Ed Norton gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in this movie. The range in one character is astonishing. From young, sad Derek, to the skinhead rage, and then the rehabilitated adult, unreal.
@@MrValentineReacts Yeah and i need to say i have that cursed child harry potter book and its great , you have a great selection of books from Magnolia to The ballad of songbirds and snakes.
I watched another reaction w a cpl (neither had seen it). She was turning her head, but he insisted she look bc "it'll be ok." Im screaming "No it won't be ok! Save yourself!" But my cries were in vain bc she looked. The guy just kept repeating 2 words. "I'm sorry."
I love that Derek changing his beliefs didn't come down to getting to know and like one or two people from a group he hated: that might not have worked if he hadn't seen how shallow and hypocritical the belief of his peers was in practice. Then, to be assaulted by your peers for the same "hypocrisy" they practice themselves? In the same vein, the responsibility of Derek's father being killed didn't come down just to the race of the person who killed him: in Derek's mind, he remembers that his father didn't trust the men on his team to protect his life. It's a complicated, nuanced story with a simple message: hate is baggage.
Well the original ending of the movie was different... After his brother gets murdered, it was supposed to end with a shot of Derek looking in the mirror and starting to shave his hair back off turning racist again. But Ed Norton wouldn't do it and made them change the ending. So it was supposed to show hate breeds hate.
I love how the Vinyard family shows the different types of racism we often see. The Father is the Quiet Racist. He says it under his breathe, he seems to know it's wrong so he doesn't reveal it often. His kids seem surprised when they hear him speak this way. The Son is the Fanatic Racist. He lives it, breathes it, revels in it. His entire life revolves around it. He doesn't feel an ounce of shame, pity, remorse, or regret. The Brother is the Indoctrinated Racist. Very much like the fanatic, but his racism only exists because of his close relationship with the fanatic, who he respects, and loves. It only took a SINGLE HEART TO HEART CONVERSATION to convince him how wrong he was. But the most important thing this movie taught me, is that no one can escape the consequences of hate. It won't just hurt you, but your family. Even if you've learned from your mistakes and try to move on in life, your hate can still come back to hurt those you love.
your giving more credit to the father then he deserves imo. the fact he did not talk about often doesn't mean in anyway he think its wrong , especially in his position of being a father that needs to keep his job to feed his kids. its more likely he is afraid of societal consequences. in life keeping your mouth shut is underrated imo and can often save you from loads of shit.
The son became the "fanatic" racist after the father's death, it was the catalyst. He became just as indoctrinated by the leader as the brother from that point.
I can’t believe people watch this and ignore the stimulation that the hate received from the black side of things. The black violence was there which made the movie honest. The bullied kid on the floor is the only position that was tolerable by the audience
@@turbompson4546 But the implication is that its "their fault" but not the government. Therefore hes wrong because while hes throwing out "statistics" and hes leaving other facts off the table to support his arguments while again implying its other peoples fault.
Derek also had another realization in prison. When he heard the man’s story about his minor crime and how he got more time for that than Derek did for what he did, opened his mind to the extreme racial bias in the justice system not just society. I just found you and I love your reactions. Much love. ✌🏻
Pretty sure being r@ped by his fake "brothers" is what made him realize the joke...every race has untrustworthy evil tendencies, stereotypes do exist for a reason.
Derick didn't get less time to his sentence, the Teacher got him out early with the promise to go after the white supremesist gang and bring them down. No one does six years for assault. Even against a cop. Read between the lines.
Not really. Derek was under attack from a large number of people who were trying to rob him at night, he used excessive force but a good lawyer could say he was under extreme stress and in extreme danger to reduce his sentence. America really looks down on home invaders.
Yes really, Derek wasn’t thinking about his attorney’s defense strategy dude. He was looking at the injustice in someone getting more time for braking a stolen tv set, than someone else gets for killing 2 people, one of them in an obviously malicious and calculated way. You don’t curb stomp a guy “in the heat of the moment“
Watching this when it came out, I was 16. I was a punk just looking for something to pour my teenage hate, and rage into. Now watching this at 42 makes me feel dissapointed at the idiot kid that I was. This movie has changed people. I was not a bigoted asshole, just a punk kid. Now I love everyone, it doesn't matter race, religion, sex. I don't care, we are all human. Love each other
The thing this movie does so great is trying to have empathy and finding redemption for those we hate or disagree with. Its one of the hardest things to do knowing a person is bad but still try to reach out hand. Because most of time as a society we just spit on them and act surprised they don't change.
This might be the most painful movie I’ve ever watched, but it is just so important, and hauntingly real. The curb stomp is one of the most horrific moments on film, but the ending hurts even more. Apparently the original script had Derek shaving his head again at the end, reflecting him getting dragged back into the cycle of hate, but I heard Edward Norton demanded that it be removed, leaving hope that, despite the horrible loss he endures, his character might choose not to give in to going back to the hate. I don’t know. It’s a film that needs to be appreciated, but I’ve only been able to watch it all the way through once. Appreciate your analysis. Thanks for doing this reaction, Sir.
Yeah it is remarkably discomforting while also providing some incisive trains of thought. I find that revision of the end so fascinating! much obliged for your time my friend
i grew up in the south and while i wasn't taught to be racist, i wasn't taught not to be. the few interactions i had with black folks were negative which started pushing me towards that mindset. in hindsight, my hometown was 80 percent black. so it's not a surprise that the few problems i had just so happened to be with black people. anyway, fast forward a few years. i wasn't walking around mumbling the n-word under my breath and seething, but i for sure was weary of, and wasn't fond of all my neighbors. then something happened. a guy moved next door to me named "nemo, like the fish" a black guy, about my age. i avoided him for a while but he wouldn't have it. the dude was -determined- to be my friend. i would hear a knock a the door and roll my eyes. there's nemo, warning me the window of my car was cracked and it was about to start raining. or sharing food... he got to me eventually. that dude single handedly pulled me back from the edge. just by insisting on being kind.
