The Best masterpiece of it's time

Rating: 9/10 (19 March 2000)

Tony Kaye's American History X is the most shocking film of the year (especially considering most of it is happening now). It is violent, electrifying and sad. But it also is terrific in it's acting, directing and photography.
Edward Norton is the highlight of this film (along with an Oscar Nom.) as the troubled Derek Vinyard, who after his father is killed by a group of blacks is drawn into the Neo-Nazi movement in Venice Beach. The scenes depicting his time in the Nazi movement is startling, violent, and frustrating. It really puts the zap on your head. Anyway, after Derek is put in jail for double murder, he leaves only wanting to save his brother (played well by Edward Furlong) from the same movement that put him into jail. All through the film, we never feel anything in this movie is less than perfect. I certaintly didn't, and hopefully you won't either. Best film of 1998. A++