buy the DVD. My 8 year old LOVED it and it inspired her to read the book series (she's on book 8 now). As for Number 23, I'll get around to watching it when it comes out on DVD or cable. I'm not going to spend money on it because of the reviews and that isn't my favorite genre of movie. I realize Jim Carrey is really talented and if he wants to experiment with different genres to challenge himself then good for him.

Joe C Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:22 PM EST

If John Travolta can come back, so can Jim Carrey. A career has many ups and downs; not every movie can be Liar Liar.

RobinG Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:19 PM EST

I can't judge this film having not seen it, but having hack-director Joel Schumacher at the helm is an almost guaranteed suckfest!

GeeMoney Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:11 PM EST

His movies haven't made any money because he's not silly or crazy in them. We all want to see him be funny again, like he was in Ace Ventura, not serious.

GAIL Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:10 PM EST

Jim's problem is that he reeks of desperation. Whenever I see him, I am reminded of Sally Field's "you like me" acceptance speech. He is so desperate for the audience to recognize his genious that he forgets to entertain.

GAIL Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:09 PM EST

Jim's problem is that he reeks of desperation. Whenever I see him, I am reminded of Sally Field's "you like me" acceptance speech. He is so desperate for the audience to recognize his genious that he forgets to entertain.

Alex Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:00 PM EST

It's because he continues to insist he's a "serious actor." He's an okay dramatic actor, but his real genius lies in comedy. he needs to get back to where he once belonged. (Thanks, Paul!)

Scott Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 10:58 AM EST

Maybe the reason The NUmber 23 did so poorly was that it was actually an incredible stinker of a film???

I don't think Jim Carrey's stardom that has waned, but I don't I can say the same for his judgment.

bg 17 Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

I think that Jim has made enough money over his career that he can now take risks, and risks don't always work out. I would rather see him fail miserably doing something different than see him do the same schtick with different gimmicky premises, a la Will Ferrell.

Ep Sato Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 10:09 AM EST

Nick, that's a great point. Paul Giamatti's had no trouble finding work since "Sideways", and Sandra Oh's had "it girl" stamped on her forehead ever since that flick came out. Meanwhile, Virginia Madsen's been in some stinkers AND a tv show that didn't last 5 episodes (Smith, which I actually kind of dug). What happened to Virginia Madsen?

Nick Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 09:18 AM EST

Forget about Jim Carrey. I'm concerned about Virginia Madsen. She won our hearts again with _Sideways_, and how does she follow that up? _Firewall_. _The Astronaut Farmer_. _Smith_. And _The Number 23_. Did Virginia Madsen jump the shark?

Howard Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 09:04 AM EST

The number of comments was listed as 23 when I opened this. Spooky! Not only that, the 14.6 gross, combined with the 8.4 days this is expected to be in the theaters, also adds up to 23! Coincidence?

furry_tom Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 08:46 AM EST

He should fire the person who convinced him to work with "bat-nips" Schumacher. I prefer him in more dramatic fare like ESotSM, Man on the Moon and Truman Show, but there's often a lot of good stuff in his comedy roles too. Unfortunately, his next movie's another Dr. Seuss adaptation (bludgeoning), so everyone loses.

trw1570 Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 07:23 AM EST

I know it's fashionable to blame Jim Carrey for Lemony Snicket's failure (Yeah it grossed over $100M but it cost more than that to make.) but the real problem with that movie was the script. It was too rushed. It was a lousy idea for a movie anyway since the real attraction is in the writing.

I generally prefer JC in his more serious roles like Truman and Eternal Sunshine. He tends to go to far over the top in his comedies. It was fine in short skits like on In Living Color but drove me crazy in Liar, Liar.

That said I think his problem is that he's done a poor job of choosing films lately. Number 23 failed, I believe, because the premise is stupid. Who wants to see a movie about a guy obsessed with a number?

David Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 05:51 AM EST

NOTE TO EW: PLEASE NEVER AGAIN USE THE PHRASE 'JUMP THE SHARK'. THIS PHRASE WAS WORN OUT BEFORE "HAPPY DAYS" ENDED. STOP. PLEASE STOP! FOREVER!!!

monie Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 02:46 AM EST

Saw the movie,was a trip watching Jim do sexy. From the back I bought it, when he turned I couldn't help but cringe. But I did like the film and his performance. It was better than Ghost Rider, which I had waited long to see make film.

Tomi Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:58 AM EST

Oh and as far as The Number 23... "I don't need to see that!"

Just kidding, Phil.

Tomi Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:56 AM EST

I think these 'career ends' can be a self fulfilling prophecy, like it happened a bit with Tom Cruise. I'm not sure people got actually bored of him as much as afraid to be deemed uncool to do so, because everyone in the MSM had declared his appeal defunct in what became snowball of conventional wisdom that splattered over MI3. I say this because I'm not a fan of him, thus it was clear to me he was just as annoying as always. Let's hope this doesn't happen to Carry, seeing his career over just because someone randomly decided so and started the Pigmalion effect rumor.

Phil Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:28 AM EST

Fatima, you were NOT the PopWatcher I was alluding to mentioning Valerie Cherish, though the handle escapes me, I am fairly certain it is a male Popwatcher who praises the musings of Valerie Cherish quite often! Yes, I am aware that IF Slezak were ever given control of a zombie movie, he'd resurrect Miss Cherish in a (not-so) heartbeat, but I seriously am over the phrase JUMPING THE SHARK, as well as making refernces to Valerie Cherish a part of contemporary Pop Culture. Its basically the equivalent of me ending every post with, ISN'T THAT LIKE, SO FETCH? That movie was So 3 yrs. ago & so was The Comeback, and trust me, when I say SHE AIN'T COMING BACK AGAIN! The Terminator, she is NOT!

brandonk Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:57 PM EST

"Series of Unfortunate Events" was just an okay movie, despite Carrey and Streep and the kids. I don't really care for him in serious roles..."The Truman Show" and the Kaufman biopic were great and good, respectively. Anyway, I'm not tired of him exactly, but some of his movie choices lately have been so-so.

Fatima Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:29 PM EST

Phil- Was that implying that I quote the Comeback or that Slezak does? Either way, it doesn't bug me. Jump the Shark bugs me because there is someone on every single message board for every single show claiming events as bad as a so-so episode are shark-worthy. Going on a Lost message board is like the online version of a root canal.

Cheri Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:13 PM EST

He's not on the wane - he's just not picking the right movies. Trust me, all of America would flock to see him if he jumped back into some big physical comedy movie again.

Slammy Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:06 PM EST

I thought he was jumping Jenny McCarthy.

EP Sato Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:04 PM EST

He's just got to make better movies. Bruce Almighty was pretty good, all the other junk post Grinch has been well, junk.

Poor reviews (or good ones) only affect movies that people didn't really plan to see. Popcorn fare can make money without decent reviews because there's usually something appealing (hot Latina actor, famous comic book franchise, or better yet, both like Ghost Rider). I didn't plan to see Pan's Labyrinth, but will go thanks to the reviews. The reviews sucked for Fantastic Four, but let's face it, fanboys have waited since 1963 to see The Thing in a movie.
On the other hand, when studio a movie tries to be "memento" or the next "Fight Clib", it's got to seriously up the ante. These movies appeal to a more fickle moviegoer, the kind who want written proof that the flick's worth more than popcorn fare and isn't just SAYING that it's smarter than popcorn fare.

sam Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:30 PM EST

I am tired of him. We waited for the Lemony Snicket movie to come out with great anticipation--he should have been perfect in the role. But his constant mugging and need to be the center of attention in every scene ruined the movie. He has no self control--same thing happened to Jerry Lewis in his later years.

t3hdow Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:26 PM EST

Using the phrase 'jumped the shark' is way too overused these days. Use some other trite expression, but please refrain from saying that one. I have to hear it every week I visit the '24' TV Watch.