In the original ending they showed Edward Norton back at home shaving his head before the cut to black, but the director decided on a more optimistic ending. And rightfully so I think
Actually it was Edward Norton who made that decision. The original director wanted the previous ending, but there was a lot of infighting until Edward basically became the de facto director by the end of production. The original director has disavowed the movie, but it's basically consensus that Edward was right and this is the better and more important ending.
No that is a right wing wishful fantasy, neither the book nor any version of the movie had any "Norton return to nazism". It is rumor that originate in nazi newsgroups, but its a lie. However it is so widespread that even Norton and the producer has been out debunking it.
They should have kept that in because it would have nailed the point home that hate begets hate, violence begets violence and an eye for an eye. For me that would have a more real impact as all of the topics in this movie are STILL relevant today. You will NEVER get rid of racism, no matter what laws get put in place or what color the president is.
Moral of the story is, hate begets more hate and the cycle of violence continues, "Hate is baggage, life's too short to go around pissed off all the time."
Great reaction and analysis. That last scene with him and his brother as kids running carefree along the beach always cuts me to the bone. I love the fact that the movie doesn't need to show Lamont going to the other inmates and telling them to leave Derek alone. The fleeting look on his face before being dismissive confirms that he did look out for him.
Looking back on the movie, you realize that Sweeney had foreshadowed Danny's death by saying "if that paper is not on my desk tomorrow morning, you are a ghost at Venice Beach High."
I love your open mind and non biased opinion during this reaction. This movie, regardless of the sensitive content, is actually a sincere life lesson on ignorance from any side. The past and present scenes are so incredibly done. This film should've won so many awards.
Your voice is very calming and I love your insights! The way you utilize vocabulary is so cool, you talk with ease like a well written paper with tons of thesaurus words! It’s very neat to see 😊
American History X is a film that everyone should see once. It handles a very difficult subject matter extremely well & the performances from an excellent cast are incredible. However, as much as I love American History X, it, like many others; & along with the vast majority of the media has one unfortunate side effect. This is, to re-enforces the negative stereotyping that surrounds Skinhead culture & skips over the true roots of the movement. The far right / white power skinheads often seen in films like American History X, are as far removed from being true skins as one could possibly imagine. The rise to prominence of skinheads came in two waves, with the first wave taking place in the late 1960s in the UK. The first skinheads were working class youths motivated by an expression of alternative values and working class pride, rejecting both the austerity and conservatism of the 1950s-early 1960s and the more middle class or bourgeois hippie movement and peace and love ethos of the mid to late 1960s. Skinheads were instead drawn towards more working class outsider subcultures, incorporating elements of early working class mod fashion and Jamaican music and fashion, especially from Jamaican rude boys. An overlap that existed between early skinhead subculture, mod subculture, and the rude boy subculture found among Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant youth, as these three groups interacted and fraternized with each other within the same working class and poor neighbourhoods in Britain. As skinheads adopted elements of mod subculture and Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant rude boy subculture, both first and second generation skins were influenced by the rhythms of ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as sometimes African-American soul and rhythm and blues. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a revival or second wave of the skinhead subculture, with increasing interaction between its adherents and the emerging punk movement. Oi!, a street-level working class offshoot of punk rock, soon became a vital component of skinhead culture, while the Jamaican genres beloved by first generation skinheads were filtered through punk and new wave in a style known as 2 Tone. With these twin musical movements, the skinhead subculture diversified, and contemporary skinhead fashions ranged from the original clean-cut 1960s mod- and rude boy-influenced styles to less-strict punk-influenced styles. During the early 1980s, political affiliations grew in significance and split the subculture, demarcating the far-right and far-left strands, although many skins described themselves as apolitical. In Great Britain, the skinhead subculture became associated in the public eye with membership of groups such as the far-right National Front and British Movement. By the 1990s, neo-Nazi skinhead movements existed across all of Europe and North America, but were counterbalanced by the presence of groups such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice which sprung up in response. To this day, the skinhead subculture reflects a broad spectrum of political beliefs, even as many continue to embrace it as a largely apolitical working class movement. Growing up in the North of England during the 1980s, I witnessed both sides of the skinhead movement. To this day, I have a number of skinhead friends & they are some of the most tolerant, peace loving people you could ever wish to meet.
EVERYONE needs to see this movie. It’s not exaggerated, it is completely real, whether under the surface or right out in the open. We only thought these things went away, but the evidence is in plain sight online and T.V. Yes, my man, this movie could have been made yesterday. Also, “racist valise” - brilliant!
It always strikes me when you think of when this movie was made. It was pre-Columbine. The idea of a school shooting was even more tragic. Unfortunately today it is not nearly as shocking.
The father didn't necessarily hold the same extremely racist views, but the combination of the dad's racism shutting down him looking at different perspectives and then also his dad dying pushed Derek to the extreme.
I liked this movie for its honesty. I think the ending muddles the message. In the opening, Danny, regardless of his reasons, is standing up for someone being bullied. The entire rest of the movie is immaterial to that. If Derek had died in prison, if Derek had been acquitted at trial, if Derek had run off and joined the French Foreign Legion, Danny would still have wound up on the bathroom floor, so long as he stands up to that bully. Most reactors comment on how tragic Danny's death is, because he has been rehabilitated. If he was still a racist, would his death have been less tragic? Would the shooter have been more justified? The movie did such a good job at unflinching honesty, it is a shame it threw it all away for the sake of a plot twist. 😯😐
a hard watch indeed, but it also gives some perspective. My big takeaway from this movie is, Exactly what Danny says at the end. Hate is Baggage, Life is too short to be pissed of all the time.
