One of the best movies ever made.

Rating: 10/10 (2 October 2006)

What can be said about American History X that hasn't already been said? The plot is excellent, the message loud and clear, the performances stunning, and the ending heartbreaking. To think that Edward Norton didn't win best actor surprises me to say the least. Roberto Benigni must have given one HELL of a performance if it was better than Edward Norton's.
One of the things that makes this movie so remarkable is Derek's transformation from cold-blooded, bigoted, ruthless neo-nazi to moral, upstanding citizen. Much of the movie (the black and white part) focuses on Derek's life before and during prison. He goes to any and all lengths to prevent his brother Danny from going down the same wrong path. From an act Danny does early on in the movie, he pays the ultimate price at the end.
To think that American History X wasn't even nominated for best picture is really, not just shocking, but strange too. Strange that movies like this are overlooked all too often these days.