Columbia Pictures

Director Kathryn Bigelow's gripping drama "Zero Dark Thirty" is much more than a nail-biting play-by-play of the top-secret mission to kill Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011. For all but the final action-packed 20 minutes of the film, it's a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the military-intelligence specialists whose decade-long hunt for the al Qaeda leader consumed (and in some cases killed) their every thought.

Since not everyone who buys a ticket for the film is an avid reader of "The Atlantic," here are answers to potential burning questions about the movie's depiction of the search for OBL.

Is Jessica Chastain's character based on a real CIA agent?
CIA officers have confirmed that Jessica Chastain's CIA analyst "Maya" is based on an actual bin Laden hunter. The real female analyst joined the CIA before the September 11 attacks, and worked for a time in Pakistan identifying targets for drone attacks. Like Chastain, the agent is now in her 30s. And, like Maya, the wunderkind CIA analyst was single-mindedly devoted to finding bin Laden and was known to be combative in that task.

"She's not Miss Congeniality, but that's not going to find Osama bin Laden," a CIA colleague told the Washington Post. In fact, CIA sources told the Post that after she and several others on the bin Laden team received one of the CIA's highest awards, she hit "reply all" to the email announcing the award to complain that other award recipients had actually hindered her work in locating OBL and did not deserve to share the honor. So, that line in the movie when Maya responds to a CIA head's "who's she?" with "I'm the motherf***er who found this place," may actually be a valid representation of the real agent's personality.

Columbia

Did torture lead to OBL's location?
Just as President Bush was criticized for permitting waterboarding and other forms of torture, Bigelow has been criticized for depicting the torture as resulting in intelligence that led to bin Laden. However, those critics must not have seen the film yet, because while it does depict torture (particularly a gruesome waterboarding), the torture does not directly lead to bin Laden, and, in fact, the highest al Qaeda suspect they torture refuses to confirm the existence of the courier Chastain's character is obsessed with finding.

Two Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which voted on Dec. 13 to declassify a 6,000-page report on the government's enhanced interrogation techniques, have publicly stated that the CIA learned of the existence of bin Laden's courier, who led the Americans to the terror mastermind, through means unrelated to the CIA's coercive interrogation techniques. Screenwriter Mark Boal has defended the movie's torture scenes, saying, "It's a movie, not a documentary," and adding, "We had to compress a very complicated debate and a 10-year period into two hours."

Columbia

Did the attack on the bin Laden compound nearly fail because of a helicopter crash?
Although the helo crash inside the compound walls leads to one of the film's most intense moments, SEALs and military officials interviewed after the raid said the crash – caused by the military's failure to take into account the hot air blown back up by the compound's walls – didn't faze the highly experienced SEALs, all of whom had been selected for their resourcefulness in battle. As shown in the film, the 12 SEALs in the downed chopper regrouped, kicked down a door to enter the compound and helped find and kill bin Laden. Then they destroyed the helicopter so its technology would stay out of the wrong hands and jumped into the back-up chopper assigned to pick them up. During a briefing with President Obama after the attack, the SEAL team commander thanked the copter pilot for crash-landing the craft without injuring any of his men.

Paramount

And now for your in-flight viewing pleasure, watch a movie likely to make you start squirming and possibly screaming in your cramped seat.

Movies like "Up in the Air," which is a sophisticated look at the life of a million-mile-club executive, and "Bridesmaids," which has one of the funniest plane sequences ever on the big screen, are passenger-approved. But there's nothing like an airline disaster movie to freak out even the mellowest of frequent fliers. As we wait for our "Flight," here are nine movies that should probably be saved for when you're firmly on land.

'Flight' (2012)

Paramount

To quote its gushing review of Robert Zemeckis' first live-action film in 12 years, the Hollywood Reporter describes the movie's pivotal flight sequence (in which Denzel Washington's hungover pilot successfully orchestrates an emergency landing) as a "gripping 20-minute interlude" that will "mesmerize and terrify audiences in a manner that will make the film widely talked about, a must-see for many and perhaps a must-avoid for a few." On top of that must-avoid list is anyone with flying anxiety in general and who is on a flight in particular.

'The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)

Warner Bros.

It might be one of the Greatest Movies of All Time, but that opening sequence with the two planes? It's scary enough to keep you land-bound for life. The death-defying aerial stunt follows a small CIA plane followed by a huge cargo plane with Bane and his terrorists. The idea of hit men on another plane managing to get on yours, killing everyone but the person they're kidnapping and then plunging your aircraft to the ground is not exactly what you want to think about when you're 30,000 feet above ground.

'United 93' (2006)

Universal

Paul Greengrass' ultra-realistic depiction of the doomed flight that crashed into in Pennsylvania field on September 11, 2001 still manages to impart the terror and despair of that day — along with the heart-stopping moments of heroism by passengers who fought back against their hijackers and kept the plane from destroying the U.S. Capitol. It's a gripping, emotional movie that makes you proud to be an American, but, like all 9-11-themed films, one that should never be seen in the air.

'Snakes on a Plane' (2006)

New Line

We know probably the only thing people remember about "Snakes" is Samuel L. Jackson's masterful delivery of "I have had it with these motherf**king snakes on this motherf**king plane!" But expletive-filled quotes aside, this preposterous thriller about a gangster's Hail Mary pass to release a crate full of venomous snakes on a Boeing 747 (the only witness in his case is aboard, of course) is downright terrifying to anyone frightened of snakes, creepy crawlies and, you know, dying on a plane.

'Red Eye' (2005)

DreamWorks

Usually, getting to sit next to a smartly dressed handsome man with killer blue eyes (Cillian Murphy) on a plane would be a dream come true. When that man starts to make strange comments that turn into an outright demand to take part in a terrorist plot to assassinate a powerful federal deputy and his family, however, your flight is going to start to go seriously downhill. Sure, the plane doesn't get hijacked or bombed or filled with snakes, but it's horrible just the same.

'Flightplan' (2005)

Touchstone Pictures

Jodie Foster has mastered the avenging-woman archetype in many memorable performances, including in this thriller about a grieving widow flying from Berlin to New York to bury her dead husband. Foster goes on the plane with her six-year-old daughter, but after waking from a nap, she realizes her daughter is missing ... only no one remembers seeing her little girl, and everyone from unsympathetic flight attendants to an Air Marshal believe her vanished daughter does not, in fact, exist. Worst movie for a flying mother to watch ever.

'Alive' (1993)

Touchstone Pictures

You forgot the Xanax, so as you board the plane, it's "Worst Case Scenario Time." What's the worst that could happen from fog-shrouded turbulence? You crash. You die. Or you don't. A few of your friends don't die, either … right away. You begin to starve. You eat your freshly deceased friends. Based on the real worst-case scenario that befell a Uruguayan rugby team in 1972, the film's a definite downer for air travelers troubled by depictions of mountain plane crashes, lingering deaths, cannibalism and avalanches.

'The Delta Force' (1986)

MGM

Long before Liam Neeson and his "particular set of skills" there was Chuck Norris and his gift for patriotic ass-kicking. During the "Expendables 2" star's heyday, he headlined "The Delta Force," in which he plays a special forces officer who brings down a group of Lebanese hijackers that took an intercontinental flight hostage. While the climax is thrilling, the hijacking sequence (particularly when they force a horrified German flight attendant to identify and separate all the Jewish passengers) is devastating.

'Airplane!' (1980)

Paramount

Filled with so many breathless laughs and classic lines ("Don’t call me Shirley," "Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?" and "I speak jive"), it's tempting to cure the monotony of every transcontinental red-eye with a loop of this satire of '70s drama "Airport." But since it concludes with a hilariously sweat-drenched emergency landing on a dark and stormy night, more sensitive passengers (or those with deficient sense of humor) might not appreciate the blow-up dolls in the cockpit and guitar-strumming nuns in coach.

What — you were expecting a tribute to Peter Dinklage, Warwick Davis and Verne Troyer?

We don't mean Little People with a capital L and P, but "little people" — those adorable under-10 scene-stealers who've made the movies they were in unforgettable by their presence. From Jackson Nicoll in Nickelodeon's new teen comedy "Fun Size" all the way back to Drew Barrymore in Steven Spielberg's classic "E.T.," here are 13 young characters we adore.

Getty Images

Selena Gomez is, for now, best known as the former teen star of Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" and the current star of Justin Bieber's love life. But with upcoming roles in everything from family fare to a raunchy college comedy, Gomez, 20, looks to be making a major play for her triple-threat talents to propel her from Disney teen queen and gossip generator to major movie star.

Appearing in a Disney or Nickelodeon show often bestows as many blessings as curses for young actors. Once they perfect their goodie-goodie roles tailored for tweens and younger audiences, teen actors are often unable to break into more mature projects that will get them taken seriously as an actor. Just ask Hannah Montana, a.k.a. Miley Cyrus, whose latest film, "LOL," crashed straight to video, her latest setback since "The Last Song" in her effort to nail another plum star vehicle.

So far, Gomez has stuck to kid-friendly offerings, including her latest voice-acting gig in "Hotel Transylvania." She's planning to grow up, however, when "Spring Breakers" streets during Spring Break season next March. The movie, co-starring fellow Disney alum Vanessa Hudgens, follows four co-eds who land in jail after a petty heist job to secure spring break cash goes wrong. They wind up bailed out by a drug dealer (James Franco) who expects them to return the favor with some smuggling and other crimes. Director Harmony Korine's raunchiness will be Gomez's chance to show off her range (and skin!) in a very different kind of role.

"Frothy family fare has long been her sweet spot — flicks like 'Ramona and Beezus' and 'Monte Carlo,'" says Amy Wilkinson of MTV's Hollywood Crush. "If she can wow audiences in this gritty turn and perhaps follow it with a meaty drama, producers will never stop knocking."

Gomez's twin powers of marketability and likability are clear assets on her quest for big-screen viability. Although Gomez has perennially found herself in the path of the paparazzi's telephoto lenses, she's also a class act who — for now, at least — has managed to fly above the tailspins that have grounded so many of Hollywood's talented but burned-out young stars.

Getty Images

Gomez and Bieber are a serious-beyond-their-years couple that already adopt dogs together and pay regular visits to each other's families (they both have young parents) with refreshing regularity. Yes, they might have more money than a hedge fund manager between them, but they seem astonishingly grounded in a way so many showbiz teens aren't.

Thanks to her work on "Wizards of Waverly Place," Gomez has learned the fundamentals of comedic acting, and she's not afraid to try something new. If "Spring Breakers" isn't proof, check out her hilarious Funny or Die video parodying "Fifty Shades of Grey."

"What I've seen of her acting is her addictive 'Love You Like a Love Song' video and the hilarious 'Fifty Shades of Blue' parody on Funny or Die," says VH1 Celebrity's Sabrina Weiss, who admits she's not too familiar with Gomez's family fare. "That gave me no reason to doubt her abilities. She's pretty funny in the latter and looks great in fancy costumes."

But Weiss thinks the one big "obstacle" to Gomez immediately securing a spot on the acting A-list isn't her Disney background or her pop star career but the fact that she might be a tad too adorable to take seriously.

"She's a little too cute. The girl is 20 and has the face of a 14-year-old. It's going to be hard to see her as an adult for some time to come, no matter how many sexy bikini pics we see of her," Weiss muses.

That doesn't mean the future still isn't bright for Gomez; she just might have to prolong her incubation period as a teen star for a bit before graduating to 20-something roles. "But guess what? There's nothing wrong with playing a teen for another five years or so," Weiss adds.

Annapurna Pictures

In addition to "Spring Breakers," Gomez has the female lead in the coming-of-age comedy "Feed the Dog" opposite Nat Wolff (of Nickelodeon's "The Naked Brothers Band") and a promising part as a young hacker in the crime thriller "Getaway" with Ethan Hawke.

Her own production company has even optioned two popular young adult novels, "The Sky Is Everywhere" and "Thirteen Reasons Why," both of which would offer Gomez an excellent opportunity to exercise her dramatic chops.

Staying in the teen space, for now, seems like exactly what Gomez plans to do for the foreseeable future. And, as Weiss points out, Gomez is in good company when it comes younger-looking actors. It's not a liability in the long run.

"Work it, Selena, because once you get those 'mature' roles, there's no going back. Then maybe you can follow in the footsteps of actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, who have certainly transcended any typecasting based on their baby faces."

Warner Bros.

Hollywood usually ignores the rules of genetics when it comes to casting family members in movies. Even some of our favorite films of all time, from "The Godfather" to "The Royal Tenenbaums" feature relatives that no combination of chromosomes could have realistically created. But every once in a while, the showbiz powers that be strike casting gold with actors who resemble each other enough to believably share a last name.

Here are 12 pairs of co-stars who you'd swear could be related.

