I love early Malick (Badlands and Days of Heaven), but haven't seen New World or Thin Red Line. Regarding Tree of Life: for me, bits of it were really, really good; other bits were horribly pretentious and indulgent. It's so much more visual than the two I've seen but I think the narration gets in the way and becomes more overwrought rather than profound. It certainly stays in your mind, though... I imagine it's a grower. Most people in my screening were a lot less kind to it than I was, with the young couple next to me laughing at it by the end. I do suggest you check it out if and when it shows near you; individual reactions will probably vary wildly!