i grew up in the south and while i wasn't taught to be racist, i wasn't taught not to be. the few interactions i had with black folks were negative which started pushing me towards that mindset. in hindsight, my hometown was 80 percent black. so it's not a surprise that the few problems i had just so happened to be with black people. anyway, fast forward a few years. i wasn't walking around mumbling the n-word under my breath and seething, but i for sure was weary of, and wasn't fond of all my neighbors. then something happened. a guy moved next door to me named "nemo, like the fish" a black guy, about my age. i avoided him for a while but he wouldn't have it. the dude was -determined- to be my friend. i would hear a knock a the door and roll my eyes. there's nemo, warning me the window of my car was cracked and it was about to start raining. or sharing food... he got to me eventually. that dude single handedly pulled me back from the edge. just by insisting on being kind.
My step brother was raised in a small town in Arkansas with 1 black kid who was a skateboard friend . When his dad or anyone used the N word it pissed him off . Not a racist bone in his body . Then he moved to Memphis TN which mostly is black . Between seeing the way people in Memphis drives . He let someone at his apartment use his cell phone and they took offf running. He let a neighbor in his house to drink a beer and caught him stealing . After 5 years of Memphis he became untrusting , and he became racist. He needed a Nemo for a neighbor.
Ed Norton gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in this movie. The range in one character is astonishing. From young, sad Derek, to the skinhead rage, and then the rehabilitated adult, unreal.
@@MrValentineReacts Yeah and i need to say i have that cursed child harry potter book and its great , you have a great selection of books from Magnolia to The ballad of songbirds and snakes.
I love that Derek changing his beliefs didn't come down to getting to know and like one or two people from a group he hated: that might not have worked if he hadn't seen how shallow and hypocritical the belief of his peers was in practice. Then, to be assaulted by your peers for the same "hypocrisy" they practice themselves? In the same vein, the responsibility of Derek's father being killed didn't come down just to the race of the person who killed him: in Derek's mind, he remembers that his father didn't trust the men on his team to protect his life. It's a complicated, nuanced story with a simple message: hate is baggage.
Well the original ending of the movie was different... After his brother gets murdered, it was supposed to end with a shot of Derek looking in the mirror and starting to shave his hair back off turning racist again. But Ed Norton wouldn't do it and made them change the ending. So it was supposed to show hate breeds hate.
The thing this movie does so great is trying to have empathy and finding redemption for those we hate or disagree with. Its one of the hardest things to do knowing a person is bad but still try to reach out hand. Because most of time as a society we just spit on them and act surprised they don't change.
Looking back on the movie, you realize that Sweeney had foreshadowed Danny's death by saying "if that paper is not on my desk tomorrow morning, you are a ghost at Venice Beach High."
Whenever I hear the teacher say "He learned this, so he can unlearn it too," I think of the movie Higher Learning. Recommend that one next! It's got a TON of famous people in it. Similar subject matter as AHX, but also has a bit of SA and LGBT issues in it too. Worth a watch, for sure.
Wanted to add that I loved the words popping up on the screen. Fabulously nerdy. XD I really enjoyed this. Gonna check out what else is on your channel.
This movie helped shape my perspective growing up. I still respond negatively to anything tangentially related to the narratives that Derek initially espoused. Props on really taking this all in. It's a lot.
It always strikes me when you think of when this movie was made. It was pre-Columbine. The idea of a school shooting was even more tragic. Unfortunately today it is not nearly as shocking.
I love this movie and often see reaction videos to it. Thus far, this video in particular has my most attention. I enjoy and very much agree with your perspective.
It may have been said already, but with regards to the ending, the original cut had the screen fade to black and then you hear the hair clippers going - Derek responding and going back to that life. He challenged it and didn't want it to end that way. He wanted to break the cycle.
What I love about this film is that they humanize someone's radicalisation. Derek is not born a monster he becomes one through; nature, nurture, situation and culture. Under all the tattoos and hate he is still a human being who loves his family (even if he treats them very poorly while indicated). It helps you to relate and look in at your own less violent prejudice
Derek is a monster, but so were the dudes who broke onto his property with guns drawn and the kid who shoots his brother dead for blowing cigarette smoke in his general direction.
@@goodmanwiseman303 yes but we don't get to know them. They also could have an equally compelling film made from their perspective. My main point is the easy option would be to show Derek as the villain or become the villain (think Walter White or Tony Montana). They took a risk in showing Derek's human side, his want for redemption and his indoctrination over a downward spiral or straight villain story
It’s rumored the original written ending to the movie had Derek shaving his head again after the current cinematic version ends. In some ways how Derek & the rest of the Vinyard’s move on is interesting and unanswered by the film
I loved your reaction and because i knew what was coming your feelings throughout helped me to re examine my own feeling around this difficult and complex subject of race - thankyou
I had both of my son watch this they’re both heavy 6’5+ and the youngest one is a follower. I had a band teacher, principal, superintendent that knew I could go to wearing a jumpsuit or improve my self. When I broke a school rule he would have me tell me why I did it and if I’m full of sh*t. I would tell him some BS he had known me since 3rd grade and he had a great memory. When I told him some BS he would tell me and tell me no, you used that before and would know when said it and why I used it.
I like everybody else have held some form of ignornace growing up that I (and hopefully everybody else) grew out of. Movies like this help put many things into perspective and I always held onto the ending quote about life being too short to be angry all the time, it pulled a mirror up in front of myself and I learned to be mature and fair in my judgement of others. And to be clear, my beliefs were nowhere near as radical as what's portrayed in this movie but I could completely see myself falling into a similar trap at one point. My ignorance was never personal, it was only fueled by what I saw in the media so comparatively it was a lot easier to break out of. I used to be far left, and swung to the far right, and now I'm in the happy center on the majority of issues with certain things leaning one way or the other based on policy and personal belief. Movies like this are super important because they can really make you look at yourself and those around you without your best interest at heart. The societal manipulation through broken homes and families is very real, and extremist groups on both political sides prey on the broken and weak to manipulate and indoctrinate into their fold using emotional brainwashing to make a radical of you too. And the other thing that I appreciate about this movie too is it shows the extremes from both sides and shows you how cruel the cycle of hate is, and that even the action of breaking the cycle can incur tragedy. Great reaction, this is the first video of yours I've seen and will efinitely check out more.