Philip Seymour Hoffman & Jesse Plemons in 'The Master'

The Weinstein Company

Who They Play: Author, philosopher, physicist and religious leader Lancaster Dodd and his skeptical son Val.

Why It Works: You don't have to be an experienced casting agent to see the striking resemblance. The round cheeks, the prominent chin, the fair skin, the blond, perfectly combed hair. But it goes beyond the obvious like hair color and skin tone — Plemons can summon Hoffman's intensity to complete the likeness.

Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand & Ben Stiller in 'Meet the Fockers'

Universal

Who They Play: The eccentric Focker clan: Capoeira-loving Bernie, sex therapist Roz, and their son, male nurse Greg.

Why It Works: With all due respect to Stiller's actual parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, the combination of Babs and Hoffman really does equal the compact, sarcastic, Semitic sexiness that is Ben Stiller. Watching the three of them interact is what made that comedy sequel watchable.

Anne Hathaway & Rosemarie DeWitt in 'Rachel Getting Married'

Sony Pictures Classics

Who They Play: Not-quite-recovering addict Kym and her completely put-together sister Rachel.

Why It Works: As on-screen siblings go, Hathaway and DeWitt had enough of the same look (willowy brunettes with dark eyes and bright smiles) to pass as sisters, or maybe it's because DeWitt is such a lovely girl-next-door chameleon that she can blend in with any of her fictional kin (see her opposite Jennifer Garner in "The Odd Life of Timothy Green", Emily Blunt in "Your Sister's Sister" or even Toni Collette in "United States of Tara").

Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan in 'Shame'

Sony Pictures Classics

Who They Play: Sex addict New Yorker Brandon and his equally as-troubled younger sister Sissy.

Why It Works: If you can get past the incestuous undercurrent of their obviously dysfunctional relationship, you'll see that there's something about Fassbender and Mulligan's melancholy eyes that ties them together. Yes, he's all sharp angles and she's soft and apple-cheeked, but those sad, sad eyes make it clear that they belong to each other.

Jodie Foster & Kristen Stewart in 'Panic Room'

Columbia Pictures

Who They Play: Divorced New York City mom Meg Altman and her asthma-suffering tween Sarah.

Why It Works: Foster and Stewart not only match physically — beautiful and tomboyish with striking eyes — but they even sound alike. It's like Stewart was Foster's Mini-Me. These two are so similar they're like the female versions of Philip Seymour Hoffman and his "The Master" son Jesse Plemons. In fact, we propose a movie where Foster and Hoffman are the parents and Stewart and Plemons the grown-up kids. How 'bout it, David Fincher?

Johnny Depp & Keith Richards in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' and 'On Stranger Tides'

Disney

Who They Play: Captain Jack Sparrow and his pirate papa, Captain Teague.

Why It Works: In a delicious bit of meta-casting, Gore Verbinski scored the casting coup of the '00s by convincing the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist to play Johnny Depp's on-screen dad. After all, audiences and critics had been raving for years about how much Depp played Sparrow like a pirate version of Richards. Depp and Richards in their guyliner, dreads and beloved pirate hats is one of the best parts of the swashbuckling franchise.

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart & Mackenzie Foy in 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'

Summit

Who They Play: Newlyweds Edward and Bella Cullen and their human-vampire daughter Renesmee.

Why It Works: Forget the ridiculous name (it's a mash-up of her grandmothers' names) and take a look at young Mackenzie. Now that it seems like Pattinson and Stewart may never get their happily ever after off-camera, Foy is as good as it gets in terms of a hypothetical Robsten offspring. The beautiful 11-year-old definitely won the genetic lottery, as she is the perfect combination of Rob and Kristen's gorgeous features.

Alfre Woodard & Sanaa Lathan in 'Something New,' 'The Family That Preys,' 'Love & Basketball'

New Line Cinema

Who They Play: Mother and daughter three times over: in the underrated interracial romcom "Something New", the Tyler Perry interracial dramedy "The Family That Preys" and the fabulous indie romance "Love & Basketball."

Why It Works: After a trifecta of films that show off their considerable skills at playing mother and child, we started to wonder if maybe Lathan really is Woodard's daughter. She isn't, but they sure could've fooled us with their twin almond-shaped eyes, perfect full lips and flawless skin.

Paula Malcomson & Willow Shields in 'The Hunger Games'

Lionsgate

Who They Play: Melancholy District 12 widow Mrs. Everdeen and her youngest daughter, Primrose.

Why It Works: In the books, dark-haired Katniss takes after their (deceased) father while little sister Prim is the spitting image of her fair-skinned, light-haired mom. And while the trilogy's devoted followers had very strong opinions about whether the main actors fit their image of the book characters, most fans agreed that Malcomson and Shields captured Suzanne Collins' description of Katniss' mother and sister.

Tony Shalhoub & Stanley Tucci in 'Big Night'

Miramax

Who They Play: Immigrant brothers appropriately named Primo (Shalhoub) and Secondo (Tucci).

Why It Works: Shalhoub is Lebanese and Tucci Italian, but they were an excellent match as brothers desperate to save their family-run restaurant in this foodie-approved period drama. Maybe we were distracted by the sheer amount of delectable Italian food on display, but a thickly mustachioed Tony and a thickly eyebrowed Stanley (with slicked-back hair!) could definitely pass for fratelli.

Rupert Grint & Bonnie Wright in 'Harry Potter'

Warner Bros.

Who They Play: The youngest of the seven magical Weasley kids: Ron and his little sister Ginny.

Why It Works: We know it seems there's only one prerequisite to being a member of the Wizarding World's Weasley clan — having red hair. But while most of the movie Weasleys had to get a dye job, natural gingers Grint and Wright stood out thanks to their matching locks, alabaster skin and sea-colored eyes. Plus, after ten years and eight movies, the two seemed as familiar as on-screen siblings can be — with or without magic.

Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal in 'Donnie Darko'

Newmarket

Who They Play: Post-traumatic high schooler Donnie Darko and his Harvard-bound older sister Elizabeth.

Why It Works: We know it's cheating, since these two actually share the same DNA, but there were certainly people who saw the 2001 cult indie and thought, wow, that brother and sister really look alike. And they do. Plus, of all the brother-sister pairs working in Hollywood, we think the Gyllenhaals have what it takes to go the distance like Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine. Eleven years later and we're still keeping fingers crossed that they work together again.

Universal

It must be Fall! School's finally in session, the weather is getting ever slightly cooler and the offerings at your local movie theater change from big-budget popcorn fare to serious potential award winners.

This autumn the studios have a wide array of noteworthy films to put on your must-see list, from art-house Oscar contenders to teen ensembles and much-anticipated literary and musical adaptations.

We're celebrating the start of Fall with 15 actors who are going to blow audiences away this season. Some have been around for a few years but have yet to break out and others are lucky enough to have their first major roles in buzzworthy movies.

If acclaimed directors like Ang Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson and Peter Jackson saw something in them, we probably will, too.

Weinstein Co.

Jesse Plemons

Fall Film: "The Master" (Sept. 14)
Why He'll Be a Star: To an up-and-coming actor, getting to appear in a Paul Thomas Anderson film as Philip Seymour Hoffman's son is like striking gold. The 24-year-old has had a loyal following of fans since playing "Friday Night Lights" MVP Landry and this year he expanded his acting repertoire to include an unforgettably disturbing character in "Breaking Bad." From TV's best shows to the year's most-anticipated drama, Plemons is a master of picking projects.

Lionsgate

Nate Parker

Fall Film: "Arbitrage" (Sept. 14)
Why He'll Be a Star: Parker has been on the cusp of stardom since his impressive turn in 2007's "The Great Debaters," but we think he's finally hitting his stride. In director Nicholas Jarecki's Sundance hit "Arbitrage," Parker plays a hoodie-sporting Harlemite who helps his chauffeur dad's billionaire employer (Richard Gere) get rid of some damning evidence. Already hailed an Oscar contender, "Arbitrage" is exactly the kind of prestigious drama that will catapult Parker to the A-list.

Summit

Ezra Miller

Fall Film: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (Sept. 21)
Why He'll Be a Star: Hollywood, it's definitely Miller time. The 19-year-old actor is already on critics' radars after his stunning if difficult-to-watch performance opposite Tilda Swinton in last year's "We Need to Talk About Kevin." But after starring in Stephen Chbosky's adaptation of his own coming-of-age novel, Miller — who plays the charismatic gay teen Patrick — should become as sought-after as his "Perks" co-stars Emma Watson and Logan Lerman.

Also Check Out: 30 Must-See Fall Movies

Universal

Rebel Wilson

Fall Films: "Bachelorette" (Sept. 7) and "Pitch Perfect" (Oct. 5)
Why She'll Be a Star: Audiences may not know her name, but anyone who saw "Bridesmaids" remembers her hilarious bit as Kristen Wiig's clueless, snooping roommate. This fall, Wilson doubles the funny in two comedy ensembles — as the put-upon bride in the "Bridesmaids"-like indie, "Bachelorette," and as a self-deprecating a cappella singer in the college musical, "Pitch Perfect." The Aussie comedian's gift for scene stealing is sure to lead to even bigger roles.

Summit

Mackenzie Foy

Fall Film: "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (Nov. 16)
Why She'll Be a Star: Much to Robsten fans' dismay, the lovely 11-year-old may be the only offspring (fictional or real) to ever belong to "Twilight" stars and off-screen exes Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. As Renesmee, the hybrid human-vampire daughter of Edward and Bella Cullen, Foy (who says she's too young to have read the books) gets to interact with the franchise's biggest players — including Taylor Lautner, her adoring imprinted werewolf Jacob.

Fox 2000

Suraj Sharma

Fall Film: "Life of Pi" (Nov. 21)
Why He'll Be a Star: Most young actors debut in small talking parts as a random middle-schooler or an adult character's kid. Not Suraj Sharma. He beat out 3,000 other actors to star in "Life of Pi," a whimsical fable that completely hinges on Sharma's ability to play Pi, a zookeeper's son who's the sole human survivor of a shipwreck. His only companions while adrift are a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Suraj, meet world.

Universal

Samantha Barks

Fall Film: "Les Miserables" (Dec. 14)
Why She'll Be a Star: Although it was originally speculated that Taylor Swift would land the much-coveted role of Eponine, Samantha Barks got the part. Even in an all-star ensemble that includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, it's Eponine's tragic love triangle with Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) that we can't wait to see. Having already nailed the part in the televised 25th Anniversary Concert of "Les Miz," we expect her to be equally as pitch perfect in the film.

New Line

Aidan Turner

Fall Film: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (Dec. 14)
Why He'll Be a Star:  This December, "The Lord of the Rings" fans will find themselves fancying not a beautiful blond elf but the most surprisingly dashing dwarf in Middle-earth. Turner first turned heads as a sexy vampire on the U.K.'s paranormal series "Being Human"; in early 2011, Peter Jackson tapped the bedroom-eyed Irishman to play a brave young dwarf. As one of the 13 dwarves that Bilbo Baggins joins on "An Unexpected Journey," Turner should be as memorable a warrior as the beloved Gimli.

IFC Films

Sam Riley

Fall Film: "On the Road" (Dec. 21)
Why He'll Be a Star: Critics started singing Riley's praises when he transformed into Ian Curtis, the suicidal frontman of Joy Division, in the 2007 biopic "Control." The English musician-turned-actor is back for another riveting role as the adventure-seeking protagonist (and Jack Kerouac stand-in) Sal Paradise in Walter Salles' adaptation of "On the Road." If this anthem to the Beat Generation doesn't make Riley a star, certainly his sexy scenes opposite Kristen Stewart and Garrett Hedlund will.

MGM

Berenice Marlohe

Fall Film: "Skyfall" (Nov. 9)
Why She'll Be a Star: Have you seen her? If you could combine the sexiness of Angelina Jolie and Sophia Loren, you'd get Berenice Marlohe. The French beauty is the latest in a long line of gorgeous and enigmatic Bond Girls, and while she has gone on record saying there's no nudity in the 23rd 007 film, we imagine she will smolder enough to make her the newest hot import from Paris a la Berenice Bejo, Marion Cotillard, Eva Green, Juliette Binoche, etc.

The Weinstein Company

Scoot McNairy

Fall Films: "Argo" (Oct. 12) and "Killing Them Softly" (Oct. 19)
Why He'll Be a Star: Since its bow at Cannes this May, "Killing Them Softly" has been heaped such critical praise as "superb," "extraordinary" and "an acting class." Scoot's performance as a petty criminal who pulls off a dangerous mob heist was similarly hailed as "brilliant." And that thriller — starring Brad Pitt, no less — premieres in the U.S. just one week after Ben Affleck's historical drama "Argo," in which McNairy plays one of six Americans who must pose as a Canadian film crew to flee revolutionary Iran.

