127 Hours Review

Continuing in my new-found tradition of seeing things and then not telling you for a week ((or a month) ... or never), I'm here to finally post my review of Danny Boyle's latest film, 127 Hours, starring James Franco as Aron Ralston, a hiker who in 2003 accidentally got his arm trapped by a boulder while hiking alone in Utah, and his persistence to stay alive.

This is Boyle's first film since the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, which I saw and really enjoyed (and would totally link you to a review of it if I wrote one...), and I watched Boyle's first film, Shallow Graves, recently and really enjoyed it; so I'll say that I went into this anticipating a film that would be worthwhile (and hopefully devoid of any unnecessary Bollywood dance numbers). And it delivered, but how can a film about a got trapped for 5 days be enjoyable? Well, read on...

First off, I didn't see this year's other 'man trapped in a cramped place for a long period of time' film, Buried, so I can't give any remarks about who does it better, but I can say that it comparison to a lot of things I've seen this year, I really did enjoy this. It's the type of film I felt that I couldn't really predict how it would go down; I mean yes, I knew he was going to be trapped for most of the film, and that eventually he was going to remove his own arm (it's a true story after all), but just how I didn't know. Which is a good thing, I hate seeing movies where I know exactly what going to happen and how (lemme guess... Autobots win?) and Boyle does a great job of keeping the audiences attention, whether it be with interesting presentation or the sometimes weird an unneeded dream sequences; like the Scooby-Doo part was amusing but like... really? Did we need that?

The scene everyone's talking about though is when Aaron amputates his own arm. Like everyone else, I knew the scene was coming, but I had no idea what to expect. I've watched enough horror films to see somebody's arm get ripped off and not think much of it (okay, I'll cringe a little). But the presentation and realism really set this apart from other gore I've seen in films because you've been with this guy the whole film, with the feeling that you're trapped with him, and suddenly he makes this heroic decision to finally get out, and inside you're cheering for him ... And then he snaps his own bones and gnawes away at his nerves and tendons and it's just ... too much to bare. I'm not regularly squeemish, but just thinking of the scene as I write this still gives me chills. But I think that's the point, that outside of you're theater setting and popcorn, you are in Aron's shoes at that moment, and it really is testament to how good this film is.

If I had to compare this to the other 'really good film with a surprisingly young leading man who is usually in mellow dramas or comedies' film, The Social Network, I'd have to rate 127 Hours just a bit higher. Jesse Eisenberg did a great job acting in that film, but I've actually seen him act before so it was just a fitting role for him. But Franco, I've never seen him do serious well, and I didn't think much of him when I saw him in person, but he surprised me here. His usual comedic charm is there, but when he has to put on his serious face in times of desperation and struggle he does it, and he does it damn well. 127 Hours isn't a film I can suggest to everyone, for obvious reasons, but if you're not squeamish, definitely check this one out.

Overall Score: 9.2/10

Fun fact: just two years ago when Slumdog Millionaire released, Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler came out, and I enjoyed it so much I gave it a VFH Seal of Approval; and completely forgot to review Slumdog. Now, two years later, I've reviewed Boyle's 127 Hours, and Aronofsky has Black Swan releasing (which I also plan to see). Let's hope I don't forget to review that one this time...

Flickr Update: Game & Watch Collection, James Franco Q&A

I know, it's been quite some time since I got the Club Nintendo exclusive Game & Watch Collection, and much like we did with Zach's hanafuda cards, I intended to get photos of the game onto our Flickr account. But then, as you may have remembered, my camera died.

But that's all settled now that I got my new Sony DSC-T77, which has 10.1 megapixel resolution, 5 more than my old one, as well as full touch screen controls. It's taken some getting used to, but I'm liking the the quality of the pictures it takes, so I suppose that's what matters. Here's your pack shots:

Anyone else get this collection? What did you think? Worth all 800 of those Coins?

Also, added a collage of photos taken with my crappy cellphone from the James Franco Q&A.

Flickr update: James Franco

As stated, I tried to upload what pictures I was able to take at the Q&A last night. And after a busy night and day, I just realized I didn't post here that I uploaded two pics. But apparently that didn't matter, because the two shots have become some of the most viewed images in our Flickr account.


The first shot is just 3/4 of the super-packed audience, so nothing overly exciting. The second shot however has James sitting with the interviewer. When I checked my phone, it turns out I took 22 pics in total. The problem is, without a microSD card, it's a total pain to send each image individually to our e-mail. So, when my microSD card arrives, I plan to compile all those lower-res images into one big one, and I'll probably inform you when that's up. Enjoy these for now though.

After Thoughts: James Franco Q&A

Just got back before from the James Franco Q&A, which, if I got anything out of it, I learned that the next time the School of Visual Arts Film Department holds a Q&A session with a reasonably famous person, I should prepare better.

First off, despite getting to the amphitheater an hour early, I was quite a distance from the first people in line. Once I got in, there wasn't a seat left, forcing me to take a seat on the aisle stairs, while other plotted themselves on the floor (a much better decision in retrospective). And on top of all of this, because of my recently deceased digital camera, I was stuck with my 1.3 megapixel cellphone. So let's just say I wasn't in the greatest of means to cover this thoroughly.

Around 7:10 (yes, i was taking notes) clips of films Franco has been in were screened: Spider-Man, In the Valley of Elah, Pineapple Express, and Milk. Around 7:23, James entered the amphitheater (cue screaming girls) and soon after the interview started. It was mildly informal, as James liked to drag on with his answers to the interviewer's questions. So at the end of it all, it felt like only 3 questions were ever answered. Come 8:06, it was time for open Q&A with the audience; and sorry for getting your hopes up, but try as I may, I wasn't one of only three people to get a question in.

However, I tried my best to jot down some relavent notes based on your requests. First, our very own Zach asked about Franco's role in any future Spider-Man projects and whether he'd be ding more serious or comedic roles. Well, first off, Spider-Man was never mentioned during the interview, as for his future work, he's is currently signed on for a biopic of poet, Allan Ginsberg, which I'd strong assume is a serious piece.

Pandaslayer15 (great name, by the way) asked what got him into acting? This was actually covered in the interview; he said he always had an interest, but it wasn't until he was in college when a girlfriend at the time brought him along to auditions and he learned the ins and outs of such sessions.

An anonymous poster asked about Franco's involvement in the Jeff Buckley biopic. Unfortunately, this was never brought up, but consider that project has been around since 2006, and Franco stated he is already working on that Allen Ginsberg biopic, I can assume that such involvement, if any, is unlikely in the near future.

And yes, that's about all I have for you. Sorry I couldn't do more, but I really just had no idea what to expect; but I know now to be much better prepared next time. As stated, I used my cellphone to get some pictures, if there's anything worthwhile I'll add it to Flickr; it wouldn't be the first time we posted bad cellphone captures.

Update: Two photos added

Q&A with James Franco

Hey readers, just wanted to tell you before it's too late. Tomorrow night at 7 o'clock EST I'll be attending a Q&A session with actor, James Franco. You may know him best for playing Harry Osbourne in the three Spider-Man films, as well as for his most recent appearances in Pineapple Express and Milk.

None the less, during this session I'll have the chance to ask some questions and I was just curious if anyone here had something specific in mind. If you have any ideas, please, add a comment with your thoughts.

Thank you in advance; I should have an After Thoughts added shortly after the event.