On a slow afternoon the other day, I drove across Honolulu to see a movie.

Yeah, most people on vacation in Hawaii would be at the beach. Or at some museum. Or something. But not I. No, I wanted to go and see "127 Hours."

And so I did.

Two things came to mind as the film unfolded. (One of them not  being the fact that the theater that I went to, the Consolidated Theatres Kahala 8, could never get the film completely in focus.)

No, the first involved a comparison. "127 Hours," which was directed by Danny Boyle, tells the real-life story of Aron Ralston, an outdoorsman/adventurer who survived an experience that would have put most anyone else in his grave. While hiking through the Utah countryside, Ralston became trapped in a deep and narrow canyon when a rock pinned his right arm.

Ralston eventually -- after 127 hours, duh -- broke his arm, then used a knife to cut through the muscle, cartilage and skin to free himself. Amazing.

So what is the comparison? Ralston's story with that of Christopher McCandless, another guy who experienced a fairly intense trial. Only in his case, which was documented in both a book and a film titled "Into the Wild," McCandless didn't survive.

In both cases, the principals put themselves into situations that would be over almost everyone's head. The difference was that Ralston never got in over his own head, and so he survived.

The second thing that came to mind was just how capable the English-born Boyle is. Think of the different kinds of films he has directed: "Shallow Grave," "28 Days," "Trainspotting," "Millions," "Sunshine" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

And now "127 Hours." With a superb lead performance by James Franco, Boyle's film is likely to garner a number of Oscar nominations. It might even win a few.

I'm certainly glad I saw it. And I avoided contracting skin cancer in the process.

Not sure what damage I did to my eyes, though. Thanks, Consolidated Theatres.

Below: The trailer for "127 Hours."