American History X (DVD)

...it's going to be good. American History X is by no means an exception, with Norton phenomenal in his performance as an ex-neo-Nazi attempting to prevent his brother from pursuing the path he did. Edward Furlong (Terminator 2) plays the young skinhead Danny Vinyard, criticised by his teacher (Avery Brooks) for turning in a paper on Mein Kampf. The black teacher then instructs Danny to create a report on his brother's influence, titled "American History ...
...his arguments. Overall, American History X is a powerful and disturbing social commentary on contemporary Nazism. Some critics have even argued, in response to the film's influence, that it glorifies the views it purports to condemn. The latter, however, must only be a response to the gritty realism and challenging nature of the movie: it depicts the negative experiences of minorities with negative experiences of the "White supremists", which overall ...

andycarrington 10.02.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...and so you stumble across American History X in the BOGOF section of the Virgin Megastore. At least thats what happened to me! The film looks at the Venice Beach area of California, "a nice place to live" until the gangs moved in! The film looks through the eyes of Danny Vineyard (Edward Furlong)who is part of a white power gang called the DOC, this was set up by his brother, Derek (Edward Norton) a few years before with the help of a guy called ...
...a picture of Norton with the american flag in the left hand coner of the picture. Across the front reads American History X. Remember this is an 18 and will notbe suitable for all! The running time is 114 approx with 33 chapters Thanx for reading ...

Goo_Goo_Frog 08.12.2002 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...blissful idea of racial equality. American History X shows the underside of modern society. IN THE NEXT SECTION I BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE OPENING PLOT SECTION. IF YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANY OF THE STORY, DON'T READ THE NECT PARAGRAPH. The story focuses on one family and their struggle against racism and its damagaing effect on normal family life. After his father is shot dead by a gang of black drug dealers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) becomes ...
...a violent, racist but well educated man who, as with most families, has a very large effect on his brother, Danny (Edward Furlong). His violence culminates in murder and he is put in jail for 3 years. Now it's the day of Dereks release, and all of his family wait to see him. But life in prison has changed Derek. This has to be one of the most hard-hitting films I have ever seen. The acting from both of the lead characters is superb and really makes ...

fitzgerald_ed 10.11.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

This is the incredibly powerful story of two brothers who fall into the trap of racism and hate. It is also the story of these brothers trying to free themselves from racism and hate. After spending some time in prison for murdering two blacks who try and steal his car (a dispute starting with a basketball game), former neo-nazi Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) leaves his incarceration a changed man. To his dismay, however, he find that his younger ...
...movie uses black-and-white scenes from the past in conjunction with color scenes in the current situation to establish Derek's sordid history as a vicious racist and show his path to change. The younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), idolizes Derek. In fact, the local coterie of skinheads all do. Derek has a power to feed the hate of his retinue with fiery rhetoric that targets ethnic groups indiscriminately with intense indignation. The movie ...

chilledbudwei2er 02.10.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X is the provocative tale, which illustrates everything that is racism and everything that breeds from it as a consequence. From the illusive remarkable representations of hate due to colour and environment to the struggle and desperate outbursts of a fragile man backed into a corner by circumstance, American History X shows all. The story begins with the introduction of Derek, (Edward Norton ? Fight Club), in a vicious attempt to ...
...an assignment for a special American History X forms the backdrop for an explosive and eye-opening movie. The first half of the movie is based around the life and times of Derek before his reformation. Derek as a violent anti-Jewish and an angry overpowering racist sets an up-beat tempo for the rest of the movie. The viewer is immediately launched into an underground world of hatred and disbelief. Although, not necessarily an easy viewing, this section ...

Tony_edwards1 23.10.2002 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...press about a film called American History X. I twas showing at the uni cinema, so I decided to see it. I was blown away by the performances of the cast and was scared by the fact that there is that much hatred in the world. This isn’t prejudice against blacks: this is prejudicial against anyone who isn’t white protestant. It really is powerful stuff. The film is centred around Derek Vineyard (Norton), the leader of a white supremacist ...
...(This was the year of American Beauty from memory) I had heard of this film through the magazines, and was hoping to catch it. It had caused quite a bit of controversy, and those are the sort of films that I like. Yes, the subject matter is difficult to deal with, but Tony Kaye has done a masterful job. Its ashame that the studios had to recut the film without his permission (Kaye tried to get them to remove his name as director, but failed. Norton ...

