América Proibida

Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem.

The ending is a misfire.

American History X has enough fiery acting and provocative bombast to make its impact felt!

Kaye wants to say something about what produces a skinhead today, and though he doesn't succeed fully in this endeavor, he does take us a significant part of the way.

A confused, randomly compelling family melodrama.

While this movie is sometimes overbaked, it is the first major studio release in a while to engross wall-to-wall.

Norton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.

The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.

American History X pulls open the wound of American racism and peers inside!

Shockingly powerful!

A very good film with some dazzling moments and one truly outstanding performance!

An intelligently provocative film!

This jolting, superbly acted film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton.

When Hollywood attacks a volatile issue, it inevitably spoon-feeds you the main components of the issue several times over.

The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since Do the Right Thing.

Having reduced racism to a kind of adolescent coping mechanism, X takes a mildly curious path to its foregone conclusion, writer-director Tony Kaye putting his leads through the somehow comforting 'hood-film paces.

This journey to unpleasantville is too often manipulative and strains to maintain tension.

The tone is so muddled that there's a whiff of exploitation to this movie that's unsettling at best.

Riveting!

A violent, sober cautionary tale, strictly middle-of-the-road when it comes to its much-ballyhooed politics and grimly obvious in its telling.