When I was growing up, I was always pretty racist. Growing up in Georgia will do that to you sometimes. Right after high school I joined the marines and deployed to Afghanistan after boot camp and SOI. About 6 months this into the deployment we were on the side of this mountain when we started getting ambushed. I got a pretty descent sized piece of shrapnel in my leg and slid down the side of the mountain a pretty good ways. In the midst of all this, a guy in my platoon who was black, slid down there to get me without a second thought. He drug me back up there probably 4 or 500 yards. He saved me. I hate myself for thinking the way I thought for a long time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive myself. I don’t know why I ever thought that stuff. I’ve always thought this movie needs to be shown in every high school in the country.
Seriously one of my faviorte movies. Avery Brooks pretty much just being himself lol. I think the big difference between this and the current immigration issue is for most it's not a race issue. I think most don't care what race the people are. I think most actually have empathy for those wanting a better life, especially those willing to work for it. However the cartels controlling that immigration is a terrible situation. I've seen the Rape Tree where women and children are raped as they are smuggled over the border. I'm just going to stop there because for those who do struggle with race hate (or pride if they want to call it that) I hope the reflection this movie provides helps them see we are more alike than we are different.
Read Guns, Germs, and Steel. It's the best epochal breakdown of how the colonial era broke down and it gives pause to any notion of any superiority based on melanation.
@@MrValentineReacts GG&S: interesting Pop Anthropology book. a woke revisionist oversimplification using cherry-picked data to base European dominance on geographical determinism and luck. i prefer Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee.
Damn Mr. Valentine! 7.5k subscribers?! I expected 200k with the quality of your commentary and your likeability. Fantastic movie, tho not one I revisit often, lol. You are clearly smart as hell and I QUICKLY hit that subscribe button. Cheers
This movie hits so deep, I remember the first time I saw it. It was on release in theaters back in 98. It really makes you think from multiple perspectives.
I saw this movie over 20 years ago when a friend in high school showed it to me. It's always stuck with me. Not only from the movie itself, but also because my friend loved it for the racist parts and totally missed the message of not hating. There was a lot of that hate in the small Texas town. This was my first time watching your channel and I've gotta say, I was not disappointed. I'll definitely be checking out more from you. I enjoyed your opinions and commentary. Edit: I grew up in New York around military folks. So I got access to be around darn near every race. It was a major culture shock moving to a small town in Texas of at least 99% whites, many of whom had that hate in them.
What I love about this film is that they humanize someone's radicalisation. Derek is not born a monster he becomes one through; nature, nurture, situation and culture. Under all the tattoos and hate he is still a human being who loves his family (even if he treats them very poorly while indicated). It helps you to relate and look in at your own less violent prejudice
Derek is a monster, but so were the dudes who broke onto his property with guns drawn and the kid who shoots his brother dead for blowing cigarette smoke in his general direction.
@@goodmanwiseman303 yes but we don't get to know them. They also could have an equally compelling film made from their perspective. My main point is the easy option would be to show Derek as the villain or become the villain (think Walter White or Tony Montana). They took a risk in showing Derek's human side, his want for redemption and his indoctrination over a downward spiral or straight villain story
The cycle of violence hatred and retaliation is a horrible thing. This movie depicts it and what can cause it on both sides. It should be a study in every school, everywhere honestly.
That principle is amazing, more teachers need to be like him, he is a dang good man and head of school. Not only with the little one but with Derek when he was in prison still trying to reach to him.
People discuss Ed Norton's tremendous acting in the movie (for good reason), but Edward Furlong's work was as remarkable. Loved your reaction, and your logophilia! Edited to remove redundancy.
What people don't know is this isn't just a movie stuff like this was actually happening in the 1980s to the early 2000s. The red shoe laces they're wearing inside their boots meant they drawed minority blood either by a beating or killing one, and the curb stomp was a real thing as well but instead of stomping down someone would hold the persons mouth down to the curb and another would run up and deliver a kick to the back of the head.
Came across your channel by accident looking for AHX reactions and clicked on yours. Fantastic analysis of a very tough movie to get through. Well done. Subbed.
I love this movie and often see reaction videos to it. Thus far, this video in particular has my most attention. I enjoy and very much agree with your perspective.
I saw American History X then later on bought the DVD because it seemed such an important movie that I should have it in my collection. I haven't had the strength to watch it since; I've looked at it so many times thinking I should watch it but never had the resolve to put it in the machine and actually watch it. Watching it with you, Mr Valentine, made it - not easier - doable. Everyone needs to see it at least once.
This movie is cinema perfection, I just hope they NEVER try to remake it and ruin the message. Sure some references aren't as relevant as 1998, but so long as hate against humanity is a problem, this movie will always be important,
Great reaction. One of my take aways was that there are ignorant people of every skin color. As 2Pac said in Ghetto Gospel "it ain't about black and white because we're human". Hate is hate no matter who's spewing it.
I'm so glad a stumbled across your channel. Knowing nothing about you and not reading any of the other comments, I have to wonder if you are a writer. As for the movie, so many profound scenes but one part I haven't heard discussed is the boys face right after he shoots Danny. It's subtle but I've seen this a few times and it always hits me. His face turns from anger and hate to fear and horror over what he just did and you see a bit of his innocence peaking through. Look at this kid and be reminded that he too is just an impressionable child whose life just changed in an instant and the cycle continues. 😢
Only important movies push the realm of reality to a point that you see the "real world" as a reflection of the art that is presented. Such a good movie.
I believe the original intention was for Derek to turn back into nazism after the death of his brother, but Ed Norton adamantly refused for that to be the ending. At least that's the legend.
Have always liked the subtle look in the Black kid's eyes after he shoots Danny in the bathroom....widening like he also came to a realization, just too late.
