88 Minutes

88 Minutes was directed by Jon Avnet and written by Gary Scott Thompson. The movie was released on the 3^rd of October 2008 (within the UK). Al Pacino acts as the main character Dr Jack Gramm; Alicia Watt as Kim Cummings Leelee Sobieski as Lauren Douglas; Amy Brenneman as Shelly Barnes; William Forsythe as special agent Frank Parks and Neal McDonough as John Forster. The film is simply about a college professor; Dr Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) who has 88 minutes to live.

He received a phone call and was told that he had 88 Minutes to live by someone who spoke through a voice scrambler. If he does not solve out who wants him dead and why within 88 Minutes then obviously his time is up and something unexpected is to occur. This illustrates how much of a high tense thriller this movie is. His flaw is the fact that he does not know who has called him and wants him dead within 88 Minutes. The final scene was set in the university where Dr Jack Gramm works; it is a very large building and as he enters the main hall, blood starts dripping onto his suit, he looks up and a woman is hanging down from a rope. This was a very dramatic and anxious on the Dr Jack Gramm and the viewer.

Jon Avent has used some very powerful camera shots in this movie. The first one was; when a girl was discovered hanging from the ceiling (dead) with one leg hung up. The camera zoomed in and paused several times to give an effect; as it zoomed in and paused there were loud bangs involved in the non - diagetic sound effects. This technique is very effective for spooking out the viewer. There was also a very powerful shot where Dr Jack Gramm receives another call telling him how long he has to live, the person hangs up; at the time he was standing on the side of the staircase in seminar class with 20 odd students, the camera tracks across the room into his face and he is looking around the room full of students frantically and is suspicious of anyone who has a cell phone.

The concluding scene Dr Jack Gramm meets his perpetrate. He is in the situation where his friend is hanging down in mid-air controlled by the enemy; from a rope held by her leg and a gun pointed at Jack. If he does not comply and put the gun down his friend dies and he faces a potential shootout. He did not want either, so he gave in. This builds up suspense for the viewer knowing that he is completely vulnerable and has no possible way out of the position he is held in. Out of know where from all the way across campus his partner shoots the target and Dr jack Gramm immediately jumped for the rope holding his friend. This was an extremely nerve-wracking scene to wrap up with.

Mise-en-Scene was used very well in this film. There is a way in which Jon Avnet was able to make a mystery from threatening phone calls which if occured today would simply be ignored. The dark voice added effect to what was being said on the phone. Another important prop used which if lost would disconnect Jack Gramm and his calling.

The primary target audience would be people who are interested in mysterious thrillers with potential twists and a maze of thoughts going through their heads. The Secondary target audience would have to be people who are interested in high pace action films with minimal breaks in drama.