REEL CRITICS:Jim Carrey thriller ‘The Number 23’ bewilders

“T he Number 23” is a dark and strange psychological thriller. Jim Carrey stumbles through a lot of disturbing mental territory as he undergoes a slow transformation from ordinary guy to obsessed madman. His performance is frantic at times, but it’s a gradual descent into a frightening state of mind where everyday reality becomes very elusive.

Virginia Madsen plays his loving wife who buys him an obscure, used book that starts his descent into another world. Many developments that follow seem improbable and contrived. But like Jack Nicholson in “The Shining,” Carrey’s craziness eventually seems real enough to believe.

So many bizarre twists and turns ensue that revealing them would undermine what remains of the movie’s effect even after its flaws are discounted. Suffice to say that plot elements of “A Beautiful Mind,” “Identity” and “Memento” are in play in this unusual film. Fantasy, reality and confusion are intertwined to create a movie that will bewilder many but entertain a few.

Set aside reality to enjoy ‘Astronaut’

There’s a fun opening shot in “The Astronaut Farmer” of a lone horseback rider slowly crossing a spare, white landscape wearing a space suit and helmet. This quirky character turns out to be Charlie Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton), a NASA dropout turned rancher whose lifelong dream has been to go to the moon.

He’s even building a huge rocket in his barn in the little town of Story, Texas. Seems there’s a big Rockets-R-Us nearby where you can get used spaceship parts, suits, etc., on the cheap. Nice to know NASA recycles.

Folks in town think Farmer might be a little crazy, but he’s a nice man so he’s treated with patronizing nods and smiles. But his family believes in and adores him, even when the bank is about to foreclose on their home.

Remember, if you build it they will come, especially when you try to purchase 50,000 gallons of rocket fuel. Before you can say “Homeland Security,” swarms of G-Men and media invade the ranch, making Farmer tabloid fodder.

Thornton portrays an earnest, somewhat unrealistic man with just enough glimmer of crazy to be likable without being sentimental. Virginia Madsen (“Sideways”) is convincing as his loyal, much put-upon wife.

If you don’t think too hard about it and just go with the flow, this “Astronaut” will take you for a nice little ride.