I just watched American History X for the first time...

[Masculine Todd]

...today in my Speech and Forensics course. This movie was incredible. Was it subtle? No. Was it tightly scripted, well acted, and engaging? Yes.

I don't think the symbolisim of the flashback scenes being in black and white, or the fact that Ed Norton was wearing the black slacks/tie with white dress shirt at the end of the film was lost on anybody. The scene where Norton stomps on the guys head on the curb made a girl vomit.

Thoughts on the movie?

[Vonn Hennigar]

Curb Stomp!

:rock:

Only scene i ever remember having to peak through my fingers like a girl to watch.

[A.Huerta]

It was pretty cool.

[ty gorton]

Powerful stuff.

And you could tell Norton's frame didn't want the muscle, he must have had to work out non-stop for months to get as big as he did.

The movie is damn impressive.

[jason hissong]

As my most formative high school teacher described it, "it's the best movie to ever show how racism is taught through heavy handed propoganda and subtle, insidious snipes at the same time."

[Shwicaz]

those guys were fucking hot.

[DaGetHighKnight]

one of my favorite movies ever.

[Dave Black]

those guys were fucking hot.
Skinheads are hot?
I've never heard that one!

[Hawkdevil]

It's a pretty incredible movie. Been a favorite of mine for years.

[THWIP!]

It was really well acted and directed. I loved the film.

[Dannñ B]

Why do so many neo-Nazis like this movie? They must be stupider than stupid enough to be a neo-Nazi.

[YouStayClassy]

Additionally, the film, along with other films with ostensibly anti-racist overtones such as Romper Stomper, have a large following and popularity within the neo-Nazi movement. Many feel that such movies glorify racist violence, despite the opposite intent of the filmmakers. This is because, despite the decided slant of many of them, the films often unrealistically portray neo-Nazis as having exciting, action-oriented lives wherein they stomp around scaring, hurting and killing people indiscriminately in typical cinematographic action-sequence style. This is something which, it is feared, may attract impressionable, disaffected youths; though as stated above, many others revel in this possibility, adopting something of a "come for the action, stay for the politics" way of taking advantage of these situations.

Hm.

[ty gorton]

Additionally, the film, along with other films with ostensibly anti-racist overtones such as Romper Stomper, have a large following and popularity within the neo-Nazi movement. Many feel that such movies glorify racist violence, despite the opposite intent of the filmmakers. This is because, despite the decided slant of many of them, the films often unrealistically portray neo-Nazis as having exciting, action-oriented lives wherein they stomp around scaring, hurting and killing people indiscriminately in typical cinematographic action-sequence style. This is something which, it is feared, may attract impressionable, disaffected youths; though as stated above, many others revel in this possibility, adopting something of a "come for the action, stay for the politics" way of taking advantage of these situations.

Nonsense.

SPOILERS!


The movie shows the progression...what started off as "excitement" turned into something terrifying and ugly. It began with a game to win a basketball court, and ends with someone needlessly losing their life.

Or course there is some excitement in being radical, to depict it otherwise would be absurd.

People who SEEK OUT that kind of excitement involving violence against others, they are going to seek it out without the help of a film that ultimately shows how WRONG that kind of violence is.

[YouStayClassy]

People who SEEK OUT that kind of excitement involving violence against others, they are going to seek it out without the help of a film that ultimately shows how WRONG that kind of violence is.

Of course, they're already quite messed up in the head.

I think that blurb was just trying to explain the movie's popularity in those circles.

[ty gorton]

Of course, they're already quite messed up in the head.

I think that blurb was just trying to explain the movie's popularity in those circles.

Sure, you're right.

but this part "may attract impressionable, disaffected youths" is where I get annoyed with it :)

[YouStayClassy]

Sure, you're right.

but this part "may attract impressionable, disaffected youths" is where I get annoyed with it :)

But........ aren't all music/movies/video games responsible for turning youths into cold blooded killers and anarchists? Has Jack Thompson been lying to me this entire time?:scared:

[ty gorton]

But........ aren't all music/movies/videos games responsible for turning youths into cold blooded killers and anarchists? Has Jack Thompson been lying to me this entire time?:scared:

LOL

I'm sure American History X is that element pushing these youths over the edge.

Not the fucked up communities they live in with violence as the foundation, the indifference of under funded public schools, the total lack of real world role models in their lives, and on and on.

[Dave Black]

I personally don't belive this movie will motivate anyone to be a neo-natzi.
There are social and economical conditions in which young people are drawn to this lifestyle.
The HBO documentary on skinheads showed that given the right conditions(unemployment, lack of education etc) regular kids can be drawn to a negative lifestyle.
The parallels between poor white neo-natzis and poor black and latino gangmembers are amazing.
Movies usually don't influence us in a positive way(nobody's "Paying it forward") so I don't think my white friends who really love this movie will be trying to kick my ass anytime soon.

In case you're wondering my middle name is "is".LOL

[YouStayClassy]

I personally don't belive this movie will motivate anyone to be a neo-natzi.
There are social and economical conditions in which young people are drawn to this lifestyle.
The HBO documentary on skinheads showed that given the right conditions(unemployment, lack of education etc) regular kids can be drawn to a negative lifestyle.
The parallels between poor white neo-natzis and poor black and latino gangmembers are amazing.
Movies usually don't influence us in a positive way(nobody's "Paying it forward") so I don't think my white friends who really love this movie will be trying to kick my ass anytime soon.

In case you're wondering my middle name is "is".LOL

Great points aside, I can't believe "Pay It Forward" came up on a message board under a thread that wasn't "Worst Movies Of The Decade".

[Brewtown Andy]

The scene where Norton stomps on the guys head on the curb made a girl vomit.

Thoughts on the movie?Can't believe the teacher didn't let you know that was coming. Most people I've seen talking about it say it's hard to watch. The first time I watched the flick, I kept watching because I was sure they were going to cut away.

[dEnny!]

A powerful movie with some amazing performances.