*peeks head out carefully* Hello?

[wednes]

I must say I did not remotely expect that reaction to my April Fools post.

So no...for anyone who still doesn't know, I did NOT in fact, bash H over the head with a lava lamp, leave him for dead and then post about it. Frankly I'm impressed that any of you thought I was that motivated. Overall, people who know us in real life were not buying it; while many of my LJ-only buddies were more skeptical. A lot of "that's a joke...right?" kind of stuff. I felt a little pang of guilt, as I certainly didn't intend for anyone to worry or send money.

However...I did recieve an anonymous TM offering me money and several offers to hide out at some of your homes. In a wierd way, it's cool to know that some of you would help me out even if I was a violent fugitive from justice. Kind of makes me wish I had more good ideas for crimes. Oh wait, I have a bunch.
Of course it's not really surprising when you consider how popular I am:

wednes's LiveJournal popularity rating is 4.94/10. wednes is more popular than 99.72% of all LiveJournal users. wednes is more popular than 89.9% of their mutual friends. How popular are you? LJ Popularity created by thehumangame.

I'm no match for heavy hitters like smarbaby, lordandrei or joe_christ. At first I was disheartened to see my median popularity rating (because these types of mathmatical ratings must surely be the measure of a person's overall worth--or else why would they have them?). But it seems that 1.25 is average, so I am several times that. Okay then.

Finally saw A History of Violence. I can't decide if I liked it or not. It had some great scenes and some cool stuff happened; but it also fell flat in some ways. And geez, have you ever seen such a long oral sex scene outside of a porno? I daresay I have not. I figured the son and the sherriff were both goners from the beginning, so I'm kind of glad I was wrong about that. Cronenberg does a pretty good job of setting you up for things that aren't actually going to happen. I'm a fan of that, because I get harder and harder to surprise as i get older. Anyway, I do understand that the earlier sex scene is important to show the contrast from the later scene. I also like how the first scene is really sexy and the other scene is really...not. When I saw Viggo's plumber butt sticking out of the pants I was like "wow, I'm watching Viggo have sex and it's not even hot." And I understood how all those men felt when they watched the decidedly unerotic making out between Christina Ricci and Charlize Theron in Monster.
William Hurts mafia accent was terrible, and his delivery was not so hot. I just didn't buy him as the ruthless mafioso keeping his enemies close and his brother garrotted but not really. I also think I derrived way too much enjoyment from watching the son beat up that bully. Good show, young chap!

But was Viggo's character mentally ill like that fake movie version of "schizophrenia" that translates to split personality? Was he a simply sociopath who was faking nice to have a wife and family and get away from the mob?
The son erupting in violence seems to suggest that such violence is inherited; thereby excusing it in many people's minds. I might have argued that his outbursts were all reasonable reactions to peril, until that second freaky sex scene with the wife and the choking and all. I mean, we all know I'd love to strangle Maria Bello, just not while having sex with her on some bumpy stairs. Plus, she's not actually a blonde. Thanks again, Cronenberg. Anyway, you should probably check out this movie if only to discuss it with me.

Also, if you love Viggo and haven't seen it, do check out The Passion of Darkly Noon. It's a creepy, lusty, highly misunderstood film about religious abuse and mental illness. So obviously I love it and bet some of you will too.

Comments

[sleazeanna.livejournal.com]

Interesting...I did not have that reaction to the sex-on-the-stairs scene. I didn't think it was un-hot, though I've always thought that sex on a staircase is just uncomfortable and difficult. I just thought it was supposed to show a different side of him, that Bello wasn't aware of. I also didn't get the sense that she didn't like it while it was happening.

I didn't get the impression that Viggo was mentally ill. I felt that he was simply a mafia dude that didn't want to be a mafia dude anymore. I didn't think he was "faking nice," but rather that he was nice, but the mafia life didn't allow for such a "normal" life. If he was supposed to have a split personality, I totally missed that. However, I was halfway through a bottle of wine when I watched it, so there's probably a lot I missed...

