Jim Carrey – This Had Oscar Buzz

In 1999, director Milos Forman reunited with his People Vs. Larry Flynt screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski for another biopic of an iconoclast, Man on the Moon. Rebounding from the Oscar snub for The Truman Show, Jim Carrey took on the role of Andy Kaufman and according to history, took it a bit too seriously. The film received some strong reviews and plenty of precursor action for Carrey (including another Golden Globe win), but the film proved an Oscar misfire for the twice Oscar awarded director and the still unnominated Carrey.

This episode, we talk about the industry’s (perhaps snobby) perceptions of Carrey and the faux method acting by Carrey that would later be documented by Jim and Andy. We also talk about the Alexander/Karaszewski biopic mold, Carrey’s biker chic MTV Movie Award acceptance speech, and the film’s reverence for Kaufman’s legacy.

Topics also include 1999 Best Actor, R.E.M., and “Courtney Love is in dire need of attention right now.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS

This episode we arrive at two inevitable discussion points for Joe and Chris. First, a fifteen minute discussion of the Cats trailer. Second, a look at an essential This Had Oscar Buzz title: Frank Darabont’s 2001 melodrama The Majestic.

The film arrived in theatres during the Christmas holiday with most of its awards hype trailing its star Jim Carrey. Here he would be playing the everyman in this Frank Capra-inspired look at Hollywood dreams and small town America – could this be the film that finally would land him an Oscar nomination after two Golden Globe victories for The Truman Show and Man on the Moon got shut out by Oscar? As the bad reviews and even worse box office would quickly show, the answer was no, leaving Carrey still waiting for that first dance with Oscar.

This week, we take a look at Carrey’s fast rise and what might have kept him out of Oscar’s club. We also take a look at Frank Darabont and his relationship with Stephen King, the film’s major missteps in chasing Frank Capra, and directors with multiple snubs in recent years despite their films making it to Best Picture.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | RSS

Tag: Jim Carrey

310 – Man on the Moon

055 – The Majestic