Anyone seen this film ?

Greenlizard0 · 23 Mar 2009 at 20:36

It's a dark film, not Sunday chilldown worthy but a good watch nevertheless..

Nitefly · 23 Mar 2009 at 20:37

Chimerical said:
Is there though?

There are occassional bursts of violence but its not gory and its pretty infrequent. You don't even see the guy's head get busted open on the pavement.

I don't think violence has to be gory to make it a 'violent' film. Violence can also be of the implied, disturbing variety.

Chimerical · 23 Mar 2009 at 20:41

Nitefly said:
I don't think violence has to be gory to make it a 'violent' film. Violence can also be of the implied, disturbing variety.

Yes but its not gratuitous or constant. Oppositely James Bond movies have large body counts but they're not violent.

Its actually quite clever of this film that it is thought of as violent when really I'm not sure you ever really see anything that graphic.

Anyway, its a pretty entertaining, well-paced movie with good dialogue but best not to take it too seriously.

JimAroo · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:15

Excellent film, everyone should watch it.

ins0mn1ac · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:17

Amazing film.

james.miller · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:20

Chimerical said:
I'm in two minds about this film. Its very entertaining and fun to watch but it's message is ultimately nonsense and it is contrived and shallow.

is it though? i live by it. its a bit difficult to hold a debate about it without spoilering though

JimAroo · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:27

Chimerical said:
I'm in two minds about this film. Its very entertaining and fun to watch but it's message is ultimately nonsense and it is contrived and shallow.

I don't know how anyone can call it "nonsense and shallow".

Chimerical · 23 Mar 2009 at 21:44

james.miller said:
is it though? i live by it. its a bit difficult to hold a debate about it without spoilering though

JimAroo said:
I don't know how anyone can call it "nonsense and shallow".

Because its one of those films that thinks its "worthier" than it actually is. It is shallow because all the characters are very one dimensional and it all builds up to what is admittedly a predictable ending.

As said though, it is entertaining and has good replay value but it shouldn't be so well acclaimed as a film about racism.

caff · 24 Mar 2009 at 01:13

Chimerical said:
Because its one of those films that thinks its "worthier" than it actually is. It is shallow because all the characters are very one dimensional and it all builds up to what is admittedly a predictable ending.

As said though, it is entertaining and has good replay value but it shouldn't be so well acclaimed as a film about racism.

Totally agreed, in my view it's in the same league as Romper Stomper. Worthy subjects, but skewed and overtly violent films.

To those that believe American History X is a good film, go and seek out some foreign films - e.g. La Haine and Once Were Warriors, both notable in my mind.

Chimerical · 24 Mar 2009 at 01:40

caff said:
Totally agreed, in my view it's in the same league as Romper Stomper. Worthy subjects, but skewed and overtly violent films.

To those that believe American History X is a good film, go and seek out some foreign films - e.g. La Haine and Once Were Warriors, both notable in my mind.

Yes. American History X can't hold a candle to La Haine.

AHX is the more pacey, popcorn movie and will appeal to more people but La Haine is supposed to be so accurate that its been shown to French Ministers or something as a portrayal of suburban life in France and their social issues.

Basically I'd watch AHX so I can switch my brain off and simply be entertained and I'd watch La Haine to be educated.

semi-pro waster · 24 Mar 2009 at 08:18

caff said:
To those that believe American History X is a good film, go and seek out some foreign films - e.g. La Haine and Once Were Warriors, both notable in my mind.

I'm pretty sure I've watched both and they are very good films although I remember less about La Haine. Once Were Warriors is particularly good at displaying the futility and violence that accompanies it.

Locke · 24 Mar 2009 at 08:31

Excellent movie.

gc4170 · 24 Mar 2009 at 10:16

both la haine and american history x are brilliant films. i wasnt happy about the cat though.....

reflux · 24 Mar 2009 at 10:23

Epic film. Love Edward Norton normally (not in a gay way, i am not a gay). This film is one of his best, after Fight Club.

fro5tie · 24 Mar 2009 at 11:28

Brilliant film, definately watch it!

The Dread Pirate · 24 Mar 2009 at 11:32

OP T'is a fantastially disturbing film film

Maccy · 24 Mar 2009 at 13:57

Chimerical said:
Is there though?

There are occassional bursts of violence but its not gory and its pretty infrequent. You don't even see the guy's head get busted open on the pavement.

So you wouldn't call seeing *2 examples of violence removed, spoilers as the OP hasn't seen*. There's more examples but I just can't remember the film off the top of my head.

jakeke · 24 Mar 2009 at 14:02

caff said:
Totally agreed, in my view it's in the same league as Romper Stomper. Worthy subjects, but skewed and overtly violent films.

To those that believe American History X is a good film, go and seek out some foreign films - e.g. La Haine and Once Were Warriors, both notable in my mind.

I've seen those movies and I still think AHX is a good movie :confused:

Cosimo · 24 Mar 2009 at 14:18

caff said:
To those that believe American History X is a good film, go and seek out some foreign films - e.g. La Haine and Once Were Warriors, both notable in my mind.

I would highly recommend La Haine, it portrays a bleak future and racism on an impoverished French housing estate, one of the best French films of the 90s.

caff · 25 Mar 2009 at 00:09

simulatorman said:
I would highly recommend La Haine, it portrays a bleak future and racism on an impoverished French housing estate, one of the best French films of the 90s.

Good to see some fans. I found it a refreshing and non-condescending film, similar to the TV series The Wire. Which incidentally, I'm about to bump a thread about...