127 Hours

Director Danny Boyle tells the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's ordeal after a fallen boulder trapped him in Utah's isolated Bluejohn Canyon. Based on Ralston's book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the multiple Oscar-nominated 127 Hours stars James Franco as Ralston, an engineering student from Aspen, CO, who is also an adrenaline junkie passionate about extreme sports. On one fateful day, Ralston decides to climb the red rocks and sandstone, carrying a backpack containing two burritos, less than a liter of water, a multi-tool, two cameras, climbing gear, and a small first-aid kit. As he's testing his weight on a huge rock, it gives way, crushing his arm in a crevasse. Over the next five days, the resourceful Ralston goes through all of the psychological stages of grief, recalling pivotal moments in his life with his family or ex-girlfriend Rana (Clémence Poésy) before finally reaching the point of acceptance, which leads to him to make a grisly decision. An intense, nerve-wracking, and emotionally compelling film, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary (by director/co-screenwriter Danny Boyle, producer Christian Colson, and co-screenwriter Simon Beaufoy), deleted scenes (34 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are “An Extraordinary View” behind-the-scenes featurette (36 min.), a “Search & Rescue” segment detailing the real-life rescue of Aron Ralston (15 min.), the Academy Award-winning short film “God of Love” by Luke Matheny (which is not listed on the box), a bonus digital copy of the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: an excellent extras package—especially on Blu-ray, with the surprising uncredited inclusion of “God of Love”—for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)