You are right on several points. The reality is that most extreme and dangerous ideologies are born out of some elements of truth. There are problems in society.. things that need to be addressed. It's when these issues are approached with hate, ignorance, and fed with flawed ideologies, it only gets worse. We are all so much more similar than different, but when we are divided, it is easy to fall into other-ism. Break bread with the person who you most think is against you, and you will likely find that you and they face many of the same or similar problems and struggles.
I think this movie drills home the importance of communicating with those who hold different views, even views you regard as reprehensible. But there are some who today believe you should do a "no contact" with anyone who doesn't share all your views. Shut down all communication. And that just leads to echo chambers. How can someone change their views if they're not exposed to alternate viewpoints? By pushing a culture of not having discussions with people who hold differing views you only ensure their beliefs are solidified for life. And THAT is ignorant. . Sometimes the ones with different views really do hold evil or ignorant viewpoints but need exposure to other perspectives. And other times the ones with different views actually have it right and the ones who go apeshit when someone has dialog with them, THEY are the ones with ignorant views and are afraid by communicating with others those people will wake up to the truth and realize they've been indoctrinated. They're afraid of truth. But truth doesn't damage points of view that are legitimate
If u want to see how VERSITALE edward norton u have to see the movie ROUNDERS which was filmed at the same time as this and is one of my favorite movies of all time
The three most powerfull lines in this movie were when the prison coworker said in here your the nword. Second was when sweeney asked if anything you have done has made your life better. Third at the end when hes holding his dead brother and say what have I done. Its a movie everyone should watch. That line about has anything youve done made your life better is something I have always tried to keep in mind. If your not doing something to make your life better then your just wasting time.
I've got a serious problem with racist movies, life imitates art & vice versa cancelled movies, music or comedy that say racist or antisemitic stuff doesn't portray real life, the people who want it cancelled forget this is drama or entertainment and you should take stuff with a grain of salt, its not like they truly believe who they are portraying, trying to cancel movies that make you look at your own ignorance & bias isn't a bad thing, when you see how the father thinks then you realise they were impressionable & it came from his upbringing, his hatred got worse after his father was killed which if it were white people trying to Rob his home the racial tension he has wouldn't have made hate other races more, I remember hearing the director saying he hates the movie, no idea why, it makes us hold a mirror up to society & yourself & that's in no way a bad thing.
This movie should be a part of education in schools all over the world.I saw it at the cinema and it totally changed my point of view on several things. Like Danny said "Life is to short to be pissed of all the time"
This was/is a very important film. It still applies today, but the Rodney King incident, the cop trials, and the riots were all extremely fresh when this first came out. P.S. That curb stomp is one of those things you can’t ever unsee. One of the hardest things I’ve ever seen in a film. I’ve watched this film many times, but I have to turn away at that point.
I always forget that THE Captain Sisko, Mr. Avery Brooks is the principle in this movie. It's unreal how times change, but it all seems to rhyme... You seem like a good dude, Mr. Valentine. I'm subscribing. Also, Native Son 🤌
I had never noticed the jelly bean part as racist until I started watching peoples reactions. I just thought everyone hated the black ones because they taste horrible.
I watched another reaction w a cpl (neither had seen it). She was turning her head, but he insisted she look bc "it'll be ok." Im screaming "No it won't be ok! Save yourself!" But my cries were in vain bc she looked. The guy just kept repeating 2 words. "I'm sorry."
I love how the Vinyard family shows the different types of racism we often see. The Father is the Quiet Racist. He says it under his breathe, he seems to know it's wrong so he doesn't reveal it often. His kids seem surprised when they hear him speak this way. The Son is the Fanatic Racist. He lives it, breathes it, revels in it. His entire life revolves around it. He doesn't feel an ounce of shame, pity, remorse, or regret. The Brother is the Indoctrinated Racist. Very much like the fanatic, but his racism only exists because of his close relationship with the fanatic, who he respects, and loves. It only took a SINGLE HEART TO HEART CONVERSATION to convince him how wrong he was. But the most important thing this movie taught me, is that no one can escape the consequences of hate. It won't just hurt you, but your family. Even if you've learned from your mistakes and try to move on in life, your hate can still come back to hurt those you love.
your giving more credit to the father then he deserves imo. the fact he did not talk about often doesn't mean in anyway he think its wrong , especially in his position of being a father that needs to keep his job to feed his kids. its more likely he is afraid of societal consequences. in life keeping your mouth shut is underrated imo and can often save you from loads of shit.
The son became the "fanatic" racist after the father's death, it was the catalyst. He became just as indoctrinated by the leader as the brother from that point.
I can’t believe people watch this and ignore the stimulation that the hate received from the black side of things. The black violence was there which made the movie honest. The bullied kid on the floor is the only position that was tolerable by the audience
@@turbompson4546 But the implication is that its "their fault" but not the government. Therefore hes wrong because while hes throwing out "statistics" and hes leaving other facts off the table to support his arguments while again implying its other peoples fault.
This might be the most painful movie I’ve ever watched, but it is just so important, and hauntingly real. The curb stomp is one of the most horrific moments on film, but the ending hurts even more. Apparently the original script had Derek shaving his head again at the end, reflecting him getting dragged back into the cycle of hate, but I heard Edward Norton demanded that it be removed, leaving hope that, despite the horrible loss he endures, his character might choose not to give in to going back to the hate. I don’t know. It’s a film that needs to be appreciated, but I’ve only been able to watch it all the way through once. Appreciate your analysis. Thanks for doing this reaction, Sir.
