American History X

Pros: Good Acting, Good Script, Good direction.
Cons: Only for mature adults, The transformation of the character is a bit rushed and uneven.

Time and time again these days, one of the biggest issues I hear talked about is racism. It seems to be something that is improving yet I believe it will never come to an end like many of us want to be. Why is that, you ask? Well, unfortunately many...

Pros: Norton, cinematography, story, interesting, chemistry between Norton and Furlong
Cons: Furlong, very graphic and violent

There are very few important movies; movies that everyone needs to watch. In fact, the last one that I saw was Donnie Darko and I loved it. Now, a year later, I saw American History X, which is definitely one of the best films that I’ ...

Pros: Controversial Plot
Cons: None

Pros: Brilliant acting, good direction, clear messages
Cons: Graphic, but realistic

1998 was not a great year for films. Yes, this was the year Shakespeare In Love won 7 Academy Awards (no offense to anyone who has watched it; I feel it was appaling!). It was also the same year the film American History X came out. It...

Pros: Excellent performances by all involved, explores an issue all too often ignored
Cons: May be too graphic, disturbing, or true-to-life for some

Normally, I don't watch movies in order to see something meaningful; perhaps that's why I try to always call it a "movie" rather than a "film," which seems to carry with it somewhat of an artsy, pretentious feeling. To be honest, all I really want from...

Pros: intelligent, intense, brilliantly acted, makes you rethink your world view,
Cons: After such a build-up, the ending just.... happens

"Racists are so stupid. Hating people just because they're black. We're all the same underneath" What is revealed in this film is that often nothing could be further than the truth- often racists and members of hate groups are frighteningly ...

Pros: Excellent performances in a thought-provoking film.
Cons: Ease up on the slo-mo, will you?

Racism has become a way for Hollywood movie-makers to rake in a couple of Oscars every year. Toss in Denzel Washington as the oppressed black man and you’ve got yourself a sure-fire winner, real conversation for the water cooler. These movies (as good as...

Pros: Most thought-provoking lesson on hate
Cons: Graphic violence (not for children)

I am going to try for a third time now in a week to write about my favorite movie, which is American History X. Why is that so hard? Well, maybe it's writer's block-- that's the only thing I can think of, cuz this is one heck of a movie and yet I just...

Pros: Dialogue. Character development.
Cons: Oddly melodramatic...

Melodrama is much more effective during one's youth. Watching American History X at the age of 14, I recall being shaken to the core by its twists, turns, and trauma. While the film is not a melodrama persay, the way that it shapes the story ...

Pros: Acting, production value, pacing, story
Cons: May be a little too much violence and hate for many viewers

Human history is a timeline of hate. At no point in time since the recorded history of humans began has there been a time when there was no hate, no one prejudiced against others because of differences in race, creed, or family. Sadly, the cycle ...

Pros: Powerful acting and a very powerful message, an excellent film
Cons: Protagonist's turnaround seems hurried in the plot

This is a movie that every American should see, cut and dry. Without destroying too much of the story, I'll try to describe why this is such a fantastic film and why anyone who lives in America, whether black, white, yellow or rainbow, should sit down...

Pros: Riveting Story About Big City Racism
Cons: Probably Will Never Have A Sequal

When this film first hit theaters I was skeptical about it’s content. I was sure it would be the white mans version of Boyz in the Hood. I was positive it would cause violence at theaters as did the “The Boyz”. Although I was intrigued as...

Pros: Superb acting. POWERFUL moral story.
Cons: VERY GRAPHIC. Not for the squeamish or very young audience.

First of all let me say that this is one of the most violent films I have ever viewed. There is nothing left to the imagination in extremely graphic and violent takes. I avoided seeing this after it came out due to a friend of mine explaining what...

Pros: Edward Norton, accurate depiction of neo-nazi groups, good message
Cons: Assumes too much, too many stereotypes, the ending

Pretty soon after the release of American History X, I ran into an old friend of mine, a skinhead who is deeply involved in the SHARP movement. For those of you unfamiliar with skinheads, SHARP stands for Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice. They are...

Pros: Everything fits right in; it DOES make a point; outstanding acting
Cons: Offensive language; true but graphic

Power of American History X can be compared to the horror, pain and consternation left by Boys Don’t Cry. The first five minutes watching AHX I got the same feelings as watching BDC a year ago. It all came back to me: sitting on the edge of...