Ep 84: American History X

08/24/20 • 77 min

Can We Still Be Friends? – A Movie Podcast

Reflecting on their own history with learning about racism, Nate and Ryan re-watch American History X. As it was for so many people (especially white men) their age, American History X served as one of the first visceral looks at racism in modern America. However, the rhetoric of Edward Norton’s Derek Vineyard which seemed so shocking 22 years ago is no longer relegated to the fringes of polite society. Listen to Nate and Ryan break down the movie’s legacy, its current role in the lives of white men, and the film’s unsettling depiction of Derek Vineyard as a charming, muscle-bound genius.

What’s your history with this movie? How much do you remember beyond the most shocking scenes? Where does this rank among Edward Norton’s performances? Let us know!

CITED IN THE EPISODE

The Alt-Right’s Relationship with American History X by Michael Fraiman

American History X, Cinematic Manipulation, and Moral Conversion by Christopher Grau

RECOMMENDED READING

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson

How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

What’s your history with this movie? How much do you remember beyond the most shocking scenes? Where does this rank among Edward Norton’s performances? Let us know!

CITED IN THE EPISODE

The Alt-Right’s Relationship with American History X by Michael Fraiman

American History X, Cinematic Manipulation, and Moral Conversion by Christopher Grau

RECOMMENDED READING

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson

How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

Previous Episode

Ep 83: Quarantine Check-In

Nate and Ryan talk about what they’ve been watching with all this time on their hands. Listen in as they share recommendations and explore what makes them gravitate to a certain sort of movie during these uncertain times. We apologize for the change in our plans to watch Bend it Like Beckham, but we hope to be back on some sort of schedule soon.

What have you been watching? What is your go-to for comfort viewing? Let us know!

Movies Discussed in this Episode

Dogtooth
Death Race 2000
Police Story
The Housemaid
Playtime
Cinema Paradiso
The Harder They Come
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Good Morning
Le Plaisir
A Room With A View
Murder on the Orient Express
Eyes of Laura Mars
Three Days of the Condor
What’s Up Doc?
Paper Moon
The Lady Vanishes
E.T.

Next Episode

Ep 85: Da 5 Bloods

For the first time, Nate and Ryan review a movie from this year, breaking our routine for the one and only Spike Lee and his 2020 film Da 5 Bloods streaming on Netflix. Nate and Ryan chose this movie before the heartbreaking news of Chadwick Boseman’s death, but as anyone who has watched Da 5 Bloods knows, his death puts his performance as Stormin’ Norman in a poignant new light.

As for Spike Lee’s filmmaking, few people deny the impressive scope of what he is seeking to accomplish with this movie, but not everyone agrees on whether he stuck the landing. Nate and Ryan take their best shot at discussing everything going on.

Have you seen Da 5 Bloods? What are your thoughts? Let us know!

Please read Odie Henderson’s review of Da 5 Bloods over on RogerEbert.com

Spike Lee and the Battlefield of American History (New York Times)

For more Spike Lee discussion from Nate and Ryan, check out our Do The Right Thing episode.