Yeah it is remarkably discomforting while also providing some incisive trains of thought. I find that revision of the end so fascinating! much obliged for your time my friend
Watching this when it came out, I was 16. I was a punk just looking for something to pour my teenage hate, and rage into. Now watching this at 42 makes me feel dissapointed at the idiot kid that I was. This movie has changed people. I was not a bigoted asshole, just a punk kid. Now I love everyone, it doesn't matter race, religion, sex. I don't care, we are all human. Love each other
Derek also had another realization in prison. When he heard the man’s story about his minor crime and how he got more time for that than Derek did for what he did, opened his mind to the extreme racial bias in the justice system not just society. I just found you and I love your reactions. Much love. ✌🏻
Pretty sure being r@ped by his fake "brothers" is what made him realize the joke...every race has untrustworthy evil tendencies, stereotypes do exist for a reason.
Derick didn't get less time to his sentence, the Teacher got him out early with the promise to go after the white supremesist gang and bring them down. No one does six years for assault. Even against a cop. Read between the lines.
Not really. Derek was under attack from a large number of people who were trying to rob him at night, he used excessive force but a good lawyer could say he was under extreme stress and in extreme danger to reduce his sentence. America really looks down on home invaders.
Yes really, Derek wasn’t thinking about his attorney’s defense strategy dude. He was looking at the injustice in someone getting more time for braking a stolen tv set, than someone else gets for killing 2 people, one of them in an obviously malicious and calculated way. You don’t curb stomp a guy “in the heat of the moment“
In the original ending they showed Edward Norton back at home shaving his head before the cut to black, but the director decided on a more optimistic ending. And rightfully so I think
Actually it was Edward Norton who made that decision. The original director wanted the previous ending, but there was a lot of infighting until Edward basically became the de facto director by the end of production. The original director has disavowed the movie, but it's basically consensus that Edward was right and this is the better and more important ending.
No that is a right wing wishful fantasy, neither the book nor any version of the movie had any "Norton return to nazism". It is rumor that originate in nazi newsgroups, but its a lie. However it is so widespread that even Norton and the producer has been out debunking it.
They should have kept that in because it would have nailed the point home that hate begets hate, violence begets violence and an eye for an eye. For me that would have a more real impact as all of the topics in this movie are STILL relevant today. You will NEVER get rid of racism, no matter what laws get put in place or what color the president is.
a hard watch indeed, but it also gives some perspective. My big takeaway from this movie is, Exactly what Danny says at the end. Hate is Baggage, Life is too short to be pissed of all the time.
Your voice is very calming and I love your insights! The way you utilize vocabulary is so cool, you talk with ease like a well written paper with tons of thesaurus words! It’s very neat to see 😊
American History X is a film that everyone should see once. It handles a very difficult subject matter extremely well & the performances from an excellent cast are incredible. However, as much as I love American History X, it, like many others; & along with the vast majority of the media has one unfortunate side effect. This is, to re-enforces the negative stereotyping that surrounds Skinhead culture & skips over the true roots of the movement. The far right / white power skinheads often seen in films like American History X, are as far removed from being true skins as one could possibly imagine. The rise to prominence of skinheads came in two waves, with the first wave taking place in the late 1960s in the UK. The first skinheads were working class youths motivated by an expression of alternative values and working class pride, rejecting both the austerity and conservatism of the 1950s-early 1960s and the more middle class or bourgeois hippie movement and peace and love ethos of the mid to late 1960s. Skinheads were instead drawn towards more working class outsider subcultures, incorporating elements of early working class mod fashion and Jamaican music and fashion, especially from Jamaican rude boys. An overlap that existed between early skinhead subculture, mod subculture, and the rude boy subculture found among Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant youth, as these three groups interacted and fraternized with each other within the same working class and poor neighbourhoods in Britain. As skinheads adopted elements of mod subculture and Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant rude boy subculture, both first and second generation skins were influenced by the rhythms of ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as sometimes African-American soul and rhythm and blues. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a revival or second wave of the skinhead subculture, with increasing interaction between its adherents and the emerging punk movement. Oi!, a street-level working class offshoot of punk rock, soon became a vital component of skinhead culture, while the Jamaican genres beloved by first generation skinheads were filtered through punk and new wave in a style known as 2 Tone. With these twin musical movements, the skinhead subculture diversified, and contemporary skinhead fashions ranged from the original clean-cut 1960s mod- and rude boy-influenced styles to less-strict punk-influenced styles. During the early 1980s, political affiliations grew in significance and split the subculture, demarcating the far-right and far-left strands, although many skins described themselves as apolitical. In Great Britain, the skinhead subculture became associated in the public eye with membership of groups such as the far-right National Front and British Movement. By the 1990s, neo-Nazi skinhead movements existed across all of Europe and North America, but were counterbalanced by the presence of groups such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice which sprung up in response. To this day, the skinhead subculture reflects a broad spectrum of political beliefs, even as many continue to embrace it as a largely apolitical working class movement. Growing up in the North of England during the 1980s, I witnessed both sides of the skinhead movement. To this day, I have a number of skinhead friends & they are some of the most tolerant, peace loving people you could ever wish to meet.
Great reaction and analysis. That last scene with him and his brother as kids running carefree along the beach always cuts me to the bone. I love the fact that the movie doesn't need to show Lamont going to the other inmates and telling them to leave Derek alone. The fleeting look on his face before being dismissive confirms that he did look out for him.
Seriously one of my faviorte movies. Avery Brooks pretty much just being himself lol. I think the big difference between this and the current immigration issue is for most it's not a race issue. I think most don't care what race the people are. I think most actually have empathy for those wanting a better life, especially those willing to work for it. However the cartels controlling that immigration is a terrible situation. I've seen the Rape Tree where women and children are raped as they are smuggled over the border. I'm just going to stop there because for those who do struggle with race hate (or pride if they want to call it that) I hope the reflection this movie provides helps them see we are more alike than we are different.
EVERYONE needs to see this movie. It’s not exaggerated, it is completely real, whether under the surface or right out in the open. We only thought these things went away, but the evidence is in plain sight online and T.V. Yes, my man, this movie could have been made yesterday. Also, “racist valise” - brilliant!
The father didn't necessarily hold the same extremely racist views, but the combination of the dad's racism shutting down him looking at different perspectives and then also his dad dying pushed Derek to the extreme.
