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[(127 Hours)] [Author: Rob Smith] published on
A day-by-day account of Aron Ralston's unforgettable survival story. In April 2003, whilst hiking in the Utah canyons, he was trapped by the hand for six days by an 800-pound boulder. Finally, he faced a terrible he had cut off his hand or face death.
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First published February 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 29, 2017
The book that I read was 127 hours. The main character was Aron Ralston and he liked to explore in the mountains. He was exploring the mountains and he was riding his bike and he came across a sharp turn and he ran into a bush. Then he started to walk around and he had been walking for about two hours and then he stumbled upon two people needing directions. He had explored more with his new friends and found a hole between two rocks and had water so he just dropped and then he found there was water. He then left his friends and showed them the directions and let them go. Then a few hours later he had found a tunnel that he was going to walk across and then he had fell then a round rock about 500 pounds fell with him and then the rock got stuck between two rocks and his arm from his hand to his elbow so then the story starts where he is stuck between two rocks for 127 hours.
You should read this book because if you ever think about going exploring in the mountains. You should watch out for what happened to him and avoid what he did. So it won’t happen to you.
You should read this book because if you ever think about going exploring in the mountains. You should watch out for what happened to him and avoid what he did. So it won’t happen to you.
April 12, 2019
I have been to the area in Utah where Aron Ralston was caught when a boulder fell. The place is remote and not a place I would care to be on my own. This true story of survival and human strength, both physical and mental is remarkable.
April 22, 2013
I really wanted to like this book because I loved the movie. But seriously, it's mostly reads like an instruction manual on how to prep for climbing, skiing, and etc. Very detailed information on his materials. And the flashbacks to previous moments where he risked his life was just aggravating because it would also start off with a large wealth of information on how to hike/climb/ski safely. I was rather bored.
March 22, 2013
Very slow read, jumped around a lot between bake stories that showed the authors carelessness and his current situation having his arm stuck. The descriptions of him finally cutting off his arm were very graphic so wouldn't be good for a squeamish audience, though it was very descriptive so you felt like you were right there with him in the moment, interesting read but a slow one.
January 15, 2014
Too much chest-beating for my taste. If he stuck to the story of those 127 hours, it would have been gold. But to go into detail about all the other dumbass solo treks into the wild, complete with his uncanny ability to get himself out of them, really made it hard to get through. Props to the dude for cutting off his hand. But get to the point already.
May 19, 2014
Quite self absorbed and chock full of gung-Ho chest beating stuff - the actual scene is amazing but all the flash backs are quite boring and although his outcome was incredible, it is well tainted by the fact he was a dumb ass to get there in the first place... And there is no PS to say he is now divorced from his wife and has been arrested for domestic violence.
May 18, 2014
If you like biographical books, this one is for you. I skipped the flashbacks in the book and just jumped into his actual predicament. Made the book way better.
September 18, 2017
Insane. That's how you would describe this book. Well only at the end that is.
This book was slow. It really wasn't one of those books that when I get time to read I'm excited to read it. It just dragged every little thing out, and it was very tedious. The flashbacks were the worst part of this book. They were filled with things that really had nothing to do with the book and I kind of feel like they were there to make the book longer. It was the perfect representation of what a book-turner shouldn't be.
Nothing surprised me in this book. Before even reading the back of it, I already knew his arm was going to be self-amputated. But I wanted to know how he felt and how it went down. And that just didn't happen. Throughout the whole entire book, you're just waiting for the chapter when the amputation finally happens. You get to the chapter, and it ends within a few pages. The whole entire book leads up to that part, and it was so disappointing to me. Wow, he amputated his arm. Already knew that. It just didn't go as in-depth as I thought it would. It was still a good chapter but has so much potential.
This book was not the easiest to understand. But considering I'm not a climber or an outdoorsy guy, its what I expected. But I doubt most of the people who read this are either, so he could have explained some of the concepts a little bit better. First off when he talked about where he was, I just couldn't imagine it in my head. There just wasn't enough for me. It was like a painting with no paint. I had the outline, but no specifics. Additionally, when he got trapped between the boulder it still confused me. The way he worded it and explained it just made no sense, so they only things I had to go by where the pictures inside of the book. Lastly, when he escaped, I still don't know how he got out with only one arm. Again the way he worded it was really weird.
