127 Hours

So I know I stated that I was going to try to watch most of the Academy Award nominations, and I know the Oscars were on weeks ago, but I finally had the chance the other day to watch 127 Hours.  Nominated for 6 Oscars, including Best Picture, Editing, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Adapted Screenplay, 127 Hours didn't win a single award.  Despite this, the film is still worth seeing.

Directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting), 127 Hours stars hunk James Franco (known for his role as Harry Osborn aka the New Goblin in all 3 Spiderman movies).  Franco does not disappoint. Based on a true story, Franco plays Aron Ralston, an adventurous man who made a not so smart move.  Leaving his cell phone behind, and not telling anyone where he's going, Ralston decides to climb the canyons in Moab, Utah.  One wrong move causes his hand to get stuck under a boulder.  Running out of food and water, Ralston does all that he can to conserve his water and stay alive.  He lives to tell the tale, however, by making a sacrifice.

I was a little skeptical about seeing this film.  How exciting can a film with only one person in it be?  Let's not forget 2000s Cast Away.  I personally thought that the moments when Tom Hanks was alone was pretty boring.  Unlike 127 Hours, there was a lot of time allotted to him getting off the island and communicating with other people.  A majority of 127 Hours was just James Franco struggling by himself and his hallucinations, which I found pretty confusing.  I think they did a great job casting James Franco as the lead role.  Let's face it, who's going to watch a 2 hour movie about a guy stuck in a rock unless the guy is hot?  The closeups definitely let the audience relate to Aron.  Even though I knew he was going to survive in the end, there were still parts where I was scared for him.  The part toward the end is a little gory, and even though I love horror movies, I couldn't handle watching Franco cut his arm off.  I bet its because it actually happened.  There's not too much I can write about a film that only has one actor.  The limited supporting cast did pretty well too.  I feel it got jipped in the fact that it should have at least one something.  James Franco did an amazing job, but he was at an unfair advantage, running up against actors that have been doing amazing jobs for a while.  I think the timing was off for this film.  It definitely had some stiff competition.  It needs a little recognition.

.

All in all, I recommend this film.  If you're a little squeamish, look away at certain parts.  This film also taught a great life lesson, and there's nothing I love more than a film that teaches a lesson.  Lesson learned:  Don't go anywhere without telling someone where you're going.  So whether you're scaling the Appalachians, or going to a friend's house, make sure someone knows.  I don't care how old you are, everyone's at risk.

P.S. Seeing Treat Williams was definitely a treat!