127 Hours

A movie with numbers in the title, directed by Danny Boyle, and the promise of blood; but alas, no zombies in sight. Maybe next time.
Danny Boyle, that genius of a man who has directed some of the most amazing films I've seen is back with Slumdog Millionaire scribe Simon Beaufoy to bring us a fascinating movie about a man who got stuck between a rock and another rock and cut his arm off to get free (oops, spoiler!).
Aron Ralston (James Franco - Green Hornet) is an adventurer. Come the weekend he's out running, cycling and climbing through the nooks and crannies that make up the Blue John Canyon in Utah. One such weekend he meets up with fellow explorers Kristi (Kate Mara - Iron Man 2) and Megan (Amber Tamblyn - House) and leads them through the rocky outcrops to a secluded watering hole for some good clean fun.
They part ways as Aron continues on deeper into the canyon. A small slip while traversing a crack in the rock leads to falling down the crevasse with his right arm being wedged between the rock wall and a boulder. Try as he might, the rock will not budge.
As the hours pass Aron tries to think of a way out; he tries chipping away at the rock with a crap all-in-one knife made in China (he couldn't find his Swiss Army knife before he left) and constructing a pulley system with the few climbing ropes and clips that he has but there's no use. That rock ain't going anywhere.
For company, Aron has a raven that flies past at the same time each day; a video camera on which he records messages to his family and a mock morning TV show interview; and the memories of his childhood, parents and friends.
One hundred and twenty-seven hours later, dehydrated and half-delusional, Aron breaks and then amputates his own arm with that shitty blade to escape.
What an intense film. I was so curious as to how this might be filmed but I know not to ask such questions when Danny Boyle is involved. The use of Aron's video recording, flashbacks of family and friends, even dreams in which Aron escapes kept the screen busy and not totally confined in that small cramped space. Splitting the screen in three was a great way of showing multiple camera angles. I'm not sure if 'drink-cam' will catch on anytime soon however it was fascinating (and sometimes stomach churning) to watch!
James Franco was just superb.
This is such an incredible film and a testament to Ralston's strength and determination but perhaps not one for the weak of stomach.
Things I learnt: don't eat asparagus... just in case; fuck the American Express card, never leave home without a jack hammer; always leave a note.
Awesome.
Eight out of ten.