20th Century Fox

Jonny Weston

Fall Film: "Chasing Mavericks" (Oct. 26)
Why He'll Be a Star: Who doesn't love a good surfer flick? In "Chasing Mavericks," the curly-haired newcomer plays surfing legend Jay Moriarty, who, with the guidance of mentor Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler), successfully conquered "mavericks" (huge, nearly mythical waves) at only 16. An accomplished surfer himself, 22-year-old Weston didn't need as much training as Butler. If he kills the role, Weston is sure to ride the wave of Curtis Hanson's biopic to Hollywood stardom.

Columbia Pictures

Scott Adkins, Mark Strong, Taylor Kinney, Jason Clarke, Edgar Ramirez

Fall Film: "Zero Dark Thirty" (Dec. 19)
Why They'll Be Stars: Strong is already a go-to character actor who specializes in playing intimidating villains. Ramirez had a mesmerizing turn in the award-winning miniseries "The Jackal"; Kinney's best known as Lady Gaga's on-again, off-again love interest and for his stint on "The Vampire Diaries"; Clarke burned up the screen opposite Tom Hardy in "Lawless"; and Adkins is a martial arts expert turned actor. Come December, all five of these actors are sure to prove they're much more than handsome faces in Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow's dramatization of the Osama bin Laden raid. 

Relativity Media

Max Thieriot

Fall Film: "House at the End of the Street" (Sept. 21)
Why He'll Be a Star: At only 23, Thieriot has already made 15 movies; mostly family-friendly films like "Kit Kittredge" and "The Pacifier" but also decidedly more grown-up fare like "Chloe" and "My Soul to Take." Thieriot takes on horror once again as Jennifer Lawrence's cute but seriously damaged neighbor in "House at the End of the Street" — he lives in the same house where his family was murdered, and he may or may not have a serious case of the Norman Bates vibe. Run, Jen, run!

Universal

Anna Camp

Fall Film: "Pitch Perfect" (Oct. 5)
Why She'll Be a Star: Those of us who watch a lot of primetime television have already taken notice of Camp for stints in an impressive slate of dramas ("True Blood," "Mad Men," "The Good Wife"). Plus, she's Mindy Kaling's BFF in Fox's new comedy "The Mindy Kaling Project." On the big screen, Camp is perfectly cast as an a cappella prima donna in "Pitch Perfect." With her gift for comedy and drama, she's like the second coming of Rachel McAdams.

Let's face it, most of us have been, as David Lee Roth once so eloquently put it, "Hot For Teacher."  And while we adore the earnest and inspirational wisdom of teachers in movies like "Dead Poets Society," "Stand and Deliver" and "Mr. Holland's Opus," that's not what we're talking about here.

If our favorite educators had looked like these 12 big-screen teachers ranked in the gallery below, we would have been happy flunking year after year just to keep watching them draw on the chalkboard.

Originally published June 20, 2011.

Warner Bros.

Christopher Nolan fans waiting for their beloved auteur's epic Batman trilogy to get some Academy love could finally be rewarded come Oscar time.

"The Dark Knight Rises" has a fabulous shot at scoring a Best Picture nod next February. While it's too early in the year to call the film a shoo-in, the final installment in Nolan's Caped Crusader reboot has all the prestige elements necessary (not to mention a unique history with the Academy) to snag more than just the usual list of technical nominations: critical appeal, an award-winning cast, dazzling cinematography and serious themes that elevate it far above the average superhero adventure.

As any of Nolan's army of hard-core fans can tell you, the Academy snubbed "The Dark Knight" for Best Picture (and Best Director) in 2009, causing a frenzy of outrage that ultimately led to the expansion from five to 10 possible nominees. Although "The Dark Knight" did win two Oscars: one for Best Sound Editing, and the other a posthumous Best Supporting Actor award for Heath Ledger's masterful performance as The Joker, "The Dark Night Rises" is the series' last chance at the major awards.

According to Oscar pundit Tom O'Neil, The Academy hasn't forgotten the glaring omission from 2009. "'Batman is holding a giant I.O.U. from the Oscars," the GoldDerby.com writer tells us. "Outrage was so deafening when Academy voters failed to nominate 'The Dark Knight.'"

Warner Bros.

Still, it's only July, and many of the year's biggest Oscar contenders have yet to come out, including Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master," Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" and Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" – all of which have fall or holiday releases. Since those films also boast previously nominated or winning directors, they could obviously threaten "The Dark Knight Rises" chances.

"If it's a competitive year,' Dark Knight' may find itself on the outside looking in, much like 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' did," says HitFix editor Gregory Ellwood. "Whether the membership believe the scope of Nolan's trilogy deserves a nod remains to be seen."

But there's plenty of reasons for the "Batman" crusaders to have hope – especially in categories like screenwriting, score and even directing – which would be a welcome first for Nolan, whom many thought was snubbed (again!) when 2010's "Inception" wasn't nominated for directing. On the bright side for Nolan, several movie critics have proclaimed "The Dark Knight Rises" even better than "The Dark Knight."

That's high praise, considering "The Dark Knight" is the best-reviewed movie of Nolan's critically acclaimed career. The Miami Herald movie critic Rene Rodriguez says there's no question that Nolan delivered the perfect coda to an excellent trilogy of films.

"I think you go into this movie expecting nothing less than greatness. We know it's the last one, and we've seen what the other movie did, and you go into it thinking 'You better show me something good,'" he tells NextMovie. "And I think what he gives you even exceeds those expectations. Everything in this movie works so well together."

Warner Bros.

In particular, Rodriguez points out Anne Hathaway's performance as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's nuanced portrayal of rookie Gotham City cop John Blake. "Anne Hathaway is amazing. Who would ever have thought that character could ever be that fantastic? Joseph Gordon-Levitt was so good too. The acting in this film is just so strong."

With the overwhelming buzz for "The Dark Knight Rises" widely considered completely deserved, O'Neil thinks it would be easy for the Academy to right its past wrong with a nomination, but when it comes to the Oscars, you never really know until announcement day.

"It's clear that 'Rises' is worthy of being added to the Best Picture rundown. The question is: If it doesn’t get it, will the Academy need to call on Batman to save it from the throngs of angry fans storming its headquarters in Beverly Hills?"

These Ads for 'The Dark Knight Rises' Will Blow Your Mind

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Warner Bros.

We're all about meeting our readers' needs, so after fielding several questions about just how much nudity is in "Magic Mike," we're happy to help clear up the rumors. That way, if you're wondering whether you should include your mother (or grandmother!) in your ladies' night at the movies, you can be prepared for the man candy.

Here's the deal: all of the actors playing strippers get a little naked, but no one goes the full monty. Here's a breakdown of the celebrity skin — for informational purposes only, of course.

Channing Tatum: As the titular Magic Mike, Tatum's very first appearance in the film includes a full view of him from behind, and that pretty much sets the tone for him. He gets the most strip/dance and sex scenes, so audiences will get more than an eyeful of his strapping body — including him in a thong so small, it leaves virtually nothing to the imagination.

Alex Pettyfer: Magic Mike and his pals endearingly call Pettyfer's character "The Kid," but even as a newbie, Adam has to drop trou and show off his ass(ets). The "I Am Number Four" star (who, at 22, is the film's youngest actor) learns to manscape, gyrate his hips, and yes, rock a banana hammock. Plus, there are a couple of love scenes where he bares his bum as well.

Matthew McConaughey: For most of the movie, McConaughey, who plays the Xquisite male revue's owner Dallas, parades around shirtless (or in only a vest) and wearing a pair of very tight leather pants. But toward the end of the movie, Dallas finally rips off the leather and leaves just the teeniest, tiniest strip covering his manhood.

Warner Bros.

Joe Manganiello, Adam Rodriguez, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash: As the crew's signature song says, "It's raining men! Hallelujah!" The rest of the Xquisite crew is equally as nearly-nekkid in the movie as they play super sexy soldiers, Ken dolls, firefighters, cops and even Tarzan, for Nash's wild-haired old-timer. Manganiello's Big Dick Richie lives up to his stage name in a scene silhouetted by a screen and one unexpected shot of him using a pump in the foreground while Mike and Adam talk the logistics of the striptease. Because of the, um, angle of the shot, it's not really full frontal, but it's as close as it gets.

If that's not enough action for you, please be sure to vote in our "Magic Mike" Stripper Poll and click through these photos of the gents at their big premiere.

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Disney/Pixar

In the UK, redheads or "gingers," once considered evil demonic spawn, are regularly insulted and abused. But we in America have a long-standing love affair with strawberry locks, so much so that many blondes and brunettes have dyed their hair to become famous fiery redheads, a la Lucille Ball, Nicole Kidman and Emma Stone.

In honor of Pixar's new "Brave" heroine Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), we've assembled our list of favorite cinematic gingers -- and by that we mean the characters were redheads, not necessarily the actors. Yes, they're all ladies, but we'd love it if more actors like Damian Lewis, Michael Fassbender and Kevin McKidd let their ginger flags fly high. Rupert Grint can't be the only one to represent, guys.

9. Giselle in 'Enchanted' (Amy Adams)

Disney

A mashup of all the fairest of princesses, Giselle (like the actress who portrays her) is so adorable, it's impossible not to smile when she's twirling around Central Park encouraging guys not to take the ones they love for granted. As the great Bruce Springsteen puts it, "It takes a red headed woman to do get a dirty job done," and Giselle can make anything sparkly clean with her can-do spirit. That's what the Boss meant, right?

8. Rose in 'Titanic' (Kate Winslet)

Paramount

Is there a more romantic movie image than the sight of Rose standing in Jack's embrace "on top of the world," the ocean breeze fluttering through her auburn curls? We think not. High-born Rose may have worn her hair in a tightly controlled up-do at the beginning of the film, but by the time she's pledged herself to steerage's passionate Jack Dawson, her red hair blazes free and wild, just like their love.

7. Black Widow in 'The Avengers' (Scarlett Johansson)

Marvel/Disney

We adore women who can kick butt, and Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanoff) is precisely the sort of beauty you should never mess with -- ever. Look beyond the skin-tight uniform (we know it's hard) and spectacular display of fighting skills and see how vulnerable she is whenever Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) is mentioned. Tasha may be a mysterious badass, but she's no ice queen. We can't wait for her crimson-haired heroics in "Avengers 2."

6. Vivian in 'Pretty Woman' (Julia Roberts)

Buena Vista

If this were a list of our nine favorite movie streetwalkers, Vivian would top it. Roberts rocked her iconic role as the hooker with the heart of gold who wanted the fairy tale, not just a rich john. Give in to the pull of Roy Orbison's classic theme song and picture Vivian's Rodeo Drive makeover, dazzling smile and infectious laugh, and it's obvious why Richard Gere gave her everything.

5. Leeloo in 'The Fifth Element' (Milla Jovovich)

Columbia Pictures

It would be easy to dismiss Leeloo as just a sexy alien wearing an intergalactic bikini, but she's actually an extraterrestrial heroine, people, not just Jovovich stuffed into four strips of cloth. There's a lot of exposed skin, but this is Jovovich at her best -- a femme fatale who knows what she has to do to save our skin. Cheers to the redheaded rescuer of humanity who can rock a teeny-tiny costume for two hours.

4. Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid' (Jodi Benson)

Disney

We could've gone with the more predictable (not to mention red-hot) Jessica Rabbit, but there's something magical about Ariel. The irresistibly sweet mermaid princess is desperate to be part of the world above, and she sacrifices her one talent -- her voice -- in exchange for legs just to meet with her crush, Prince Eric. Disney infused Ariel with unmatched beauty and a transcendent voice that, along with the Oscar-winning soundtrack, gave "The Little Mermaid" legs.

3. Little Orphan Annie in 'Annie' (Aileen Quinn)

Columbia Pictures

Leapin' lizards! Annie is the most delightful ginger of the bunch. The character's signature red curls were a comic-strip legend long before she ever hit the silver screen, but Quinn brought the cute and scrappy orphan to life in the cherished '80s movie musical. Annie's the ultimate underdog, and with her sheer optimism -- even in the face of a hard-knock life – she helps audiences young and old realize that no matter how gray and lonely things get, there's always "Tomorrow."

2. Olive in 'Easy A' (Emma Stone)

Screen Gems

If Molly Ringwald is the epitome of the angst-ridden middle-class girl wondering if she's worthy, Stone's Olive is the embodiment of what we wish we'd been like in high school: confident, whip-smart, daringly subversive and unapologetically close to her awesome family (we want Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as parents). Olive's "Scarlet Letter" experiment is at once a brilliant feminist statement and a comically misguided teen stunt, but through it all, Olive remains ridiculously lovable.