Have always liked the subtle look in the Black kid's eyes after he shoots Danny in the bathroom....widening like he also came to a realization, just too late.
Great reaction. One of my take aways was that there are ignorant people of every skin color. As 2Pac said in Ghetto Gospel "it ain't about black and white because we're human". Hate is hate no matter who's spewing it.
Perpetual hatred. We still see it today, sadly.. from all sides and perspectives. I do like that the movie leaves it up to you to think where Ed Nortons character goes from that ending, does he go back to his old ways or does he stay his newer self?
Read Guns, Germs, and Steel. It's the best epochal breakdown of how the colonial era broke down and it gives pause to any notion of any superiority based on melanation.
@@MrValentineReacts GG&S: interesting Pop Anthropology book. a woke revisionist oversimplification using cherry-picked data to base European dominance on geographical determinism and luck. i prefer Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee.
I liked this movie for its honesty. I think the ending muddles the message. In the opening, Danny, regardless of his reasons, is standing up for someone being bullied. The entire rest of the movie is immaterial to that. If Derek had died in prison, if Derek had been acquitted at trial, if Derek had run off and joined the French Foreign Legion, Danny would still have wound up on the bathroom floor, so long as he stands up to that bully. Most reactors comment on how tragic Danny's death is, because he has been rehabilitated. If he was still a racist, would his death have been less tragic? Would the shooter have been more justified? The movie did such a good job at unflinching honesty, it is a shame it threw it all away for the sake of a plot twist. 😯😐
Moral of the story is, hate begets more hate and the cycle of violence continues, "Hate is baggage, life's too short to go around pissed off all the time."
When I was growing up, I was always pretty racist. Growing up in Georgia will do that to you sometimes. Right after high school I joined the marines and deployed to Afghanistan after boot camp and SOI. About 6 months this into the deployment we were on the side of this mountain when we started getting ambushed. I got a pretty descent sized piece of shrapnel in my leg and slid down the side of the mountain a pretty good ways. In the midst of all this, a guy in my platoon who was black, slid down there to get me without a second thought. He drug me back up there probably 4 or 500 yards. He saved me. I hate myself for thinking the way I thought for a long time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive myself. I don’t know why I ever thought that stuff. I’ve always thought this movie needs to be shown in every high school in the country.
People discuss Ed Norton's tremendous acting in the movie (for good reason), but Edward Furlong's work was as remarkable. Loved your reaction, and your logophilia! Edited to remove redundancy.
i grew up in the south and while i wasn't taught to be racist, i wasn't taught not to be. the few interactions i had with black folks were negative which started pushing me towards that mindset. in hindsight, my hometown was 80 percent black. so it's not a surprise that the few problems i had just so happened to be with black people. anyway, fast forward a few years. i wasn't walking around mumbling the n-word under my breath and seething, but i for sure was weary of, and wasn't fond of all my neighbors. then something happened. a guy moved next door to me named "nemo, like the fish" a black guy, about my age. i avoided him for a while but he wouldn't have it. the dude was -determined- to be my friend. i would hear a knock a the door and roll my eyes. there's nemo, warning me the window of my car was cracked and it was about to start raining. or sharing food... he got to me eventually. that dude single handedly pulled me back from the edge. just by insisting on being kind.
My step brother was raised in a small town in Arkansas with 1 black kid who was a skateboard friend . When his dad or anyone used the N word it pissed him off . Not a racist bone in his body . Then he moved to Memphis TN which mostly is black . Between seeing the way people in Memphis drives . He let someone at his apartment use his cell phone and they took offf running. He let a neighbor in his house to drink a beer and caught him stealing . After 5 years of Memphis he became untrusting , and he became racist. He needed a Nemo for a neighbor.
Ed Norton gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in this movie. The range in one character is astonishing. From young, sad Derek, to the skinhead rage, and then the rehabilitated adult, unreal.
it was quite something to behold. He was in his bag from the opening to the final frame
He should have got an Oscar for this
Agree amazing preformance AND a GREAT movie !
@@MrValentineReacts Check out "PRIMAL FEAR" with Edward Norton, Richard Gere, Andre Braugher. It's a great movie!!
@@MrValentineReacts Yeah and i need to say i have that cursed child harry potter book and its great , you have a great selection of books from Magnolia to The ballad of songbirds and snakes.
I love that Derek changing his beliefs didn't come down to getting to know and like one or two people from a group he hated: that might not have worked if he hadn't seen how shallow and hypocritical the belief of his peers was in practice. Then, to be assaulted by your peers for the same "hypocrisy" they practice themselves? In the same vein, the responsibility of Derek's father being killed didn't come down just to the race of the person who killed him: in Derek's mind, he remembers that his father didn't trust the men on his team to protect his life. It's a complicated, nuanced story with a simple message: hate is baggage.
Or, the older term, "hate begets hate".
Seriously. I've met shit people of all shades and great ones as well.
Well the original ending of the movie was different... After his brother gets murdered, it was supposed to end with a shot of Derek looking in the mirror and starting to shave his hair back off turning racist again. But Ed Norton wouldn't do it and made them change the ending. So it was supposed to show hate breeds hate.
The thing this movie does so great is trying to have empathy and finding redemption for those we hate or disagree with. Its one of the hardest things to do knowing a person is bad but still try to reach out hand. Because most of time as a society we just spit on them and act surprised they don't change.
And that's an issue that just doesn't stop and it seems that social media today just worsens it.
Looking back on the movie, you realize that Sweeney had foreshadowed Danny's death by saying "if that paper is not on my desk tomorrow morning, you are a ghost at Venice Beach High."
goodness gracious that is great writing
Cant believe you cut out the best line in the movie. " Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it."
GREAT MOVIE AND LIKE YOU SAID, AN IMPORTANT FILM.. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE AND HATE.
so significant
You and I should probably be best friends. Just saying. There are few people on here who love words as much as you do. @@MrValentineReacts
"He started blasting immediately."
Yeah. 😂
Whenever I hear the teacher say "He learned this, so he can unlearn it too," I think of the movie Higher Learning. Recommend that one next! It's got a TON of famous people in it. Similar subject matter as AHX, but also has a bit of SA and LGBT issues in it too. Worth a watch, for sure.
