April's A-to-the-Zizzle: I

I is for Ian.
Ian Somerhalder, that is.

Yowza.

I have a serious, full-on, drive-Hubs-crazy crush on this handsome actor/do-gooder/animal lover.  I'll admit, when I first heard of him via The Vampire Diaries, I didn't pay his looks much attention other than to despise him for being such a pain to Stefan and Elena.  I couldn't stand Damon Salvatore (which is a credit to his acting skills.  He plays bad SO good).  Then, weirdly, about halfway through the second season I was watching and suddenly thought dang, he's hot.  After that I was smitten kitten with one Ian Somerhalder.

Of course I had to Google him, and imagine my delight when I found out HE'S FROM THE SAME TOWN AS ME!  It was a sign from God.  Well, maybe not, but still.  How awesome is that?!  Then as I was researching I discovered that Ian is a hardcore philanthropist and animal lover.  He founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, or ISF.  ISF makes efforts to educate people around the world about energy conservation, animal protection and other awesome projects. Their mission statement is:  "The IS Foundation aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures." You can check out his website here.  What's hotter than a guy who loves animals and is trying to save the planet?

I mean, really, how can you not love this?

After drooling over Ian for a few weeks I informed Hubs that I was adding him to The List.  He objected on the grounds that Ian is from here and his family still lives here, and as such visits the area often.  Hubs says I'm more likely to have a shot at meeting Ian and thus be within my rights to engage in flirting and/or making out per the rules of our List Agreement.  (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, see my post about The List here.) I also tried to talk Hubs into letting me become a volunteer at the St. Tammany Humane Society, but he vehemently refused to let me because Ian is a financial supporter and frequent visitor to the shelter.  I pouted for a few days, but I haven't completely given up.

Of course, once I had a bonafied crush on Ian, I had to find out what else he's been in. I never got into the whole Lost hooplah, so I had no idea he played Boone.  I want to watch it just to check out his character, but at the same time I don't because rumor is he dies in it. Not cool, ABC.  Not cool.   He also had parts in a short-lived Dawson's Creek spin-off, multiple television series, The Rules of Attraction, The Tournament, Pulse, and various other films.   He also worked as a model in his early teens and twenties.  (There's a super hot picture of him in nothing but skivvies, but I didn't want to put it on here for Hubs' sake. Google it. It'll make your day.)

Word on the interwebs is that Ian is currently working on a new film and is up for several other roles, including the much-anticipated Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey.  The book series was crazy kinky, and I wasn't really all that interested in seeing the films, but if Ian is playing Grey, I'll be watching them for sure!

He's just....I don't even....what?

Now that I've probably weirded most of you out and made the rest of you uncomfortable, I'll wrap it up.

Happy "I" day!

The Many Faces of Jim Carrey: A comedic crush

I love Jim Carrey.

Why, you ask? Well I'll tell you.

He's one of the funniest dudes ever. He can do an impression of just about anyone. He's cute, too.

If I had to make a list of my favorite movies, his would make up the majority. Some of the funniest quotes ever are from his films, and I always take advantage of an opportunity to interject them into everyday conversations.

Although he appeared in various films in the 80s (Peggy Sue Got Married, Earth Girls Are Easy, etc.), Jim's big break came from In Living Color. Playing characters such as Fire Marshall Bill and Vera De Milo gave him the springboard to star in films.

One of the great things about Jim Carrey is the way he is in public. He always seems open and friendly in interviews and plays along with paparazzi - once he was photographed after trading swimsuits with Jenny McCarthy. I couldn't find a picture, but vividly remember Jim presenting an award at the VH1 Fashion Awards (at least I think that's what it was on) wearing nothing but a leaf over his twig 'n giggleberries. He's also rocked the house at the MTV movie awards more than once.

In honor of my affection for this awesome dude, I've compiled my top ten favorite Jim Carrey movies/characters (because sometimes the movie sucks, but a character is still great).

10. Edward Nygma/The Riddler in Batman Forever

You don't have to tell me; I know this movie sucked. As much as I love Val Kilmer, and despite Tommy Lee Jones playing a pretty good Two-Face, there was no saving this installment in the superhero franchise. Even still, I loved Jim's neurotic Edward Nygma/The Riddler persona. Greatness.

Favorite quote from this film:
"Caffeine'll kill ya!"



9. Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask

Although The Mask is favored by most as Jim's best, I have to disagree. Terrible script and shallow characters run amok throughout. However, I feel a sense of nostalgia about Stanley Ipkiss because it's one of the characters that made Jim Carrey a household name.

Favorite quote from this film:
"Hold me closer, Ed. It's gettin' dark......Tell Auntie Em to let Old Yeller out.....Tell Tiny Tim I won't be coming home this Christmas.....Tell Scarlett I do give a damn."