PRIMAL FEAR: Richard Gere as defense attorney Martin Vail Edward Norton as defendant Aaron Stampler / Roy FIGHT CLUB: Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. Norton plays the unnamed narrator, who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club". The other 2 best Edward Norton movies
It may have been said already, but with regards to the ending, the original cut had the screen fade to black and then you hear the hair clippers going - Derek responding and going back to that life. He challenged it and didn't want it to end that way. He wanted to break the cycle.
it's like he was doing it for public sake, not a personal favor, because he knew he would soon get out and be used to take down the other white supremacists
This movie is about the circle of hate and to the children pays the price for their elders sins. Derek paid the price because of his dad's hatred (in the jail) and his brother paid the price of Derek's hatred.... One of the "MUST" movies of the 90's.
So the end of the movie was supposed to be Edward Norton‘s character looking in the mirror and shaving his head again. I heard Edward Norton had a lot to do in that not being the ending because he felt it was improper to end the movie like that.
The original script had Derek reverting back to his racist ways because the killer of his brother is black. Ed Norton didn’t like that (he said he didn’t think his character would do that) so he had the director change the outcome
Glad I found your channel. I appreciate your take. I also appreciate your reverence for the English language. Language can simply be a drab and expedient tool of necessity, but it can also be dressed up and presented in such a manner as to stimulate the long dormant theater of the mind which has, for many, been deemed unnecessary in this current age. Looking forward to more video from you, Good Sir
I can tell we are kindred spirits. Language is so vast. So powerful. Infinite. A constant expedition to find new ways to express ideas. Appreciate you watching with me brother
Whenever I hear the teacher say "He learned this, so he can unlearn it too," I think of the movie Higher Learning. Recommend that one next! It's got a TON of famous people in it. Similar subject matter as AHX, but also has a bit of SA and LGBT issues in it too. Worth a watch, for sure.
Wanted to add that I loved the words popping up on the screen. Fabulously nerdy. XD I really enjoyed this. Gonna check out what else is on your channel.
Perpetual hatred. We still see it today, sadly.. from all sides and perspectives. I do like that the movie leaves it up to you to think where Ed Nortons character goes from that ending, does he go back to his old ways or does he stay his newer self?
Ed Norton gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in this movie. The range in one character is astonishing. From young, sad Derek, to the skinhead rage, and then the rehabilitated adult, unreal.
it was quite something to behold. He was in his bag from the opening to the final frame
He should have got an Oscar for this
Agree amazing preformance AND a GREAT movie !
@@MrValentineReacts Check out "PRIMAL FEAR" with Edward Norton, Richard Gere, Andre Braugher. It's a great movie!!
@@MrValentineReacts Yeah and i need to say i have that cursed child harry potter book and its great , you have a great selection of books from Magnolia to The ballad of songbirds and snakes.
That curb stomp has haunted me for years
It's haunted everyone for years. Definitely sticks with you.
I've thought about it once a day since I've watched it
I watched another reaction w a cpl (neither had seen it). She was turning her head, but he insisted she look bc "it'll be ok." Im screaming "No it won't be ok! Save yourself!" But my cries were in vain bc she looked. The guy just kept repeating 2 words. "I'm sorry."
@@sunnyj210 I watched it the first time I saw this movie but since then, I've always turned away.
the sound they put in, so you hear his teeth on the concrete is probably the most horrific foley work ever done
I love that Derek changing his beliefs didn't come down to getting to know and like one or two people from a group he hated: that might not have worked if he hadn't seen how shallow and hypocritical the belief of his peers was in practice. Then, to be assaulted by your peers for the same "hypocrisy" they practice themselves? In the same vein, the responsibility of Derek's father being killed didn't come down just to the race of the person who killed him: in Derek's mind, he remembers that his father didn't trust the men on his team to protect his life. It's a complicated, nuanced story with a simple message: hate is baggage.
Or, the older term, "hate begets hate".
Seriously. I've met shit people of all shades and great ones as well.
Well the original ending of the movie was different... After his brother gets murdered, it was supposed to end with a shot of Derek looking in the mirror and starting to shave his hair back off turning racist again. But Ed Norton wouldn't do it and made them change the ending. So it was supposed to show hate breeds hate.
I love how the Vinyard family shows the different types of racism we often see.
The Father is the Quiet Racist. He says it under his breathe, he seems to know it's wrong so he doesn't reveal it often. His kids seem surprised when they hear him speak this way.
The Son is the Fanatic Racist. He lives it, breathes it, revels in it. His entire life revolves around it. He doesn't feel an ounce of shame, pity, remorse, or regret.
The Brother is the Indoctrinated Racist. Very much like the fanatic, but his racism only exists because of his close relationship with the fanatic, who he respects, and loves. It only took a SINGLE HEART TO HEART CONVERSATION to convince him how wrong he was.
But the most important thing this movie taught me, is that no one can escape the consequences of hate. It won't just hurt you, but your family. Even if you've learned from your mistakes and try to move on in life, your hate can still come back to hurt those you love.
Call it what you want. His statistics and facts were on point. And it's even worse today.
your giving more credit to the father then he deserves imo. the fact he did not talk about often doesn't mean in anyway he think its wrong , especially in his position of being a father that needs to keep his job to feed his kids. its more likely he is afraid of societal consequences. in life keeping your mouth shut is underrated imo and can often save you from loads of shit.
The son became the "fanatic" racist after the father's death, it was the catalyst. He became just as indoctrinated by the leader as the brother from that point.
I can’t believe people watch this and ignore the stimulation that the hate received from the black side of things. The black violence was there which made the movie honest. The bullied kid on the floor is the only position that was tolerable by the audience
@@turbompson4546 But the implication is that its "their fault" but not the government. Therefore hes wrong because while hes throwing out "statistics" and hes leaving other facts off the table to support his arguments while again implying its other peoples fault.