Wanted to add that I loved the words popping up on the screen. Fabulously nerdy. XD I really enjoyed this. Gonna check out what else is on your channel.
You’re so articulate and I love that you show pride in it.
This movie helped shape my perspective growing up. I still respond negatively to anything tangentially related to the narratives that Derek initially espoused. Props on really taking this all in. It's a lot.
Great reaction❤❤❤this movie is so hard to watch but so good at the same time. I love the way they brought this issue to light in this movie.
It always strikes me when you think of when this movie was made. It was pre-Columbine. The idea of a school shooting was even more tragic. Unfortunately today it is not nearly as shocking.
I love this movie and often see reaction videos to it. Thus far, this video in particular has my most attention. I enjoy and very much agree with your perspective.
I forgot his teacher is captain sisko. Makes this movie so much better.
And the sister plays Kes on Voyager
@@akildasgreat reference
Hate is baggage.
Ok, what is ''hate''? if you dont want to tolerate the 10% of population (black people) mades the 60% of ALL muders in USA per year is ''hate''?
I forgot how well this story was told. Ed Norton is a dope ass actor. I remember his role in Primal Fear; the first time I saw him.
he still seems to make good movies
It may have been said already, but with regards to the ending, the original cut had the screen fade to black and then you hear the hair clippers going - Derek responding and going back to that life. He challenged it and didn't want it to end that way. He wanted to break the cycle.
What I love about this film is that they humanize someone's radicalisation. Derek is not born a monster he becomes one through; nature, nurture, situation and culture. Under all the tattoos and hate he is still a human being who loves his family (even if he treats them very poorly while indicated). It helps you to relate and look in at your own less violent prejudice
Derek is a monster, but so were the dudes who broke onto his property with guns drawn and the kid who shoots his brother dead for blowing cigarette smoke in his general direction.
@@goodmanwiseman303 yes but we don't get to know them. They also could have an equally compelling film made from their perspective. My main point is the easy option would be to show Derek as the villain or become the villain (think Walter White or Tony Montana). They took a risk in showing Derek's human side, his want for redemption and his indoctrination over a downward spiral or straight villain story
I just found you tonight. You obviously have a grasp on film and art in general. You earned a sub.
It’s rumored the original written ending to the movie had Derek shaving his head again after the current cinematic version ends. In some ways how Derek & the rest of the Vinyard’s move on is interesting and unanswered by the film
The history teacher/mom's ex boyfriend is Ross Geller's dad from Friends
I loved your reaction and because i knew what was coming your feelings throughout helped me to re examine my own feeling around this difficult and complex subject of race - thankyou
Excellent analysis. Your commentary on this film is the best I've seen on TH-cam. I agree it is a disturbing but important film. Bravo!
bro i had to google like 30 words that you used, your vocabulary is off the charts!
I had both of my son watch this they’re both heavy 6’5+ and the youngest one is a follower. I had a band teacher, principal, superintendent that knew I could go to wearing a jumpsuit or improve my self. When I broke a school rule he would have me tell me why I did it and if I’m full of sh*t. I would tell him some BS he had known me since 3rd grade and he had a great memory. When I told him some BS he would tell me and tell me no, you used that before and would know when said it and why I used it.
I like everybody else have held some form of ignornace growing up that I (and hopefully everybody else) grew out of. Movies like this help put many things into perspective and I always held onto the ending quote about life being too short to be angry all the time, it pulled a mirror up in front of myself and I learned to be mature and fair in my judgement of others. And to be clear, my beliefs were nowhere near as radical as what's portrayed in this movie but I could completely see myself falling into a similar trap at one point. My ignorance was never personal, it was only fueled by what I saw in the media so comparatively it was a lot easier to break out of. I used to be far left, and swung to the far right, and now I'm in the happy center on the majority of issues with certain things leaning one way or the other based on policy and personal belief. Movies like this are super important because they can really make you look at yourself and those around you without your best interest at heart. The societal manipulation through broken homes and families is very real, and extremist groups on both political sides prey on the broken and weak to manipulate and indoctrinate into their fold using emotional brainwashing to make a radical of you too. And the other thing that I appreciate about this movie too is it shows the extremes from both sides and shows you how cruel the cycle of hate is, and that even the action of breaking the cycle can incur tragedy. Great reaction, this is the first video of yours I've seen and will efinitely check out more.
You are right on several points. The reality is that most extreme and dangerous ideologies are born out of some elements of truth. There are problems in society.. things that need to be addressed. It's when these issues are approached with hate, ignorance, and fed with flawed ideologies, it only gets worse. We are all so much more similar than different, but when we are divided, it is easy to fall into other-ism. Break bread with the person who you most think is against you, and you will likely find that you and they face many of the same or similar problems and struggles.
@@chlupl Well said
I think this movie drills home the importance of communicating with those who hold different views, even views you regard as reprehensible. But there are some who today believe you should do a "no contact" with anyone who doesn't share all your views. Shut down all communication. And that just leads to echo chambers. How can someone change their views if they're not exposed to alternate viewpoints? By pushing a culture of not having discussions with people who hold differing views you only ensure their beliefs are solidified for life. And THAT is ignorant.
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Sometimes the ones with different views really do hold evil or ignorant viewpoints but need exposure to other perspectives. And other times the ones with different views actually have it right and the ones who go apeshit when someone has dialog with them, THEY are the ones with ignorant views and are afraid by communicating with others those people will wake up to the truth and realize they've been indoctrinated. They're afraid of truth. But truth doesn't damage points of view that are legitimate
Too many enjoy being Fake Woke
I saw this in the theatre when it came out and had no idea what I was in for. It's still one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen.
I just realized i never heard an american say "milieu" before.
If u want to see how VERSITALE edward norton u have to see the movie ROUNDERS which was filmed at the same time as this and is one of my favorite movies of all time
I found out recently Ed Norton was the leper king in Kingdom Of Heaven, I knew I recognized the voice but never made the connection.
