American History X

Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: American History X is very hard to describe into words, for me at least. A white man goes to prison after killing a black man that was trying to steal his fathers car. One catch: the man is part of the local skinhead movement. He's the youth leader and motivator of the community. He goes to prison with a preconcieved notion of race, friendship, and humility. While he's in prison his little brother has been taken up by the movement. A martyr of his brothers fight so-to-speak. While in jail this man learns humility and changes. Now he has to wretch his brother away from the evil of racism and gangs.

Played with utter brillance by Edward Norton and Eddie Furlong this movie will leave you with a lasting impact and stirred emotions. Watch it in the dark.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, but essential viewing for anybody who cares
Review: I was eager to see this film before it got released, simply by virtue of the fact that Edward Norton was going to star, and the extremely sensitive nature of the film (given it's subject matter).

I wasn't disappointed--and it's easy to see why this film wasn't nominated for more academy awards (the politics of it made it impossible to win); we're admiring this film by the performances within. Edward Furlong is negligible as always, but Beverly D'Angelo does an underrated turn as the Vinyards' widowed mother, and Steacy Keach (previously blackballed in Hollywood due to an earlier high-publicity cocaine bust) is very effective as the leader of the white supremacist organization.

The film is uncompromising in it's violence--some might say it's gratuitous or simply too visceral--but the choice to shoot its flashback scenes in black and white is brilliant, not just for the symbolism, but also for the starkness of each actor's performance.

Avery Brooks is himself; no more, no less, but that's fine, because Edward Norton is the real attraction of this film. I wouldn't say it's his best performance, but it was certainly worthy of an academy award nomination.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary tour de force, in spite of hurried script...
Review: Tony Kaye's indelible film about two Los Angeles brothers who are drawn into a neo-Nazi skinhead gang, and why one decides to free himself, had critics around the globe praising it as one of the best and most provocative films of the year. If you've seen it before, it'd be hard to disagree. The way this film uses the language of racism--the gutter variety and more sophisticated variations--as well as the rabble-rousing rhetoric and intelligence of its lead character makes for a truly compelling watch.

This probably is one of the best and more important films of 1998. It's beautifully shot and offers intriguing and thought-provoking themes. But whenever discussions are brought up about this film (for me, anyway), whether someone felt it was good or not, it seems that the one unanimous praise is Edward Norton's performance. I was literally astounded by his ability to be completely immersed in two so different roles here--one as a neo-Nazi skinhead, with bulging muscles, a shaved head, and a swastika tattoed over his heart, and one as a lonely, disillusioned young man who must struggle to redeem himself. Derek Vineyard is the epitomy of a bright kid with bad ideas; he's burning with hatred from what has been learned through his father's death and the struggle to find an ideology and a purpose in life.

Grief-stricken and lonely, Derek has become the man of his household, which includes his chronically sick mother. played by Beverly D'Angelo, two sisters, and his kid brother Danny, played by Edward Furlong. His father's death at the hands of black addicts in a crackhouse has motivated Derek toward the Nazi cause and social unrest. It is here that the beautiful beaches and playgrounds of Venice become a breeding ground for hate crimes and rallies in which Derek exhibits shocking and terrifying charisma with his speeches about white supremacy and the need to "cleanse" social order by running out minorities and immigrants who Nazis feel are a plague to the working class. Watch in the scene at the basketball court when, after being challenged to a game of two-on-two by a group of black guys, Derek proudly pulls his shirt off to reveal his swastika tattoo and the simple playground feud becomes a symbol of racial gang warfare and territorial claim.

The boiling point comes when the same two black guys attempt to steal Derek's car one night. He is awakened by his kid brother Danny and marches outside in only his boxers with a gun clutched in his hand. Moments later, he murders them in cold blood right there on the street outside his house, a torturous and brutal act. As disturbing as this scene is, and as stomach-churning as the infamous sequence at the curb is, nothing is more striking and horrifying than the sequence when the police arrive; there is a glimmer in his eye and a proud smile on his face, as Anne Dudley's haunting score rises over the soundtrack. He is staring at his little brother who witnessed the whole incident. And he is staring with the shameless pride and honor of a man who had just given two lowlifes a taste of justice. As disgusted by that setiment as I am (and you probably are too), that's the emotion the scene evoked for me. These early scenes as well as the the ending which is shocking and tragic, are some of the most compelling pieces of filmmaking I've seen in a long time. So much so, that it almost completely overshadows some of the sloppy and rushed quality of the rest of it, like the fact that Derek's prison experience is not really touched upon quite enough, and the way the film seems to want to cover too much ground in too little time.

