Paul Eyre

"Paul" (d. Greg Motolla)

• Story follows two sci-fi geeks (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), as they make a road trip across America only to find themselves greeted by a talking, fugitive alien (Seth Rogen).
  
• Gets off to a slow start with much of its humor revolving around pop culture references that only hardcore geeks will pick up on.
  
• Hilarious ensemble of great character actors, but the script rarely gives them anything to work with. While Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio milk laughs as two bumbling FBI agents, the usually hysterical Kristen Wiig just seems miscast as a fundamentalist Christian who falls for Simon Pegg's character. Other great character actors, like Jason Bateman and Sigourney Weaver, are wasted in smaller roles.
• The film musters up some momentum in its second act by amplifying its more zany qualities, only to lose that momentum once the film reaches its sappy, overlong resolution.
• While the film remains superior to most of the bland, commercial comedies that populate the multiplexes, it's disappointing that the final product was not more entertaining, especially considering the talent involved.

"Jane Eyre" (d. Cary Fukunaga)

• Impressively atmospheric adaption of the 19th century coming-of-age story by Charlotte Bronte.
• The film follows young orphan Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) as she moves from a strict boarding school to the mansion of Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender).
• Brilliantly illustrates Jane Eyre's struggle between independence and companionship as she confronts her affection for Mr. Rochester, as well as her want to break free from the bonds which society places her in, due to both her circumstances and her gender. Wasikowska subtly taps into Jane's psyche as she struggles with these two desires. Fassbender also shines as a man yearning for a deeper relationship, whilst also feeling trapped due to his circumstances.
• The film's dark cinematography wonderfully accentuates the film's mood and makes the audience more keenly aware of the feelings of confinement which plague the film's characters.
• Deliberately slow pace adds to the film's atmosphere, but perhaps makes the film harder to connect to on an emotional level. Still, a faster pace would have killed the chilling, almost eerie, mood which makes the film so unique.
• Overall, a fascinating, hauting coming-of-age story with top-notch performances and production values.

"Digimon: The Movie" Review

"Digimon: The Movie," based off the landmark Japanese television series of the same name, quite brilliantly explores the ideas of community and friendship. While the hoi polloi prefer such trash like "Pokemon: The First Movie" and "Pokemon: Mewtwo Returns," neither film holds a candle to the level of quirk and irony found in "Digimon: The Movie."

The film is split into three marvelous acts. The first act follows Tai and Kari, two young Japanese hipsters, as they come across a Digimon, a digital creature with the power to evolve into larger digital creature. After this discovery, the film flashes forward 4 years later and it's almost like you're watching a completely different movie! At this point, the story follows Tai and the gang as an evil mutant Digimon takes over the internet. And just when you think the film's going to end, it flashes forward to the present day with completely different characters trying to defeat the evil Kokomon once and for all. While some totally lame people would find this three act structure disjointed and off-putting, it added to this reviewer's ironic enjoyment of the film.

And let's not forget the stellar soundtrack! With such classic jams like "All Star"by Smash Mouth and "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies, the film's soundtrack's only adds to the film's hipness. While lesser people may find the songs catchy and enjoyable, they won't pick up on the satiric irony inherent to their placement in the film. In fact, the unwashed masses might enjoy the film as a whole, but they will never have the intellectual prowess to decipher the film's weighty subtext.

But, at its heart, "Digimon: The Movie" truly examines what it's like to be human. It asks us many important questions. Who does one turn to in times of great need? Can community help us overcome great obstacles? And, perhaps most importantly, is this film obscure enough to add to my DVD collection?

[This review is dedicated to Seamus Hamilton, King of the Hipsters]

"Rango" Review

Overflowing with verbal humor and visual wackiness, "Rango," a new animated film from director Gore Verbinski ("Pirate of the Caribbean"), snaps along at a quick pace with its off-the-wall humor, frenzied action sequences, and emotional warmth. The film follows Rango - a lonely domestic lizard - as he ventures into the desert to live amongst other desert animals. In order to fit in with his fellow animals, Rango (voiced by Johnny Depp) pretends to be a tough-as-nails gunslinger. While Rango's ruse proves amusing for him at first, the animals naively buy in to his tall tale and elect him town sheriff. As Rango takes on his sheriff duties, which include solving the town's water shortage and chasing off a mean hawk, he slowly breaks free from his isolation and finds purpose in serving a warm, appreciative community of fellow desert animals. "Rango" very eloquently illustrates this idea of community, without resorting to sappy dialogue or overwrought sentimentality. Instead, the film creates a rag tag group of zany characters that win the audience's affection and lend the film a stronger emotional connection. However, what truly makes the film original is its loony sense of humor. From witty wordplay to hysterical sight gags, "Rango" displays nearly impeccable comic timing. In short, it makes for one heck of a good time at the movies. (And, yes, I did just end this short review with a cliche).