American History X

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Film
Review: This movie will, quite simply put, blow you away. An incredible look into the mind of Derek Vinyard(a skin head) and his little brother Danny Vinyard(a up coming skin head). You will find yourself repulsed at times as you catch yourself actually findng their convoluted arguements for white supremecy to make sense. Edward Norton took this part and made it his own and drags you into the movie in such a way that by the end you really feel like you've known the characters for years. This is not for those with weak stomachs, nor those who, for example, have trouble sitting through the first few scenes of a movie like Clockwork Orange, it has near the same gut wrenching effect. But like a Kubrick film, once you get past the initial nausea you truly learn something about a societal battle. This is an amazing work on the foundations of racism in America and how a family overcomes it.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film and Message
Review: This is probably the best film dealing with the issues of racial conflict that's ever been made. Part of its greatness is that it doesn't fall for preaching the insipid bromides that we hear concerning race and racial intolerance all the time. In other words, it goes beneath the PC Iron Curtain and deals with some of the real issues that are never discussed. But, much more than that and despite its not being preachy, it does have a very beautiful and transcendent point to make.

And, my goodness, does it make that point well.

All of us should benefit from it. Especially, in need of it are those with hatred in their hearts or confusion in their minds, of varying backgrounds, white, black, and others shades of color. Maxine W., of South Central L.A. , please see this film.
You too, Mr. Duke.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, Powerful stuff folks
Review: Edward Norton's performance in this film is nothing short of brilliant.

Let me be clear. I don't agree with racist propaganda. I'm speaking about the man's performance.

This film openly shows viewers how one can become a racist and more important, be consumed by it inexhaustive fire. The death of Derek's father seems to be the catalyst for his seduction by Stacy Keach.

Hate is truely blinding it seems because once Derek gives into his hate, he becomes compassionless, and void of human feelings, making him capable of committing murder and feeling good about it.

Fortunately though, he meets his enemy (the black man) face to face in prison and actually has many conversations with him.

Derek learns a lot about the man and himself. He also learns that his allegiance to the "brotherhood" is a bona fide sham.

But does this discovery change his mind?

Also, my man Avery Brooks of Spenser for Hire and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine offers a compelling performance too. It's a shame he hasn't been seen in more films.

Brilliant stuff here folks. Check it out!

Rating:
Summary: you have GOT to be kidding
Review: Ok, keep in mind I love this movie. I think everyone should see it at least once, as it is easily the best picture of accumulating hatred, agression, and racism that has ever been made.

But "Weird Gurl"'s comment about how she doesn't think he should have gone to prison because he was defending himself and his family is just asinine. Protecting your family is one thing, but murdering two people in the most brutal possible way simply because they broke into your car is NOT self defense. They never even entered the house. The brutalness that I mentioned is that when Derek(Ed Norton) saw the three black men, he kicked open the door, shot one of them dead on the spot and shot a second in the leg. At this point the third man drove away in Derek's car, provoking Derek to empty the rest of his clip at the man while he drove away. He then proceeded to drag the remaining man out into the street, and forced him to open his mouth and bite the cement curb. While the man had his teeth on the curb, Derek Stomped on the back of his head, crushing his teeth first, before the rest of his head caved in. That is NOT self defense.

Unbelieveable...

Rating:
Summary: A Necessity
Review: I stumbled upon American History X on the Independent Film Channel, and it has forever changed my outlook on life. The first thing that captured my attention in this film was the acting. I have always been a HUGE fan of Edward Norton and have seen every one of his movies, but his performance as Derek Vinyard blew me away. Asside from Primal Fear, this is Norton's best piece of work to date.

As for the film itself, there is nothing that can be said to acuratly describe the power of it, except that it is a definate MUST-SEE.

Though X is extremely graphic and for mature audiences only, it is easily one of the most influencial and underrated films of our time.

Rating:
Summary: Worth a watch!
Review: Sometimes, a single image is enough to make or break a film's advertising, and the theatrical poster for American History X is an example of the latter. I think it was the image of Edward Furlong that also occupies the lower half of the cover artwork that broke the advertising campaign for me, although I didn't know what to make of Edward Norton until I recently viewed Fight Club. Not that the rest of the cast in this film particularly excited me, but seeing Norton in a role where he was the aggressor rather than the passive, whiny half of a disassociative tag team was worth the effort.
Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) is a highly-placed member of the neo-Nazi contingent on Venice Beach, a tightly organized group with a similar political view to the Pat Robertsons and Fred Niles of this world. At the film's beginning, he is in the middle of having sex with his girlfriend, Stacey (Fairuza Balk), when a pair of Afro-Americans decide to break into his car. They are spotted by Derek's younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), who raises the alarm in spite of what a bad time to get Derek's attention it is.

