American History X (1998) film summary
Summaries Assignment
American History X (1998)
American History X is a story about two brothers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) and Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong), who struggle to overcome racial barriers when they are faced with the tragic death of their father. Derek, becomes a Neo-Nazi enthusiast after his fire fighter father parishes in a fire set by black gang members. In a vulnerable place in his life, Derek falls into the hands of Cameron Alexander. Alexander is the leader of a Baptist church looking to brainwash the youth into white supremacy ways of life. Derek quickly gets incarcerated after, killing two black men trying to steal his truck. They story then progresses with Danny whose now a high school student following in his brothers footsteps. While Derek is incarcerated, he makes friends with his African American cellmate named Lamont. This newly formed friendship causes him to question his views. When Derek is released from prison he becomes instantly worried about Danny following in his path. He reaches out to an old teacher of his, Mr. Sweeney, who is currently Danny’s teacher. Sweeney tells Derek he is worried about Danny becoming close with Cameron Alexander. Derek quickly try’s to intervene, warning Danny of Alexander’s real intentions and the repercussions of living that lifestyle. By this point it’s too late and although Derek’s current intentions are whole hearted, his past ones haunt him. Danny ends up being gunned down by a black gang member in the school bathroom. American history X is a dark drama, which passes along the strong message of equality.
Gaile McGregor, “Grounding the Countertext: David Cronenberg and the Ethnospecificity of Horror.”
Gaile McGregor uses theories of her own as well as famous psychologist’s to prove that we shouldn’t be critical of certain genres or artists because of cultural background. Here she uses Freud’s Dictum “that no dream, no matter how conventional its symbolism or transparent its
American History X (1998)
American History X is a story about two brothers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) and Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong), who struggle to overcome racial barriers when they are faced with the tragic death of their father. Derek, becomes a Neo-Nazi enthusiast after his fire fighter father parishes in a fire set by black gang members. In a vulnerable place in his life, Derek falls into the hands of Cameron Alexander. Alexander is the leader of a Baptist church looking to brainwash the youth into white supremacy ways of life. Derek quickly gets incarcerated after, killing two black men trying to steal his truck. They story then progresses with Danny whose now a high school student following in his brothers footsteps. While Derek is incarcerated, he makes friends with his African American cellmate named Lamont. This newly formed friendship causes him to question his views. When Derek is released from prison he becomes instantly worried about Danny following in his path. He reaches out to an old teacher of his, Mr. Sweeney, who is currently Danny’s teacher. Sweeney tells Derek he is worried about Danny becoming close with Cameron Alexander. Derek quickly try’s to intervene, warning Danny of Alexander’s real intentions and the repercussions of living that lifestyle. By this point it’s too late and although Derek’s current intentions are whole hearted, his past ones haunt him. Danny ends up being gunned down by a black gang member in the school bathroom. American history X is a dark drama, which passes along the strong message of equality.
Gaile McGregor, “Grounding the Countertext: David Cronenberg and the Ethnospecificity of Horror.”
Gaile McGregor uses theories of her own as well as famous psychologist’s to prove that we shouldn’t be critical of certain genres or artists because of cultural background. Here she uses Freud’s Dictum “that no dream, no matter how conventional its symbolism or transparent its