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.