This is a spoiler free review of the movie "The Number 23" and I'm attempting to write this review a little different from my usual style, thanks to a friend of mine for that suggestion. Before you get fascinated about the movie (which this movie sure is), there's a strict warning - this movie is for Adults only. There are violence, nudity and psychological things in this movie which might not suit the light hearts. You may skip the movie, but please do read the review. ;)
How often do you obsess on a number? Never, right? Some people, who are interested in Mathematics, for instance, me, obsess a lot. This movie "The Number 23" had been on my watchlist for a very long time. I just didn't have the time. When I found it yesterday, I was in for a treat.
Growing up, I always had the fascination for numbers. The number 9 fascinated me a lot! There are a lot of No. 9 facts and funs in most of the mathematical websites. So, this fascination is OK, but what happens when an obsession starts? First of all, how do an obsession start?
The first time, it was a casual thing. Second time, you give a little attention. Third time you start to ignore it and chose it to be a coincidence. Enough time, you start to observe. You start to observe a lot. You search for it. Eventually as time goes on, you see 'that' in everything. That's an obsession. Similarly, what happens when a number that crosses your path for say, 10 times? If that brings good things, it becomes your lucky number. Otherwise, it's an unlucky number. Give it more time, you see that number in all the good/bad thing that happens around you. True, isn't it?
When my fascination for the number begun, I just didn't stop with the numbers. I converted the alphabets into numbers, like A as 1 and B as 2 etc and Z as 26. You see a new world when you are in obsession. Some are pleasant while some becomes nightmares.
So this film "The Number 23" is something like that. A nightmare for a man who's obsessed with 23. Although I've watched the "The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind" and saw a different Jim Carrey there, he tops with respect to performance in this movie. An absolute gem of a screenplay, leaves you clueless as to what happens next and how things fall in place. Following are the facts shown during the opening credits of the movie. Yes, I've had the patience to note it down.
There are 23 letters in the Latin Alphabet.
Hiroshima Tragedy, August 6, 1945. 08/06/1945. 8 + 6 + 1 + 9 + 4 - 5 = 23. They dropped the bomb at 8:15 AM, 8+15=23!
King Charles I was Beheaded on Jan 30, 1649. 01/30/1649. 1+3+1+6+4+9=24 - I (one) = 23.
The Knight Templars had 23 grand masters. (Something Dan Brown didn't tell us huh?)
The Witches Sabbath is June 23rd.
Shakespeare was born and died on April 23rd.
Shakespeare was also first published in 1623.
The Titanic sank the morning of April 15th, 1912. 04/15/1912. 4+1+5+1+9+1+2=23.
TWA Flight 800: 230 people dead. Explosion Occurred in Seats 23J and 23K.
George Herbert Walker Bush (George H.W. Bush) = 23 letters.
William Jefferson Clinton (Bill Clinton) = 23 letters.
Franklin Delano Rosevelt = 23 letters.
December 11, 1941 US declared war on Germany. 12+11 = 23.
Hitler killed himself April 1945. 4+1+9+4+5 = 23.
October 23 1983 - Marine Barracks bombing. 241 soldiers killed. 24-1 = 23.
Julius Ceaser was stabbed a total of 23 times.
The Mayans believed the world would end in December 23rd of the year 2012. 2012 = 20+1+2=23. (I remember it to be 21st and Wiki concurs)
Charles Manson was born on Nov 12. 11+12 = 23.
Illuminatti 1723 AD (Although Wiki says 1776).
Barbarians invaded Rome - Aug 23, 410 (Wiki says Aug 24)
There are more reported UFO sightings on July 23rd than any other day.
How often do you obsess on a number? Never, right? Some people, who are interested in Mathematics, for instance, me, obsess a lot. This movie "The Number 23" had been on my watchlist for a very long time. I just didn't have the time. When I found it yesterday, I was in for a treat.
Growing up, I always had the fascination for numbers. The number 9 fascinated me a lot! There are a lot of No. 9 facts and funs in most of the mathematical websites. So, this fascination is OK, but what happens when an obsession starts? First of all, how do an obsession start?
The first time, it was a casual thing. Second time, you give a little attention. Third time you start to ignore it and chose it to be a coincidence. Enough time, you start to observe. You start to observe a lot. You search for it. Eventually as time goes on, you see 'that' in everything. That's an obsession. Similarly, what happens when a number that crosses your path for say, 10 times? If that brings good things, it becomes your lucky number. Otherwise, it's an unlucky number. Give it more time, you see that number in all the good/bad thing that happens around you. True, isn't it?
When my fascination for the number begun, I just didn't stop with the numbers. I converted the alphabets into numbers, like A as 1 and B as 2 etc and Z as 26. You see a new world when you are in obsession. Some are pleasant while some becomes nightmares.
So this film "The Number 23" is something like that. A nightmare for a man who's obsessed with 23. Although I've watched the "The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind" and saw a different Jim Carrey there, he tops with respect to performance in this movie. An absolute gem of a screenplay, leaves you clueless as to what happens next and how things fall in place. Following are the facts shown during the opening credits of the movie. Yes, I've had the patience to note it down.
Pffffft! That's something, right? After watching the movie (even during the movie), my obsession for 23 also got started! The link part in the facts above were taken by me (hehehe). I couldn't find any links for the July 23 UFO sightings. Following are some of my own 23s:
And these were just the observations I made in the last one hour after watching the movie!
