Rating: 
Summary: One of the best movies ever......
Review: One afternoon while there was nothing to do I decided to go and see this film. This may be one of the biggest surprises of my life. A very well acted and made movie it tackled large subjects without flinching and not avoiding.
The movie stars Edward Norton as Derrick Vinvard. A former skinhead who has just been released from prison to find his brother Danny played by Edward Furlong is following in his footsteps. Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Elliot Gould and Stacey Keach are all fantastic in the supporting roles but it's both Furlong and Norton ,mostly Norton, who really have the floor in this movie.
The movie takes a good look at racisim, and hate and never losses it's focus. Norton is proving that he is the best young actor of this generation and he recieved a much deserved Oscar Nomination for this role. At time difficult to watch becouse of it's unflinching look into the world's of hate, prison and redemption.
Rating:
Summary: Powerfull impact on all
Review: When I first saw this DVD, I was stunned. Words failed me for at least a few minutes. The artfull way that this story was put together sends you into a world of raw reality that can make anyone feel the fear and anger the characters protrayed. I really loved the flash backs in black and white. There is so much in this film that every time that I see it, I STILL see something that wasn't there before. All I can say is that this movie is priceless and one for every one to see.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful movie
Review: Written by David McKenna and somewhat controversially directed by Tony Kaye, this movie should disturb you with its frightening vision and at the same time entrance you with the wonderful performances. Ed Norton received a well-deserved Best Actor Oscar Nomination this year for the lead role of Derek. The supporting cast includes Edward Furlong, Stacey Keach, and Avery Brooks. They carry their weight as the story unfolds.
The story is primarily told through the eyes of Derek's younger brother Danny, played by Edward Furlong. At the beginning of the story Danny is in trouble yet again for writing a paper on that most misunderstood figure, Adolph Hitler. Danny is an up and coming member of the Skin-Head gang located in that area of California. Avery Brooks, appearing as Danny's principal, doesn't want to give up on the promises he sees in Danny. Instead of throwing him out, he assigns another paper to be written. This is to be on Danny's older brother, Derek, who was just released from prison that morning. Derek was the head of the Skin-Head gang that Danny is currently running with. The rest of the movie flashes back and forth from the past to the present. Through Danny's paper we see how Derek, a brilliant student, is turned into a bitter teen-ager that believes only through "white-power" will he get anywhere in life. We also see the tragic night that causes Derek to be justly imprisoned. In the present phase of the movie we encounter a Derek who has grown intellectually while in prison and will now do anything to get his brother out of the trap he allowed himself to be drawn into.
Ed Norton is wonderful in this role. Those who have seen him in previous roles remember him to be a good actor but built on a rather slight frame. Here he has bulked himself up to be the "Aryan Superman" his character portrays. During the time frame of the movie he carries us convincingly on the journey from embitter teenager to enlightened young adult.
Strong warning though. This movie well deserves it's R rating. The subject matter alone is disturbing enough. The story is also visually graphic with scenes of violence and rape. If you are prepared for something like this I highly recommend this movie. The story is extremely powerful and the performances by all are moving. I strongly recommend this one!
Rating:
Summary: A hard look at hate.......
Review: I went to see this movie becouse after seeing Ed Norton in Primal Fear, People Vs Larry Flynt,and Rounders I thought that he was an actor I should watch for. This movie is shown in flashback's and real time. Norton play's Derrick a white surpremist who has just gotton out of prison and is trying to get away from that life. However he find's his younger brother Danny, played very well by Ed Furlong, is following in his footsteps. The flashbacks are in black and white and show Derrick before prison and what led him there, as well as why he turned his life around. Strong supporting preformances by Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Elliot Gould, and Stacey Keatch makes this movie all the better but in the end it's Norton that draws your attention. This movie is at times very hard to watch, but you can't look away. A great film even if the director didn't think so in the end. Norton recieved an Oscar nomination for this role but lost in a questionable call...
