96 Minutes

I don't normally write reviews, but I'm annoyed with films on IMDb rating as 50/50, that turn out to be worth watching. Other reviewers have complained about the flash back narrative being confusing, it's not - so make your own judgement about the reviewers in question. Also reviewers believe 'the story line is unrealistic' and if modern society was like this we're in trouble; well this is supposed to based around real events and we are in trouble, anyone who doesn't know that needs to open their eyes.

Yes the acting is a little wooden in places, but if the real life events took place as illustrated - it's a touching homage to those who have suffered. Respect to the film makers also, some of the more potentially dramatic and harrowing scenes have been skipped over, removing unnecessary sensationalism.

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

This film kept me on the edge of my seat! It cuts back and forth between four young people who are all struggling with adulthood responsibilities while being from different ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. The contrast is really what made it interesting, and how they all came together on this terrible night.

The performance by Evan Ross won him an a much deserved award at SXSW, and Jonathan Michael Trautmann also did a wonderful job. His presence on screen was frightening, and I was actually unsure of what his character was capable of. Brittany Snow is also worth mentioning, as I felt this was a very different role for her and she wore it well.

All around, this film is definitely worth a watch. It's based on a true story and says a lot about adolescence, poverty, and the social classes of today.

I saw this at sxsw and can't stop thinking about it. I work at an inner city school part time and the way this film portrayed the life our kids are living, the oppressive messages they receive and choices they face everyday was so eerily true to life that I just can't shake it. It's a thriller, don't get me wrong, it has your guts in knots the entire time, but there is so much more to it. It has such compassion for all the characters even as it portrays them doing terrible things.

The acting is outstanding, especially Evan Ross who plays Dre and although we don't get to spend enough time with any of the individual characters (I would have liked to know more about the girls especially) we're still drawn in to each of their stories which is ultimately what makes us care about what happens to them in the end. The various story lines are skillfully woven together in a visually arresting manor that brings something new to the multiple storyline genre. A lot of the themes are familiar, but they are handled in a new and fresh way that rings true to life.

It is a very intense film so you have to like that kind of thing, but I would recommend this film to anyone. It will get you thinking.

This movie follows four young people struggling in their own way with their education. The main male lead is a senior high school student (Evan Ross) who grew up in a terrible environment, and tries to escape his "fate" (or what people expect him to become) by studying hard and trying to get a good education. An excellent, excellent movie! The two leading actors (and most others) just did a great job! We saw the part of the movie crew at a premiere; they explained that beyond the heavy tension of the movie, they actually had a hard time not spending their time laughing with each other... This totally did not show up on the screen, the movie is tensed throughout and the acting (again) just excellent. The directing is just sublime as well, excellent shot decisions that gives the proper atmosphere to the movie with a lot of close up shots to focus on the characters.