I’m getting weary and wary of all things violent, even of a grotesque kind.

I love Tarantino’s movies. Django Unchained, Kill Bill, and many others. I’ve always thought: we, humans, have darkness in us, most of us. It’s better to channel it through creative arts than in real life.

One of my favorite movies is Lars Von Trier’s The House that Jack Built. It’s about a serial killer. It’s violent. So violent it’s grotesque.

Today I was chatting with my Russian friends. In the early 2000s, there was a TV series in Russia “Brigada” (Gang). Though it’s fiction, it portrayed and, to a large degree, glamorized the criminal violence of the 1990s in Russia. It was a great show. After the last episode, you feel empty — you long for a new episode, and you’re in love with the show’s characters. Today though I caught myself thinking — no nostalgia whatsoever. Darkness then in Russia, darkness now, albeit of a different kind.

I love Scorcese's movies. Goodfellas is the most rewatchable of all time (according to me!). The Departed — a masterpiece.

Don’t get me wrong. I still like Tarantino and Scorcese. I’ll watch the Departed again and again.

But these days I often catch myself thinking — I’m emotionally drained by all the violence in the world. Wars, war-mongering politicians, terrifying real-life stories.

Two people who played a significant role in my life were murdered.

When I run, I enjoy fast-paced songs some of which are violent. Like Eminem. I’m not yet skipping Eminem, but maybe I will soon.

Maybe I’m getting soft and old…

A couple of months ago I watched this movie:

Watch this movie

It was a breath of fresh air.

In my love of pop music, nothing is off-limits for me. Kendrick Lamar? Yes! Taylor Swift? Yes.

But Taylor Swift is yes, yes, yes. I can forever listen to her sentimental love songs and the moments when I can listen to Eminem and Lamar are rarer by the day.

Writing this I’m thinking about this story, I wrote some months ago. I’m not a fan of the writers who quote their own stories but this reference is genuine:

I think this movie will transcend generations, unlike most others

Sending much love to all of my readers.

Not sure what to post for this story. I’ll post a picture of my two dear sons and our dear dog Astra.

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