The three most powerfull lines in this movie were when the prison coworker said in here your the nword. Second was when sweeney asked if anything you have done has made your life better. Third at the end when hes holding his dead brother and say what have I done. Its a movie everyone should watch. That line about has anything youve done made your life better is something I have always tried to keep in mind. If your not doing something to make your life better then your just wasting time.
This is a movie that sticks with you. It's impactful and powerful.
We learn from what we see, regardless of our background. Everybody dies alone, but it's too late to realize. When it is too late
Learned a bunch new words from ya ❤
Unfortunately we can’t walk away from our fucked up pasts. You have to work to make amends, and hope we are given enough time to make amends.
I've got a serious problem with racist movies, life imitates art & vice versa cancelled movies, music or comedy that say racist or antisemitic stuff doesn't portray real life, the people who want it cancelled forget this is drama or entertainment and you should take stuff with a grain of salt, its not like they truly believe who they are portraying, trying to cancel movies that make you look at your own ignorance & bias isn't a bad thing, when you see how the father thinks then you realise they were impressionable & it came from his upbringing, his hatred got worse after his father was killed which if it were white people trying to Rob his home the racial tension he has wouldn't have made hate other races more, I remember hearing the director saying he hates the movie, no idea why, it makes us hold a mirror up to society & yourself & that's in no way a bad thing.
This movie should be a part of education in schools all over the world.I saw it at the cinema and it totally changed my point of view on several things. Like Danny said "Life is to short to be pissed of all the time"
Yes it ends on the other side of racism and hatred
It was real, visceral, and reflective. It made you feel the hate and the redemption. While also saying life isn't fair.
Since when did the main door to any house open out?
“ a g** in one hand and camera in the other somethings getting shot” this is golden 😅
Haha. It was hard not thinking of him outside of his character in remember the titans. Talk about incongruous
This was/is a very important film. It still applies today, but the Rodney King incident, the cop trials, and the riots were all extremely fresh when this first came out.
P.S. That curb stomp is one of those things you can’t ever unsee. One of the hardest things I’ve ever seen in a film. I’ve watched this film many times, but I have to turn away at that point.
Your reaction was the same as mine. So uncomfortable, but there is so much character progression. And the twist at the end….
Derek was wrong they're actually moving all the immigrants to black neighborhoods in Chicago and NY.
that tracks
This movie as so important and I appreciate that you are doing a réaction to it.
"Is Derek the originator of the Great Replacement Theory?" Nope, he was an early adopter of it though!
First time watching, love you bro
♥
I always forget that THE Captain Sisko, Mr. Avery Brooks is the principle in this movie. It's unreal how times change, but it all seems to rhyme... You seem like a good dude, Mr. Valentine. I'm subscribing. Also, Native Son 🤌
I need to watch Star Trek lol, I'm so uninitiated. Yeah, things have an unsettling echo but I'm ever the optimist! 🤙🏽
I had never noticed the jelly bean part as racist until I started watching peoples reactions. I just thought everyone hated the black ones because they taste horrible.
Came for the reaction, stayed for the vocab lesson.
That curb stomp has haunted me for years
It's haunted everyone for years. Definitely sticks with you.
I've thought about it once a day since I've watched it
I watched another reaction w a cpl (neither had seen it). She was turning her head, but he insisted she look bc "it'll be ok." Im screaming "No it won't be ok! Save yourself!" But my cries were in vain bc she looked. The guy just kept repeating 2 words. "I'm sorry."
@@sunnyj210 I watched it the first time I saw this movie but since then, I've always turned away.
the sound they put in, so you hear his teeth on the concrete is probably the most horrific foley work ever done
You might be the most insightful reactors I've come across. Really appreciate your analysis of this movie.
thank you for viewing this with me!
Yeah I like it
I love how the Vinyard family shows the different types of racism we often see.
The Father is the Quiet Racist. He says it under his breathe, he seems to know it's wrong so he doesn't reveal it often. His kids seem surprised when they hear him speak this way.
The Son is the Fanatic Racist. He lives it, breathes it, revels in it. His entire life revolves around it. He doesn't feel an ounce of shame, pity, remorse, or regret.
The Brother is the Indoctrinated Racist. Very much like the fanatic, but his racism only exists because of his close relationship with the fanatic, who he respects, and loves. It only took a SINGLE HEART TO HEART CONVERSATION to convince him how wrong he was.
But the most important thing this movie taught me, is that no one can escape the consequences of hate. It won't just hurt you, but your family. Even if you've learned from your mistakes and try to move on in life, your hate can still come back to hurt those you love.
Call it what you want. His statistics and facts were on point. And it's even worse today.
your giving more credit to the father then he deserves imo. the fact he did not talk about often doesn't mean in anyway he think its wrong , especially in his position of being a father that needs to keep his job to feed his kids. its more likely he is afraid of societal consequences. in life keeping your mouth shut is underrated imo and can often save you from loads of shit.
The son became the "fanatic" racist after the father's death, it was the catalyst. He became just as indoctrinated by the leader as the brother from that point.
I can’t believe people watch this and ignore the stimulation that the hate received from the black side of things. The black violence was there which made the movie honest. The bullied kid on the floor is the only position that was tolerable by the audience
@@turbompson4546 But the implication is that its "their fault" but not the government. Therefore hes wrong because while hes throwing out "statistics" and hes leaving other facts off the table to support his arguments while again implying its other peoples fault.
This might be the most painful movie I’ve ever watched, but it is just so important, and hauntingly real. The curb stomp is one of the most horrific moments on film, but the ending hurts even more. Apparently the original script had Derek shaving his head again at the end, reflecting him getting dragged back into the cycle of hate, but I heard Edward Norton demanded that it be removed, leaving hope that, despite the horrible loss he endures, his character might choose not to give in to going back to the hate. I don’t know. It’s a film that needs to be appreciated, but I’ve only been able to watch it all the way through once.
Appreciate your analysis. Thanks for doing this reaction, Sir.