With that said, it's a shame The Number 23 didn't do so well. I thought it looked ok from the previews, unlike Epic Movie, Norbit and Ghost Rider (yet somehow, each of those three awful films earned over $30 million at least). Jim Carrey's appeal has thinned out over the years, but if he starts making a few more decent films, he'll be back on top.

aa Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:12 PM EST

love jim carrey; esotsm is in my top ten movies. the reason that i won't be going to see 23 is that it looks crappy. the previews and the clips of he and v. madsen trying to look all badass are laughable. when he does something good again i'll be front and center.

Phil Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:08 PM EST

I wanted to see the Number 23 badly, but then I was in Florida on vacation, and the screening was the night I was set to get home from my trip. i couldn't go, so I let my friends use my passes, and every single one of them said and I quote, "IT WAS THE WORST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN." I was like OMG, could all four of them who never agree on ANYTHING possibly have all disliked this movie THAT much? So due to their criticism, i've failed to work the nerve up to sit through the movie, and then saw the disappointing first week box office reports and thought, I guess most of America agrees with my four friends! And gotta second Fatima, JUMPING THE SHARK is about as annoying as PopWatchers devoting quotes to the character Valerie Cherish every now & again. Hate the catch phrase and hate the comparisons to the Lisa Kudrow character. There is a REASON her show lasted only a season. THERE WILL BE NO SECOND COME BACK!

Ceballos Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:46 PM EST

This article fails to mention that Lemony Snicket and Fun with Dick and Jane easily cleared $100 million, and "Irene" made $90 mil, which is really good for a comedy...Dick and Jane wouldn't have gotten anywhere near $100 mil without Carrey.
It's probably simple...The Number 23 didn't do well because it's no good (and it didn't have a built-in fanbase like "Ghost Rider"...which is also no good)

Luke Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:41 PM EST

Jim Carrey is just selecting different roles. More artistic deep roles that are a challenge to him. He probably doesn't care about the money or the fame anymore especailly after spending the last 10 years on the top. If Carrey made a comedy that had mass appeal like "Bruce Almighy" or "Fun With Dick and Jane" again and there is good marketing, sure he will role in $250 million. But what is so wrong with $100 million or even $60 million for a pyscho thriller. Johnny Depp did Secret Window which made $47 million and nobody kept saying his career was over. Same with Will Ferrel, he makes Kicking and Screaming a $30 million dud, but hes on top. Save your jumped the shark for people who really screwed up like Russel Crowe or Tom Hanks.

Stacey Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:28 PM EST

All Jim needs is a good comedy. Or a decent movie. Yes Number 23 was a departure. I didn't see it, because it's not my style. I am sure he'll eventually find something that connects with the audience. I still think he has it in him.

Evan Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:25 PM EST

This is an illogical article. 'The Number 23' may not be a classic, but Jim is still popular and people want to watch him. This is a different genre and it will take time for the masses to accept him in a thriller. Just like if Will Smith did a musical, you have to win over your own audience. Jim's next film will probably be a comedy, and he WILL make another serious film. He's an artist.

Jennifer Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:16 PM EST

I don't think it's Carrey as a comedian. I just think he's not making movies with the same type of appeal. I have nothing against Carrey-- I didn't see The Number 23 because I don't think it looks good. I don't care who is in it. It's the same reason I failed to watch Me, Myself, and Irene, Fun with Dick and Jane, and The Majestic. If Jim Carrey starts starring in more appealing movies, they'll make more money.

Josh Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:12 PM EST

A part of me wants to say "reviews," but with "Ghost Rider" at No. 1, maybe not. Still, perhaps people saw the previews for Nic Cage and thought, huh, looks like fun; whereas they looked at the previews for 'Number 23' and thought, 'Huh, looks kinda like 'Secret Window.' That movie was lame.'

Fatima Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:02 PM EST

OH MY GOD QUIT SAYING JUMP THE SHARK!!!!!

Sorry, the caps were needed. I HATE that phrase so much I didn't even read the article.