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Movies / Upcoming / 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

US Box Office: $0

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]

Reviews for American History X

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61 - 80 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Norton is by turns frightening and heartbreaking, angry and serene. I don't think I've ever seen a character in film with a more believably wide range.

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
01/01/00
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

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

Edward Norton is brilliant as Derek because he becomes him.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Matt Lawrence
Matt Lawrence
Filmcritic.com

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

Arrestingly photographed, and boasting another intelligent and muscular performance by the chameleon-like Edward Norton, American History X is good!

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael O'Sullivan
Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The ending is a misfire.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment 2 Comments
01/01/00
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle

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

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

comment Comment
01/01/00
Norman Green
Norman Green
Film.com

Riveting!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

When Hollywood attacks a volatile issue, it inevitably spoon-feeds you the main components of the issue several times over.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Paul Tatara
Paul Tatara
CNN.com

A confused, randomly compelling family melodrama.

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

[Kaye] employs some audacious and creative storytelling.

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

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

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

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Scott Renshaw
Scott Renshaw
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Among the biggest deficiencies in the story is the lack of proper motivation for Derek's beliefs and actions.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment 4 Comments
01/01/00
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

The tone is so muddled that there's a whiff of exploitation to this movie that's unsettling at best.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Stark
Susan Stark
Detroit News

A very good movie.

Full Review Source: Deconstructing Edward | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ted Prigge
Ted Prigge
Deconstructing Edward

This jolting, superbly acted film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/01/00
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Alternately didactic and visceral, American History X is both difficult to watch and impossible not to.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Wade Major
Wade Major
Boxoffice Magazine
 
 
61 - 80 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

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...

See All

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