Derek also had another realization in prison. When he heard the man’s story about his minor crime and how he got more time for that than Derek did for what he did, opened his mind to the extreme racial bias in the justice system not just society. I just found you and I love your reactions. Much love. ✌🏻
Pretty sure being r@ped by his fake "brothers" is what made him realize the joke...every race has untrustworthy evil tendencies, stereotypes do exist for a reason.
Derick didn't get less time to his sentence, the Teacher got him out early with the promise to go after the white supremesist gang and bring them down. No one does six years for assault. Even against a cop. Read between the lines.
Well put! cheers 🤙🏽
Not really. Derek was under attack from a large number of people who were trying to rob him at night, he used excessive force but a good lawyer could say he was under extreme stress and in extreme danger to reduce his sentence. America really looks down on home invaders.
Yes really, Derek wasn’t thinking about his attorney’s defense strategy dude. He was looking at the injustice in someone getting more time for braking a stolen tv set, than someone else gets for killing 2 people, one of them in an obviously malicious and calculated way. You don’t curb stomp a guy “in the heat of the moment“
Watching this when it came out, I was 16. I was a punk just looking for something to pour my teenage hate, and rage into. Now watching this at 42 makes me feel dissapointed at the idiot kid that I was. This movie has changed people. I was not a bigoted asshole, just a punk kid. Now I love everyone, it doesn't matter race, religion, sex. I don't care, we are all human. Love each other
The thing this movie does so great is trying to have empathy and finding redemption for those we hate or disagree with. Its one of the hardest things to do knowing a person is bad but still try to reach out hand. Because most of time as a society we just spit on them and act surprised they don't change.
And that's an issue that just doesn't stop and it seems that social media today just worsens it.
This might be the most painful movie I’ve ever watched, but it is just so important, and hauntingly real. The curb stomp is one of the most horrific moments on film, but the ending hurts even more. Apparently the original script had Derek shaving his head again at the end, reflecting him getting dragged back into the cycle of hate, but I heard Edward Norton demanded that it be removed, leaving hope that, despite the horrible loss he endures, his character might choose not to give in to going back to the hate. I don’t know. It’s a film that needs to be appreciated, but I’ve only been able to watch it all the way through once.
Appreciate your analysis. Thanks for doing this reaction, Sir.
Yeah it is remarkably discomforting while also providing some incisive trains of thought. I find that revision of the end so fascinating! much obliged for your time my friend
if you think this is bad you should watch requiem for a dream
"Gun in one hand, camera in the other - something's getting shot!"
Casually brilliant.
Death to Smoochy if you want the polar opposite of Norton's acting range. So underrated.
Seconded. There is a lot to love in that movie. Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, & Danny Devito?! One of the goats for sure.
You might be the most insightful reactors I've come across. Really appreciate your analysis of this movie.
thank you for viewing this with me!
Yeah I like it
Really tough to watch at times, but it's a film that you never forget
i grew up in the south and while i wasn't taught to be racist, i wasn't taught not to be. the few interactions i had with black folks were negative which started pushing me towards that mindset. in hindsight, my hometown was 80 percent black. so it's not a surprise that the few problems i had just so happened to be with black people. anyway, fast forward a few years. i wasn't walking around mumbling the n-word under my breath and seething, but i for sure was weary of, and wasn't fond of all my neighbors. then something happened. a guy moved next door to me named "nemo, like the fish" a black guy, about my age. i avoided him for a while but he wouldn't have it. the dude was -determined- to be my friend. i would hear a knock a the door and roll my eyes. there's nemo, warning me the window of my car was cracked and it was about to start raining. or sharing food... he got to me eventually. that dude single handedly pulled me back from the edge. just by insisting on being kind.
"Gun in one hand, camera in the other. Something is getting shot."
Underrated joke.
Cool reaction my guy, an important film for sure.
Also, really enjoyed your review / conclusion. The world needs more people like you.
❤
In the original ending they showed Edward Norton back at home shaving his head before the cut to black, but the director decided on a more optimistic ending. And rightfully so I think
Actually it was Edward Norton who made that decision. The original director wanted the previous ending, but there was a lot of infighting until Edward basically became the de facto director by the end of production. The original director has disavowed the movie, but it's basically consensus that Edward was right and this is the better and more important ending.
Never knew this! Gives me even more respect for him, so dedicated
No that is a right wing wishful fantasy, neither the book nor any version of the movie had any "Norton return to nazism". It is rumor that originate in nazi newsgroups, but its a lie. However it is so widespread that even Norton and the producer has been out debunking it.
@@extantsanity Correct, it was Tony Kaye but he did not want his name associated with the movie so he shows up as 'Humpty Dumpty' on the credits.
They should have kept that in because it would have nailed the point home that hate begets hate, violence begets violence and an eye for an eye.
For me that would have a more real impact as all of the topics in this movie are STILL relevant today.
You will NEVER get rid of racism, no matter what laws get put in place or what color the president is.
GREAT MOVIE AND LIKE YOU SAID, AN IMPORTANT FILM.. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE AND HATE.
so significant
You and I should probably be best friends. Just saying. There are few people on here who love words as much as you do. @@MrValentineReacts
When you threw out that Nietsche line in the MIDDLE of the movie, I was like, “Great quote but wait till the end!”
Moral of the story is, hate begets more hate and the cycle of violence continues, "Hate is baggage, life's too short to go around pissed off all the time."