1. Molly Ringwald in Any '80s Movie

Universal

Ringwald will forever be known as the queen of '80s teen flicks. Her collaboration with writer-director John Hughes led to the Me Decade's most unforgettable suburban high-school movies, and she managed to make us believe that a swoon-worthy guy could fall for someone other than the busty blonde cheerleader. Ultimate props go to her fashion-forward misfit Andie in "Pretty in Pink" and her adorably insecure sister-of-the-bride Samantha in "Sixteen Candles."

Bonus Male Ginger: Ron Weasley in the 'Harry Potter' Movies (Rupert Grint)

Warner Bros.

We've already bemoaned the fact that there aren't enough redheaded guys in showbiz (and no, we aren't going to count Carrot Top, Chucky or the Lucky Charms leprechaun), but we can pay tribute to the ultimate male ginger: Ron Weasley in the seven "Harry Potter" films. He may not be the hero of the story, but Ron is more than just comic-relief sidekick: He saves Harry, faces his biggest fears, destroys a horcrux AND gets to finally snog the witch of his dreams.

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Russell Brand may have gotten "Teen Mom" confused with "Teen Wolf," and Robert Pattinson may have disappointed the Twi-hards by not being present to accept his Best Kiss award with Kristen Stewart, but the 2012 MTV Movie Awards still had plenty of memorable moments.

This year, the "Hunger Games" crew joined (and in several cases beat out) the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" stars in their debut outing at the awards, picking up four Golden Popcorn trophies for their devoted fandom. "Amazing Spider-Man" star Emma Stone was feted in a hilarious tribute for her Trailblazer Award, and Johnny Depp rocked the stage with his Generation Award acceptance.

Thanks to the laugh-aloud pre-recorded bits and a few touching scenes (as in, Elizabeth Banks touching the "Magic Mike" guys), the 2012 show was an affair to remember.

Teen Anthem

MTV

The Awards got off to a Fun start with the indie pop band's performance of their catchy (and ubiquitous) anthem, "We Are Young."  With a little help from the pompadour-stylin' R&B singer Janelle Monae, the New York rockers set the mood with a tribute to youth that perfectly describes the audience for the night's festivities.

What a Breakthrough
The Academy Awards might have snubbed Shailene Woodley, but at least the MTV Movie Awards acknowledged her brilliant Breakthrough performance in "The Descendants." The surprised 20-year-old thanked George Clooney and Alexander Payne for showing her how it's done and then was gracious enough to give a special shout-out to the movie's most overlooked character – the state of Hawaii.

The Shiniest Stone: Part 1
To celebrate the trailblazing career of Emma Stone, several of her co-stars and friends were filmed in a video tribute to the "Easy A" star. At first the A-list pals ( Octavia Spencer, Mila Kunis, Steve Carell, Anna Faris, Jason Sudeikis, and self-professed Stone fanboy Jim Carrey) were all gushing with their praise, but the accolades soon turned to bitter (and sidesplitting) recriminations about how Stone was a physically abusive, awful "McMasshole." Of course they were just kidding, but the insults were hands-down the funniest (and most untrue) jokes of the night.

Forgettable Kiss
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's wedding kiss from "Breaking Dawn" may have prevailed over Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson's swoony first "Hunger Games" smooch, but K.Stew's acceptance speech had to leave "Twilight" fans as unsatisfied as everyone else watching the show. Without her on-and-off-screen love by her side, Kristen asked her "Snow White" co-stars Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and even Taylor Lautner for the expected on-air kiss but ended up lamely trying to kiss herself.

MTV

The Friend-liest Dirtbag
Jennifer Aniston officially shed her nice girl image in the movie "Horrible Bosses," so it's only fitting that she was honored with the Best On-Screen Dirtbag award for playing the hypersexual dentist who keeps making Charlie Day's work life miserable. The comedic superstar thanked not a person but the show "Friends" for allowing her to unleash her inner sweetheart so she could eventually move on to jerkier roles.

Butt-Kicking Beauty
Charlize Theron is not an actress you want to mess with or underestimate. When her "Prometheus" co-star Michael Fassbender suggested he take the lead on announcing the "Best Fight" award (being Irish – and a man), Theron appropriately responded by kicking his Fighting Irish arse. The ginger-bearded hunk even remained on the floor until Theron was done naming Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson versus Alexander Ludwig the winners.

Hitting the Target
As anyone who watches "Community" knows, Joel McHale is a man of many talents. The fake behind-the-scenes video of him playing a Hollywood archery coach who supposedly trained Jennifer Lawrence was particularly hilarious.  In the pre-recorded sketch, Lawrence reveals that McHale's character is spectacularly inept as an archer ("It's dangerous!" he justifies) and is pervy to boot (he sexts her unidentifiable body parts).

The Shiniest Stone: Part 2
This year's Trailblazer Award went to the always awesome Emma Stone, who was so humbled to be bestowed the honor that she spent most of her speech thanking the trailblazing actors who inspired her like Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Charlie Chaplin and "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels. Their originality, she explained, is what inspired her to follow her own path.

MTV

Depp Rocks It
One of the night's biggest moments belonged to Generation Award winner Johnny Depp, who was introduced by legendary Aerosmith rockers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. After a montage of Depp's cinematic milestones, he appeared on stage alongside the Black Keys to perform their hit song "Gold on the Ceiling." As is to be expected from the uber-cool actor, Depp gave a short and sweet "thank you," and then went back to rockin' out with his guitar.

Best Presenters Ever?
"Magic Mike" stars Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey hit the stage in all of their hot (albeit clothed) glory to present the Best On-Screen Transformation Award. Before the winner was announced, a shirtless Joe Manganiello appeared in his "Big D**k Richie" costume with the envelope stuck in his pants. Winner Elizabeth Banks, who scored for playing Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games," proclaimed "This is the best moment of my life" as she rubbed up against the guys.

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The Batman Legend
To introduce the new "Batman" trailer, Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gary Oldman were all on hand to remind viewers why Christopher Nolan's Caped Crusader series is the stuff of legend. After a video of scenes from the first two movies, an obviously verklempt Bale paused to say how nice it was to see Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" clips. We admit we got a little teary eyed too.

Best Movie Shocker
With so much momentum for four-time winner "The Hunger Games" and the epic, final "Harry Potter," it looked like "Twilight" would only snag one award this year, but instead the vampire romance saga's penultimate installment won Best Movie. The popcorn trophy in hand, K.Stew thanked all the fans and reminded everyone that even though she's currently promoting "Snow White and the Huntsman," her heart belongs to "Twilight." Apparently MTV viewers agree.

Sony Pictures Classics

In the historical rom-com "Hysteria," a progressive new doctor (Hugh Dancy) joins a respected women's physician (Jonathan Pryce) who specializes in curing the female condition of hysteria through manual stimulation. Naturally, the revolutionary treatment is so popular with upper-crust Victorian ladies that the poor young doc develops repetitive stress, leaving him unable to perform his professional duties until his inventor pal (Rupert Everett) develops an electric stimulator that does the job much more efficiently.

But "Hysteria" is far from the first film to highlight a lady's electric best friend. While the topic isn't exactly common, there are plenty of mainstream comedies that include some memorably good vibrations. Sorry, fellas, but we kept the users  strictly female.

5. 'Easy A' (2010)

Sony

Olive (Emma Stone) doesn't actually use her vibrator, but it's still a hilarious plot point in the adorably clever teen movie. As a gift for pretending to have sex with him, Olive's closeted gay friend Brandon presents her with a special thank you: a vibrator with a "Go screw yourself" note. She doesn't, but her dog keeps accidentally turning it on. The only thing that turns Olive on, however, is thoughts of Woodchuck Todd (Penn Badgley).

4. 'Not Another Teen Movie' (2001)

The very first scene of the teen-flick parody opens with Janey (Chyler Leigh) watching a beloved actor on TV. Seeing him in a tuxedo incites her to uncover her special foot-long friend and "celebrate" her birthday morning. Unfortunately for Janey, everyone from her father, little brother, grandparents, parish priest, and the elementary-school kids she volunteers with wants to wish her a happy day -- right as she's trying for her own happy ending.

3. 'The Ugly Truth' (2009)

Overall, this is one of Katherine Heigl's many forgettable rom-coms, but the actress scores extra points for having to execute the big O in public. Heigl's type-A news producer puts on a pair of remote-controlled panties for a date. But when her boss and jerk of an anchor (Gerard Butler) forces her to attend a business dinner, she ends up at a restaurant where a kid finds the shiny remote and unwittingly triggers a "When Harry Met Sally"-like "Yes, yes, yes!"

2. 'The Slums of Beverly Hills' (1998)

This scene couldn't be any simpler. It's basically a long close-up of Violet's (Natasha Lyonne) face as she experiments with her older cousin's "boyfriend." It's a brilliant scene, because while you hear the buzzing, the focus is on Violet's changing expressions. You know exactly what's going on, even though the vintage white toy (this is a coming-of-age comedy about the '70s, after all) doesn't make an appearance until a sated Violet clutches it reverently to her heart.

1. 'Parenthood' (1989)

Compared to the other scenes on our list, this one is both short and innocent. But we think it's the funniest by far, and it's one of the most memorable moments of the '80s comedy. When the electricity goes out during a Buckman family dinner at single mom Helen's (Dianne Wiest) house, her brother (Steve Martin) offers to fetch the flashlight from her bedroom. He can't find the switch, and just as he turns it on and says, "What's that?" the lights turn back on -- with the entire extended clan in full view of Helen's bedside table companion. "Mommy, what was that?" a young niece asks. "That was an electric ear cleaner." Classic.

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Rihanna is already an international superstar as a musician, but this month marks her official transition from singer to actor, with her debut role in the board game-based summer release "Battleship" (May 18). The Caribbean hitmaker follows in the footsteps of such multi-hyphenate talents as Jennifer Hudson, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé, but Rihanna's acting-career potential will potentially sink or swim with the fate of the $200 million blockbuster.

We're willing to bet most of her fans (us included) will want to see the "Umbrella" singer kick some alien butt from a state-of-the-art "Battleship."

Age: 24

Hometown: St. Michael, Barbados

What She's Done: You know, the usual -- winning multiple Grammys, selling millions of albums, breaking industry records and performing in front of heads of state, royalty, and hordes of adoring fans. BUT, despite contributing to dozens of soundtracks and appearing on a couple of "Saturday Night Live" sketches, this is Rihanna's first acting role.

Also Check Out: New "Battleship" Clip: You Sunk My ... Helicopter?

What She's Doing Now: She makes her feature film debut in Peter Berg's massive summer action flick "Battleship." As naval petty officer Cora "Weps" Raikes, Rihanna is a badass weapons specialist who can expertly handle a host of intimidating military arms.

Universal

Reminds Us of: We know it's obvious, but she could be considered a younger, edgier Beyoncé, not only because of her bootylicious beauty, but also because of her ability to command a stage -- and hopefully a screen. She also has the similarly bright-eyed and sultry look of Meagan Good ("Think Like a Man").

Fun Facts: When Rihanna's single "We Found Love" reached No. 9 on the Billboard charts last fall,  she beat Madonna's record for being the fastest solo artist to accumulate 20 top-10 songs. The only act to accomplish that feat more quickly is the Beatles.

Quotable: RiRi had props for her costar, Taylor Kitsch (of Tim Riggins fame or "John Carter" infamy). "You know, we have a mutual respect for each other's industry," she told MTV News. "I was walking into this as an amateur -- a complete amateur. I didn't know anything and I had a good team to learn from. I watched them, and especially Taylor, 'cause we did a lot of scenes together and he would always offer me advice."

Shout Out: Peter Berg gushed about his experience directing the recording star. "When I met with her, she came in a T-shirt and jeans, no makeup, very natural," he said in an MTV interview. "She was like, 'Look, I want to be an actress. Don't kiss my ass. Don't lie to me. Push me. Treat me as you would any other actor. Help make me good.' She is really, really good in 'Battleship.'"

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Twitter Handle: @rihanna

What's Next: Rihanna is rumored to star in another high-octane action franchise. According to England's The Sun, the singer could play a villain in the sixth "The Fast and the Furious" installment, which will soon shooting in London, her favorite city of late. (A rep claimed no knowledge of her being cast in the film.) Rihanna also joins James Franco, Emma Watson, Jonah Hill and a bunch of other stars playing themselves in the upcoming Seth Rogen comedy "The End of the World," about a group of celebs partying at Franco's house when the apocalypse hits.

Universal

Judd Apatow, Hollywood's godfather of raunchy and sophisticated humor, is responsible for producing last year's breakout comedy "Bridesmaids." So it's no surprise that this year's best bet to succeed the wedding-centered laughfest is "The Five-Year Engagement," yet another marriage-minded, Apatow-produced movie.