Yeah it is remarkably discomforting while also providing some incisive trains of thought. I find that revision of the end so fascinating! much obliged for your time my friend
if you think this is bad you should watch requiem for a dream
Watching this when it came out, I was 16. I was a punk just looking for something to pour my teenage hate, and rage into. Now watching this at 42 makes me feel dissapointed at the idiot kid that I was. This movie has changed people. I was not a bigoted asshole, just a punk kid. Now I love everyone, it doesn't matter race, religion, sex. I don't care, we are all human. Love each other
Grant that past youngself a bit of love too :) He changed into a good person. Doesn't sound like he was such an idiot :)
Really tough to watch at times, but it's a film that you never forget
Derek also had another realization in prison. When he heard the man’s story about his minor crime and how he got more time for that than Derek did for what he did, opened his mind to the extreme racial bias in the justice system not just society. I just found you and I love your reactions. Much love. ✌🏻
Pretty sure being r@ped by his fake "brothers" is what made him realize the joke...every race has untrustworthy evil tendencies, stereotypes do exist for a reason.
Derick didn't get less time to his sentence, the Teacher got him out early with the promise to go after the white supremesist gang and bring them down. No one does six years for assault. Even against a cop. Read between the lines.
Well put! cheers 🤙🏽
Not really. Derek was under attack from a large number of people who were trying to rob him at night, he used excessive force but a good lawyer could say he was under extreme stress and in extreme danger to reduce his sentence. America really looks down on home invaders.
Yes really, Derek wasn’t thinking about his attorney’s defense strategy dude. He was looking at the injustice in someone getting more time for braking a stolen tv set, than someone else gets for killing 2 people, one of them in an obviously malicious and calculated way. You don’t curb stomp a guy “in the heat of the moment“
Cool reaction my guy, an important film for sure.
Also, really enjoyed your review / conclusion. The world needs more people like you.
❤
In the original ending they showed Edward Norton back at home shaving his head before the cut to black, but the director decided on a more optimistic ending. And rightfully so I think
Actually it was Edward Norton who made that decision. The original director wanted the previous ending, but there was a lot of infighting until Edward basically became the de facto director by the end of production. The original director has disavowed the movie, but it's basically consensus that Edward was right and this is the better and more important ending.
Never knew this! Gives me even more respect for him, so dedicated
No that is a right wing wishful fantasy, neither the book nor any version of the movie had any "Norton return to nazism". It is rumor that originate in nazi newsgroups, but its a lie. However it is so widespread that even Norton and the producer has been out debunking it.
@@extantsanity Correct, it was Tony Kaye but he did not want his name associated with the movie so he shows up as 'Humpty Dumpty' on the credits.
They should have kept that in because it would have nailed the point home that hate begets hate, violence begets violence and an eye for an eye.
For me that would have a more real impact as all of the topics in this movie are STILL relevant today.
You will NEVER get rid of racism, no matter what laws get put in place or what color the president is.
Death to Smoochy if you want the polar opposite of Norton's acting range. So underrated.
Seconded. There is a lot to love in that movie. Robin Williams, Jon Stewart, & Danny Devito?! One of the goats for sure.
If you want to continue the Ed Norton run, check out Primal Fear next. Young Ed plays another wild role in a movie that will blow your mind.
I need more Norton for sure! thanks for the rec
That is such a great movie!
@@MrValentineReacts You could also check out "Leaves of Grass" starring Ed Norton as Bill Kincaid and.... Ed Norton as Brady Kincaid. Double dose.
a hard watch indeed, but it also gives some perspective. My big takeaway from this movie is, Exactly what Danny says at the end. Hate is Baggage, Life is too short to be pissed of all the time.
Your voice is very calming and I love your insights! The way you utilize vocabulary is so cool, you talk with ease like a well written paper with tons of thesaurus words! It’s very neat to see 😊
🙌🏽
William Russ is the dad.
Most known for his role as Alan Matthews or Corey’s dad in the sitcom Boy Meets World.
oh man!!!! I knew he looked familiar
When you threw out that Nietsche line in the MIDDLE of the movie, I was like, “Great quote but wait till the end!”
"Gun in one hand, camera in the other - something's getting shot!"
Casually brilliant.
nice reaction man, that oreo joke made me laugh!
American History X is a film that everyone should see once. It handles a very difficult subject matter extremely well & the performances from an excellent cast are incredible.
However, as much as I love American History X, it, like many others; & along with the vast majority of the media has one unfortunate side effect. This is, to re-enforces the negative stereotyping that surrounds Skinhead culture & skips over the true roots of the movement.
The far right / white power skinheads often seen in films like American History X, are as far removed from being true skins as one could possibly imagine.
The rise to prominence of skinheads came in two waves, with the first wave taking place in the late 1960s in the UK. The first skinheads were working class youths motivated by an expression of alternative values and working class pride, rejecting both the austerity and conservatism of the 1950s-early 1960s and the more middle class or bourgeois hippie movement and peace and love ethos of the mid to late 1960s. Skinheads were instead drawn towards more working class outsider subcultures, incorporating elements of early working class mod fashion and Jamaican music and fashion, especially from Jamaican rude boys.
An overlap that existed between early skinhead subculture, mod subculture, and the rude boy subculture found among Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant youth, as these three groups interacted and fraternized with each other within the same working class and poor neighbourhoods in Britain. As skinheads adopted elements of mod subculture and Jamaican British and Jamaican immigrant rude boy subculture, both first and second generation skins were influenced by the rhythms of ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as sometimes African-American soul and rhythm and blues.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a revival or second wave of the skinhead subculture, with increasing interaction between its adherents and the emerging punk movement. Oi!, a street-level working class offshoot of punk rock, soon became a vital component of skinhead culture, while the Jamaican genres beloved by first generation skinheads were filtered through punk and new wave in a style known as 2 Tone. With these twin musical movements, the skinhead subculture diversified, and contemporary skinhead fashions ranged from the original clean-cut 1960s mod- and rude boy-influenced styles to less-strict punk-influenced styles.
