Welcome back to Winter Solstice Countdown, the 2023 version.
And some good news…we’ve already got a week in the rearview. (-:
If you happen to be just now joining us, it’s nice to have you on board. (And if there are those of you out there who know others who may enjoy this sort of stuff, please invite ’em to join us; all Jill and Johnny come Lately types are more than welcome!)
As for today, let’s look at a film from some years ago. (On a brief side note, my apologies to all you Bob Seger fans, thinking that he might be our focal point today. For those supporters of that old rock ‘n roller, maybe we can give him an homage a little later in the countdown. (-:)
But for today, how about a film entitled – what else? – The Number 23.
Yeah, let’s run the tape back about 15 years and check in with Jim Carey.
Though he’s probably best remembered for his breakout performance in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective all the way back in 1994 (with an honorable mention to his time on In Living Color, highlighted by his portrayal of characters like Fire Marshall Bill and Vera the lady body builder), Jim Carey definitely has some serious acting chops.
Though the big awards (primarily the Oscars) have always alluded Carey, he’s still the proud owner of more than 50 acting awards, including two Golden Globes.
In fact, if you haven’t seen what one might call his “serious” work, treat yourself to titles like The Truman Show (1998), The Majestic (2001) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). For all of his jokes, crazy body contortions and take-no-prisoners brand of humor, the man is a real talent.
As for this film The Number 23 (New Line Cinema, 2007), I’m proud to add it to our countdown.
Walter Sparrow (Carey), a dog catcher, working for the Department of Animal Control, just got bitten on the right hand.
Generally steady and reliable, Walter isn’t bothered by much, figuring that dealing with overzealous canines is nothing more than an occupational hazard.
On this particular day, though, he’s late to pick up his wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), who has a surprise for him, a birthday surprise. Knowing that Walter is an avid reader, she buys him a novel, a murder mystery by an author named Topsy Kretts.
Quickly captivated by Kretts’ haunting prose, Walter is soon convinced that the story is not only true, but that it also somehow mirrors his own life.
Interest quickly turns to obsession, and Walter, now convinced that the book is no novel – and is actually about him – decides that he must find the reclusive Kretts before something terrible happens.
I’d imagine that a lot of you already know about triskaidekaphobia. Yep, fear of the number 13. It tends to come up when we land on a Friday the 13th every now and again.
In doing some quick research for today, I learned of something called eikositriophobia. (You guessed it, fear of the number 23.)
So, if mystery and suspense is your thing, be sure to give The Number 23 a look-see.
JFish
PS As promised, here are the answers to yesterday’s 24-question challenge:
- C – INXS
- D – The Pequod24-
- C – 1
- B – Gene Cernan
- D – Detroit Lions
- C – Yogi Berra
- C – Samuel Beckett
- (8A) B; (8B) B – La La Land/Moonlight; B – Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway
- D – 4
- A – John Irving
- C – 1853-1856
- D – Sally Field
- A – Dave Wottle.
- C – Chaka Khan
- B – The Isle of White
- C – Jim Abbot
- A – Vasco Balboa
- C – Mount McKinley
- C – Ray Stevens
- A – Lebanon, Kansas
- B – San Antonio, Texas
- B – William Faulkner
- C – Bernard L. Montgomery
- C – Boo
Thanks again for being part of this. See you tomorrow for Day double-deuce!!
@Copyright 2023 by John L. Fischer