If you are an avid climber of very outdoorsy person, this book would be a pretty good fit. You would know whats going on, and that would make the book 100x better.
If you are a thrill lover like me, I would stay away from this book. Considering only the last 50 or so pages have a little thrill, it's pretty disappointing.
This book was slow. It really wasn't one of those books that when I get time to read I'm excited to read it. It just dragged every little thing out, and it was very tedious. The flashbacks were the worst part of this book. They were filled with things that really had nothing to do with the book and I kind of feel like they were there to make the book longer. It was the perfect representation of what a book-turner shouldn't be.
Nothing surprised me in this book. Before even reading the back of it, I already knew his arm was going to be self-amputated. But I wanted to know how he felt and how it went down. And that just didn't happen. Throughout the whole entire book, you're just waiting for the chapter when the amputation finally happens. You get to the chapter, and it ends within a few pages. The whole entire book leads up to that part, and it was so disappointing to me. Wow, he amputated his arm. Already knew that. It just didn't go as in-depth as I thought it would. It was still a good chapter but has so much potential.
This book was not the easiest to understand. But considering I'm not a climber or an outdoorsy guy, its what I expected. But I doubt most of the people who read this are either, so he could have explained some of the concepts a little bit better. First off when he talked about where he was, I just couldn't imagine it in my head. There just wasn't enough for me. It was like a painting with no paint. I had the outline, but no specifics. Additionally, when he got trapped between the boulder it still confused me. The way he worded it and explained it just made no sense, so they only things I had to go by where the pictures inside of the book. Lastly, when he escaped, I still don't know how he got out with only one arm. Again the way he worded it was really weird.
If you are an avid climber of very outdoorsy person, this book would be a pretty good fit. You would know whats going on, and that would make the book 100x better.
If you are a thrill lover like me, I would stay away from this book. Considering only the last 50 or so pages have a little thrill, it's pretty disappointing.
January 16, 2018
A mountainous, nonfiction, adventurous book! If you are a fan of hiking, trekking, mountaineering, or any similar activities, this novel would freak you out. It is emphasizing the action of leaving a hint behind, in order to lead someone to you in case of emergency, before you go to rural places, desert, jungle, mountain, or even tundra.
During the reading of this book, you will always put yourself in Aron's shoes, and imagine yourself being stuck in the middle of nowhere, I chilled, no water, no mobile, no food, surrounded with nature full of snakes and scorpions; the resources of death are uncountable.
From the moment I read that his hand was stuck, I realized that he would definitely cut of his hand by his own by the end of the day, this is the only way out. Life is precious, and survival is just a test to you to spot the light on the your perspectives of willingness to pay, whatever costs, in order to survive one death threat. to avoid only one threat.
During the reading of this book, you will always put yourself in Aron's shoes, and imagine yourself being stuck in the middle of nowhere, I chilled, no water, no mobile, no food, surrounded with nature full of snakes and scorpions; the resources of death are uncountable.
From the moment I read that his hand was stuck, I realized that he would definitely cut of his hand by his own by the end of the day, this is the only way out. Life is precious, and survival is just a test to you to spot the light on the your perspectives of willingness to pay, whatever costs, in order to survive one death threat. to avoid only one threat.
June 14, 2018
Super bouquin, qui aborde la technique sans délaisser la narration. En effet le récit s'entrecoupe de flashbacks qui permettent de mieux cerner l'auteur, ses acquis/ attentes. On accède à ses pensées les plus profondes, même si, bien sûr, le tout est romancé pour faire de lui un américain courageux et fort... Passé ce narcissisme, j'ai apprécié l'immersion qu'offre ce récit.
Je lui ai cependant préféré quelques livres d'autres aventuriers que j'ai pu lire, et que j'ai préféré parce-qu'ils étaient moins arrogants et plus portés sur la nature qui s'offre autour d'eux. Aron Ralston reste quelqu'un de très fier de ses exploits, qui ne font pas forcément sens (il veut faire tous les "4000" du Colorado, seul, en hiver, pour la prouesse, à côté d'un Sylvain Tesson qui pèlerine sur les traces de l'Histoire russe, ou de Sarah Marquis qui tente de se fondre complètement dans les paysages qui l'entourent, Aron a des projets narcissiques mais sans plus).