Written by Jason Segel and his screenwriting partner Nicholas Stoller, who also directed, "The Five-Year Engagement" follows Tom (Segel) and Violet (Emily Blunt), a San Francisco couple whose engagement is postponed again and again when Violet is offered a postdoctorate fellowship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The plot might sound like dozens of stereotypical rom-coms, but here are five reasons "The Five-Year Engagement" could be this year's "Bridesmaids."

Also Check Out: High-Five! Here's 5 "Five-Year Engagement" Clips

Perfect Chemistry: There's no accounting for which actors will sizzle on screen and which will just fizzle. Married actors can turn out to be duds, while actors known to dislike each other can bring the heat on camera. In the case of Segel and Blunt, they're off-screen friends who make fabulous on-screen lovers. There's an obvious ease and tenderness that obviously stems from their real-life relationship, making Tom and Violet believable lovers who can be goofy as often as they can get it on. Segel wrote the role of Violet with Blunt in mind, and it shows. Blunt positively glows when she's with Segel.

Awesome Supporting Actors: "Bridesmaids" had Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, and Maya Rudolph to play off Kristen Wiig's laugh-aloud protagonist (and in many cases steal the best lines), and "The Five-Year Engagement" has an equally as impressive supporting cast, particularly Alison Brie and Chris Pratt. The NBC sitcom regulars give such standout performances (particularly Brie and her surprisingly spot-on English -- and Elmo! -- accent), they should graduate from primetime players to leading-role stars as soon as possible. Hopefully Apatow already has something in the works with them.

"Saturday Night Live" alum Chris Parnell and standup Brian Posehn are also priceless as Tom's hunting and drinking amigos. There isn't a weak spot in the large cast.

Hilariously Sex: A hallmark of any Apatow protege's films is a frank and funny approach to sex. Even though Segel is good pals with his lovely costar's husband, John Krasinski (or perhaps because he's a personal friend), there's a lot of sexytime between Tom and Violet during their ridiculously long engagement. As in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Bridesmaids," the sex scenes offer some memorable laughs, such as the first and funniest fake guy orgasm; a long and exhausting night of May-December lovemaking (let's just say someone can't keep up with his much younger and more enthusiastic lover); and a lot of giggle-worthy pillow talk and, ahem, instructions.

Girl Power: Critics (like Katherine Heigl) have slammed contemporary comedies for marginalizing female characters, but projects like "Bridesmaids" proved (as if it were ever really a question) that women can be every bit as funny as their male counterparts. "The Five-Year Engagement" continues to highlight the hilarity of actresses like Blunt, Brie, Mindy Kaling -- who plays Violet's nosy psych-department colleague -- and even the two moms, Mimi Kennedy and Jackie Weaver. The women in this movie don't play second fiddle to the men; Segel and Stoller weren't stingy when it came to distributing the laughs. Brie just has to open her mouth for the audience to crack up -- we swear it.

How Sweet It Is: Here's the thing that makes comedies like "Bridesmaids" and "The Five-Year Engagement" work so well. In addition to all of the raunchy sex jokes, the penis puns, the bodily fluid gags, and the whip-smart writing, there's also an incredibly sweet message about friendship and love, whether it's between lifelong BFFs or an on-again, off-again couple like Tom and Violet. The humor has heart. Tom and Violet's romance is long and muddled with obstacles, like Harry and Sally's. And when the central characters finally, finally exchange their "I Dos," it will bring not a laugh but a huge smile to your face.

Paramount

If you ask a real spook, most mainstream spy movies range from the ludicrous to the eerily realistic.

Or at least, that's what American intelligence veterans told us at the International Spy Museum recently. According to them, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" (now out on DVD) falls squarely in the middle: Most of the gadgets -- even those that fail -- are more fact than fiction, and the quick-witted way the team works together gets a thumbs up; but the Kremlin exploding and the climbing of the Burj Khalifa is pure fantasy. After some discussion, it seemed there was one spy film that all of them could agree was tops: "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," based on John le Carré's best-selling novel.

As for what doesn't work: any movie that focuses on graphic, widespread violence, maniacal agents or drop-dead-gorgeous vixens. "I've always been upset that most spy movies show spies as deranged assassins out there trying to off the American public!" said Jonna Mendez, former Chief of Disguise, aka "a real-life Q."

Here are five spy movies that the real-life spies found worth watching.

Paramount

'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'

"This is a cerebral business. Bravery yes, athletic ability, yes, but it's the ability to build relationships that's what the spy business is all about ... As you look at this movie, it takes a lot of bravery to do the things that Ethan does, and that is a huge part of this business ... There's a certain amount of adrenaline kick that agents thrive on, like Ethan. But I'll tell you one thing: I can't imagine anyone I knew at the FBI crawling outside that building and dangling like Tom Cruise!"
-- David Major, retired head of counterintelligence for the FBI

Focus Features

'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'

"What's so realistic about this movie is that nothing was as it appeared. This is a cerebral people business, and the movie showed how smart the agents were, how they had to deal with double agents, how everything was layered and complicated."
-- Major, who also recommends the movie to his students in an intelligence class

20th Century Fox

'Knight and Day'

"I always look for the small details, and 'Knight and Day' was great. Obviously, it's a little self serving, since I had the pleasure of working on that film; but they don't have to take the advice that I give, so I never know until I see the movie. When I saw that one, I was so pleased at how realistic everything was."
-- Dale Shelton, FBI

Summit

'Red'

"It wasn't necessarily realistic, but it was so much fun. I loved Helen Mirren!"
-- Shelton

One movie that's not yet released:

Warner Bros.

'Argo'

The U.S. intelligence community is excited about the upcoming Ben Affleck-directed drama based on the CIA operation (sometimes called The Canadian Caper) to rescue six American diplomats who escaped capture when Iranian forces seized the embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979. Over two months, Tony Mendez, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist and chief of disguise (played by Affleck), worked with the Canadian government to devise the perfect cover story: the agents would pretend to be Canadian filmmakers scouting a Middle-Eastern feature film called "Argo." Mendez is consulting on the movie, which has a release date of September 14, 2012.

And one that got a thumbs down:

Universal

'Safe House'

"That had nothing to do with reality and was the bloodiest spy movie I've ever seen! Gimme a break."
-- Major

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As a director, Brad Bird has a perfect record. His four films -- "The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille" and "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" -- are all critically acclaimed box-office successes. He's considered one of the greatest animators alive and has two Academy Awards (for Best Animated Feature) to prove it.

It's no surprise that J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise approached him to consider the fourth "Mission: Impossible" installment as his live-action directorial debut. Bird was ready to transition to a film that didn't involve talking animals or years to complete, and against a canvas of international espionage he took his eye for dazzling visuals to the next level -- as when Cruise unforgettably climbs the tallest building in the world.

While promoting the DVD and Blu-ray release of "Ghost Protocol" at the International Spy Museum, Bird spoke to NextMovie about what a dream it was to work on a film whose star is equal parts cheerleader, producer and stuntman.

After working in animation so long, what led you to the "Mission: Impossible" franchise?
I'd known J.J. for a long time, and we'd been looking for opportunities to work together, but the timing never worked out. And I met Tom right after 'The Incredibles," and we had this long conversation about what we loved about movies. So they were both on my radar in terms of guys I'd love to work with, and here was a way to work with both of them in one fell swoop, so I jumped at it.

Also Check Out: Ethan Hunt's 9 Coolest "Mission: Impossible" Moments

How aware were you that this would be your live-action debut?
I was actually working on a live-action film at the time. It was this project called "1906," and I was having trouble getting the story to come together the way I wanted it to, and suddenly I looked up and a couple of years had gone by, and I was still struggling with story issues. And I realized I wanted to make a film, not prepare to make a film. I looked around and J.J. heard I was looking, and he and Tom approached me with this ... and how could I say no? They're two great guys.

Paramount

This was such a great ensemble; what was your involvement in casting this installment?
Well, Tom was cast, obviously, and so was Simon Pegg. They knew they wanted [Pegg's character] Benji back. He made a really strong impression on everyone in a short amount of screen time in the last one, and J.J. and Tom wanted to bring him on with a big role this time. So those two parts were cast, but all the others I had a hand in picking. The great casting people had worked with J.J. on "Star Trek," so they knew how to help us cast the film.

It seems like all it would take for Josh Holloway to come in for a small role was for J.J. to say, "Hey, here's my friend, cast him."
No, not at all. We were just looking for someone who could make an impression, again, in a short amount of time, and Josh was up for it, so it worked out. We were really happy he could do it.

Were you concerned the screen would blow up with both Jeremy Renner and Tom on the set? They're pretty similar in terms of their screen presence.
It was funny, too, because Jeremy happened to be suddenly available for a short window of time right when we needed him, but we kind of thought he wouldn't be able to do it. Suddenly he was coming in to talk to J.J. about "Super 8," and J.J. thought he would be perfect for "Mission." So we had this very quick, "He's on the lot! He's here for another meeting, let's get him!" And we basically cornered him in a room and feverishly pitched the ideas to him. Literally he was signed the next day, like that. He happened to have a little window in his schedule, and it coincided with the movie perfectly.

It's a lot of testosterone with those two.
Oh, yeah. I got to see him standing next to Tom, and their energy is really similar. It's intense, but in this really awesome way.

Also Check Out: Ethan Hunt Vs. Ethan Hawke

Let's talk about Paula Patton. One of the things that's cool about this franchise is that there's always a beautiful woman, but there's not necessarily any romance forced on the characters. Was there a conscious decision to pull back from any potential romantic plotlines?
It's not about romance, no. It was more that we were looking for someone who would support this idea of a team that was thrust together. That was one of the ideas that was most intriguing to me about this movie; that Ethan Hunt didn't pick this team, the team is thrust on him. Paula's part of that team was just as important as the two guys --  it was like spoke of a wheel. Having those three actors -- Simon, Jeremy and Paula -- with Tom gave the film an interesting dynamic that's unique to this movie.

Good luck with "1906." Do you think that will come together?
Thank you. I hope so, but it's still a challenge.

You could always work with Tom again.
I'd love to. He's the kind of actor, the kind of person, who inspires everyone around him to meet his level of commitment. He's at the point in his career where he could be relaxed and no one would fault him for it, but he's prepared, always ready to give 400 percent.

Vintage

If you've passed a bookstore or checked out the cover of Entertainment Weekly lately, you may be familiar with "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. E.L. James' first novel is all the rage right now, but it started out as a mega-popular piece of "Twilight" fan fiction called "Master of the Universe." Seriously. The book, which now follows a clumsy, virginal brunette named Anastasia Steele as she falls for a gorgeous, auburn-haired billionaire named Christian Grey, once used the names Bella and Edward and was written with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in mind.

Unlike Bella and Edward, who don't get it on until they're married, Ana and Christian barely know each other when they begin a kinky sexual relationship in which Edward Christian is a Dominant and Ana a Submissive. Think of it as "Twilight" minus the paranormal plus the graphic sexuality of "9 1/2 Weeks" by way of the dominant-submissive romance in "Secretary."

Now that Universal and Focus have optioned the book, the question on readers' minds is whether Robsten will consider starring in the roles literally written for them. While James, who has ultimate casting control over the leads, has said she hopes unknown stars will take the parts, she surely would love Rob and Kristen to say yes. But if they don't, here's a slate of other potential Anas and Christians that could steam it up together on-screen.

ANASTASIA

Anastasia is described as a thin 21-year-old with unruly brown locks, blue eyes and a love of classic English novels like "Tess of d'Urbervilles." She's clumsy and insecure about her looks. A recent college graduate, she's never had a boyfriend.

Amanda Seyfried

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Why Her: She's got that wide-eyed innocence that would make her a believably inexperienced college graduate. With a dye job and Ana's signature jeans-and-Converse ensemble, Seyfried could pass for the kind of bookish young woman who isn't aware of her beauty (she "passed" for less than gorgeous in "Big Love" and "Jennifer's Body"). Plus, she's proved that she knows how to bring the passion to her on-screen romances (with Channing Tatum in "Dear John," Shiloh Fernandez in "Red Riding Hood," and Justin Timberlake in "In Time" -- to name just a few).
Why Not: After playing Linda Lovelace in the upcoming biopic of the legendary porn star, Seyfried  might want a break from steamy material.

Emilia Clarke

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Why Her: In HBO's addictive fantasy series "Game of Thrones," Clarke has already taken a journey of sexual self-discovery and personal transformation. As Daenerys Targaryen, the English actress has had to play a pubescent princess who's given to a mighty tribal ruler as his wife. Let's just say that Clarke has already played the submissive partner, and she has zero qualms about sexing it up on screen. But it's not just the steamy scenes Clarke could handle; she's a captivating actress who could nail Ana's inner conflict between wanting Christian and wanting a "normal" relationship.
Why Not: After working on "Game of Thrones," Clarke might be tired of all the kink and nudity and could prefer a kinder, gentler role that doesn't require her to take it all off for most of the movie.

