American History X

I just finished watching American History X a few minutes ago. I've seen it before so I was only going to watch a few minutes of it but it's such a riveting movie I ended up watching the whole thing. If you've never seen it, be warned - it is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It is vile and brutally graphic in its depictions of the white power movement and of life in prison. It is full of the most profane and hateful speech you can image. The images presented in this movie are among the most disturbing I've seen and they won't soon leave you when the film is done. With all of that said, it is still one of the most powerful and compelling movies I've ever seen. Edward Norton is a genius of an actor and his portrayal of the transformation of the films central character is absolutlely mesmerising. For those who look for a spiritual context in the movies they watch, there is plenty to choose from here. Some of the films central themes include the sins of the father (or in this case the brother acting as the father figure) being visited upon the children, the futility of hate and reaping what you sow just to name a few. It obviously isn't for everyone, but I think that there are movies that shouldn't be watched for simple enjoyment (think Saving Private Ryan). They are harsh and ugly and hard to look at, but so is the reality of what they are portraying. American History X is an unflinching stare into the ugly face of racism in America. It's a film that needs to be seen.