1drunkbrit 15.09.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

The film is driven behind the character of Derek Vinyard. He is an extremely intelligent and articulate but is he is hugely influenced by his father’s views on black culture ‘affirmative action’; his father was a fire-fighter before he was killed by a black drug dealer. This seems to be the defining factor in him becoming second in command of The Disciples of Christ (D.O.C.). The opening scene of the film see’s three black men park in front Derek’s ...
...telling him that "a black guy" was outside. Derek becomes incensed and grabs his pistol. He opens the door and shoots one of the men, killing him, and wounds a second. The third escapes in their car. Derek kills the wounded man by stomping on the back of his head (one of the most horrific scenes in any film) Danny watches in horror and witnesses his brother gets arrested.In prison Derek becomes a reformed neo-Nazi mainly due to him becoming good ...

noob1988 02.06.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X is for me the story that embodies everything that is foul about racism. It is also a story about how the most savage of characters can be redeemed and brought back from a sociopathic precipice. The film begins with an introduction to Derek, an incredibly focussed and very clever white supremacist. Derek, played disturbingly well by Edward Norton, demonstrates the savagery imbued to him by his mentor Cameron in an attempt to protect ...
...of all of these, the American History X(hence the title of the film) assignment that Danny is required to write for his teacher. The climax when it comes is compiled with the mastery of the Nazi propaganda machine, whipping the audience into a frenzy of disbelief at the final act of a process begun many years before. Overall a marvellously thought provoking film that sometimes beggars belief at what one human will do to another. It also demonstrates ...

Guzman 07.08.2002 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

Im baaaaaaack! Sorry about the lengthy delay between opinions - I’ve had a million and one a-levels to do. Well, 11 – only one left now so that means I have some time to do some opinions. One of the few interesting things I have done over the past 5 weeks is watch ‘American History X’ on DVD. Its an amazing film - insanely hard-hitting and shocking but at the same time watchable. It'll leave you questioning the mentality of ...
...you understanding and at times even empathizing with both the 'black' and the 'white' gangs. ~~~~~~~~ SYNOPSIS The film chronicles Derek Vinyard’s (Ed Norton) decent from a white trash 14 year old into repentant intellectual committed to turning his life around via membership of a white supremacist organisation and a harrowing stint in jail. The film is set in the 24 hours following Derek’s release from jail, and the events leading ...

Heather_D 17.06.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...a bit of news surrounding American History X on it's release - ie. Director Tony Kaye wasn't allowed to release his own cut of the film, actor Ed Norton stepping into the editors room and releasing his own cut. We will never know quite what happened but I can safely say something - The version we have now is a brilliant film. It's a classic. ...

Suchet 29.04.2001 (03.05.2001) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...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 ...

mookielidl 13.02.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...racist thugs and neo-Nazidom within American society but also to launch Ed Norton into the high point of his career. The story is based upon the lives of what some might call a dysfunctional family in Venice Beach. Derrick Vinyard (Norton) and his brother, Danny (Furlong) whose perspective we see the film from, are the two lead characters in the film. Unfortunately for the viewer, the story is portrayed in an odd manner with the flashbacks which ...
...but a superb film directing debut for Tony Kaye and an oscar-worthy performance from Ed Norton. Flawed but fascinating. Film – American History X Director – Tony Kaye Actors – Ed Norton, Edward Furlong, Avery Brooks Length – 117 minutes Certificate – 18 Thanks for reading, Craig. ...

Craggles84 06.04.2001 (28.06.2003) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

American History X, the new film by British TV and commercial director Tony Kaye. It is one of the more powerful movies made in recent years, one that will stay with you and have you thinking about it for days, even weeks. This is due in strong part to Edward Norton, whose performance is phenomenal. I am told that Gods & Monsters is a much better film but I cannot comment as I haven't seen it. Norton is Derek Vinyard, a leader of a Venice Beach ...
...American History X is a truly great film, forcing the audience to look at values and ideals they otherwise might shove into a closet and forget about, thinking that if they ignore it, it will all go away. This, of course, is an extremely stupid mindset and, as the film proves, is as much a part of the problem as are the spouters of inhumane propaganda themselves. There are a few small problems with the film, especially when it comes to the script. ...

Nortis_8 29.07.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...re-write his essay for his American history X class, on his brother. When Derek comes out of prison things have changed. You realize that prison has changed him, and you find out what happened to him in prison to make him change his beliefs. Derek needs to help Danny get away from the violence and racism that he has gotten involved in since Derek was away. Edward Norton from films as Fight club, The Italian job and the score plays the role of Derek ...
...of a powerful group. He plays a magnificent role. And gives an outstanding performance.A tough role to play but he does an exceptional job. Edward Furlong, from the terminator films Plays Danny Vinyard, The younger Influenced brother, Who Derek needs to help before it becomes to late. A magnificent performance by this young gifted actor. Fairuza Balk known for her roles in Almost Famous and the waterboy, Plays Stacey, Dereks Loyal and equally racist ...

luseantom 10.04.2005 (11.04.2005) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)

...provocative and controversial. American History X doesn't touch on the subject of racism, it completely immerses you in a world of pure racial hatred. It shows, with chilling accuracy a racist’s perspective on life, and just how hard it is to change their deeply forged ideals. I don't think I have ever seen a movie more powerful than this. No film has ever had such a profound impact on me and the way I view the world as American History X. The film ...
...life, his every thought and action, and then how this racism would destroy his entire life and the lives of those he loves, no matter how he tried to repay his sins. The man in the story is played by Edward Norton, in what I believe to be one of his greatest roles ever. His obscene hatred and anger as well as his compassion are portrayed with such intense realism that the whole film is deeply unnerving. If it were played by a lesser actor the message ...

cash40 14.12.2000 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American History X (DVD)