Using black and white to show the recent past, and color to show the 24-hour period after Derek is released from prison, Tony Kaye, who was also the director of photography, manages to give meaning and relevance to the simplest thing, like the newly-reformed Derek staring at himself in the mirror after a shower the first night back home, looking at the swastika on his heart. The newfound sense of humanity and compassion for human life has finally brought out the shame in him. As he stares, he places his right hand over his heart, covering up the swastika. Filled with depression, guilt, and regret over his life, he can only dream of what he could have been and look forward. In spite of its shortcomings, this is a good and powerful film that MUST be seen and understood. It's cause is much too important to ignore.

Rating:
Summary: Once Upon a Time, There Was a Timeless Tale…
Review: (...) Graphic imagery and excerpts (...), captivating cinematography, universal plot, and actors that are frightfully and alarmingly convincing, make American History X a difficult movie to see, but an impossible one to quit watching.
Screenplay writer David McKenna doesn’t beat around the bush; within the first twenty minutes, the whole plot is laid out. The location: Venice Beach, California, a neighborhood that was once white suburbia, but is now plagued with gangs. The influential character: Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), a misguided youth seeking revenge for his father’s death. Derek seeks solace in the D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ), an organization of angry, white extremist skinheads. His anger finally peaks when he brutally kills two black men who were breaking into his car. Derek spends three years in jail, soul-searching, and finds that his rage failed to impact his life. He comes back a changed man, ready to part with his animosity and begin anew. The conflict: Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong), Derek’s younger brother, idolizes Derek’s old days and racist ways, and is already following in his footsteps. Derek, freed of his hatred, sees it as his duty to rescue his sibling, before he has to learn the hard way. The resolution: a bitter-sweet success tinged with irony.
The story, from the aggressive start to the shocking, emotional ending, is powerful, universal, and timeless. But the movie is propelled to a whole other level with the outstanding performance of Edward Norton. Norton is able to evoke emotion without words, give meaning without saying a thing. For example, let’s examine the scene of Derek’s brutal crime. After getting all he can out of his automatic, Derek atrociously finishes off a survivor by kicking his skull into the curb. The following few minutes are pure film, with the exception of police commands in the background. Norton exemplifies the power, the glory Derek gains from his action, despite the actual horror, and the hopelessness of his crime. Derek’s bulging muscles, imposing swastika tattoo over his heart, demonic glare, and self-satisfied smile, overpower the fact that he is handcuffed and down on his knees. Norton, after embodying all that is evil, then, seemingly effortlessly, does a complete 180°, and becomes the good guy. Norton’s portrayal is so powerful because he appears to literally become Derek, never once stepping out of character.
Along with Norton’s superb performance, the movie has multiple other noteworthy actors. Edward Furlong, although not nearly as strong an actor as Norton, is strong in the end, during Danny’s transformation. His voice cracks with emotion and his eyes brim with tears, as he effectively portrays Danny’s newly discovered innocense.
Of the smaller roles, Guy Torry, who plays Derek’s black friend in jail, and has much to do with his new mindset, gives a notable performance. Torry provides comedy, making the difficult plot a little easier to swallow.
But besides the outstanding acting and superb plot, there is also spectacular cinematography, which can be attributed to director and cinematographer Tony Kaye. Kaye uses black and white for flashback scenes and color for present-day scenes. Besides creating very aesthetically pleasing visuals through the constant switching of colors, the black and white and color scenes add a very distinct mood to the movie. The black and white, which depicts a very dark, gray past, stands for hopelessness. The color, thus, is used to create contrast, to stand for hope. The movie begins and ends with the same scene of the beach, the beginning in black and white, and the end in color. The color conveys a sense of optimism, despite the movie’s ironic twist of an ending.
The bleak theme, lined with glimmers of hope and optimism, parallels our world. American History X is a timeless movie, one that seemed all too appropriate when it first came out, not long after the death of Mathew Shepard, and one, that sadly, seems all too appropriate now, amidst the hatred and the war. But through all the horrid, gruesome scenery, the underlying message is hopeful: hate is taught, and it can be untaught. I will steal the ending lines of the movie, for as Danny says, someone has already said it best. "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, we must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." (Abraham Lincoln).
Hearing the centuries-old words of Abraham Lincoln through the emotional voice of a changed man, all set to the scene of a colorful sunrise…there isn’t much else left to say.

Rating:
Summary: Very underrated movie.......
Review: Why was this never at theaters? Its amazing how a movie as astonishing as this one was never on the big screen.

Edward Norton is incredible. I never knew who he was until I seen this movie. The casting was impressive also.

The script was puzzling but yet catchy. I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen from the beginning until the end.

My friend is the one who introduced me to this classic. We rented it, he had already seen it, and I am a tough critic so I thought it would probably be some bs movie. Damn was I wrong. You can learn so much from just watching it.

