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Movies / On DVD / American History X
American History X

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American History X (1998)

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Reviews Counted:72

Fresh:60

Rotten:12

Average Rating:7.2/10

Consensus: A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the... Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the error of his ways. Upon reentering the real world, he must now turn his attentions to his younger brother Danny, who is swiftly heading down the same path as his brother. Controversy surrounded the film when director Tony Kaye disowned it, claiming that Norton had the film re-edited without Kaye's permission. Norton still got an Oscar Nomination for his intense performance. [More]

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Avery Brooks, Elliott Gould, Stacy Keach, William Russ

Director: Tony Kaye

Director: Tony Kaye
Screenwriter: David McKenna
Producer: John Morrissey
Composer: Anne Dudley

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 7, 2009

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for American History X

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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if you've forgotten how to stay calm while somebody probes you with a pointed object such as racism -- stay home or make sure you watch this film to the end.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment 1 Comment
01/01/00
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Con soberbias actuaciones, ejemplifica como el racismo es una de las ideas más huecas y estúpidas que tiene el ser humano

Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
03/14/01
Jorge Avila Andrade
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola

As provocative and daring as it is, the film is also rather simplistic and obvious.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

American History X may be flawed, but it's not easily forgotten.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[Kaye] employs some audacious and creative storytelling.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
01/01/00
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

If didactic and overwrought at times, it's also powerful and persuasive. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
05/25/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

An intelligently provocative film!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For Director Tony Kaye to disown this is irrational beyond belief

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

While this movie is sometimes overbaked, it is the first major studio release in a while to engross wall-to-wall.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film's most incongruous and embarrassing scene is a black-on-white basketball game: shot like a Nike ad, it trivialises the subject.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment 6 Comments
01/01/00
Andrew Collins
Andrew Collins
Empire Magazine

A confused, randomly compelling family melodrama.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment 3 Comments
01/01/00
Richard Corliss
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment 4 Comments
10/07/02
Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis
L.A. Weekly

For all its faults, still makes a lasting, thought-provoking impression.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Don't miss out on this one.

Full Review Source: Matt's Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Matt Easterbrook
Matt Easterbrook
Matt's Movie Reviews

The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since Do the Right Thing.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 1 Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Uncompromising piece of filmmaking, intelligently written and dramatically shot!

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Norton delivers a disturbing, heart-felt and ultimately heart-breaking performance.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Riveting!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Any idiot can make us wince at the ugliness of beatings and shootings.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment 10 Comments
07/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

American History X pulls open the wound of American racism and peers inside!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Norman Green
Norman Green
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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Latest News for American History X

August 25, 2009: EW Lists 16 Classic "Dare You to Look" Scenes Opens in new window
All the Nazi-scalpin' action in "Inglourious Basterds" has got the EW staff to thinking about some of the most hard-to-watch scenes in film -- and to that end, they've assembled... More...

October 07, 2007: American History X Directors Cut Coming...Sort Of
In 1998, director Tony Kaye battled New Line Cinema over the release of American History X. Dissatisfied with the studio's meddling in his artistic vision, the theatrical cut... More...

August 11, 2005: Tony Kaye Returns to Dish Out Some "Paranoia"
Controversial filmmaker Tony Kaye ("American History X") will direct his first movie in quite some time when he steps behind the cameras on "Paranoia." The... More...

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