Sometimes, there just isn’t enough time to see every movie you’d like in theaters. I think I suffer withdrawal if a lot of time passes between screenings. I love going to the movies. Each time you experience something different. (Unless you’re a fan of repeat viewings.)
I didn’t get a chance to see 127 Hours when it was first released but I finally got my shot (70 days after it was released…) and it was definitely worth the wait. The verdict?
127 Hours Was Awesome
What can I say? This was one of the most visually interesting and well edited movies I’ve seen in a long time. That sounds like a generic compliment doesn’t it? Doesn’t everyone think the editing is good when there are split screens and such?
Note: Do they really?
Forget the effective use of split screens. I’m talking about editing. I loved the quick cutting between flashbacks and dream sequences while cleverly using jump cuts. Not to mention Danny Boyle’s amazing eye. I loved the variety in his shots. He used so many different shooting styles, speeds and techniques and it all came together seamlessly. 127 Hours is an incredible film.
I envy the editor of this this movie. (Jon Harris who also cut Snatch by the way.) He must have had a blast working with that footage. Personally, I think it’s the best edited movie of the year. I was inspired.
127 Hours makes me want to be a better editor. Between my career as a professional editor in television and the new short film I’m currently cutting, I’m happy I’ll get the chance to raise my game. To be better. Any film that inspires me to become a better filmmaker and storyteller will always have a special place in my heart. Welcome to the team 127 Hours!
As for the film as a whole, the true story of Aron Ralston is truly amazing and the film’s tag line says it all:
There is no force in the universe stronger than the will to survive.
It’s a story of courage lead by a masterful performance by James Franco. (Who fully deserves an Oscar nomination.)
I honestly feel like I should apologize for not seeing it the day it came out. This review is horribly dated now but I had to write about it. Every movie I see makes me feel like screenwriting. And every once in a while, a film comes along that ignites my desire to edit.
127 Hours accomplished both.
I’m sorry I waited so long.
XTRA: All Time Best: Movie Based On A True Story
XTRA: All Time Best: Movie I WISH Was Based On A True Story
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I didn’t like the way it was directed and edited.
I think Buried was a MUCH better movie than 127 hours, because it was kept simple. It’s a much bigger archievement to make an exciting movie with just the guy in his box.
Danny Boyle had it easy with all his editing techniques, trippy sequences, and flashbacks.
I would rate 127 hours below Buried, definitely.
Here are parts of some reviews and opinions, mine is similar to these.
What do you think about these responses and that point of view?
“127 Hours was made for those moviegoers that suffer from from a short attention span and/or grow restless easily. … He(Boyle) is not content to allow the camera to just sit and focus on Aron. He infuses 127 Hours with a thunderously inspiring score from A.R. Rahman, a carefree prologue with two attractive young lasses in a private underwater cavern, fantasy sequences, flashbacks, fast-forwards, and a Partridge in a pear tree. One random factoid I would love to know is the average shot-length, which must be a record. The audience is hardly given a single moment to digest, soak in, and reflect upon the proceedings because the feeling of watching this is akin to being a pinball in a pinball machine. Where or when it stops nobody knows.”
“…I keep on comparing this film to “Buried”: the concept and the scope of both films is pretty much the same. One person stuck in a confined place for the whole length of the film. But while in “Buried” the director was able to keep the entire film inside the box and never “cheated” by giving the audience flashbacks or shots of whatever was happening in the outside world, here in “127 Hours” director Danny Boyle uses every trick in the book to make the visual more exciting, Boyle is so preoccupied about whizzes and bangs, about his visual flashy style…”
“…It comes across more like a series of loosely connected commercials or music videos. It’s very hard to get into Aron’s head. The camera work is way too flashy. The sound work is over-the-top and irritating to the point of getting a headache. What is most puzzling is that they thought the story warranted so much visual/sound nonsense.
The gimmicks ruined whatever good stuff the movie could have had.”
I honestly can’t say I disagree with that view. I suppose it depends on personal taste more than anything. It makes sense that people would compare the film to ‘loosely connected commercials’. I just thought it worked really well in this case. Well executed more than anything. You may not like the style but you have to give him credit for keeping it consistent throughout.
At the same time, I haven’t seen Buried yet. I’m really looking forward to it though as I’ve heard nothing but good things. When I do, I’ll return to this for sure and compare the two.
It’s interesting to have to somewhat similar concepts with completely different directorial styles.
I’ll be waiting for a post comparing the two.
By the way, great blog, been reading it for awhile and never posted before.
Keep on writing.
Thanks! Much appreciated! I’ll probably review Buried and then do a versus post or something later on!
Thanks for reading!