Great reaction and analysis. That last scene with him and his brother as kids running carefree along the beach always cuts me to the bone. I love the fact that the movie doesn't need to show Lamont going to the other inmates and telling them to leave Derek alone. The fleeting look on his face before being dismissive confirms that he did look out for him.
a sophisticated execution of storytelling
Looking back on the movie, you realize that Sweeney had foreshadowed Danny's death by saying "if that paper is not on my desk tomorrow morning, you are a ghost at Venice Beach High."
goodness gracious that is great writing
Edward Norton is such a fantastic actor. Primal Fear was the first thing I saw him in. Stunning.
I love your open mind and non biased opinion during this reaction. This movie, regardless of the sensitive content, is actually a sincere life lesson on ignorance from any side. The past and present scenes are so incredibly done. This film should've won so many awards.
Your voice is very calming and I love your insights! The way you utilize vocabulary is so cool, you talk with ease like a well written paper with tons of thesaurus words! It’s very neat to see 😊
🙌🏽
This movie should be shown in all schools!!! Fr. i think you can learn much from this movie!!!! Keep up the good work man
William Russ is the dad.
Most known for his role as Alan Matthews or Corey’s dad in the sitcom Boy Meets World.
oh man!!!! I knew he looked familiar
American History X is a film that everyone should see once. It handles a very difficult subject matter extremely well & the performances from an excellent cast are incredible.
However, as much as I love American History X, it, like many others; & along with the vast majority of the media has one unfortunate side effect. This is, to re-enforces the negative stereotyping that surrounds Skinhead culture & skips over the true roots of the movement.
The far right / white power skinheads often seen in films like American History X, are as far removed from being true skins as one could possibly imagine.
The rise to prominence of skinheads came in two waves, with the first wave taking place in the late 1960s in the UK. The first skinheads were working class youths motivated by an expression of alternative values and working class pride, rejecting both the austerity and conservatism of the 1950s-early 1960s and the more middle class or bourgeois hippie movement and peace and love ethos of the mid to late 1960s. Skinheads were instead drawn towards more working class outsider subcultures, incorporating elements of early working class mod fashion and Jamaican music and fashion, especially from Jamaican rude boys.
An overlap that existed between early skinhead subculture, mod subculture, and the rude boy subculture found among Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant youth, as these three groups interacted and fraternized with each other within the same working class and poor neighbourhoods in Britain. As skinheads adopted elements of mod subculture and Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant rude boy subculture, both first and second generation skins were influenced by the rhythms of ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as sometimes African-American soul and rhythm and blues.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a revival or second wave of the skinhead subculture, with increasing interaction between its adherents and the emerging punk movement. Oi!, a street-level working class offshoot of punk rock, soon became a vital component of skinhead culture, while the Jamaican genres beloved by first generation skinheads were filtered through punk and new wave in a style known as 2 Tone. With these twin musical movements, the skinhead subculture diversified, and contemporary skinhead fashions ranged from the original clean-cut 1960s mod- and rude boy-influenced styles to less-strict punk-influenced styles.
During the early 1980s, political affiliations grew in significance and split the subculture, demarcating the far-right and far-left strands, although many skins described themselves as apolitical. In Great Britain, the skinhead subculture became associated in the public eye with membership of groups such as the far-right National Front and British Movement. By the 1990s, neo-Nazi skinhead movements existed across all of Europe and North America, but were counterbalanced by the presence of groups such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice which sprung up in response. To this day, the skinhead subculture reflects a broad spectrum of political beliefs, even as many continue to embrace it as a largely apolitical working class movement.
Growing up in the North of England during the 1980s, I witnessed both sides of the skinhead movement. To this day, I have a number of skinhead friends & they are some of the most tolerant, peace loving people you could ever wish to meet.
EVERYONE needs to see this movie. It’s not exaggerated, it is completely real, whether under the surface or right out in the open. We only thought these things went away, but the evidence is in plain sight online and T.V. Yes, my man, this movie could have been made yesterday.
Also, “racist valise” - brilliant!
If you want to continue the Ed Norton run, check out Primal Fear next. Young Ed plays another wild role in a movie that will blow your mind.
I need more Norton for sure! thanks for the rec
That is such a great movie!
@@MrValentineReacts You could also check out "Leaves of Grass" starring Ed Norton as Bill Kincaid and.... Ed Norton as Brady Kincaid. Double dose.
It always strikes me when you think of when this movie was made. It was pre-Columbine. The idea of a school shooting was even more tragic. Unfortunately today it is not nearly as shocking.
the mutual animosity is a great way to explain the beginning of this film
Cant believe you cut out the best line in the movie. " Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it."
"He started blasting immediately."
Yeah. 😂
The father didn't necessarily hold the same extremely racist views, but the combination of the dad's racism shutting down him looking at different perspectives and then also his dad dying pushed Derek to the extreme.
I've said before that i love your edits, but i think your eloquence is what I truly love about your reactions 👨🏾🎓🏆
You’re so articulate and I love that you show pride in it.
I liked this movie for its honesty. I think the ending muddles the message. In the opening, Danny, regardless of his reasons, is standing up for someone being bullied. The entire rest of the movie is immaterial to that. If Derek had died in prison, if Derek had been acquitted at trial, if Derek had run off and joined the French Foreign Legion, Danny would still have wound up on the bathroom floor, so long as he stands up to that bully. Most reactors comment on how tragic Danny's death is, because he has been rehabilitated. If he was still a racist, would his death have been less tragic? Would the shooter have been more justified? The movie did such a good job at unflinching honesty, it is a shame it threw it all away for the sake of a plot twist. 😯😐
a hard watch indeed, but it also gives some perspective. My big takeaway from this movie is, Exactly what Danny says at the end. Hate is Baggage, Life is too short to be pissed of all the time.
nice reaction man, that oreo joke made me laugh!
I’ve never watched an uncomfortably powerful movie in all my life. Ed Norton should have gotten an Oscar for this role.
Agreed. He was snubbed.
One thing this movie shows is how being racist towards others is 110% taught and encouraged. Nobody is born racist.
