The Time Traveler's Wife

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: August 14, 2009

DVD Release Date: February 9, 2010

Plot 411: A story about a time traveler and the family he leaves behind each time he goes.

Review: I've got mixed feelings about this film and am not really sure where to begin. On a purely mushy and romantic level, the idea of a love that survives beyond all rational thought and across all forms of time is really inspiring. Even with the bittersweet knowledge that the love of your life cannot physically be with you for most of your lifetime, it's just really powerful to know that this person is still out there loving you completely. This kind of love is like something from a Jane Austen novel, where all the world is against you but love still prevails in the end. From a more technical standpoint, this movie is hell to follow because the timeline is so messed up. The plot is convoluted and confusing. You barely even get to know anyone besides the two main characters of Henry (Eric Bana) and Clare (Rachel McAdams). Even then, it's difficult to pinpoint what year they're in, how much time has passed and which Henry is from the present time. With all those issues, it's a wonder that you can get all that emotional stuff in there. Perhaps the emotion just comes from the audience's ability to walk in Clare's shoes? The plot is a simple one - a guy time travels uncontrollably and sometimes returns to places and times that are important to him. He meets a girl named Clare and continues to cross her path at random times throughout her life. They fall in love and she must deal with the fact that she never knows when he will leave or when he will return to her.

Watch It: For the beautiful cinematography. The shots of the meadow where Henry and Clare often meet are beautiful.

Skip It: If you're a sci fi geek that really follows the time/space continuum because this will probably just piss you off at how inaccurate it is.

Mansfield Park

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 17, 1999

DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

Plot 411: A poor girl grows up in a rich household and perseveres despite a different kind of rough upbringing

Review: In this film based on Jane Austen's book of the same name, poor Fanny Price (Frances O'Connor) goes to live with her wealthy aunt as a young girl. Her family sends her for the developmental and educational benefit as well as for the financial relief of having one less mouth to feed. Depsite being a relative, she is treated harshly like a servant. Everyone is horrible except for her cousin Edmund (Jonny Lee Miller), and they quickly become friends. As they grow up, Fanny's love for Edmund deepens. However, it is threatened when Henry (Alessandro Nivola) and Mary (Embeth Davidtz) Crawford, relatives of the local clergy, arrive and begin insinuating themselves into their lives. Again, I'm loving this period piece, especially because it's another adaptation of Jane Austen. Somehow, she just gets all the angst and turmoil surrounding love in these impossible situations. She understands strong female characters and is determined to see them succeed. Miller is lovable and sometimes so darned respectful that you just want to bop him on the head! O'Connor does a nice job as Fanny.

Watch It: For a slightly different take on things than what's in the novel.

Skip It: If you don't like Austen to begin with. Why waste your time?

Lost In Austen

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: 2008

DVD Release Date: April 14, 2009

Plot 411: A modern twist to the classic tale of Pride and Prejudice.

Review: From what I gather, this was originally a British tv movie, but I'm not quite sure. In any case, period pieces are one of my greatest loves. The clothes, landscape, architecture and romance are somehow emphasized and their effects are heightened dramatically because the plot is based in such a drastically different time than the one we live in. I realize that most of this is romanticized for our benefit and that the lives of the women in this era were quite repressed. However, it's a movie and so I allow myself to believe that everything's as romantic as can be. This film twists the Jane Austen classic on its head and introduces a new character into the lives of those at Longbourn. Amanda Price, a modern girl, switches places with Elizabeth Bennet and is transported back in time. Her contemporary attitudes affect the drama that unfolds and new developments in Austen's world occur. What follows is deliciously irreverent of Austen's work, yet still manage to proceed in her spirit. There are some incredibly funny moments in the film when the characters really come alive. As Amanda adjusts to this familiar, yet completely foreign, world so does the audience. We are both encouraged and disappointed with her as she ventures to live a life she's only read about. After reading Pride and Prejudice, every girl has wondered about Mr. Darcy. This movie brings that dream to life and the audience is able to live this fantasy through Amanda Price.

Watch It: For a different take on one of the greatest literary loves of all time.

Skip It: If you're a die-hard Jane Austen fan. As mentioned in the film, Austen probably rolled over in her grave at the liberties this film took with her work.