As for the son, I just thought that he felt more powerful after knowing that his dad was a badass, and that gave him the nerve to stand up for himself. I thought that was maybe just about how many teens tend to think that being a hardass mafia dude is "cool." I never thought he was overcome by an uncontrollable urge to be violent, just that he got his nerve up to be violent and give that bully what he deserved...OK, so I enjoyed that scene quite a bit myself...

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I certainly agree with Bello's performance during the second scene. She was into it at the time, and then seemed to feel disgusted with herself afterwards.

I think as far as Viggo's dichotomy, I was put off my his referring to "him" and "me" like two different people. I guess I found that a bit too textbook to be beleivable...too much of a reach I guess. But it was a pretty good watch over all.

[hortonhearsawho.livejournal.com]

I've really got to watch History of Violence again. I remember enjoying it, but that's about it. That, and the sex scenes. It takes a lot to make me uncomfortable, but that oral sex was one of the most awkward moments of my natural life. Even when I'm watching it with my dad, as was the case here, I'm usually perfecly fine, but not so much this time around. Holy mackerel. I think I'm still carrying scars.

I also remember some scene in a very large library or office or something, that didn't end very peacefully.

Anyway, I definitely have new motivation to see it again. When I actually have time to sit down and watch a movie.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yeesh! I couldn't imagine watching that movie with a family member.

you think THAT'S bad...

[sleazeanna.livejournal.com]

I saw Monster's Ball with my mother. In the theatre. Now THAT was uncomfortable.

[gifgal.livejournal.com]

i think that was one of the best posts ive ever read on lj to be honest :) (the other one of course).

[wednes.livejournal.com]

LOL Really?

You should wait till my novel comes out (you know...once i find a publisher and an agent). It's much bloodier and crazier.

[kindofblue328.livejournal.com]

I saw the movie last night and was drunk, but I think I can still form an opinion about it. I thought the stair sex scene looked completely fake, period. As for the other sex, well, it is what it is...

I left the movie thinking it was good, but not enough. I would have liked to know more of the backstory...maybe they'll put out a prequel. The movie felt disconnected at times, but I do agree it had some cool scenes.

I guess I would recommend it.

[skryche.livejournal.com]

I also saw HoV very recently. Thought it was excellent, though it didn't really carry through to the end.

Yeah, Maria Bello really, uh, gives it her all. C.f. The Cooler.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I did enjoy the Cooler, Macy's sack notwithstanding.

It was cute how the Baldwin tried to be like DeNiro in casino.

Buena Suerte on the gig in NYC, BTW.
It would be funny if I could go, since I missed you in Ann Arbor.

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

That's not really an okay thing to joke about.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I understand that viewpoint, and do agree that there is nothing funny about domestic violence in a real life situation.

I have a long history of abusive relationships, with the notable exception of the man I am with now. It was a long journey to get to a good place even after extricating myself from some frightening circumstances. So I do feel that I know my way around this issue. People who know me in real life know that I was in no way making light of any sort of abuse.

The actual joke, in my mind, was that I would
a) actually brain somebody with a lava lamp b
) leave me beloved passed out on the floor
c) post about it.

The problem, of course, was that many people did not check their calendars, or simply don't know me well enough to realize that such a thing is an impossibility. And to them, and you, I apologize.

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

Off topic...

[eroslane.livejournal.com]

Re: Off topic...

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Sweet.

BTW. the H stands for Harold.

Off Topic, redux.

[eroslane.livejournal.com]

Re: Off Topic, redux.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Damn dude, that should be on my info page.

Re: Off Topic, redux.

[eroslane.livejournal.com]

Well, gank it and put it there!

It reminded me of your stop screaming/stop stabbing thingie-Mc-Bob. :-)

Re: Off Topic, redux.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Don't mind if I do...

[itches]

I may have to break my rule about seeing movies solo for History of Violence.