American History X

Agggggghhhhh! Last night I saw one of the most visually stunning films I have ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. Seriously. I was so captivated by this film that I stayed awake from the hours of 3a.m. to 5.a.m. to watch it. (More on why I was up that late in a bit.) American History X stars Edward Norton and is a film that is basicly about a neo-nazi youth growing up in Venice Beach, CA in the early nineties around the time of the Rodney King incident and trial. To keep the plot rather vague this youth played by Edward Norton loses his identity to his cause when he starts to rally together other youths that feel the same hostility towards the various races in the area. He is sent to prison for man-slaughter, is reformed while there, and when he is free after three years (sweet), attempts to enlighten his brother, who is following in Norton's footsteps, of the error in his ways. The reformation and move to a new way of life in Norton's character, who's highlight in life up to this point has been his curb-kicking of a young gang member, is breathtaking. (There's a beautiful baptism scene and everything!) He is moving on to the new life and leaving the old one behind. The crazy thing is that the fact that the old life still exists is all his fault. He started it for many more youths and wishes to keep his loved ones from it now that he can. But now to all of his old friends shock and disgust, he's dropping it because he was wrong. That's it. He was wrong about everything. His sin was nothing more than him handling a situation in the wrong way. Which leads to the next point. The main push behind the whole thing seemed to be rage and what, when pent up, our rage causes us to do. There is one scene, in which when in prison, Norton is forced to work alongside a black man every day. The job is sorting laundry.At first no real discussion goes on between the two. The black guy talks and Norton just shakes his head. But one day, Norton begins to go crazy over the amount of bedsheets he has before him to sort and begins throwing them in every direction in a fit. The black guy calmly says something to the effect of it doesn't matter how fast or hard you go through those sheets, there's always going to be more to sort. The scene is done in black and white and is really probably the turning point in Norton's reformation which comes after a scene in which he is raped by other neo-nazis. If I could sum up the movie's messsage in one line it would have to be: "Have all the things that you've done up to this point in your life made it any better?" If nothing else, it's a great film concerning the issue of hate and how it's really all our problem. We all call this little slice of land home, while it doesn't really belong to any of us. Overall a great movie and one of the most beautiful movies I have seen. It's no Punch Drunk Love, but fantastic nonetheless. Even if the movie doesn't meet your liking, you can't help but be aware of Norton's extreme talent. In the scene of the curb-kicking, the look on his face sent chill bumps through my body. Probably his best work to date. Glad that I caught it finally.
Now to why I was up at 3...
We finally finished out last perforamance on Fiddler last night. To my surprise, we were a hit. People seemed to love the show and it's what everyone's talking about soooo.... God blesses the unworthy once again. This show's coming together was one of the most evident displays of God's grace and faithfulness I have ever seen... at a time where I really needed to see it. This is definately a praise to Him and his abounding mercies. He has made Providence Christian School Theater into an altar at which He recieves glory. We are a grateful medium. If anyone is reading this blog that attended the performance, thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting us. You gave me so much encouragement in your viewing that I think that I could get used to this acting thing. Anyway, thank you again you have no idea how much your support meant to us all. So I got home from the most fun cast party I have ever been to (sorry Mr. Smith, but he gave us actual medals for being in the play!) around 2:30 and saw the movie on the Independent Film Channel or IFC. Which by the way, if you don't have, please call your local satellite or cable provider. Fantastic network. So that's why caught the flick at 3....I'm kinda depressed now that it's over. The cast actually became a family. Weirdest thing....sad to leave PCS theater at this point. At least I'm doing it with a bang. Good way to go.
Good Providence