Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

96 Pounds of Dynamite

Play trailer 2:47 Poster for 96 Pounds of Dynamite 2026 1h 18m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 2 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
When filmmaker Loren Goldfarb first notices Chad "Shorty" McDaniel in a Florida pool hall, he underestimates the man using the motorized wheelchair, until Chad starts winning. A lot. 96 Pounds of Dynamite follows Chad, a witty, fierce pool player born with brittle bone disease, as he battles low expectations, discrimination, and physical barriers on his journey from a rural Mississippi upbringing to high-stakes amateur tournaments out West. As Chad confronts personal loss and life-altering choices, the film presents an energetic, humorous, and deeply personal portrait of a man who, despite being told he wouldn't survive childhood, refuses to shrink his life, or his ambition.

Critics Reviews

View More
Christie Cronan Common Sense Media May 12
4/5
96 Pounds of Dynamite presents the story of a man who refuses to be defined by his disability or stereotypes about people with disabilities. Go to Full Review Alise Chaffins MacGuffin or Meaning (Substack) May 12
4/5
Loren Goldfarb went in to watch Chad excel at billiards, only to create a film with a much broader, more expansive view of Chad as a son, a husband, and a man with a disability. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Jo S @RT41267290 Apr 30 Loved this film. While it shines a jarring light on Chad's obvious physical challenges in everyday life, it is also simply, a universal story of family dynamics, love, disappointment, and gratitude. I am in awe of this man's extraordinary and ordinary life. I walked away wanting to know even more, would love to see this film spun off into a series about him! As a Mom, I was moved by Chad's mom's love for her son and her fight for him to have a normal childhood and education. What an inspiration! See more Holly B @HollyB4UNoit Apr 29 Just when you think your life is difficult you find someone who has overcome so many obstacles. He is cheerful, smart, has a positive outlook, spreads joy and laughter wherever he goes. He's a perfect example of a disability not defining Who You Are. This film is uplifting and an inspiration for how to live one's life with purpose and passion. See more Read all reviews
96 Pounds of Dynamite

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Loren Goldfarb

Director

Ed Coughlin

Director

Chad "Shorty" McDaniel

Self

Loren Goldfarb

Producer

Jeanette Lee

Executive Producer

Duane Codrington

Cinematographer
View All

96 Pounds of Dynamite

96 Pounds of Dynamite: Trailer 1 96 Pounds of Dynamite: Trailer 1 2:47 View more videos
View All

96 Pounds of Dynamite

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When filmmaker Loren Goldfarb first notices Chad "Shorty" McDaniel in a Florida pool hall, he underestimates the man using the motorized wheelchair, until Chad starts winning. A lot. 96 Pounds of Dynamite follows Chad, a witty, fierce pool player born with brittle bone disease, as he battles low expectations, discrimination, and physical barriers on his journey from a rural Mississippi upbringing to high-stakes amateur tournaments out West. As Chad confronts personal loss and life-altering choices, the film presents an energetic, humorous, and deeply personal portrait of a man who, despite being told he wouldn't survive childhood, refuses to shrink his life, or his ambition.
Director
Loren Goldfarb, Ed Coughlin
Producer
Loren Goldfarb
Production Co
Illumastory Films II
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 18m