The Tempest

Thor

Hot-headed Thor (Chris Hemsworth), warrior and God of Thunder, is banned from the mythical world of Asgard by his father (Anthony Hopkins) and forced to live among humans on Earth. There, he falls for scientist Jane (Natalie Portman) and rallies around the humans to protect them against foes from his former world. The slick film provides quick-paced action scenes, as well as a fair share of laughs. DVD extras include cast commentary and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.

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Hesher

Following his mother's death, 13-year-old TJ (Devin Brochu) develops an odd friendship with Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a foul-mouthed loner who is squatting in his family's home. In spite of his crass ways and bizarre hobbies, Hesher helps TJ and his family move past their grief. Hesher offers a crude and dark sense of humor that can be unnerving at times, but it's worth it to see Gordon-Levitt playing against type. The DVD features deleted scenes, outtakes, and a gallery of drawings that appear in the film.

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One more DVD when you read more

Angelina Jolie famously took a part originally written for Tom Cruise in Salt, and now Helen Mirren is set to do the same. Only she'll be playing a role that's been done hundreds of times as a man: Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Prospero is the duke of Milan who uses manipulation and other machinations to protect his daughter, Miranda. As a female, Helen tells New York magazine, the harsh and generally unlikable character will become softer, more human, and thus more relatable.

"The heart and the essence of the play doesn't really change — it's about betrayal and revenge and forgiveness, and it's about the physical world and the spiritual world. None of that changes with Prospera being a woman, and although the relationship with Miranda doesn't totally change — she's still a loving and protective parent — being a woman, I think you have more of a sense that she understands where Miranda is coming from and understands who this girl is. When Prospero is a man, you get the sense that he's this nasty, unattractive, paternal dictator, and I think you lose that here and it becomes more emotional."

Of course, there will always be people who resist gender-flipping roles, but it sounds like it can bring out layers of characters that otherwise go unnoticed. It may even change how parts, like Prospero, are played in the future, whether by a man or woman. What's most intriguing, though, is why (besides the challenge) A-list actresses, like Angelina and Helen, take men's roles. In short? There are not enough big roles for women.

Stylish couple Russell Brand and Katy Perry were in sync last night as they made their way down the red carpet at the LA premiere of his latest comedy, The Tempest. Katy skipped the holiday hair accessories and opted to coordinate her Elie Saab gown with her husband's icy gray suit. Russell and Katy will be spending their first holiday together as a married couple, however, she already received an extraordinary gift from her peers in the music industry with the news of her four Grammy nominations. The infectious lyrics of "California Gurls" made it one of the most inescapable songs of the year and earned Katy and her lyrical partner Snoop Dogg a 2011 People's Choice nomination for favorite song — don't forget today's your last chance to cast your votes!

To see more photos of Russell and Katy at the premiere, just read more

In the classic Shakespeare play The Tempest, a magician and rightful duke named Prospero is banished to a distant island by his jealous brother, who seeks the crown. Julie Taymor gives her film adaptation a girl power makeover, turning Prospero into Prospera and making her leading lady (Helen Mirren) the wife of a duke. When her conniving brother-in-law, Antonio (Chris Cooper), accuses Propsera of killing her husband with witchcraft, she's sent away on a ship with her 4-year-old daughter. She conjures a storm to lure Antonio to the island she and her daughter have been inhabiting.

It sounds like typical Shakespeare tragedy (murder! treason! banishment!) but The Tempest is actually a comedy, and the trailer's got some funny moments (thanks to Russell Brand and Alfred Molina). If you're expecting to see Brand branching out from his typical fare, then you may be disappointed, but he's oddly fitting here as a jester. As expected for a film about a sorcerer, there's also special effects to spare here — not to mention a stellar cast. Check it out after the jump.

"Women are, of course, powerful, feral creatures — the Earth being so female, the cosmos, even, perhaps being a female instinct, creating life. . . . If women get in tune to that energy, it'll destroy us all."

— Russell Brand talked about the roaring power of female energy and his Tempest costar Helen Mirren's "confidence," "potency," and "female energy" at the New York Film Festival Saturday.