127 Hours (4.5)

Based on the true story of Aron Ralston, the mountain climber who gets trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah for 127 hours.

I had wanted to see this film since I first heard it was happening. I've been a fan of Danny Boyle (director) ever since Slumdog Millionaire. I've been a fan of James Franco ever since, well, ever. I tried to go see it at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) but it was sold out before I could blink. It was worth the wait though. Oh boy, was it ever.

I love any adventurer story. Into the Wild is another ultimate favourite of mine, if you end up liking this film (which you should) I highly suggest you check it out. The book is great as well. Anywho, I love all stories like this one. There is just something about raw survival that heightens the senses and inspires you; gets your blood flowing. This film did that and then some. Right from the very first shot I was in. I was in it. They had my full attention and they kept it right until the credits.

James Franco, you're amazing. I don't know how he did it, but he really really did it. I felt so connected and on the roller coaster with him. Any little change in expression I was there with him, mirroring his emotions from the audience. Fantastic.

I can definitely compare the suspense to Buried. It was such a ride. I think I started to get a cramp in my arm from being tense for so long. The close up shots and the very well done and synced music definitely helped with that. Sometimes the music effected me more than the visuals, which is always a treat.

The big scene which I'm sure you have all heard of by now was super gruesome. Not for the light of heart, yet I have seen worse. That shouldn't calm you down that much though seeing as I've seen some really horrific horror/slasher/rater super R films that make you lose sleep. Still, it could've been worse but I'm glad they had it the exact way they did. Any less or any worse would've ruined the whole thing I think because the rest of the story would have paled in comparison to this one "big" scene. Still crazy though. Gives me the shivers.

Best scene was when he starts talking about how his whole life and the rocks entire life was set up for this to happen. That it was fate or destiny or whatever you want to call it. That was amazing. I got pretty emotional, well, more than I already was at that moment. They way the set that whole part up was really well done. It gave me chills. There were a few others scenes like that too that had me thinking harder than was required about my own life.

Great story. The fact that it really happened makes it even more intense. Amazing performance by James Franco with great directing by Danny Boyle. Good music and all the rest. Yup, easy to say that this is a film that you don't want to let slip by you. Go out and watch it. The horrific scene shouldn't keep you away, it's worth the grimaces and tears.

4.5/5

ADSENSE HERE

Inkheart (3.5)

A man discovers that he can bring characters from the books he reads to life. As his daughter gets older she finds out who her father really is when a mysterious man, a character from a book called Inkheart that he has been looking for for 9 years, finds them and threatens her dad. Suddenly they all find themselves kidnapped by the villain from this same book and all must fight to get back to the families they have lost.

I have no idea why I decided to watch this movie. It looked so cheesy and so lame anytime I saw the cover and a trailer. I was tired but wanted something fun and simple to watch before bed but I had already seen all the family-esque films that we offered to me, all but this one. I took a chance, and it was way better than I ever could've thought. This movie is surprisingly decent.

Brendan Fraser. I forgive you. You got older and had a family and still wanted to act but didn't want anything too crazy or serious. You had some bad films buddy. Some really bad choices that have coined you as, well, a wash up. I liked you in this role though. I really did. You have some action and some family stuff but you also had some good scenes that had me raising my eyebrows in remembrance of how amazing you used to be. You still got it, it's in there. I felt it while watching this film. Now bring it on back!

Paul Bettany is easily one of my natural favourites these days. I am always so drawn to him. I have no idea why, but he is just amazing. Even in this silly little roles, he is always 100% the character he is portraying and you can't ever blame him for a movie being bad. He is always the best part of any film he is in. Yet, he is just slightly out of the lime light, which makes it even better. Even after films like The Young Victoria and Legion you can't help but feel connected to him no matter the character or film.

This is a family movie though so you can't blame them for the action and the cheese. All things considered though this movie could have been awful but instead it was a fun flick with some good acting and not so awful ending. Huzzah!

3.5/5

ADSENSE HERE

Me and Orson Welles (3.5)

A teenager is cast in the Mercury Theatre production of "Julius Caesar" directed by the up and coming Orson Welles in 1937. Here he finds out the hard way how life in theatre can be and who this Orson Welles guy really is. There's not room for love or kindness in show biz.

I'm a pretty big supported of Zac Efron. He especially had me convinced after I watched Charlie St. Cloud. I know that he got a bad rap and was type casted after his days of High School Music 1 through 78, but he really is talented. If you step back and allow yourself to look at him as an actor now you would (hopefully) see that too. Come on, he's a pure bred triple threat. That is more rare than you'd think. He can actually act and sing and dance without any voice overs or fill ins and what have you. That's awesome. And he's a looker...which always helps. heh. Really though, he was great in this role. It was nice to see him 'on stage' even if that stage was being filmed.

I have found myself liking Claire Danes these days as well, especially after seeing her as Temple Grandin. She was good as the love interest, the selfish love interest.

One big question I had while watching this film was where the hell did this Christian McKay fella come from and why isn't he in every single movie I watch?! He plays Orson Welles and was fantastic. I was shocked to look him up and find that I had never even heard of him before. Hopefully he starts getting more attention because if Zac was so hot I would've been completely glued to him for the whole film.

The story is basic. It was nice to see some theatre on film action going on. It is weird though, as someone who works in theatre, to see it on the big screen. Yet, it's still good to see it. They did a good job of making the theatre seem theatre. All the little stage tricks are real life theatre tricks. That was great to see.

I don't know that much about Orson Welles to be honest, at least not his early years, so it was nice to see this film for that yet it's not a biography. Not at all. It follows the teenager more than Orson so don't bother renting this film and expecting to get an inside look at Welles. The whole movie had a bit of a family feel to it but that didn't make it bad, it just stopped them from digging too far into the real going-ons throughout the film.

Still, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed watching this movie. It's different from watch I usually watch which is always nice. Acting was great. Story is entertaining and there are some really funny moments and a few inspiration lines that had me "hmmm" with my chin in my hand. Literally.

Worth a gander for sure.

3.5/5

ADSENSE HERE