When I was growing up, I was always pretty racist. Growing up in Georgia will do that to you sometimes. Right after high school I joined the marines and deployed to Afghanistan after boot camp and SOI. About 6 months this into the deployment we were on the side of this mountain when we started getting ambushed. I got a pretty descent sized piece of shrapnel in my leg and slid down the side of the mountain a pretty good ways. In the midst of all this, a guy in my platoon who was black, slid down there to get me without a second thought. He drug me back up there probably 4 or 500 yards. He saved me. I hate myself for thinking the way I thought for a long time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive myself. I don’t know why I ever thought that stuff. I’ve always thought this movie needs to be shown in every high school in the country.
Hate is baggage.
Ok, what is ''hate''? if you dont want to tolerate the 10% of population (black people) mades the 60% of ALL muders in USA per year is ''hate''?
Seriously one of my faviorte movies. Avery Brooks pretty much just being himself lol. I think the big difference between this and the current immigration issue is for most it's not a race issue. I think most don't care what race the people are. I think most actually have empathy for those wanting a better life, especially those willing to work for it. However the cartels controlling that immigration is a terrible situation. I've seen the Rape Tree where women and children are raped as they are smuggled over the border. I'm just going to stop there because for those who do struggle with race hate (or pride if they want to call it that) I hope the reflection this movie provides helps them see we are more alike than we are different.
Read Guns, Germs, and Steel. It's the best epochal breakdown of how the colonial era broke down and it gives pause to any notion of any superiority based on melanation.
thanks for the suggestion; always looking for my next good read into which I can sink my teeth
@@MrValentineReacts GG&S: interesting Pop Anthropology book. a woke revisionist oversimplification using cherry-picked data to base European dominance on geographical determinism and luck.
i prefer Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee.
I forgot his teacher is captain sisko. Makes this movie so much better.
And the sister plays Kes on Voyager
@@akildasgreat reference
Damn Mr. Valentine! 7.5k subscribers?! I expected 200k with the quality of your commentary and your likeability. Fantastic movie, tho not one I revisit often, lol. You are clearly smart as hell and I QUICKLY hit that subscribe button. Cheers
This movie hits so deep, I remember the first time I saw it. It was on release in theaters back in 98. It really makes you think from multiple perspectives.
I saw this movie over 20 years ago when a friend in high school showed it to me. It's always stuck with me. Not only from the movie itself, but also because my friend loved it for the racist parts and totally missed the message of not hating. There was a lot of that hate in the small Texas town.
This was my first time watching your channel and I've gotta say, I was not disappointed. I'll definitely be checking out more from you. I enjoyed your opinions and commentary.
Edit: I grew up in New York around military folks. So I got access to be around darn near every race. It was a major culture shock moving to a small town in Texas of at least 99% whites, many of whom had that hate in them.
A reaction that quotes Nietzsche and Zappa... I never expected.
What I love about this film is that they humanize someone's radicalisation. Derek is not born a monster he becomes one through; nature, nurture, situation and culture. Under all the tattoos and hate he is still a human being who loves his family (even if he treats them very poorly while indicated). It helps you to relate and look in at your own less violent prejudice
Derek is a monster, but so were the dudes who broke onto his property with guns drawn and the kid who shoots his brother dead for blowing cigarette smoke in his general direction.
@@goodmanwiseman303 yes but we don't get to know them. They also could have an equally compelling film made from their perspective. My main point is the easy option would be to show Derek as the villain or become the villain (think Walter White or Tony Montana). They took a risk in showing Derek's human side, his want for redemption and his indoctrination over a downward spiral or straight villain story
The cycle of violence hatred and retaliation is a horrible thing. This movie depicts it and what can cause it on both sides. It should be a study in every school, everywhere honestly.
Great reaction❤❤❤this movie is so hard to watch but so good at the same time. I love the way they brought this issue to light in this movie.
I love his arch in this. Truly incredible
Remember REAL racism is just ignorance...
Hear! Hear!
This was an emotional and intellegent reaction. Thumbs up. I look forward to seeing more. I like that you didn't end the conversation with the movie.
Thanks for reacting to this movie, it's definitely an entertaining classic
What a great reaction and analysis, I just found your channel and subscribed, definitly want to see more of your reactions!
grateful for your time 💙
22:14 the bl@ck man calls YOUR GENETICS (BLOOD) Neanderthal and you kiss his some side... ARE YOU STUPD?
That principle is amazing, more teachers need to be like him, he is a dang good man and head of school. Not only with the little one but with Derek when he was in prison still trying to reach to him.
People discuss Ed Norton's tremendous acting in the movie (for good reason), but Edward Furlong's work was as remarkable. Loved your reaction, and your logophilia!
Edited to remove redundancy.
What people don't know is this isn't just a movie stuff like this was actually happening in the 1980s to the early 2000s. The red shoe laces they're wearing inside their boots meant they drawed minority blood either by a beating or killing one, and the curb stomp was a real thing as well but instead of stomping down someone would hold the persons mouth down to the curb and another would run up and deliver a kick to the back of the head.
Came across your channel by accident looking for AHX reactions and clicked on yours.
Fantastic analysis of a very tough movie to get through.
Well done.
Subbed.
🙏🏾
I love this movie and often see reaction videos to it. Thus far, this video in particular has my most attention. I enjoy and very much agree with your perspective.
I saw American History X then later on bought the DVD because it seemed such an important movie that I should have it in my collection. I haven't had the strength to watch it since; I've looked at it so many times thinking I should watch it but never had the resolve to put it in the machine and actually watch it. Watching it with you, Mr Valentine, made it - not easier - doable.
Everyone needs to see it at least once.