Je lui ai cependant préféré quelques livres d'autres aventuriers que j'ai pu lire, et que j'ai préféré parce-qu'ils étaient moins arrogants et plus portés sur la nature qui s'offre autour d'eux. Aron Ralston reste quelqu'un de très fier de ses exploits, qui ne font pas forcément sens (il veut faire tous les "4000" du Colorado, seul, en hiver, pour la prouesse, à côté d'un Sylvain Tesson qui pèlerine sur les traces de l'Histoire russe, ou de Sarah Marquis qui tente de se fondre complètement dans les paysages qui l'entourent, Aron a des projets narcissiques mais sans plus).
May 25, 2021
I believe that the theme of 127 hours is hope. I think this because during most of the book all he can really do is just hope it can all turn out ok like when he first got stuck there wasn't anyone around and he stayed pretty calm and was just in shock when he finally started to realize the there was no one all he could do is hope that someone happens to walk by also when he decided he might cut his arm off he had to hope it wouldn't bleed out and everything would go ok.
April 9, 2020
I broadly enjoyed this. OK it was a little tedious in places - the constant talk of carabiners, but a good read really, with backstory and tension too. My only qualm is when Ralston says he doesn’t do what he does to brag, yet much of the book ESPECIALLY the epilogue are one large brag fest. Not to mention publishing a book and getting it turned into a film!
February 4, 2021
Really enjoyed how they broke the chapters up in this book with one retelling the horrible experience and the next recounting an interesting hiking/mountain climbing tale. I understand a lot of reviewers didn't like the solo climbing/hiking/skiing stories but if you've engaged in these activities before you can empathise a lot easier and they are highly enjoyable to read.
October 21, 2019
Aron is an intense and interesting person. I loved reading about his different adventures and his incredible story in Blue John Canyon. While gruesome at times, I was completely captivated and enjoyed the buildup in the story. What an inspiring person!
March 7, 2018
good enough .
November 26, 2018
O momento da amputação é o mais aguardado, mas tem muita coisa boa até lá. E a história, por si só, é fantástica demais para não ser contada (e recontada, e filmada etc.).
August 23, 2019
Not comparable to the movie - different storyline and way better!
October 26, 2019
The messages about life experiences and new values are in here.. but you have to get through alot of technical speak and fairly pointless stories of past experiences to get there.
February 8, 2020
I think that he may have staged the whole thing as a survival scenario stunt to surpass the other occasions in the book where he carelessly risks his life.
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May 31, 2013Lia Guerrero
May 28, 2013
Between A Rock and a Hard Place
For outside reading, I read Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. This memoir is about how Aron Ralston was hiking one day in Bluejohn Canyon and his arm got crushed by a boulder. He started his hike on Saturday and freed himself on Wednesday . Aron Ralston made a tough decision between dying, or cutting off his hand. He chose to cut off his hand.
This book is important to read because Aron wrote this book so people could understand what he went through. He was all alone and had limited food and water, he had to get out of there somehow. His story has a theme of perseverance. It should inspire many people because it shows them never to give up no matter what situation you’re in. Aron Ralston could of let himself die by starvation, dehydration, or he could of went crazy, but he kept his sanity and saved his own life. He lived through pain and survived, he wanted to tell his story to whoever wanted to hear it.
The most important chapter in this book is the one when he finally decides to cut his hand off to release himself. That day he has a vision of his unborn son. I think it gave him hope of living and having his own family. He knew he had to get out of there. It would change his life forever; he will have to live without a hand for the rest of his life. But he thought it’d be worth it as long as he got to see his parents, family, and continue to grow up and finally make his own family. This book can inspire many people.
This book has the most value to him. Other people are inspired by it because of his courage. When he gets old he will always remember what he had to go through during the time he was stuck in Bluejohn Canyon. If he ever forgets any detail for some reason, he can just go and read his memoir. Someday when he finally grows old and passes on, people who read his book and know about his story will remember him. His story will always be out there to get a hold of. This book describes who he is. You are able to get an idea of who he is and what kind of personality he has. To some he is a hero and to others he is a role model, but to himself he survived and that’s all he wanted.
