Page 6 December 7, 2017
Entertainment
Film Review Check It Out
By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.
com
Jim Carrey has played a lot of out-of-thisworld
characters in his lifetime, but devoted
audiences are likely unaware of the one role
that Carrey committed so deeply to playing
that he remained in character for the entirety
of the film’s shoot (even when the cameras
stopped rolling). Such a thing would be nearly
impossible to imagine. Right?
Audiences will now be able to witness this
feat in the new documentary, Jim & Andy:
The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special,
Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony
Clifton. Jim & Andy captures the period of
time after the newly minted A-list movie star
wrapped three iconic films that would define his
career: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask,
and Dumb and Dumber. He then followed those
hits by transforming into Andy Kaufman in
the 1999 biopic, Man on The Moon.
The film reveals that Carrey simply let Andy
“take over” to make Man on the Moon and
that he was merely “the vessel” channeling
the spirit of Kaufman. It’s amazing to see
the accompanying footage of Carrey uncut,
as he upends the production at every turn as
the antic-prone Kaufman, torturing the crew
to our gleeful delight. It’s more than a treat
to see every shade of Kaufman that Carrey
conjures up: there’s bashful and anxious
Andy, there’s tantrum-throwing Andy who
bemoans studio executives--and of course,
his most taxing persona, the repugnant lounge
act and drunkard Tony Clifton, who stirs the
most agitation of all much to the audience’s
delight and Kaufman’s giddy.
Accompanying the on-set footage is a
Rekulak’s The Impossible Fortress
Captures the Magic of the 1980s
Reviewed by Jeff Huttinger, Library
Assistant, El Segundo Public Library
Stephen King. Full House. Synth pop.
Make no mistake, the 1980s are alive and
well and nowhere is this more evident than
in author Jason Rekulak’s debut novel The
Impossible Fortress, a charming and confident
coming-of-age story.
Set amidst the carefree days of 1987 in
small town America, 14-year-old Billy Marvin
and two best buddies spend endless hours
hanging out, joking around and plotting
just how they can get their hormone-crazed
mitts on the latest issue of Playboy featuring
none other than Miss Vanna White herself!
After accepting a seemingly harmless dare
in order to secure his very own copy, Billy
is quickly introduced to computer nerd Mary
Zelinsky, her stern father and a host of new
experiences including hard work, first crush
and real danger. Soon, Billy finds himself
evaluating everything he ever thought was
important and learning a very harsh lesson
in return: that no action is consequence-free.
The Conjuring of Andy Kaufman:
Or Jim Carrey’s Psychic Slip
long-form interview with present-day Carrey.
Wearing a leather jacket and Burning Man
beard, he recounts this chapter of his past with
enough distance to provide worthy insight.
The juxtaposition of seeing the Carrey of
now recount the antics of the Carrey of then
proves an interesting mind shift. The new
Carrey is seemingly content with his place
in the universe and attempts to rationalize
the weight of human depression and ego.
This makes for a profound meditation on
Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman in Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond. Courtesy of Netflix.
celebrity and ego perception--a fitting study
for this Internet age.
Perhaps just as amazing is the accompanying
behind-the-scenes footage and that so much
of it exists. We learn that Universal (the film’s
studio company) commissioned the footage for
press kit use, but ended up shelving it after
deeming that people seeing Carrey wreak
havoc on set would make him look like a jerk.
Ultimately the footage was found in Carrey’s
private Los Angeles office by filmmaker Spike
Jonze (a producer on the film), who recognized
that there was a movie to be made in this mad
peek behind the curtain.
Much like the actor, the role the actor
played and the means the actor took to play
the role, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond is
either an indulgent, self-satisfying work, or it
gets exactly at the heart of how we construct
our identities and who we believe we are.
Ultimately, Jim & Andy is part satiating behindthe
scenes movie, part psychological study of
the ego, and an endlessly fascinating watch.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a
Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention
of Tony Clifton is not rated. 94 minutes. Now
streaming on Netflix. •
Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
Jeff Huttinger
In fact, our decisions can last
a lifetime.
Although based in a retro
world of late ‘80s icons, the
themes of true love, shattered
innocence and ultimate
forgiveness are absolutely
timeless. What I loved
most about The Impossible
Fortress is author Rekulak’s
talent for creating such
unique yet familiar characters
that I found myself truly
invested in and rooting for
every step of the way. It’s
this combination of mature
subject matter, adolescent
protagonists and a cherished
era of popular culture that
makes this book a perfect
selection for both adults
and teens.
The power of nostalgia
may be what first draws
you to The Impossible
Fortress, but the affection
for such beautifully-written
personalities and well-crafted
story will keep you turning
the pages.
To c h e c k o u t T h e
Impossible Fortress, also
available in eBook format,
or browse any of our other fiction titles,
please visit the library to apply for your
free library card. •
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