american history x

i watched American History X last night. whoa, that was good. i mean, most movies with Edward Norton rock my socks, but this was so much better than i thought it would be. i will now trust dani when she tells me something is "my kind of movie." this from a chick that introduced me to such awesomeness as dancer in the dark and hair, i should've known i'd adore this movie.

and since i can't seem to think of something more intelligent than the review on amazon, i'll quote it:

Perhaps the highest compliment you can pay to Edward Norton is that his Oscar-nominated performance in American History X nearly convinces you that there is a shred of logic in the tenets of white supremacy. If that statement doesn't horrify you, it should; Norton is so fully immersed in his role as a neo-Nazi skinhead that his character's eloquent defense of racism is disturbingly persuasive--at least on the surface. Looking lean and mean with a swastika tattoo and a mind full of hate, Derek Vinyard (Norton) has inherited racism from his father, and that learning has been intensified through his service to Cameron (Stacy Keach), a grown-up thug playing tyrant and teacher to a growing band of disenfranchised teens from Venice Beach, California, all hungry for an ideology that fuels their brooding alienation.

The film's basic message--that hate is learned and can be unlearned--is expressed through Derek's kid brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), whose sibling hero-worship increases after Derek is imprisoned (or, in Danny's mind, martyred) for the killing of two black men. Lacking Derek's gift of rebel rhetoric, Danny is easily swayed into the violent, hateful lifestyle that Derek disowns during his thoughtful time in prison. Once released, Derek struggles to save his brother from a violent fate, and American History X partially suffers from a mix of intense emotions, awkward sentiment, and predictably inevitable plotting. And yet British director Tony Kaye (who would later protest against Norton's creative intervention during post-production) manages to juggle these qualities--and a compelling clash of visual styles--to considerable effect. No matter how strained their collaboration may have been, both Kaye and Norton can be proud to have created a film that addresses the issue of racism with dramatically forceful impact.

very awesome. plus it's got plenty of edward-norton-in-the-shower-scenes, though one of those scenes is rather disturbing. after the movie i just turned off the TV and stared at the wall in the dark. it probably didn't help that i was drowsy from allergy medication. it took awhile for it all to sink in.

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on another note, i've had the same Primus song stuck in my head for days, so i added it to my radio.blog, that way i can get it stuck in everyone else's head. so go have a listen, it's infectious.