After I seen it, and seen the ending, I was shocked, amazed, and moved. This movie has a strong message and in my opinion should be seen by anyone in high school. This should be a part of a curriculum in certain classes in high school.

What makes this classic so great is the fact it is close to reality. You can actually relate this movie to real life events. Not too many serious drama based movies can do that.

I have to give this movie 5 stars plus for the overall casting, story-line, and the brillant acting by some of the characters. If you haven't seen this and are thinking about getting this hot item, then I would have to say get it. Trust me its worth the money.

I have seen this movie I know 10 times, and I still don't own it LOL. I keep renting it every once inawhile when I want one of my boys to see it. (boys = friends)

GET IT!

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes Terrific , Often Preachy movie about Racism
Review: A young man is seduced into a Nazi type organization after the death of his father. He brutally murders a group of black criminals. This scene is the defining moment of the film and while not being exceptionally bloody onscreen, the implied violence is grotesque. The act is probably witnessed by police coming on scene, he is arrested sent to prison. In prison he finds that black people arent all bad and white supremacists arent all good. When he gets out of jail he tries to rescue his girlfriend and brother from the nazis. This movie has problems staying balanced. The story prior to his arrest builds dramatically until the murders. Once he tries to find safety in prison the movie tries and fails to show exactly what changes his hate. There is an attempt to show a friendship with an inmate but it is shallow, allowing the character to transform by breaks in time rather than soul searching on-screen. Once he is out, his friends and relatives dont understand and wont accept his change, leading to defining moments with his brother, girlfriend and the Neo Nazi leader. Edward Norton is excellent. He shows the dominant personality and aggressiveness needed to make the film realistic. But, the later scenes require more from the supporting cast and they simply arent up to the challenge. The side plots (including the ending) are entirely predictable. Enough so to make the film a dissapointment. There is theme lifted from the Godfather films: redemption is not anough and the price for hate must be paid, so they force a useless tragedy on the film. Unless you demand blood in your movies about hate, try a better movie like Malcolm X, or To Kill a Mockingbird

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing movie...
Review: This movie was incredible. Even as an avid fan of Edward Norton's, I don't think that I'm exaggerating at all when I say that his performance in this movie was nothing short of spectacular. Even though it is somewhat disturbing and definitely deserving of its R rating, this movie is something that should be required viewing for everyone over the age of 18. Its compelling insight regarding Neo-Nazism, racism, and family issues delivers a powerful and shocking blow to even the most cynical viewer. Be prepared as you watch; the movie deals with incredibly heavy subject matter in a brutally honest way, but it will definitely leave you changed, or at the very least, dumbfounded. If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about; if you haven't, you DO NOT know what you're missing.

Rating:
Summary: POWERFUL FILM!
Review: This movie was one of the most moving films that I have ever seen! It was a hard hitting, no holds barred drama about a former skinhead trying to turn his life around after three years spent in prison for murder. I believe that this is a movie that most people should see because of it's extremely powerful portrayal of racism and the consequences of racism. Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, and the rest of the cast give wonderful performances. This film should have been nominated for more Oscars!

This is a great film, but one thing is for sure: it is not for the everyone. Please take strong caution before you see this movie. The profanity level is extreme, but it is typical of the environment the characters live in. I can't see how you could accuratly portray this without the excessive profanity. Although I can't stand tons of profanity, I tolerated it in this movie because of the strong subject matter that it dealt with. There was also a rape scene which was graphic and very disturbing, and one strong sexual scene at the beggining. There was graphic violence and lots of blood, but it is also accurate to the subject of the film.

This movie portrays the redemption of a man who thought he had screwed his life up forever. It is absolutly beautiful to see him try to change his life, and the lives of others, particularly his brother. People need to see this film. I loved it, and will add it to my collection of films.

Rating:
Summary: Should have won Best Picture of the Year
Review: This film was recommended to me by my brother-in-law and am I glad he did. This movie may be the best movie dealing with bias, hatred, and prejudice. It provides the viewer with an uncensored look at how prejudice begins and where it leads. It clearly shows innocent people are victims of this kind of hatred. It also shows that when you get to know a person all the pre-conceived biases are untrue. This movie is not for the faint of heart and has at least three very disturbing scenes. If you want a true look at prejudice and bias from both sides of the fence this is a must see movie. I am surprised that it was not nominated for best picture. This was probably due to the subject matter and content. One final note, this movie is not pro white, black, yellow, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. It takes a higher look at the problem of bias from all angles. This is by far Ed Norton's finest acting job to date.

Rating:
Summary: Most Disturbing Movie I've Ever Seen
Review: Defietly The Most Disturbing Movie I've Ever Seen. Edward Norton once again does an execelant job acting. This movie holds absolutly nothing back. Great Film.