Analeigh Tipton

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Why Her: The America's Next Model contestant turned heads with her breakout role in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." as the smitten babysitter who sexts Steve Carell, and she once again impressed critics in Whit Stillman's quirky comedy "Damsels in Distress." Physically, Tipton has Ana's exact look: slender figure, striking blue eyes, wavy brown hair. As a bonus, she's already dealt with a boyfriend who has sexual fetishes in "Damsels."
Why Not: Still in the early stages of her film career, Tipton might not be ready for such a scintillating role.

Nina Dobrev

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Why Her: The model-turned-actress is one of television's hottest young stars, and her smart and sexy turn as Elena on The CW's hit vampire soap "The Vampire Diaries" proves she could easily take on the part of book-smart but sexually naive Ana. Dobrev is no stranger to the chemistry needed to make an obsessive on-camera romance believable, and now that she's 23, no one would balk at the idea of her transitioning to a steamy "adults only" movie.
Why Not: Dobrev has yet to headline a movie, and she may not want her first starring role to be in a hard-R sexfest, especially while she's still on the teen-targeted series.

Emma Watson

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Why Her: Imagine how many heads in the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" fandoms will explode if the actress responsible for beloved swotty Hermione sheds her Hogwarts jumpers (and everything else, for that matter) to play virginal-turned-kinky Ana Steele. Since each of her film choices -- particularly "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" -- has distanced her from Rowling's universe, it's not too far-fetched to imagine her in the role (especially since she's also a 21-year-old English major in real life). The appropriately petite and brunette Watson not only looks the part, but she has also publicly stated she'd "go naked" for the right film.
Why Not: Watson might be put off by the fact that the book has direct ties to the "Twilight" series, and that unlike "Harry Potter" and "Perks," the book is not critically acclaimed.

CHRISTIAN

Christian is a 27-year-old telecom billionaire. Like Edward, he's described as the most beautiful man ever: tall, strong, muscular, and with remarkably long ... fingers. A man of the world, he plays the piano, flies helicopters and spends millions trying to feed the world. There's just one thing: he can only have BDSM sex.

Alexander Skarsgård

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Why Him: He's definitely Adonis-looking and can play both sweet and aggressive well (as anyone who saw the last season of "True Blood" can attest). He'd need to dye his hair, sure, but otherwise he's exactly the kind of powerful, gorgeous man that Christian is, and he's certainly not afraid to show off his possessive side when it comes to his romantic conquests.
Why Not: At 35, he might be a smidge too old to play Christian, but otherwise he could definitely bring the heat.

Taylor Kitsch

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Why Him: "John Carter" didn't work out the way Kitsch hoped, but that doesn't mean the bedroom-eyed "Battleship" actor isn't ready for a starring role in something that's more romance than swashbuckling adventure. Ever since Kitsch played the much-loved Tim Riggins on "Friday Night Lights," we've been waiting for him to play a sexy, to-die-for leading man, and he's got what it takes to transform Christian from page to screen.
Why Not: Since "John Carter" was such a high-profile disaster, Kitsch might want to appear in a few more ensembles before jumping into a risky role.

Ryan Gosling

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Why Him: If those "Hey girl" memes are any indication, Gosling is already the object of many women's desire, so having him play Christian would probably offer the largely female fandom of the series some wish fulfillment. He's already played a super sexy ladies man ("Crazy, Stupid, Love.") and an attentive lover ("Blue Valentine"), and we bet Mr. Method would make a wonderfully intense Christian.
Why Not: He's one of the most coveted actors in Hollywood with a pedigree of prestigious movies, so he might consider the source material too trashy for his standards.

Chris Hemsworth

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Why Him: We loved him in "Thor" and think any actor who can make just one kiss that swoony could work wonders with  an entire film filled with memorably hot scenes. Since Christian is supposed to have a "Greek god"-like body, Hemsworth beautifully fits James' description of her complicated love interest. He's fierce, fine and fabulous -- but whether  he'd be willing to do the R-rated sequences is another question entirely.
Why Not: He's a superhero type of actor, and he may not be interested in changing his trajectory from big-budget summer blockbusters to a risque romance.

Michael Fassbender

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Why Him: Perhaps you haven't seen "Shame," but the guy can portray sexual dysfunction, and he can do it in a mesmerising manner that humanizes his character. If there's any attractive, seductive actor who could inhabit the role of a man who can't have regular "vanilla sex," it's Fassbender. There's no doubt he could play a classy, educated young businessman with secret proclivities, it's just a matter of whether he would want the part.
Why Not: Like Skarsgård, Fassbender is a few years older than Christian, and he's probably not interested in a movie that started out as "Twi"-fic. But still, we can dream.

Paramount

"Twilight," with its built-in Twi-hard fan base, has established Edward and Bella as the It Couple of the early 'Aughts. But Hollywood's greatest story of love, loss and an iceberg represents the epitome of original movie magic.

True to Celine Dion's pledge that "My Heart Will Go On," the "Titanic" romance between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) has gone on and on in the hearts of fans for the past 15 years, a veritable half-century in Hollywood years. Edward and Bella can never live up to that, despite my colleague's admirable argument to the contrary.

Here are five reasons that in another 15 years, teenage girls (and their mothers) will still be promising Jack -- not Edward -- that they'll never let go.

Instant Attraction

It takes a full 38 minutes for Jack to introduce himself to Rose, and what an unforgettable meet-cute it is. Rose, heels clicking on the aft rail, is about to ask the North Atlantic to help announce the cancellation of her engagement to wealthy blowhard Cal (Billy Zane). Jack, foreshadowing his own doom, insists that if she goes overboard, he'll dive into the icy waters after her. After Jack talks Rose out of suicide, and she lies to explain why he's at her side, they forge an immediate bond that's sealed when Jack accepts Cal's invitation to dinner.

Screen Chemistry

It's dinnertime aboard the ship. He's in white-tie and tails. She's on the grand staircase. Their eyes meet. His lips kiss her silk-gloved hand. The audience sighs. Breathtaking. Even when Jack and Rose aren't living it up in first class, they still share an intense attraction. Spitting off the side of the ship, discussing his artistic talents and dancing a jig in steerage -- every on-screen moment between Jack and Rose builds a passion that leads to plenty of (literal) steamy scenes. It's been 15 years, but the heart still quickens when you think of Jack sketching Rose wearing nothing but the Heart of the Ocean diamond, or that handprint on a fogged window.

Paramount

Love Story

"I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump," Jack tells Rose during his game-changing declaration of love. Their relationship lasts only days, but alters Rose's entire life -- proving that you don't need promises of eternity or supernatural strength to forge an everlasting love. What's amazing about Jack and Rose's love affair is that they consider each other equals, despite their differences in status or experience. Jack challenges Rose to break free of the trappings of her wealth, and Rose recognizes Jack as a man of extraordinary talents that belie his limited means. Even as the ship begins its inevitable collapse, Jack and Rose stay true to each other, fighting for every breath.

Cultural Impact

James Cameron's "Titanic" made the record books. The highest-grossing film for 12 years (dethroned only in 2009 by "Avatar," another epic love story by Cameron), it won 11 Academy Awards, a feat matched by only two other movies in Oscar history: "Ben-Hur" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." "Titanic" remains the ultimate example of a movie with both audience and critical appeal, and it's all due to the captivating central romance. While "Twilight" is undeniably popular, not one of its installments has ever received the kind of phenomenal box-office or critical response that "Titanic" enjoyed.

Fandemonium

I concede that the universe inhabited by "Twilight" fans is a rich, powerful world. The "Twilight" franchise was, after all, a best-selling young adult series before Kristen Stewart or Robert Pattinson ever entered the minds of author Stephenie Meyer's fans. But "Titanic" fans, or specifically Jack and Rose devotees, don't have Teams about whom the heroine should end up with (that Cal is eeevil!); they're unanimously in favor of the movie's One True Pair. The movie was such a phenomenon Leo got mobbed by crying girls everywhere he went, and posters of the pair adorned adolescents' rooms around the world. And let's not forget how many post-1997 weddings used Dion's love theme as their first dance.

Conclusion

Jack and Rose's love is as momentous as the ship on which it was born. The "Titanic" may have ultimately sunk, but the love story of Jack and Rose will go on.

Why Edward & Bella Top Jack & Rose >>

Also Check Out: Test your "Titanic" knowledge with the NextMovie Trivia Challenge App

Lionsgate

Now that "The Hunger Games" has had a record-breaking first weekend at the box office (bringing in $155 million domestically, which makes it the third-highest opening of all time, after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" and "The Dark Knight"), it's clear that Lionsgate has a bonafide movie franchise on its roster. Since the series' millions of fans will be waiting to see what happens with the two (possibly three, if they split "Mockingjay" in two installments) remaining adaptations, here's our advice to the powers at be: Let Gary Ross direct the entire series.

Long franchises mainly go one of two ways. They can bring on a single filmmaker with a unifying vision (Peter Jackson and "Lord of the Rings," Christopher Nolan and the new "Batman" trilogy), or take a multiple-director approach, like the "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" films. Looking at those examples, it should come as no surprise to anyone that franchises usually benefit from the single-director approach. So even though it's already been announced that Ross will return for "Catching Fire," we're here to reiterate that he should be given the reins to direct the rest of the films right now.

Also Check Out: "The Hunger Games" Box Office Records: By the Numbers

Even "Harry Potter," which had three directors (Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell) before David Yates took the helm, was better off with the last four films being led by one filmmaker who "got" Harry's epic journey. The other directors made their mark, but it's Yates' well-reviewed, well-received vision that was necessary to transition our favorite Boy Wizard into the climactic battles of his adolescence.

On the other hand, the "Twilight" movies have suffered from the fact that every film has had a different director's stamp on it, with each garnering a range of mixed to unfavorable reviews -- compared to the  positive critical reaction (85% on Rotten Tomatoes) to "The Hunger Games." You never really knew how the "Twilight" directors were going to interpret Stephenie Meyer's material. And although none of the films were terrible, they weren't nearly as acclaimed as the last "Harry Potter" films were.

Lionsgate

Gary Ross understands "The Hunger Games," and he has developed a close bond to its star Jennifer Lawrence and the rest of the ensemble. He had the foresight to cast for maturity and talent, not age or physical likeness. He has earned the trust of not just the critics but the phenomenon's devoted fans. Despite some quibbling over the differences between the novel and the film, the majority of fans on Twitter and the blogosphere are overjoyed with "The Hunger Games."

Most important to fans of the books, Ross has already proved he's committed to staying true to author Suzanne Collins' overall story. He managed to show the brutality of the Games without making the violence gratuitous. He coaxed spot-on performances from principals Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, as well as the individual Tributes like Amandla Stenberg's tender Rue and Alexander Ludwig's ruthless Cato. Another director might have done a splashier job with the special effects and the many intricacies of the Arena (and also upped the violence), but Ross wisely focused on Katniss' journey from the gray-toned poverty of District 12 to the colorful excess of the over-the-top Capitol.

Also Check Out: Why Katniss Everdeen Is a Kick-Ass Role Model

Knowing that Ross is a director of substance and not just style is a comfort to fans as he adapts the final two books. The first half of "Catching Fire" is all about Katniss' various changing relationships -- with smitten fellow Tribute Peeta, protective best friend Gale, her relieved mother and sister, the ever-menacing President Snow and everyone who saw her challenge the Capitol. Ross will have to flesh out Katniss' complicated love triangle, as well as dig into more of the reasons why the districts are at odds with their oppressive overlords in the Capitol.

Not to mention that there is yet another Hunger Games (this time called the Quarter Quell) to depict with a fresh set of Tributes, most of whom play an even more important role in the story than the first set. There's no doubt Ross can be trusted to cast the right actors in pivotal parts, such as Finnick and Johanna, former Hunger Games victors who are drafted to compete again. There is more romance, more action and more cultural commentary in the upcoming installments, and Ross is up to the task of completing this epic saga in a way that will satisfy the faithful book followers and movie fans as well.

So Lionsgate, let Ross finish what he so beautifully started. Let him take the Girl on Fire and transform her into the Mockingjay.

'The Hunger Games' Premiere Photos

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Lionsgate

On the heels of "The Hunger Games"' record-smashing debut at the box office, some truly disturbing but sadly unsurprising news has emerged on what some fans have been complaining about the movie on Twitter.

According to the Tumblr page Hunger Games Tweets, a crop of racist remarks concerning the film's diverse cast -- particularly aimed at the characters Rue (Amandla Stenberg) and Thresh (Dayo Okeniyi) -- began appearing in the Twitterverse over the weekend.