Derek responds in a similar manner to how many of us would when confronted with criminals breaking into our property - by beating them off with violence. However, in this case, the violent force he uses has lethal results for the young Afro-Americans, and Derek is sent to prison for three years as a result. Ignoring for a moment the fact that the thieves were armed, and that I find it hard to believe that a man would serve prison time for defending himself and his property (without Danny's testimony, they would barely have a case), the film jumps to a point where Danny is called before his school's principal, Bob Sweeney (Avery Brooks) to explain himself about an essay he wrote. The essay in question, entitled "My Mein Kampf", obviously ruffles a few feathers with the school's administration, but Sweeney tries to reach out to Danny, and does so by asking Danny to write another essay about his elder brother and the influence said brother has had over his life.

On the same day, Derek is released from prison, and comes home to the celebrations of his crimes by his lover, his brother, and the men he calls his friends. What they discover on his return, however, is that prison has brought him several revelations that have dramatically changed him and his perspective on life and the life he once led. The plot summation to be found on the back cover is, in fact, surprisingly accurate, even if the story is a little simplistic in terms of detail, with the support cast not being particularly fleshed out. Herein lies one of this film's essential problems: comparisons to the Australian-produced Romper Stomper are inevitable in spite of the fact that the two films are stylistically very different beasts, and in terms of entertainment, the comparisons are not necessarily in favour of this film. It's not that American History X is any less well-made, it's just that it does take its time to explain the story at the expense of the entertainment value. Still, a film with such a story as this one certainly cannot keep up the action without taking some time to explain why the men in the film are kicking, punching, and otherwise assaulting one another.

To reveal anything more about this film's plot would spoil the film for you, so I will leave the description at that because the surprises in this film should remain so. In any case, if you need a film with intelligence to while away two hours with, then American History X is definitely worthy of your consideration


Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, Brutal, shocking, but brilliant and gripping
Review: I won't write a long narrative on this film. However, I will say that if you are sensitive, DO NOT watch this movie. The language and violence are very graphic and shocking. It realistically depicts both the overt and covert racism that still plagues our nation. It really forces each of us to examine how we view those who are different from us. It also shows that hatred can be defeated individually as well. I must say that at the begining of the film, I hated both Dereck and Danny with a passion, but at the end of the film, I not only repected them, but felt sad that Danny was gunned down after deciding to walk a different path. Ed Norton, Avery Brooks and Stacey Keach do a remarkable job in this film.

Rating:
Summary: Brutal Brilliance
Review: The breadth of subject matter and the beauty and mastery with which it is presented is what makes this film such a success. Why not the fifth star, you ask? It was close, but a little more could've been done as far as plot and wrap-up with the other members of the Supremists organization. All-in-all, an awesome movie. I will pass on what was told to me: "It will make your teeth hurt." Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Another good Norton film
Review: This was a very good movie. If you are easily offended I dont recomend it. Basically Edward Norton is a skin head who is sent to prison for stomping a black gang member's head into the curb. While there he gets in with some aryian brotherhood types crosses them, bad things happen. He befriends a black man and changes. After getting out he tries to help his brother who is on the same path as he was. You'll have to see the movie to get the rest of it. I havent seen the amazon version so I dont know if its edited or not.

Rating:
Summary: Edward Norton at his best
Review: This, along with Fight Club, is my favorite Edward Norton movie. Classic movie. Derek (Norton) and his little brother Danny (Furlong) are both part of a group called the D.O.C., who are a basically a group of neo-Nazi skinheads. Derek is incarcerated for 3 years for killing 2 black guys, including smashing one's jaw on a gutter and attempting to kill a third after they were breaking into his car during the night. When he gets out, it is to everyone's astonishment that he has changed and no longer wants to be a part of what he once created. He explains to Danny what happened during his time in jail. He is raped by a group of also neo-Nazi's, who he was friends with at the start of his time in prison, however the main leader was doing shady dealings, which Derek did not like. After he is raped, he is in immense pain, and realises his hate and actions towards black people is wrong, and didn't help him at all. He becomes friends with the black people in the jail, and when his time is up, he is ready to to move on with his life. The ending was totally unexpected for me, and the final scenes were very powerful. Watch it for yourself.
What i liked most about this movie was how it would go back in time when Derek was writing his Essay (what the whole movie is based on) in black and white, and he would explain instances of what happened between them and black people.
The acting here is terrific, Edward Norton is spot on. A must-see for everyone. Top 100 Movie of all time.