During the early 1980s, political affiliations grew in significance and split the subculture, demarcating the far-right and far-left strands, although many skins described themselves as apolitical. In Great Britain, the skinhead subculture became associated in the public eye with membership of groups such as the far-right National Front and British Movement. By the 1990s, neo-Nazi skinhead movements existed across all of Europe and North America, but were counterbalanced by the presence of groups such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice which sprung up in response. To this day, the skinhead subculture reflects a broad spectrum of political beliefs, even as many continue to embrace it as a largely apolitical working class movement.
Growing up in the North of England during the 1980s, I witnessed both sides of the skinhead movement. To this day, I have a number of skinhead friends & they are some of the most tolerant, peace loving people you could ever wish to meet.
Edward Norton is such a fantastic actor. Primal Fear was the first thing I saw him in. Stunning.
What a great reaction and analysis, I just found your channel and subscribed, definitly want to see more of your reactions!
grateful for your time 💙
22:14 the bl@ck man calls YOUR GENETICS (BLOOD) Neanderthal and you kiss his some side... ARE YOU STUPD?
Great reaction and analysis. That last scene with him and his brother as kids running carefree along the beach always cuts me to the bone. I love the fact that the movie doesn't need to show Lamont going to the other inmates and telling them to leave Derek alone. The fleeting look on his face before being dismissive confirms that he did look out for him.
a sophisticated execution of storytelling
Seriously one of my faviorte movies. Avery Brooks pretty much just being himself lol. I think the big difference between this and the current immigration issue is for most it's not a race issue. I think most don't care what race the people are. I think most actually have empathy for those wanting a better life, especially those willing to work for it. However the cartels controlling that immigration is a terrible situation. I've seen the Rape Tree where women and children are raped as they are smuggled over the border. I'm just going to stop there because for those who do struggle with race hate (or pride if they want to call it that) I hope the reflection this movie provides helps them see we are more alike than we are different.
Dude I love your reaction too this movie 🫠
EVERYONE needs to see this movie. It’s not exaggerated, it is completely real, whether under the surface or right out in the open. We only thought these things went away, but the evidence is in plain sight online and T.V. Yes, my man, this movie could have been made yesterday.
Also, “racist valise” - brilliant!
Hghly recommend the films The Grey Zone & Escape From Sobibor. True stories. 😎
The father didn't necessarily hold the same extremely racist views, but the combination of the dad's racism shutting down him looking at different perspectives and then also his dad dying pushed Derek to the extreme.
Have always liked the subtle look in the Black kid's eyes after he shoots Danny in the bathroom....widening like he also came to a realization, just too late.
excellent point! it is a microexpression of wtf
Still a very important movie. They made us watch this at school and it shook us for a long time. Very effective.
Great reaction. One of my take aways was that there are ignorant people of every skin color. As 2Pac said in Ghetto Gospel "it ain't about black and white because we're human". Hate is hate no matter who's spewing it.
Perpetual hatred. We still see it today, sadly.. from all sides and perspectives.
I do like that the movie leaves it up to you to think where Ed Nortons character goes from that ending, does he go back to his old ways or does he stay his newer self?
This movie should be shown in all schools!!! Fr. i think you can learn much from this movie!!!! Keep up the good work man
Read Guns, Germs, and Steel. It's the best epochal breakdown of how the colonial era broke down and it gives pause to any notion of any superiority based on melanation.
thanks for the suggestion; always looking for my next good read into which I can sink my teeth
@@MrValentineReacts GG&S: interesting Pop Anthropology book. a woke revisionist oversimplification using cherry-picked data to base European dominance on geographical determinism and luck.
i prefer Diamond's The Third Chimpanzee.
I think the last scene is saying hatred knows no color…..
Your chapter timestamp seems to be off, review begins really at about 44:40 .
thanks for the heads up
I liked this movie for its honesty. I think the ending muddles the message. In the opening, Danny, regardless of his reasons, is standing up for someone being bullied. The entire rest of the movie is immaterial to that. If Derek had died in prison, if Derek had been acquitted at trial, if Derek had run off and joined the French Foreign Legion, Danny would still have wound up on the bathroom floor, so long as he stands up to that bully. Most reactors comment on how tragic Danny's death is, because he has been rehabilitated. If he was still a racist, would his death have been less tragic? Would the shooter have been more justified? The movie did such a good job at unflinching honesty, it is a shame it threw it all away for the sake of a plot twist. 😯😐
Moral of the story is, hate begets more hate and the cycle of violence continues, "Hate is baggage, life's too short to go around pissed off all the time."
A triumph of the will reference? A fellow history buff, perhaps? Lol
Not a history buff just yet, but thoroughly intrigued haha
Excellent view...If we can all just keep adding to our collective perspectives, we will all continue to grow and keep breaking down walls.
A reaction that quotes Nietzsche and Zappa... I never expected.
8:57 It was a Triumph! ( of the will ). well played :)
Awesome reaction. You nailed it. Keep up the great work.
🤙🏽
When I was growing up, I was always pretty racist. Growing up in Georgia will do that to you sometimes. Right after high school I joined the marines and deployed to Afghanistan after boot camp and SOI. About 6 months this into the deployment we were on the side of this mountain when we started getting ambushed. I got a pretty descent sized piece of shrapnel in my leg and slid down the side of the mountain a pretty good ways. In the midst of all this, a guy in my platoon who was black, slid down there to get me without a second thought. He drug me back up there probably 4 or 500 yards. He saved me. I hate myself for thinking the way I thought for a long time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to forgive myself. I don’t know why I ever thought that stuff. I’ve always thought this movie needs to be shown in every high school in the country.
-isms, the divide and conquer methods used thoughout history.
This is a great movie! It depicts what the seeds of hatred grow into.
This was an emotional and intellegent reaction. Thumbs up. I look forward to seeing more. I like that you didn't end the conversation with the movie.
Its very real ive grown up around nskinz and skinz . Ones that sported the red laces too unfortunately.
"Gun in one hand, camera in the other. Something is getting shot."
Underrated joke.
2:59 Time will fill in all the details (as you know by now)
People discuss Ed Norton's tremendous acting in the movie (for good reason), but Edward Furlong's work was as remarkable. Loved your reaction, and your logophilia!
Edited to remove redundancy.