This movie is cinema perfection, I just hope they NEVER try to remake it and ruin the message. Sure some references aren't as relevant as 1998, but so long as hate against humanity is a problem, this movie will always be important,
New subscriber here! Great job. One of my all time favorite films. It is hard to watch for sure. Definitely an important film.
Your chapter timestamp seems to be off, review begins really at about 44:40 .
thanks for the heads up
Great reaction. One of my take aways was that there are ignorant people of every skin color. As 2Pac said in Ghetto Gospel "it ain't about black and white because we're human". Hate is hate no matter who's spewing it.
I'm so glad a stumbled across your channel. Knowing nothing about you and not reading any of the other comments, I have to wonder if you are a writer.
As for the movie, so many profound scenes but one part I haven't heard discussed is the boys face right after he shoots Danny. It's subtle but I've seen this a few times and it always hits me. His face turns from anger and hate to fear and horror over what he just did and you see a bit of his innocence peaking through. Look at this kid and be reminded that he too is just an impressionable child whose life just changed in an instant and the cycle continues. 😢
Only important movies push the realm of reality to a point that you see the "real world" as a reflection of the art that is presented. Such a good movie.
Fantastic analysis of this gem of a movie. Thank you.
Really enjoyed your commentary and POV on this. Nice job man
I forgot how well this story was told. Ed Norton is a dope ass actor. I remember his role in Primal Fear; the first time I saw him.
he still seems to make good movies
I just found you tonight. You obviously have a grasp on film and art in general. You earned a sub.
This was a great reaction! On what is one hell of a tough watch.
This is the first time I've found your channel, but I am a fan :D
Yeah this is a real doozy. Thanks for watching!
Awesome reaction. You nailed it. Keep up the great work.
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I believe the original intention was for Derek to turn back into nazism after the death of his brother, but Ed Norton adamantly refused for that to be the ending. At least that's the legend.
The way you call Derek a nincompoop at 24:00 reminds me of Norm McDonald calling Albert Fish, a real jerk.😂😂😂
😅 That ole chunk of coal
After breaking down at the end with you myself thank GOD you have Tropic Thunder for me to follow up with to even my vibe out 😭 😂
Have always liked the subtle look in the Black kid's eyes after he shoots Danny in the bathroom....widening like he also came to a realization, just too late.
excellent point! it is a microexpression of wtf
This movie saved me from my angry youth. I would probably be dead if it wasn't for this. True art that has humongous humanistic message
PRIMAL FEAR:
Richard Gere as defense attorney Martin Vail
Edward Norton as defendant Aaron Stampler / Roy
FIGHT CLUB:
Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter.
Norton plays the unnamed narrator, who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club".
The other 2 best Edward Norton movies
Did not know he was in fight club! Appreciate the recs
It may have been said already, but with regards to the ending, the original cut had the screen fade to black and then you hear the hair clippers going - Derek responding and going back to that life. He challenged it and didn't want it to end that way. He wanted to break the cycle.
Excellent analysis. Your commentary on this film is the best I've seen on RUclips. I agree it is a disturbing but important film. Bravo!
teared with you brother, seen this in the theaters back in the 90s, it was a hit.
Edward Norton was slightly embarrassed because he couldn't make the dunk in the game, so they had to lower the rim for the dunk scene.
People think about this movie about race, but it's actually about how rage will ruin your life and the lives of people around you.
He really was the most dangerous man in that prison lol told everyone not to mess with Derek.
it's like he was doing it for public sake, not a personal favor, because he knew he would soon get out and be used to take down the other white supremacists
I think the last scene is saying hatred knows no color…..
This movie is about the circle of hate and to the children pays the price for their elders sins. Derek paid the price because of his dad's hatred (in the jail) and his brother paid the price of Derek's hatred.... One of the "MUST" movies of the 90's.
I'm really impressed that he knew who pistol Pete and Steve Nash is..... 👏👏
🏀 Steve Nash highlights used to be one of my favorite pastimes
You can reject and refuse. Even back in the 80s. I promise.
So the end of the movie was supposed to be Edward Norton‘s character looking in the mirror and shaving his head again.
I heard Edward Norton had a lot to do in that not being the ending because he felt it was improper to end the movie like that.
Now that kid that shot his little brother is going through the system as a result of everything. The hatred fuels more hatred and ruins lives galore.
Great reaction my man! I am mixed race, so all the racism in the world seems crazy to me!
The original script had Derek reverting back to his racist ways because the killer of his brother is black. Ed Norton didn’t like that (he said he didn’t think his character would do that) so he had the director change the outcome
This movie established Ed Norton as a top tier actor.
I think primal fear put him on the map but yes this one and then fight club were huge for him. The mcu didn't deserve him as Dr. Banner
Glad I found your channel. I appreciate your take. I also appreciate your reverence for the English language.
Language can simply be a drab and expedient tool of necessity, but it can also be dressed up and presented in such a manner as to stimulate the long dormant theater of the mind which has, for many, been deemed unnecessary in this current age.
Looking forward to more video from you, Good Sir
I can tell we are kindred spirits. Language is so vast. So powerful. Infinite. A constant expedition to find new ways to express ideas. Appreciate you watching with me brother
Whenever I hear the teacher say "He learned this, so he can unlearn it too," I think of the movie Higher Learning. Recommend that one next! It's got a TON of famous people in it. Similar subject matter as AHX, but also has a bit of SA and LGBT issues in it too. Worth a watch, for sure.
Wanted to add that I loved the words popping up on the screen. Fabulously nerdy. XD I really enjoyed this. Gonna check out what else is on your channel.
When he said they leave it to our imagination I thought oh shit just wait.
Perpetual hatred. We still see it today, sadly.. from all sides and perspectives.
I do like that the movie leaves it up to you to think where Ed Nortons character goes from that ending, does he go back to his old ways or does he stay his newer self?