"Why does rue have to be black not gonna lie kinda ruined the movie," tweeted one clueless fan, because obviously any black character that elicits sympathy and love is bound to ruin a racist's day at the movies.

"Why did the producer make all the good characters black?" posted another upset moviegoer, referring not just to Rue but to Cinna, who is played by Lenny Kravitz. Technically Cinna's skin color was never specified in the books, so in this case, Ross did cast a biracial (Kravitz' father is white) star in the role. Guess that didn't sit well with certain prejudiced folks.

Twitter

"And for the record I'm still pissed that Rue is black," said another, and the list goes on and on, with upset fans decrying the fact that Ross dared to "go all the way to black," instead of just "darker white," as one guy mentioned.

In light of these hateful comments, we can't help but wonder if the fans making such overtly ignorant remarks actually read Suzanne Collins' books. If they did, then they must have skipped some key descriptive paragraphs in which the author clearly states that Rue, Thresh and the majority of District 11 residents had "dark brown" skin. Therefore, when Collins helped director Gary Ross cast the parts of the two tributes from District 11, of course they selected young black actors.

Also Check Out: Celebs Pay Tribute to 'The Hunger Games' on Twitter

When Katniss encounters Rue for the first time, she thinks the following: … And most hauntingly, a twelve-year-old girl from District 11. She has dark brown skin and eyes, but other than that's she's very like Prim in size and demeanor…

Later, Katniss sees Thresh and describes him as well: The boy tribute from District 11, Thresh, has the same dark skin as Rue, but the resemblance stops there. He's one of the giants, probably six and half feet tall and built like an ox.

Perhaps the young objectors (we'll give these Twitter users the benefit of the doubt and hope they're in fact not fully grown adults) skipped over parts of the story or imagined "dark brown skin" referred to the sort of burnt-sienna spray tans that the "Jersey Shore" cast enjoys. Maybe they didn't even read the books and are just prejudiced filmgoers who don't like paying to see any people of color on the big screen. Regardless of the motivation, this hate speech is downright disgusting.

Twitter

This is not the same as nitpicking that Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth are too old or tall or  blonde and fair-skinned (in the book, they're described as having olive skin, black hair and gray eyes). This is ignoring Collins' description of characters in order to suit a need for characters to be white. The highlighted comments make it obvious that what really angers these moviegoers is that characters (especially Rue) they grew to love in the book can't possibly be black.

As the person who started the Hunger Games Tweets blog so eloquently wrote, [Spoiler alert]: "These people are MAD that the girl that they cried over while reading the book was "some black girl" all along. So now they're angry. Wasted tears, wasted emotions. It's sad to think that had they known that she was black all along, there would have been [no] sorrow or sadness over her death."

On the bright side, Hunger Games Tweets also reports that several of the Twitter users exposed on the site have abandoned their accounts or hidden their hateful messages in protected pages.

Lionsgate

There are innumerable reasons to love "The Hunger Games." There's action, romance, social commentary and the kind of compelling story arc that's unputdownable on the page and riveting on the screen. But one of the main reasons we think "The Hunger Games" is brilliant is author Suzanne Collins' unforgettable protagonist, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).

Unlike the many damsels in distress peppered throughout pop culture, Katniss is part of a growing crop of fierce female protagonists. Here are five reasons Katniss is the kind of role model we'd always bet on to emerge a victor.

1. She's Brave. Courage under fire might as well be Katniss' middle name. It's not that she isn't afraid; there are countless moments in the Arena when Katniss is frightened at the very real possibility that she or Peeta aren't going to survive. But somehow she summons a bravery she's had to hone since her father's death in order to stay alive. Betsy Bozdech, managing editor of Common Sense Media, puts it this way: "Katniss never backs down from a challenge, and she uses both smarts and strength to succeed. She doesn't let her circumstances numb her to emotions but instead uses them to fuel her determination and will to win. She's loyal, strong, resourceful, and she looks like a real person, to boot!"

Also Check Out: "Hunger Games" News, Photos, Videos and More

2. She's Selfless. The entire story is based on Katniss' initial sacrificial act, volunteering in her little sister Prim's place to compete in the Hunger Games. But that's far from her only moment of selflessness. Throughout the Games, she befriends and protects Rue and refuses to abandon Peeta, even though it would be easier for her to look out only for herself. Few literary heroines are as nobly self-sacrificing and as willing to step in, time and time again, to benefit those she loves.

Amy Wilkinson, Editor of MTV's Hollywood Crush explains, "Volunteering as tribute in place of her sister Prim wasn’t a calculated risk for Katniss -- it was a death sentence. In poverty-ridden District 12, the word 'Tribute' was synonymous with 'corpse,' meaning Katniss offered up the greatest gift possible: her life. If that’s not the definition of selflessness, slap an apron on me and call me Greasy Sae."

Lionsgate

3. She's Tough Inside and Out. According to Amanda Bell, District 14 columnist, "Katniss' strength of character is one of her most appealing attributes. She's never stolen from anyone, even in her most desperate state of hunger, but she is willing to break those rules she disagrees with (i.e., hunting outside of the district gates). Even in the perilous situation of the Games, she honors her own code of ethics. She also doesn't let the weight of the world, which at some point is pretty much on her shoulders, get her down. She's strong and always recognizes the bigger picture. She's a reluctant hero, of course, but one nonetheless."

4. She's Not Boy Crazy. Katniss is not the typical adolescent heroine who's secretly looking for a soul mate or consumed with her one true love. In fact, she clearly states early in the movie that she never wants to marry or have children in such a desolate world. The romance developed in the first book is even downplayed a bit in the movie (but don't worry, Katniss-Peeta shippers, there's still that swoony cave scene to look forward to). Although Katniss does struggle with her intense and complicating feelings for two very different guys in the course of the trilogy, she isn't defined by her relationship with either one of them. There's more at stake in "The Hunger Games" than a love triangle -- it's a story of life and death, redemption, and social rebellion. That's why we love Peeta and Gale but are ultimately on Team Katniss.

5. She's Not Perfect. Part of what makes Katniss so gush-worthy is that she isn't the popular, optimistic, homecoming-queen type. Before volunteering for the Hunger Games, she really only has one close friend, Gale (Liam Hemsworth), and isn't naturally as affable or likable as Peeta (just see how she clams up during her interview with Caesar Flickerman, while Peeta is open and charismatic). There are times when Katniss can't see what's right in front of her, when she doesn't realize just how amazing she really is -- but that makes her all the more relatable.

Hot People Looking Hot: Jennifer Lawrence

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Isabelle Fuhrman is one of the most experienced young Tributes in "The Hunger Games" cast. Unlike a few of Katniss' other costars fighting it out to remain the last teen standing, Fuhrman has been acting since she was a little girl in Atlanta.

The 15-year-old actress, whom many will recognize as the creeptastic star of the horror flick "Orphan," plays Clove, a cutthroat Tribute who sets her eyes on defeating Katniss. With her newly acquired stunt skills and another high-profile movie in the works, it looks like the odds of stardom are definitely in Fuhrman's favor.

Age: 15

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

What She's Done: Fuhrman started acting at age 7 and made her big-screen debut as Dakota Fanning's friend in the 2007 Sundance drama "Hounddog." Two years later, she made a huge impression on audiences with her breakout performance in "Orphan." As Esther, the mysterious orphan who's adopted by a well-intentioned (but doomed) Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga, Fuhrman was memorably eeevil.

Also Check Out: "The Hunger Games" A to Z: A Glossary

What She's Doing Now: In "The Hunger Games" Fuhrman plays Clove, the female Tribute from District 2, which is known for sending well-trained contestants (who often volunteer) to the annual battle to the death. As part of the group of Tributes known as "Careers," Clove arrives at the Arena with a weapon of choice: She's an expert knife-thrower. Even before the Games officially start, Clove targets Katniss as her biggest obstacle.

Reminds Us of: Furhman looks like a younger version of Jennifer Carpenter, the petite-framed but fierce actress on "Dexter." The teen actress' Method-y commitment to the craft of acting (creating backstories, researching motivations) is reminiscent of her slightly older "Hounddog" costar, Dakota Fanning.

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Quotable: "I'm obsessed with Greek mythology. My favorite goddess is Artemis. She's strong and reminds me of Katniss, the heroine of 'The Hunger Games,'" she told Marie Claire.

Twitter Handle: @isabellefuhrman (the day after the "Hunger Games" premiere, her followers soared to more than 37,000)

What's Next: After "Games," Fuhrman stars in the supernatural family drama "The Healer" opposite "Super 8" star Joel Courtney, and is currently filming the new M. Night Shyamalan alien adventure with Will and Jaden Smith.

Lionsgate

In "The Hunger Games," the future of North America (called Panem) is grim. For proof, look no further than the titular televised battle to the death that the Capitol puts on for sport. Teens killing teens? Hilarious!

The shocking thing is that  the post-apocalyptic future Katniss Everdeen inhabits is far from the bleakest or most bizarre dystopia in movie history. The following 15 movies teach us one basic truth: Be afraid, very afraid of the future -- particularly genetic mutations, man-made viruses, and nuclear holocausts.

1. '12 Monkeys' (1995)

Setting: 2035 America
Why the Future Sucks: Forty years after a man-made virus has wiped out 99 percent of the population, humans have escaped Earth's uninhabitable surface by living in locked underground chambers. Scientists figure out a way to send a convicted criminal (Bruce Willis) to the past to stop the disease, but with a set-up like that, what could go right?  After his mission turns haywire, he discovers the truth behind the epidemic but can't prevent history from repeating itself and dooming humanity for a second time.

Also Check Out: More on "The Hunger Games"

2. 'Blade Runner' (1982)

Setting: 2019 Los Angeles
Why the Future Sucks: It always rains. Angelenos speak a bizarre pidgin that suggests geopolitical cataclysm.  And a powerful corporation rules the world with such impunity that it has created a race of robot slaves to mine distant moons, while secretly populating Earth with robots programmed to think they're human. Although L.A. is still habitable (though wet), and the world enjoys flying cars, the real future nightmare comes from the corporation's power to cause humans to doubt their own humanity.

Warner Bros.

3. 'The Book of Eli' (2010)

Setting: Post-apocalyptic America
Why the Future Sucks: Following a nuclear holocaust, bandits and warlords control the distribution of scarce food and water. Without protection from men, women face rape or attack. Most are illiterate thugs, except for Denzel Washington's Eli. A kickass loner unaffiliated with any of the roving gangs that menace him, Eli sets off to deliver his (and likely the last available) copy of the Bible to California, where he hopes some part of pre-war culture has survived.

4. 'Children of Men' (2006)

Setting: 2027 England
Why the Future Sucks: Humanity is in chaos after two decades of inexplicable, worldwide infertility. The United Kingdom clings to order with a xenophobic police state that rounds up, detains and deports anyone who isn't British while battling violent pro-immigrant terrorists. On the bright side, a West African refugee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) is mysteriously pregnant; but if a cynical bureaucrat (Clive Owen) can't ferry her to safety, the end of humanity seems inevitable.

Also Check Out: "The Hunger Games" A-Z: A Glossary

5. 'Gattaca' (1997)

Setting: Near future, America
Why the Future Sucks: In the future, the elites are no longer conceived; they're selected according to their parents' best traits. These outstanding genetic specimens are the "valids," while babies created the old-fashioned way (with the attendant genetic failings) are the "invalids."  Because eugenics restricts the opportunities available to invalids such as Vincent (Ethan Hawke), he impersonates a wheelchair-bound valid (Jude Law) to fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut. Vincent’s love of a genetically superior woman (Uma Thurman), however, and his own DNA, nearly foil his plans.

Warner Bros.

6. 'I Am Legend' (2007)

Setting: 2012, New York City
Why the Future Sucks: Hooray, there's a cure for cancer!! Oops, the vaccine kills or zombifies everyone who's taken it.  As the last man in New York and one of the last humans on the planet, virologist Lt. Colonel Robert Neville (Will Smith) watches reruns on TV, works out (look at his abs), goes big-game hunting in the ruins of Manhattan with his dog, and desperately tries to find a cure for the disease that's destroyed almost all of humanity.

7. 'Idiocracy' (2006)

Setting: 2505 America
Why the Future Sucks: An Army librarian (Luke Wilson) of average intelligence and a prostitute (Maya Rudolph) are selected for a suspended animation experiment in 2005 and awaken 500 years in the future. While they don’t wake to any killer diseases or nuclear wastelands, the future in Mike Judge's comedy is hilariously awful. The average IQ has plummeted, creating a society of consumer-obsessed fools lacking basis problem-solving skills, surrounded by material goods and mountains of garbage. Wilson emerges as literally the smartest person alive.

