1994 was a big year for cinema, often regarded as one of the best in recent decades, with the likes of "The Shawshank Redemption," "Pulp Fiction," "Forrest Gump," and many other classic films. But, as a teenager, I was all about comedy movies, and my highlight of the year was Jim Carrey seemingly bursting out of nowhere to bring his manic energy and flexible mug to three surprise hits: "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," "The Mask," and "Dumb and Dumber." The middle film of this trio also made Cameron Diaz a star, although hers was a role initially slated for Anna Nicole Smith.

Diaz debuted as Tina Carlyle, the lounge singer and girlfriend of gangster Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene), who captures the heart of our mild-mannered protagonist, bank teller Stanley Ipkiss (Carrey). He's smitten from the

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