One of the things that might bring the movie down for you (as it did for me), was/is the acting. It is very crucial to feel or at least be with those characters along the ride (no pun intended). The movie does not achieve that goal wholly in my humble opinion. So while this is dramatic (and the storyline with flashbacks shouldn't be confusing, it's actually adding to the suspense up to a point), it fails to really completely suck you in.Is reality that bleak though, is what some people seem to ask, and the answer can be yes. It depends where you live and what you consume. I was a bit mad at first, because the movie showed one character playing a war game and this character is hostile. It feeds into clichés, which isn't really good. Fortunately they also showed, that other factors are playing a role in the development of ones character. Decent overall, worth a watch I'd say

Like another film CRASH, 96 MINUTES tackles the subject of race, gangs, and inner- city lifestyles. It is heartbreaking in it's execution of the story. Two young females, whom are approaching college graduation are out with friends when the are approached by a man with a gun demanding their car keys. After one women is shot and is nearing death, they are put into the car, and brought along with men. Sounds pretty simple, but the use of non- linear story telling used to tell the back story on the two females, and their two captors is very compelling. By the end you realize that the women aren't the only ones thrown into a bad situation. Dre, one of the "villains", brought much sympathy to his character. It's really an intense character study on the mind of this kid, who seemingly has his life on track until this night. In the aftermath, when Carly is in the visiting room at the prison, my heart went out to both characters, both sides of the glass. Actions and choices are everything, and the quickest decisions can change and ruin your life. Very well done film, certainly deserves a better release than it got.

I thought this movie was going to be a thriller, but I couldn't believe what a great drama it was! The story is really compelling and really draws you in. You think you know where the story is going because of all the flashbacks, but there were several twists and turns that I did not see coming, and by the end I was biting my nails trying to figure out how it would all play out.The acting in this movie was simply superb, really heart wrenching. I haven't seen a lot of Brittany Snow's other work (I saw Hairspray, and obviously this character was way different than her character in Hairspray) but I was really impressed by what a great job she did in this movie, she seemed very comfortable with her character and wasn't really "acting" at all. Of course the other actors were great as well, I was just especially impressed with Brittany. The other thing that really stuck out for me (in a good way) was the music in this movie. The score was beautiful and really helped underscore the drama that was happening on screen. And did you notice the way that songs subtly tie together two scenes (and two story lines)? Overall it's a great movie with a lot of heart, and I can't wait to see it again!

This film is absolutely remarkable. The acting is elite, the soundtrack keeps you engaged even through those moments where you want to turn away. and the direction and script is beyond stellar. Brittany Snow gives a powerful performance and your heart screams for her character the entire time. Evan Ross balances a soulful excitement with a mixed toughness and his eyes never cease to keep you engaged. He definitely earned his Breakthrough Performance Award @ SXSW. Christian Serratos breaks out and shows you exactly how a serious bad day escalates into ultimate terror. J.Michael Trautmann is a G. Fact. And David Oyelowo commands the screen as Duane with a heart felt humility and real world understanding.Aimee Lagos has put together an instant classic, based on true events from East St. Louis and set in the beautiful city of Atlanta, GA. She takes you on a non linear ride that refuses to allow you the chance to get comfortable, while keeping your attention glued to the screen. Michael Fimognari shoots a beautiful film and as soon as he establishes a moment, they tear away to another plot point in the day between these 4 kids and the surrounding worlds each group inhabits.I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good film and is willing to allow the film to affect them beyond the visual and audio of the story. This film will grab you, shake you and leave you thinking hard on the different levels we all experience and deal with in our lives. An amazing and exceptional work.