May 28, 2013
Between A Rock and a Hard Place
For outside reading, I read Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston. This memoir is about how Aron Ralston was hiking one day in Bluejohn Canyon and his arm got crushed by a boulder. He started his hike on Saturday and freed himself on Wednesday . Aron Ralston made a tough decision between dying, or cutting off his hand. He chose to cut off his hand.
This book is important to read because Aron wrote this book so people could understand what he went through. He was all alone and had limited food and water, he had to get out of there somehow. His story has a theme of perseverance. It should inspire many people because it shows them never to give up no matter what situation you’re in. Aron Ralston could of let himself die by starvation, dehydration, or he could of went crazy, but he kept his sanity and saved his own life. He lived through pain and survived, he wanted to tell his story to whoever wanted to hear it.
The most important chapter in this book is the one when he finally decides to cut his hand off to release himself. That day he has a vision of his unborn son. I think it gave him hope of living and having his own family. He knew he had to get out of there. It would change his life forever; he will have to live without a hand for the rest of his life. But he thought it’d be worth it as long as he got to see his parents, family, and continue to grow up and finally make his own family. This book can inspire many people.
This book has the most value to him. Other people are inspired by it because of his courage. When he gets old he will always remember what he had to go through during the time he was stuck in Bluejohn Canyon. If he ever forgets any detail for some reason, he can just go and read his memoir. Someday when he finally grows old and passes on, people who read his book and know about his story will remember him. His story will always be out there to get a hold of. This book describes who he is. You are able to get an idea of who he is and what kind of personality he has. To some he is a hero and to others he is a role model, but to himself he survived and that’s all he wanted.
January 24, 2016
127 Hours is a great if you’re a type of person that likes reading about survival stories and life changing experiences. I myself have mixed feelings towards this book, it’s not as action packed as I thought, but I probably should’ve realized that since it’s more of an informative story book about Aron’s crazy survival. At the start and end it was one of those edge of your seat moments, since all of this crazy unbelievable turn of events happen, that you wouldn’t think it’s possible, then once you realized he’s trapped, reality finally hits you and shows how something so simple like a hike can turn into one of the biggest life changing events of your life.
Aron’s memoir itself was pretty jaw dropping because of the fierce disaster he was placed in, but I thought the flashbacks were too much and unnecessarily long. I understand that he is in a close death situation and he’s going to be going over his favorite memories and mistakes from his past, but it was too focused on them and not the survival itself. I think the main message is him being such a risk taker and not really thinking about what he’s getting into before he goes in head first into something, and him getting his arm stuck in between the boulder really opened his eyes into being a less self centered person and to start to appreciate what's closer to him, as in family.
Him actually having to get out of the predicament he was in was actually really inspiring, even though some of his steps into getting out put him into a worse position, but him just trying after being trapped for close to a week. I rate it as a mediocre book and something to read as a motivation boost since of course after the incident his life was forever changed.
Aron’s memoir itself was pretty jaw dropping because of the fierce disaster he was placed in, but I thought the flashbacks were too much and unnecessarily long. I understand that he is in a close death situation and he’s going to be going over his favorite memories and mistakes from his past, but it was too focused on them and not the survival itself. I think the main message is him being such a risk taker and not really thinking about what he’s getting into before he goes in head first into something, and him getting his arm stuck in between the boulder really opened his eyes into being a less self centered person and to start to appreciate what's closer to him, as in family.
Him actually having to get out of the predicament he was in was actually really inspiring, even though some of his steps into getting out put him into a worse position, but him just trying after being trapped for close to a week. I rate it as a mediocre book and something to read as a motivation boost since of course after the incident his life was forever changed.
May 9, 2016
Solitude is the state or situation of being alone, someone who spent 127 hours in the middle of a canyon, with no food or water, no one to talk to, and couldn’t move can define what that word is. What do you think that would be like? A man from Marion, Ohio knows just what it’s like. His name is Aron Ralston. Saturday, April 26, 2003 he was mountain biking and rappelling in Horseshoe Canyon of Utah when an 800 lb boulder falls on his right arm, trapping him in the middle of a canyon. The book is a memoir that goes into great detail of his struggles, thoughts, feelings, attitude and mental state through those five days ensnared in the canyon's depths. While the book is about his time in the canyon it also talks about stories about past expeditions and experiences in general from moving from Indianapolis to Colorado as a teenager, to going on a expedition to Denali, Alaska in 2002.
