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Summary: Best Drama Ever !
Review: American history X was one of the best drama films ever been released on the theater and dvd, or VHS. It is absolutely stunning. One of those pretty realistic films, you remember years after you have seen them. The acting is fabulous, as well as the casting of the movie. Despite its having many vile scenes, which are necessary for the impact which shall have on a person, it is still amazing
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Summary: Truth about Racism........
Review: American History is chilling story about a skinhead Derek (Norton) who is sent to prison for killing two blank gang members. During his incarceration he is subjected to the brutal ways of prison society. In the prison laundry Derek meets a fellow black inmate who has no ill-feeling towards Derek's racist beliefs and helps Derek change his attitudes towards other people. Overtime, Derek begins too see the damage racism has brought to himself and his family. Unfortunately Derek's younger brother is heading towards the same path Derek took. Derek is determined too stop his brother and faces his former gang and mentor.American History should be shown to all high school kids because the movie has such a strong message. The part of the movie that struck me was Derek's family. His family was emotionally and morally bankrupt by the past racism inflicted by Derek's deceased father and Derek himself. Ed Norton's portrayal as a young racist was chilling and convincing. You could feel his rage and hatred towards society and minorities in general. I thought Ed Norton deserved an Oscar, however the academy gets weak knees about issues such as racism. I would recommend this movie...
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Summary: POWERFUL AND CONTROVERSIAL
Review: THIS MOVIE IS TRUELY WONDERFUL. FROM IT'S GREAT SCENERY TO THE EXCELLENT DIALOGUE AND A BRILLANT PERFORMANCE BY NORTON, THIS MOVIE IS BOTH POWERFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT A NEO NAZI CAN CHANGE, SEE THIS MOVIE AND MAYBE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND. NORTON AND THE STORY ARE VERY CONVINCING!
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Summary: Hard-Hitting neo-nazi drama
Review: This is an amazing film about a neo-nazi, white supremist from Venice Beach (Edward Norton) who is sent to prison after killing two black men but is in for only three years because the only witness is his brother (Edward Furlong) who refuses to testify. In prison Derek, (Edward Norton, the same guy I mentioned earlier obviously) is subjected to the horrors of prison life, and is reluctant to discover the truths about the wrongs commited against the Black community and the Hispanic Community, etc. through working in the laundry department with a black man in for several years for "resisting arrest" and "assaulting an officer." But it also appears that Derek had always been subjected to hatred, from his father, from the man he looked up to in the neo-nazi group, and from everything he'd read on the subject. Derek, however, after being released from prison wants to set things straight. He wants to get his old job back and make sure his brother doesn't get involved in what he did. However, to do this he needs to confront his old neo-nazi mentor, and the rest of the hate group that used to look to him as god... What is so great about the film is it's strikingly new and original subject matter. And the awesome use of black-and-white film to signify past events and normal technicolor for the present. The performances are stellar. Norton is all too believable as the former skinhead he portrays and almost is too in character. The supporting cast does a fine job in its role as well. But in American History X be prepared to be shocked and horrified by the film and the horrors of the neo-nazi hate society.
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Summary: When hate controls the mind!
Review: I must admit that I was very hesitant to watch this movie, i.e., American History X since I was afraid that it was going to be excessively violent. As it turned out, this movie is about a mans transformation and coming to terms with the root of his hate. Edward Norton was stunning in the role and was justly nominated for the academy awards.
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Summary: I've seen it all before
Review: I can't beleive that the people who saw this movie actually thought that it was intense when it came to the violence perpetrated by skinheads on their undeserving victims. I've seen better and more graphic in Romper Stomper, and even on HBO's OZ. At best, this film reminded me more of a watered down, made for tv movie. Don't get me wrong, Ed Norton was wonderful ( but Oscar nomination?), and ed Furlong as the mimicking brother was good as well. It's the story that bothered me. It lacked the blind faith these Aryan crazies put into their cause. It also made them look like more of a military unit instead of the disenfranchised,disillusioned lunatic fringe that the skinheads are. It was also hard to beleive in Norton's change of attitude when it came to his racial hatred. You're trying to tell me that 20-30 odd years of being bred to hate can be overcome by the friendship of one black man during a short stretch in the joint? C'mon. Too preachy.What was interesting, however, was the thinly veiled portrayal by Stacy Keach of real life nut case John Metzger, who was the subject of a lengthy and interesting article in Rolling Stone some years back.He was the same tin-plated, racism spewing,"kill em all if thier not white", dictator wannabe that Keach plays very subtley. Ultimately, the story is so thin and predictable that you can't help but know the ending before the movie is halfway through.Never a good sign.
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Summary: A Stunning look into the mind of a racial reformist
Review: This movie was a provocative look at what the life of an idolistic, racist man would be like after he realizes the wrong of his ways. This movie has breathtaking preformances by Norton and Furlong alike. This is one of my personal all time favourites and would recommend it to anyone in a second. The sheer power that it delivers in every scene depicting the hatred and conflagrations that still take place to this day in places is mesmorizing. Nothing else can compare to this beautifully filmed masterpiece. A great add to anyone's collection!
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Summary: One of the best movies I have ever seen
Review: I saw this movie a couple days ago, and I can't tell you how much I liked it. Edward Norton gave one of the best performences I have ever seen him give, and he really pulled me into his character. I was crying by the end. If you want a really good drama, then this is the one to buy.
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Summary: Think about it
Review: This is one of those movies which i think should be played to every high school kid who has the stomach for it.
It provokes thought about human relations while entertaining at the same time. There are exciting and persuasive arguments all through the movie. I personally liked the way it did not present or try to present an easy anwser to the question of race "inequalities" (there is no easy anwser), and made you draw a conclusion and make your brain wonder about stuff for a few minutes.
Try it out, it is the best movie I've seen in a while.
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Summary: Occassional cliche scences interrupt a brilliant effort
Review: My wife and I just watched American History X. It was one of those rare films that leave you speechless as the closing credits roll down the screen. There are disturbing scenes (cold blooded homocide), revealing scences (an oi music party with tons of kids, not just skinheads), ridiculous scenes (a full court basketball game where Ed Norton leads an all-white team and ends the contest with a reverse slam. Jeez... I suppose white men CAN Jump?), and there are scenes that will you will never forget (a table scene with Elliot Gould as a dinner guest---poignant) If you can sift through some of the distractions, this can be a very important film. The ontogeny of hate in a specific individual and his subsequent deprogramming into a true human being is very effectively depicted. If you have ever felt racist rage and you don't know why, see this film and, if you are human, you will hopefully start on a path of understanding.
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