127 Hours (Danny Boyle, 2010)

What's it about? Based on the true survival story of Aron Ralston (James Franco), who fell down a crevice whilst canyoneering in Utah and got his arm trapped by a boulder. With supplies low and no one likely to rescue him, he cut off his own arm with a blunt blade to escape. Guess how long he was trapped for?

Is it any good? Not bad at all. It's a slight premise, but Boyle effectively portrays the claustrophobic nature of Ralston's plight, whilst also fleshing out the scenario with some flashback scenes and visually inventive hallucinatory segments (any film with Scooby Doo in it is okay in my book. Except the Scooby Doo films, obviously). Franco is very good in bringing credible emotion to proceedings as he faces possible death and there's an eclectic selection of music on the soundtrack. Naturally, the highlight is the arm-severing climax, which is likely to have even the most hardy soul wincing a little and will lead to the inevitable question with your friends; "Could you do it?"

Anything else I should know? Based on Ralston's book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which has sold in numbers that most authors would give their right....sorry, that's probably a little insensitive. Ralston is now a motivational speaker and continues to partake in outdoor pursuits. Read a recent interview with him here.

What does the Fonz think? The King of Rock 'n' Hole

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