Hello Herman (2012)

An adaptation of the 2001 John Buffalo Mailer play of the same name, Hello Herman (2012) is an incredibly dark film about the perpetrator of a school shooting trying to get his story out there, and the journalist who isn't sure if that's something he should be doing. Set in "Anytown USA," sixteen-year-old Herman (Garrett Backstrom) goes on a killing spree at his school, gunning down thirty-nine classmates and three adults. Just before he’s arrested, he e-mails his idol, famous video blogger Lax Morales (Norman Reedus), photographic evidence of his vicious attack, in hopes of sharing his story from prison. Not one to turn down a scandalous story, Lax jumps at the chance to interview the devious dude. Lax is put through his own emotional turmoil when he’s reminded of his checkered past as he discusses Herman’s reasons for shooting up his high school. In flashbacks we watch Herman get bullied, ignored, humiliated, and ultimately act out in the most extreme form of violence he can. Herman ends up getting the electric chair, but most of the movie revolves around Lax having to decide whether he should tell Herman's story or if humanizing him will lead to more murders. It's a question we're still struggling with 23 years after the play debuted, but critics didn't think the movie handled it very well. What was well handled was when Norman Reedus cuts through the heavy emotions of the film by giving us a glance at his smooth, sexy physique. Everyone's favorite bad boy from The Walking Dead, we need us some Reedus! In the movie's best scene, Reedus is lying in bed with a woman, which lets us see his smooth chest and popping pecs. It's the best! Hello Herman? It’s more like Hello, Norman!