8. Fun with Dick and Jane

I'll be honest, the first time I saw this one I didn't really care for it. Then I watched it again. And again.....and fell in love with it. Carrey is great as the poor dope who loses his job and finds himself indicted over huge business scandal. He's more physically funny than verbally in this one, and I think that's why I love it so.

Favorite quote from this film:
"Indicted? Indicted! INDICTED! I can't calm down, I'm being indicted!"


7. Mark Kendall in Once Bitten

I blogged about this film recently for Movie Delight Monday (check it out for a full review). It was one of Jim's first films, and didn't really become popular until much later in his career. It now has somewhat of a cult following, and is considered one of his great performances.

Favorite quote from the film:
"I don't want to be a vampire. I'm a DAY person."

"Did we get up on the wrong side of the coffin this evening?"

6. Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

I'm counting these as one because, well, it's my blog and I can do whatever I want. Also, it was the same character. So there.

The first time I saw Ace Ventura I was eleven. My friend let me borrow her VHS of it, and I watched it over and over again until the tape stopped working altogether. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen in my entire life (which wasn't that long, but still). Many don't care for this character of Jim's. They say he overacts with the faces and physical humor, but I think it just makes him that much funnier.

Favorite quotes from these films:
"That's none of your business, and I'll thank you to stay out of my personal affairs."

"Well, I'm not really ready for a relationship, Lois, but thank you for asking. Hey, maybe I'll give you a call sometime. Your number's still 911? All righty then."

"I have exorcised the demons... this house is clear."
"I'm ready to go in, coach, just give me a chance. I know there's a lot of riding on it, but it's all psychological. Just gotta stay in a positive frame of mind. I'm gonna execute a button-hook pattern, super slo-mo."

There's someone on the wing! Some... THING! I'm sorry, what were you saying?

Hi there. Nice to see ya. Bumblebee tuna. Bumblebee tuna!

This is a lovely room of death.


5. The Truman Show

I love this movie. I love the concept, the characters and the actors portraying the characters. All of it was genius. It was while watching this film that I realized Jim had a talent for not only comedy, but drama as well.

Favorite quotes from the film:
"In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening and good night!"

"Somebody help me, I'm being spontaneous!"

4. Bruce Almighty

Jim Carrey was cinema gold in this film. The rest of the cast was awesome too (Morgan Freeman, Steve Carell, and Jennifer Aniston). Bruce Nolan's tantrums are over-the-top, and I loved every moment of them.

Favorite quotes from the film:

"B-E-A-utiful!"

"First off, let me just add another congratulations to Evan Backstabber - pardon me, Bastard. 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 a$$ off?"

"Yo, my brethren. What up with thee?"

"I wouldn't want any stray hairs to fall into the booger."

3. The Cable Guy

I'm well aware that many Carrey fans absolutely hate this movie, but I never understood why. I love it. Every single minute of it. Jim Carrey as a psychotic stalker is just awesomeness to me. (I'm also partial to Matthew Broderick though, so that may have helped.) Not to mention he has a lisp and thinks he's various television characters.

Favorite quotes from the film:

"It is a big deal, it is to me!" (Sound familiar?)

"You might recognize this song as performed by Jefferson Airplane, in a little rockumentary called "Gimme Shelter," about the Rolling Stones and their nightmare at Altamont. That night the Oakland chapter of the Hell's Angels had their way. Tonight, it's my turn."

You know what the trouble about real life is? There's no danger music.

Don't you understand, Steven? Somebody has to kill the babysitter.

2. Dumb and Dumber

This is one of the best comedies made. Ever. Like in the history of comedy. Carrey and Jeff Daniels were great as idiot best friends (Daniels was actually a big surprise in this film). I could go on for days about all the reasons I love Dumb & Dumber, but instead I'll just give you my favorite quotes - and there's a bunch of 'em:

"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
"I'd like to eat her liver with some fava beans and a nice bottle of Chianti."

"That John Denver's full of shit, man."

"If I know Mary as well as I think I do, she'll invite us right in for tea and strumpets."

"We got no food, no jobs... our PETS' HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!"
"Mary... I desperately wanna make love to a school boy."

"I got robbed by a sweet old lady on a motorized cart. I didn't even see it coming!"

Lloyd: "Uh, what is the Soup Du Jour?"
Waitress: "It's the Soup of the Day."
Lloyd: "Mmmm. That sounds good. I'll have that."

"Hey guys. Woah, Big Gulps, huh? All right! Well, see ya later."

1. Liar Liar

This film is by far Jim Carrey's best role and my most favorite movie of his. No matter how many times I watch it, I still laugh hysterically. I also love how the dvd plays outtakes during the credits. Some of the funniest outtakes I've ever seen are from this movie.

Instead of listing my favorite quotes (because it would basically be the entire film), I've decided to share a clip from YouTube of the best Liar Liar moments:

I'm also going to share the same video I used a couple of weeks ago for Fantabulous Friday. It's a collection of some of Jim's best movie moments. Enjoy!