Rating:
Summary: One of my Top Ten of 1998
Review: American History X takes its place among a handful of films that dare to address difficult subjects without any sugarcoating or watering down. The fact that it failed at the boxoffice is not surprising. In our modern age, what's most important it that it was made and is available for anyone who chooses to see it. It is simply done, yet exquisite in its deliberate use of both black and white and color. The colors show often that the stark contrasts of black and white are often just an illusion. The world is far more complex than black, white and shades of gray can capture. It is the story of an average American boy named Derek [Edward Norton in his Oscar nominated performance] who turns into a neo-Nazi skinhead. How this decision affects the lives of his younger brother Danny [Edward Furlong in his best role] and the rest of his family, not to mention the lives of others around him, is the focus of the movie. Yet it is far more than the story of a bigoted boy gone bad. It deals with the basic nature of racial hatred and plays more like a modern updating of an idea by William Shakespeare than anything else I can think of. If I have any negative opinion of this film, it is that there was not time in it to fully flesh out every thing it addresses. This is a minor complaint, and is far better than films that go on and on about a thing long after we've gotten the point. Edward Norton truly deserved his Oscar nomination for Best Actor. I never though I'd see the day when Robert DiNero would have a competitor, but if it isn't Norton, then it isn't anyone. Every part of this movie rang true to me - the simple, middle-class family struggling to survive, the love between brothers, the scenes in prison. Even the somewhat cruel ending makes perfect sense if you stop and really think about the beginning of the movie. Anne Dudley contributed here one of the finest music scores for a movie in 1998.
Rating:
Summary: Searing Drama
Review: First things first - do not rent this movie if it's laughs you're after. This film is unrelentingly bleak, disturbing and thought provoking. It is also one of those films that once watched, will never be forgotten. Edward Norton, in an Oscar-nominated performance, is superb as the buffed, tattooed, skin-headed leader of a bunch of neo-fascist bigots in Venice California. He totally dominates the film, and gives flesh and bones to his character so well, that some of his lunatic beliefs almost begin to sound plausible. While his character may look scary, it's the fact that he is almost plausible that makes him truly scary. The scene where his character Derek Vinyard self-destructs at the dinner table while arguing with his mothers new Jewish boyfriend is agonisingly painful. And yet Norton is such a good actor that he makes his point sound reasoned, and despite ourselves we can see some logic in his rationale. There is another infamous scene where he dispatches a black victim that literally made me wince with the sheer brutality of it. Ultimately, despite himself, Derek begins to realise that a life wasted on hatred is fruitless, and he attempts to redeem himself by saving his younger brother from following his bad example. The climax of the film provides a painful and poignant denouement, and unlike many films today, does not leave us with a neatly tied-up ending, but rather with tragedy and anguish. Not easy viewing, but worthy. The message? 'Life's too short to run around angry all the time'. This film should be compulsory viewing for every young teenager of 15 years plus, despite its R rating.
Rating:
Summary: What an amazing movie!
Review: I rented "American History X" because it had Edward Norton in it and I had just seen him in "Keeping the Faith" and loved it. I couldn't have picked a movie more different than "Keeping..." if I tried.
Edward Norton's performance was mesmerizing and totally believable. He plays a racist skinhead and/or Neo-Nazi and his character is smart and eloquent enough to make you almost understand why he thinks the way he does. That's the really scary part.
I recommend this movie to anyone who can bear the intensity of the emotions it evokes.
Rating: 
Summary: Edward Norton's performance...
Review: ...certainly made this film interesting to watch. Every other actor and actress in this film were truly deplorable.
As far as the story goes, it's difficult to say. Vineyard (Norton) gives some good and convincing arguments but then the contrived Hollywood universe converts his views into the reason why his life is difficult. His pointing out of the evils of the world are, in fact, the causes for those evils. It's as if act of pointing out Emporor is naked is the cause for his insanity. Just stay quiet and all will be well, is that it? Then, as if by magic, point he was making was suddenly void and null because Mr. Two Ph.D. African American and Mr. Funny black prisoner are "nice guys", while every white nationalist in the film is portrayed as either irrationally violent, stupid, confused and/or evil. (with the exception of the Jewish teacher who, of course, is supposed to be just another innocent, caring, sensitive human being)
The film was entertaining and probably worth owning but it's not something that helps uncover the truth about race relations and obviously, with it's preachy overtone, that's what it was meant to do.
Rating:
Summary: Excelent movie, with amazing acting, and great story.
Review: I always enjoy Edward Norton movies, and I think he is one of the best actors of today. This movie proves it. He basically plays two different characters, because it is one person at two very different times in his life. Each one he portrays brilliantly. At times of his past life he scares and shocks you, while when he is older you feel compasion for him. This movie was also a eye opening look into racism and ganglife in America, and had an excelent story with a suprising ending. It is definitley one of my favorites, and if you haven't had a chance to see it, go now!
Rating:
Summary: song on film???????
Review: This video rules!!. it raises good points about race relations between black and white. Can someone please post the song title up of that fat ass when he's in the car singing the song about insulting black and jews, i cant find it anywhere?.it goes((we washed ourselfs in N....s blood and all the mungles to were taking down the zhat machine jew by jew by jew)) Thanks, post up asap!! overall i thought the film was great its sucks how people in real life still judge by the colour of skin, but maybe after seeing this film youll have different views?. anyway buy it!!
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