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Created Jul 22, 2011 09:05PM PST • Edited Jul 22, 2011 09:05PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   The exuberance for adventure in nature in Aron Ralston was inspiring to watch, even if it seemed a bit suspicious. Of course, we all know what happens to him, but that doesn’t lessen the drama of the actual event. Well, let me take that back – the event just kinds of slips up on you – much like it happened in real life. The drama happens afterwards, the drama of survival. His ingenuity was amazing, albeit the many ideas turned out not to work. His last and only successful idea itself was a product of extreme logic. Something not easily conjured up after so many hours of exhaustion and lack of sustenance. Mostly dramatic, but surprisingly some LOL moments in his sarcastic self-reflection on the irony of it all. The solution itself was damn tough to watch, if you are at all squeamish, you’ll need to mentally prepare. The prize for stomaching through it all is a very rewarding experience.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   James Franco looks like he was chosen for how he resembled Aron. But truthfully, he did a fantastic job with this move-en-solo format.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Director Danny Boyle does a great job with this first-person movie. Sure, he had a great story to work with, and some fine acting talent. But he turned a film that could have been much more tedious to get through in to something that produces non-stop riveting enjoyment.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.0

    Edgy because of the ‘final solution’. Hope you aren’t squeamish!

17. Sex Erotic 3.0

18. Violence Brutal 3.0

19. Rudeness Profane 3.0

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

    Unbelievable, but true.

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0