I chose this book because I heard of the accident that he endured and never really knew much about it but found it interesting, it turned out to be more interesting than I thought. Another reason I found the book interesting, because being stuck somewhere for 127 hours doesn’t seem livable. Throughout the book he talks about his difficulties while in that canyon and how he made it through. This book changed the way I thought about toughness, to endure what he endured he is a very mentally tough man. The book is a must read for anyone that is looking for a book that is suspenseful, it is that but also causes thoughts of courage and hopefulness. I like the writing style of the book because it puts the reader in the story like they were right next to him throughout the whole story. Which made it easy to concentrate on what was going on because you felt like you were right beside him.
I chose this book because I heard of the accident that he endured and never really knew much about it but found it interesting, it turned out to be more interesting than I thought. Another reason I found the book interesting, because being stuck somewhere for 127 hours doesn’t seem livable. Throughout the book he talks about his difficulties while in that canyon and how he made it through. This book changed the way I thought about toughness, to endure what he endured he is a very mentally tough man. The book is a must read for anyone that is looking for a book that is suspenseful, it is that but also causes thoughts of courage and hopefulness. I like the writing style of the book because it puts the reader in the story like they were right next to him throughout the whole story. Which made it easy to concentrate on what was going on because you felt like you were right beside him.
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January 14, 2015127 Hours by Rob, Smith is the true story about a hiker who gets stuck in a canyon with no help and no way of getting himself out. He is faced with many obstacles throughout his time in the canyon. The weather, and elements along with his mental state of mind are all major contributors to the fact that Aron was having trouble surviving the 127 hour ordeal.
The main character is named Aron Ralston. He encounters many different obstacles in his time between the two walls. The main thing that Aron wa having trouble overcoming was the fact that his mental state was drifting with every passing hour. He would hallucinate from time to time and could not tell the difference from real or fake.
“Get my backpack.” Aron was most concerned about his backpack when he was finally rescued. This just goes to show how strong of a person he is, even after being in such a life threatening situation. He had just cut his own arm off and walked eight miles out of a challenging canyon for a person with two arms and the one thing he was worried about was his gear.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I watched the movie and it was not a nearly as good as reading Aron’s own words. The book was gruesome with his own explanation of cutting his own arm off. He went through so much and still to this day is able to do all the things he was with his right arm.
The main character is named Aron Ralston. He encounters many different obstacles in his time between the two walls. The main thing that Aron wa having trouble overcoming was the fact that his mental state was drifting with every passing hour. He would hallucinate from time to time and could not tell the difference from real or fake.
“Get my backpack.” Aron was most concerned about his backpack when he was finally rescued. This just goes to show how strong of a person he is, even after being in such a life threatening situation. He had just cut his own arm off and walked eight miles out of a challenging canyon for a person with two arms and the one thing he was worried about was his gear.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I watched the movie and it was not a nearly as good as reading Aron’s own words. The book was gruesome with his own explanation of cutting his own arm off. He went through so much and still to this day is able to do all the things he was with his right arm.
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June 11, 2014I feel the hook of this story 127 hours by Rob Smith is the reality of the book, that the things in this book that took place can happen to anyone. The setting of the story takes place in Blue John Canyon, in a ditch. The Main Character is Aaron Ralston a hiker.I read this book because it caught my with the images in the book and the summary on the back.
Basically this man goes on a hiking trip to explore this canyon and falls in between a ditch. In the commotion of him falling the conflict arises which is this big 800 pound rock pinning his right arm against the canyon wall.Trapped for days he does whatever it takes to survive then ends up amputating his arm setting him free.
The resolution of the story is him being set free. I feel the lesson of this story is no matter what don't lose faith and keep the will to live. My favorite part was the details of his amateur amputation surgery. Another lesson could be its better to be safe than sorry if he would have prepared for the worst this wouldn't have happened.
