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Actors: Edward Norton and Edward Furlong
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about American History X |
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White, middle-aged racist Derek is the leader of a neo-nazi group. After brutaly murdering two black men he is sent to prison for 3 years: he is only charged with manslaughter as his brother, the only witness does not testify. When in prison, Derek is slowly changed and forced into accepting black people (at one point he is attacked and raped by the white men in the prison). When he is released from prison his beliefs and views have changed and he attempts to save his brother from making his mistakes. During the film, the younger brother Danny is writing a school report on his life but is murdered at school by a black boy before giving it in.
--Sasha Q, Resident Scholar
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Derek, the older brother of the secondary character, Danny, is a powerful figure in the local neo-nazi community. After Danny and his friends win a game against the blacks at a local basketball court, 2 armed black teens attempt to steal Derek's truck. Derek shoots one before he can get a shot off, and brutally kills the other against the curb, and is sentenced to 3 years. Danny tries to follow in his footsteps while Derek is incarcerated. Throughout the movie Danny's principal attempts to help and guide Danny and Derek. Derek returns from prison a changed man. Derek tries to save Danny from making the same mistakes he did. It seems that Derek has managed to save Danny and his family. However, at the end of the movie Danny is gunned down in the bathroom on the day his report is due by a black student he had angered previously.
--Jon, Resident Scholar
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A brutal eye opener!
Derek Vinyard , fustrated at the death of his father at the hands of black men he believes should not have been in "his" country , avenges that death by forming the D.O.C - a racist group with no aim as we are to find out.
After shooting dead one man and killing another with the help of a curb , he is incarcerated for 3 years. During this time he is viciously raped and befriended by a BLACK inmate.
In the outside world however , Danny , Dereks younger brother is following in his footsteps. Following orders from Cam (D.O.C big daddy!!!) , Danny is lead to believe that Black is scum and there is no place for them in society.He is failing at school so his headmaster who also taught Derek a few years earlier emplores him to write an essay on how Dereks actions have affected his life.
And so the story unfolds...first person narrative , gripping stuff , geat film - watch it!!!
--John Fenlon, Resident Scholar
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Derek and Danny are two misled youths. Derek is arrested and incarcerated for the brutal murder of 3 black men who tried to steal his truck. In jail, Derek realizes the error of his white supremicist ways and comes home determined to rescue Danny. However, Derek gets through to Danny too late.
--Samantha Green, Resident Scholar
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it's a movie about a neo-nazi trying to figure out really what his ideals are and realizing he needs to change them. After realizing this, in jail, he leaves his crew and tries to help his younger brother realize also.
--Ania, Resident Scholar
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Derek, the leader or a Neo-Nazi gang went to jail for BRUTALLY killing a black gang members. Now he is out and must stop his little brother from following in his footsteps.
This movie is a powerful drama about ignorant racism and how gangs use propaganda to lure unsecure people to their cause.
This film uses a brillient idea of all events in the past being done in black and white. This, along with strong performances by Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, and Avery Brooks.
--Grey Culver, Resident Scholar
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A film about the path two skinhead brothers take and the price they pay for their ignorance.
--Ryan Bauslaugh, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of American History X |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1980's-1999
Kids growing up/acting up?
Yes
Kids:
- committing crimes
Inner struggle or disability
Yes
Struggle with
- learns to be more sensitive
Crime & Scandal
Yes
Story of
- criminal becomes sensitive
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) bald
Body type
- (man) muscular
Unclothed?
- Chest and Buttocks
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
- caring
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) bald
Body type
- (man) average build
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- California
City?
Yes
City:
- dangerous
Misc setting
- prison
- school
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to deaths
- very explicit references to deaths and torture
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
- seeing nude male butt
- sex under blankets
Check here if B&W
Yes
Any profanity?
- A lot of foul language
- A huge amnt of foul language
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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