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127 Hours

A dramatic film directed by Danny Boyle, starring James Franco, and based on the true story of Aron Ralston who was trapped alone in the desert.

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A Real Ordeal Becomes a Fascinating Stream-of-Consciousness Survival Story

May 6, 2011

by JP_Rocky_Raccoon
posted in Movie Hype

Rating:

Watching the first twenty minutes of 127 Hours I was repelled by what I was watching, and not just by Aron Ralston's rope, either. It doesn't help a review when you want to be uplifted and inspired after a long, hard day at work. What started as his ordeal became mine and will most likely become yours as the aforementioned protagonist climbs through the arid, rocky, rugged redish-orange Utah terrain. Experienced, yet unsuspecting, the lone hiker falls into a cavern with a immobile boulder lodging his arm in a crevice. Stream-of-consciousness and survival tactics take over for a more worthwhile hour and a half. Danny Boyle makes it all too real, suspenseful, and tight enough to prevent any excess with his sure-footed directing. (Time-lapsed sequences of days, nights, and changing weather don't hurt either.) The reinactment of Ralston's homemade videos make the experience more insightful and entertaining. Along with Franco's nominated performance, if you are in the mood for something inspiring yet often unsettling, you are in for a solid movie experience.

A Real Ordeal Becomes a Fascinating Stream-of-Consciousness Survival Story

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woopak_the_thrill May 06, 2011

glad you liked this one, JP! I liked it a lot as well!

JP_Rocky_Raccoon May 07, 2011

Thanks, Woopak. I always want more Lunch, but fast food is better than none. ;>)

woopak_the_thrill May 07, 2011

LOL! How have you been, JP?

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review by woopak_the_thrill. April 04, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

We Often Find Ourselves At Our Strongest During Our Weakest Moments....

I can almost guarantee that most everyone had seen and heard the news reports about the search for Aron Ralston and the harrowing experience he had gone through. Most of the details of his time in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah were shared in his autobiographical book called “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” that has inspired this film. Co-written and directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), “127 Hours” was critically acclaimed and gave James Franco a best … more

Comments (7) Compliments (84)

review by Sharrie. February 25, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Epitaph in Blue John Canyon: Aron Ralston (1975-2003)

Epitaph in Blue John Canyon. To be or NOT to be!

What's the odd of being stranded in the bottom of a Canyon solo and then having a boulder fall on you and trapped your hand in between?! That's one in a trillion chance, isn't it? The footage in this movie is simply awesome! I love Canyons and have been to a great many in the U.S. but I would never dream myself of being trapped the way Aron Ralston was. And the story of the movie goes on to show how he survived it after 127 hours (5 days or so) of life threatening … more

Comments (5) Compliments (33)

review by ryguy4738. April 16, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Survival of the morally fittest.

**** out of **** Danny Boyle is one of the most ambitious and talented filmmakers in the business, today. He made "28 Days Later" and "Slumdog Millionaire", both wonderful, and now he has made "127 Hours". But this time, there is not one, but two men behind all the magic. James Franco stars in this film, and he acts as Boyle's other. Without Boyle, Franco would be screwed; and without Franco, so would Boyle (maybe). I know Boyle as a stylistic genius and powerful story-teller. … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

review by zstoner66. February 17, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

127 Hours

A true story, that had only started to fade from our memory was brought back to our attention by James Franco and Danny Boyle and is now up for a couple of awards. 127 Hours tells the story of Aron Ralston, a 27-year old climber, who trapped his right arm between a boulder and the wall of a small slot canyon in the vast Arizona desert. While your choice to go to this movie or to stay away may be based on the climax, you would be foolish to judge this movie on that scene alone. … more

Comments (2) Compliments (33)

review by julianleft. January 06, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

A strong film that paints the road to survival filled with hope and deception.

Danny Boyle deserves all the credit in the world for this directorial achievement. Personally, I think he did an outstanding thing taking on a subject which is hard to put on screen for one hour and half and keep you interested in the character and keep things entertaining: the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who had to resort to one of the most desperate measures in order to fade death. A profound survival story that doesn't get too melodramatic … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

review by virharding. December 31, 2010

127 Hours

It's not often that I see a preview that grabs me as much as the one for "127 Hours" did. Scenery straight out of a Road Runner cartoon, excitement, adventure, and... hey, wait a minute, this isn't about that guy who... oh crap, it IS about that guy. Yes, THAT guy, the one who got trapped by a boulder while hiking in a remote area of Utah and cut off his own arm to free himself. I remember reading about him - his name is Aron Ralston -- when this happened in 2003. I also remember … more

Comments (3) Compliments (24)

review by KonaCat. March 29, 2011

A cautionary tale

28-year old Aron Ralston was an experienced hiker and climber who set out for a day of fun in Canyonlands that changed his life forever. He fell down a crevice, a boulder pinned his arm, and he was unable to free himself. Over the next five days, Aron recorded his thoughts on his video camera and dreamed about his family and friends, then, with no food or water left, decided to end his ordeal. This movie is filmed almost like a documentary, a virtual one-man show for James … more

Comments (2) Compliments (12)

Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22. March 22, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by Count_Orlok_22

James Franco just keeps rising as one of the most interesting and underrated actors in Hollywood. Ever since seeing him play James Dean in a made-for-TV biopic, I've been watching him very carefully as he chooses his roles. For a while he got a lot of supporting and a few leading parts in big budget action films, but he's showing his acting abilities lately in more independent and character driven films. Last year was a good year for Franco as he starred in two great films (the other being … more

Comments (6) Compliments (9)

review by Chris_Pandolfi. January 01, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Heroes Often Fail

I think there is inherent in mountain climbers and outdoor thrill seekers a certain degree of arrogance. To subject yourself to extreme environmental conditions and believe that you’re capable of taking them on requires a great deal of confidence, if not something of a superiority complex. I say this as someone who has never scaled a mountain and has absolutely no intention of ever doing so; perhaps it’s coming from a place of jealousy, since being unwilling to take a risk has not allowed … more

Comments (1) Compliments (12)

Quick Tip by lyssachttr. March 22, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by lyssachttr

REALLY well done film. Went in very skeptical of how they could make a two hour film from a guy stuck under a rock... and a story for which we already know the ending. Both director and actor made for a phenomenally visceral ride -- very hard to watch (not for reasons you'd expect actually), but really well made. LOVE this director's unique and palpable style!! I was left with the same feeling I had after watching Slumdog Millionaire... boy would I love to see a movie THIS good every … more

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About the reviewer

John L. Peterson (JP_Rocky_Raccoon)
Ranked #112

I am a substitute teacher who enjoysonline reviewing. Skiing is my favorite pastime; weight training and health are my obsessions;and music and movies feed my psyche. Books are a treasure and a pleasure … more

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About this movie

Wiki

127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he can be rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. Will they be the last two people he ever had the chance to meet? Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures

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