In my opinion this is a good book,Id recommend this book to a person who has a passion for adventure. This would pertain to that kind of person because they can relate to them. They may have been through some of the similar things that happened to him.
Basically this man goes on a hiking trip to explore this canyon and falls in between a ditch. In the commotion of him falling the conflict arises which is this big 800 pound rock pinning his right arm against the canyon wall.Trapped for days he does whatever it takes to survive then ends up amputating his arm setting him free.
The resolution of the story is him being set free. I feel the lesson of this story is no matter what don't lose faith and keep the will to live. My favorite part was the details of his amateur amputation surgery. Another lesson could be its better to be safe than sorry if he would have prepared for the worst this wouldn't have happened.
In my opinion this is a good book,Id recommend this book to a person who has a passion for adventure. This would pertain to that kind of person because they can relate to them. They may have been through some of the similar things that happened to him.
January 22, 2013
Dit boek leest een beetje als Ontsporing van Diederik Stapel. Alleen is het wat minder invoelbaar voor een bankzitter als ik - in de eerste helft zet Aron uiteen hoe ontzettend roekeloos hij wel niet was in het beklimmen van bergen midden in de winter. Als lezer moet je daar echt een beetje doorheen ploegen, het is bijna wachten op het moment dat hij eindelijk onder die steen vast komt te zitten. Maar goed, uiteindelijk zit hij klem en vanaf daar begint het boek te lopen - naast het verhaal hoe hij uiteindelijk tot het amputeren van zijn arm is gekomen, vertelt hij ook over de voortgang van de zoektocht. Gek om er bij stil te staan dat er ook mensen zijn die zo'n zoektocht beginnen en hun geliefde dan niet terugvinden. Het verhaal heeft uiteraard een sprookjeseinde, maar de weg er naar toe is zeker het lezen waard. Leuk boek voor in de trein als je op zoek bent naar niet te ingewikkeld leesvoer - ik zou dit boek niet meenemen op vakantie want dan heb je 't binnen 1 dag uit.
January 13, 2014
absolutely incredible. it was inspiring, motivational and very thought provoking. someone commented that they were disappointed with this book because they were expecting it to be like the movie which is fair comment. I think its brilliant because you get to find out about his past exploits and understand who he is and how he ended up in that situation. the last chapter is a real testimony to his survival and I feel that even though he was the one who went through the ordeal; as a reader it gives you a new look on life. it certainly made me feel grateful for what I have and I hope that I wouldn't give up if I was faced with something like that.
August 18, 2014
This book is about a man called Aron Ralston who was the main character in the book which loved exploring and also a risk taker.Its highlight was when he wad fallen down a hole which his left arm got stucked between two rock.He tried to lift the rock up and all short of stuff but it-didn't work so he started checking his supplies while is running out than he came up with the solution cutting his own arm so he can go out and ask for help.This book really pick up my intrest when i first saw the intro at the back than i read the book it was really exciting all the way through it would be the book that i wouldn't get board even if you tell me to read the whole book again.
April 28, 2015
In the book 127 hours Between a Rock and a Hard Place Aron Ralston gets stuck in Blue John cannon where he meets two woman and decides to split up with them and going hiking by his self. Then he falls into a big drop with a bolder stuck on his arm which leads to being 127 hours a rock and a hard place with mostly no food and a water bottle with the water almost gone. Luckily he gets saved by a group of people which made it so I rated this 4 stars, because of the short stories and and a long time in the cannon with a rock. I most likely liked this book because of the story line and how it ends.
April 4, 2016
I thought the book was tremendous they described every possible detail there was they did excellent work on making sure the picture matched with the story that happened.The author really did excellent work on making the audience believe that that place and time in the desert is not a good place to be.He gave a good explanation on how the guy got under that rock and What he needed to do to survive what risks he needed to take.Overall one of the best books I've read.
July 2, 2013
I liked the story, it´s quite inspirational, however the parts of Aron telling about his life and his climbing and stuff were a bit boring at some parts, I just wanted to read what was happening like, in the moment he was stuck and not about the stuff he did years ago, but it´s still a really good book.
Í definitely don't want to see the movie though, I mean, no, really not I'd be freaking out.
Í definitely don't want to see the movie though, I mean, no, really not I'd be freaking out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews