Tess of the d'Urbervilles (UK - 2008)

When it's over, the story of Tess remains tragic no matter how updated a director may make it.  So far, I've seen two versions of this classic story of love and loss, and this version is a bit livelier in costume and landscape compared to the 1998 version (also from the UK).  Thomas Hardy's timeless tragedy about a young girl named Tess Derbeyfield played by Gemma Arterton, who becomes a victim of circumstance in 19th century England, is so heartbreaking that one can't help but be drawn into the story and all its flawed characters.  This four hour film from BBC was filmed completely in 35mm (rare in the age of high definition), which gives the landscape a sense of grandness as well as a sense of loneliness and despair.  The landscape becomes a character in the story as we follow Tess on her journey from an innocent country girl to a courtesan in a span of several years.  She lives through seduction, rape, betrayal, motherhood, marriage, and abandonment, and yet, remains remarkably strong willed and independent.  I think Arterton did a wonderful job portraying this very complex character by molding Tess into a character we can relate to, sympathize with, and ultimately fall in love with.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Hereafter (2010

When it’s over, if the film had ended any other way, I would have been very disappointed.   The Hereafter is about three people, three stories, and three differing experiences with death.  Matt Damon plays an American who has a special connection to the afterlife;  Cecile De France plays a French journalists whose near death experience changes her perspective on life; and twins, Frankie and George McLaren play a London schoolboy who tragically loses his twin brother and must find understanding and acceptance.  Throughout the film, I kept wondering when these three stories would meet, as I kept hoping they would.  However, director Clint Eastwood kept me waiting and guessing until the very end, when finally, the stories do thread together, and there is a sense of completeness and fulfillment for all three characters making the story, as a viewer, a more satisfying one.

My rating: 4 out of 5   

Beastly (2011)

When it's over, I can understand why it did so poorly in theatres, but I can also see the potential it had for success.  Beastly is a modern version of "Beauty and the Beast" from a male perspective.  Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) is a spoiled teen who cares for no one but himself.  To teach Kyle a lesson, a witch (Mary-Kate Olsen) puts a curse on him exchanging his good looks for a scarred and deformed one.  He has one year to find someone to fall in love with him or be doomed forever to be ugly.  Having read the book and loving it, I was disappointed by how much the producers downplayed the character of the Beast - personality as well as physical.  The film did away with the hairy body and the animal-like qualities of a beast, such as roaring, tantrums, difficulty in speech, and clothing that didn't quite fit.  Instead, Kyle spoke perfect English and stayed in human form with the addition of tattoos, warts, and scars held together with staples.  The casting of Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy, the girl who enters Kyle's life and eventually becomes "the one" who breaks the curse was a poor choice for a female lead.  She lacked the acting ability to bring Lindy to life - to show Lindy's greatness as well as her vulnerabilities.  Early into the film, I was feeling "turned off" by Pettyfur's poor acting despite his dashingly good looks.  However, I held on and tried to keep an open mind about the story and hoped that Pettyfur would hook me as the "Beast," which he eventually did and I found myself really liking his character and being engaged in the personal journey he was on.  Neil Patrick Harris played the tutor, Will, and he was a much needed supporting cast member.  Harris brought comedy and spontaneity to a film that desperately needed some humor.  Lisa Gay Hamilton portrayed Zola, Kyle's maid and housekeeper, who was much more than a hired help.  She represented wisdom and guidance to a teen who failed to receive any from his father.  These two supporting characters helped to make Kyle complete and also, helped to elevate this film to a more positive experience. 

My rating: 3 out of 5

Thor - 3D (2011)

When it’s over, do sit through the credits to view a short scene that will whet you appetite for what's to come in the Marvel universe - just something to think about... 

For his arrogant ways, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is banished from his home realm of Asgard by his father, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins), to live as a human.  On earth, he falls in love with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and learns humility and compassion, which earns him the Mjölnir, the hammer which is considered to be the most powerful weapon in the universe.  Thor uses Mjölnir to save Earth and to return home to Asgard where he must stop his evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), from destroying a species known as the Frost Giants.  Director Kenneth Branagh did a terrific job at bringing Norse Mythology to life while mixing in some modern day humour and charm.  His vision of the mythological realm of Asgard was a true treat.  It reminded me of Mount Olympus with less columns and lots of golden architecture surrounded by greenery.  He manages to fit into two hours all the necessary information the viewer needs to understand the characters and the various storylines leading up to the very much anticipated The Avengers movie slated to be released in 2012.  Aussie newbie, Hemsworth, did a fine job portraying the fallen God who eventually redeems himself, and Portman didn’t disappoint as the woman he falls in love with.  The love story between Thor and Jane felt somewhat rushed, but sweet nonetheless.  I suppose it’s forgivable since this film really is action driven versus character driven.  Portman and Hemsworth have good chemistry together and they seem to fit very well onscreen, and I’m sure much of that is due to Branagh’s meticulous handling of the two actors.  Having seen Thor in both versions, I’d have to say that watching it in 3D enhanced some of the scenes (like the cinematic feel of Asgard and the grandness of the fight sequences), but not crucial enough to make the 3D version a must-see format. 

My rating: 4 out of 5

Going the Distance (2010)

When it's over, the film's attempt at being funny only made it silly.  Much of the humor is "forced," not natural like comedies such as The Hangover or Knocked Up, which both shared the same sexual raunchiness as Going the Distance.  Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in this rom-com as lover's trying to maintain a long distance relationship between New York and Los Angeles.  Normally, profanity doesn't bother me if it serves to move the story and it's characters forward (such as Pulp Fiction), but when it's excessive in a lousy script, and the key word is "lousy," I simply find myself becoming indifferent to the story and its characters, which was the case for this film.  Also, I think the casting only hurt the film, not elevate it.  The pairing of Barrymore and Long was awkward and lacked the spark to make this romance believable.  Long may have won Barrymore's heart off screen, but he doesn't pass as a charismatic romantic lead.  Barrymore is usually upbeat, funny, and adorable, but as the character of Erin, she looked depressingly run-down and in desperate need of rescue. 

My rating: 2 out of 5