8. 'In Time' (2011)

Setting: 2161 America
Why the Future Sucks: A genetic mutation allows humans to age only until 25, at which point your "time" begins to run out.  After 25, humans have a year to live, unless they can earn or borrow the new currency: time. When the timer hits zero, you fizzle out and die instantly. While there's something intriguing (and we'll admit, sexy) about everyone looking 25 no matter how old they really are, it's still a system where the rich live longer and the poor toil for every second.

Also Check Out: Get to Know the "Hunger Games" Cast

9. 'The Island' (2005)

Setting: Near future, America
Why the Future Sucks: Clones live in isolation until they're needed by their "originals" in the real world. Imagine you're Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor), a clueless clone with that future.  You're unhappy with your highly managed schedule and strictly controlled life when you discover that "winning the lottery" in your universe is really code for being killed or having your organs harvested. That's bound to ruin anyone's life – not to mention the other you.

MGM

10. 'Mad Max' (1979)

Setting: Future Australia
Why the Future Sucks: Dystopian life Down Under is just as bad as it is in the States or Great Britain -- well, except for the fact that you might catch a glimpse of a young, leather-clad Mel Gibson. You can trace the vengeful Gibson stereotype to this precise moment in history. As a police officer whose wife, baby and best friend are killed by a nefarious motorcycle gang, Gibson's Max becomes an unhinged antihero ready to do anything in the Australian wastelands to bring down perpetrators.

11. 'The Planet of the Apes' (1968)

Setting: 3978
Why the Future Sucks: After astronauts crash-land on a strange planet, they discover that the rulers are highly evolved apes who speak and act like humans, while humans are mute, primitive creatures who do little more than wear animal skins. Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) struggles mightily to free himself from his damn dirty ape overloads and return to his home planet, but when he spies the ruins of the Statue of Liberty in the sand, it's clear that he's actually traveled in time to a simian-controlled Earth.

12. 'The Road' (2009)

Setting: The near future, America
Why the Future Sucks: Based on author Cormac McCarthy's bestselling novel, this depiction of the future might be the grimmest on the list. An unspecified catastrophe kills most of the animal and plant life on Earth, and those who are left behind resort to widespread murder and cannibalism to survive. Armed with only a handgun and two bullets, an unnamed father (Viggo Mortensen) and his tween son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) try to find a sanctuary while scrounging for food and evading roaming gangs of murderous cannibals.

Also Check Out: "The Hunger Games" and "Battle Royale": Rip-off Schmipoff

13. 'Soylent Green' (1973)

Setting: 2022, New York City
Why the Future Sucks: As the movie's poster advertised, in the year 2022, "people are still the same, they'll do anything to get what they need," and what they need is more food produced by the Soylent Corporation. After the company introduces new food source Soylent Green, which contains "high energy plankton," the supply runs out, causing food riots in the overpopulated, over-polluted streets of New York. As it turns out, the secret ingredient in the Soylent Green wafer isn't plankton, but people.

Warner Bros.

14. 'V for Vendetta' (2005)

Setting: Near future, United Kingdom
Why The Future Sucks: Once again a nuclear disaster has decimated the Earth but left the United Kingdom relatively intact, although controlled by the totalitarian Norsefire government. As with all fascist societies, those aligned with the ruling party can do as they please (like try to rape innocent women walking around past curfew). The only source of dissent is led by a masked freedom fighter who blows up government buildings and his terrorized acolyte (Natalie Portman).

15. 'WALL-E' (2008)

Setting: 2805
Why the Future Sucks: In the distant future, we've accumulated so much trash, courtesy of the Buy n Large corporation, that Earth becomes uninhabitable. The only beings who remain are WALL-E, a robotic trash compacter who's oblivious to the futility of his programming, and his cockroach pal, Hal. Meanwhile, what remains of the human race -- rendered immobile by obesity and complacency -- travels on a spaceship and through the virtual world that tries to replace the planet they've thrown out.

GALLERY: All of the 'Hunger Games' Photos So Far

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It's impossible not to notice Italian actress Violante Placido. She possesses the kind of stunning beauty that makes men forget their names, particularly if she's showing off her considerable natural gifts in a movie like "The American."

After her scene-stealing performance opposite George Clooney, it's no wonder Hollywood came calling again to offer her a sexy role in the action sequel "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." Placido plays the kind of fiercely protective mother who would gladly put a bullet in you if it meant saving her kid. With her alluring charm and acting pedigree, Placido should be a household name in no time.

Age: 35

Hometown: Rome, Italy

What She's Done: Placido started acting as a teenager in her native Italy, appearing in more than 30 film and television projects there. She made her Hollywood movie debut playing an Italian prostitute whom George Clooney's character employs and then falls for in the 2010 hit-man thriller "The American." Anyone who saw the film will remember their steamy, skin-bearing love scenes.

What She's Doing Now: She's the female lead in the Nicolas Cage-starring action sequel "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." Placido plays Nadya, a Romanian mother whose young son Danny is wanted by the devil (Ciaran Hinds). Nadya, who has a secret dark past, must accept help from Johnny Blaze (Cage), the devil's bounty hunter, to protect Danny from evil.

Also Check Out: New "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" Trailer Is on Fire

Reminds Us of: The curvy Italian import exudes sexuality like French actress Eva Green. She also has the same beautiful-but-badass appeal of Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie. And although we don't use this comparison lightly, we can't help but consider her a possible successor to the queen of Italian sex symbols, Sofia Loren.

Fun Facts: Placido isn't just an actress, she's a singer-songwriter who released the 10-track album "Don't Be Shy" (under the name Viola) in 2006.

Quotable: "My parents never pushed me to be an actress. You can come from a family of actors, and sometimes there have been families that grow you up as an actor, but this wasn’t my situation. It’s very important to find your own way because it’s something you then have to confront yourself," she told Indie London.

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What's Next: Placido stars in her father's upcoming crime thriller "Le guetteur," or "The Lookout," starring French leading man Daniel Auteuil as a detective on a mission to find the sharpshooter (Mathieu Kassovitz) who ruined his elaborate plan to catch a ring of bank robbers.

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February is Black History Month, and right now two African-American actors are Oscars front-runners (we're talking about you, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer). Plus, the talented and beautiful Adepero Oduye and Paula Patton were included in Vanity Fair's annual Young Hollywood issue -- which is usually all white.

In keeping with the props bestowed upon Hollywood's black performers this month, we present 13 black actors (and a bonus couple of pop stars transitioning to film) whose names you should memorize now, because we're predicting big things, juicy roles and long careers for all of them.

Nicole Beharie

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Who She Is: The half-Nigerian, half-Jamaican beauty had a pivotal supporting role as the only woman Michael Fassbender actually wants to woo (and not just have sex with) in Steve McQueen's acclaimed drama "Shame." A graduate of Juilliard's prestigious drama program (where she received a scholarship named for fellow alum Robin Williams), the stage-and-screen actress also stars in the interracial romance "My Last Day Without You," which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.
Where You'll See Her: The T.D. Jakes drama "Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day" in April and the football drama "The Last Fall."

Chadwick Boseman

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Who He Is: Boseman is an actor, screenwriter and producer who has had recurring roles on daytime television -- on the soap "All My Children" -- and primetime dramas like "Persons Unknown" and "Lincoln Heights." But all of that is secondary to the fact he beat out dozens of interested actors to land the iconic role of Jackie Robinson in the upcoming biopic "42," which also stars Harrison Ford. Not bad for his first big film.
Where You'll See Him: He stars in the Iraq War drama "The Kill Hole," and then he'll don the Dodgers uniform for "42," which has yet to start filming.

John Boyega

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Who He Is: The British-Nigerian actor isn't a household name yet, but if his debut role in the alien-invasion thriller "Attack the Block" is any indication, he's going to have a bright future playing fierce characters. In "Attack the Block" Boyega plays Moses, an inner-city gang leader-turned-alien killer in a performance critics hailed as "absolutely riveting."
Where You'll See Him: Based on the strength of "Attack the Block," Boyega landed a plum leading role in Spike Lee's upcoming HBO boxing drama "Da Brick."

Solomon Glave

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Who He Is: Another emerging British actor (they sure know how to produce good ones over there), 14-year-old Glave gave a breakout performance as the young Heathcliff in Andrea Arnold's adaptation of "Wuthering Heights." That's right, Arnold's interpretation offers an interracial twist on the Emily Bronte classic; and Glave and his older counterpart James Howson are the first black actors to ever play the role of Heathcliff -- at least on screen.
Where You'll See Him: "Wuthering Heights" debuted in the States at the Sundance Film Festival and will hopefully arrive at an art-house theater near you some time this year.

Lance Gross

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 Who He Is: If he looks familiar, perhaps you're a fan of Tyler Perry's sitcom "House of Payne" or saw the interracial wedding comedy "Our Family Wedding," in which Gross plays America Ferrera's hunky fiancé. But Gross has the looks and the chops to play a leading man, and he gets his shot as a former NFL player in "The Last Fall."
Where You'll See Him: In addition to "The Last Fall," Gross will appear in the basketball drama "Phenom" and the upcoming Perry project "The Marriage Counselor" (in theaters this July).

Michael B. Jordan

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Who He Is: It's hard to find a TV fan who doesn't have a soft spot for Jordan from his roles on "The Wire," "Friday Night Lights," or the second season of "Parenthood." While he's popped up in a handful of films, this year brings back-to-back roles that should propel Jordan to the kind of heights expected from someone with his auspicious name.
Where You'll See Him: He was the rookie member of the Tuskegee Airmen in "Red Tails," and is one of the three leads in the year's coolest movie so far: "Chronicle," about a trio of high-school buddies who acquire superpowers under extraordinary circumstances.

Adepero Oduye

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Who She Is: Remember at the Golden Globes, when Meryl Streep mentioned all the fabulous female performances of the year and said a name you didn't recognize? That would be Adepero, whose touching portrayal of a young lesbian in "Pariah" not only earned her kudos from the venerable Streep but also the kind of glowing reviews most actors twice her age have yet to receive.
Where You'll See Her: With her résumé of independent features and shorts, we hope a director like Peter Hedges or Michael Hoffman will cast her in another leading role.

Dayo Okeniyi

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Who He Is: Nigerians continue to represent in Hollywood! A newcomer to the industry, Okeniyi won a casting call for Thresh, the male District 11 Tribute to the Hunger Games. Thresh is a big, scary dude on the page, so expect to be blown away by Okeniyi's size and warrior-like skills. Thresh is more brawn than brains, but we expect "Hunger Games" to launch Okeniyi's career.
Where You'll See Him: In less than 50 days, Okeniyi will play the fearsome Thresh. Then he headlines the ensemble teen horror flick "Slew Hampshire," which, as the title suggests, follows a bunch of murders in New Hampshire.

Nate Parker

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Who He Is: We'd say Parker is possibly the second coming of Denzel -- except, well, Washington is still alive. Washington actually gave his young doppelganger his first leading role in "The Great Debaters." After six years of steady work, 2012 looks like Parker's year to graduate to bigger and better roles.
Where You'll See Him: He's the main character in the Tukegee Airmen drama "Red Tails," stars opposite Richard Gere and Brit Marling in the Sundance hit "Arbitrage," and appears in Spike Lee's "Red Hook Summer."

Rihanna

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Who She Is: You know, she's that multi-platinum, multiple Grammy-winning pop sensation with the hot bod, taste for tattoos and high-profile dating habits. She's the reason you can't say the words "SOS" or "umbrella" without launching into song.
Where You'll See Her: You can find her in any glossy magazine or celebrity gossip site; but on the big screen you'll see her in the mega-budgeted popcorn flick "Battleship" this summer. RiRi in fatigues? We don't know about you, but we can't wait to see if she can be someone other than Rihanna the pop star. If she can, she should have an easy transition to making movies whenever she's in between albums. If she can't, well, even Mariah Carey still got a bit part in "Precious," post-"Glitter."

Jurnee Smollett

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Who She Is: A former child actor, Smollett had a starring role in Denzel Washington's "The Great Debaters," but she transitioned to TV to join the cast of the beloved football series "Friday Night Lights" and then the CBS legal drama "The Defenders." Now the 25-year-old actress with the doe eyes and bright smile is finally heading back to film.
Where You'll See Her: We've been waiting patiently for Smollett to return to the big screen so that we could add her to this list. She's in Tyler Perry's ensemble drama "The Marriage Counselor."

Jordin Sparks

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Who She Is: Most audiences know Sparks from the radio or from her winning season on "American Idol." But the 22-year-old "Idol" champ is ready to "Sparkle" in the titular role of director Salim Akil's ("Jumping the Broom") new musical drama – about an act of three sisters who are torn apart by the pressures and vices of fame.
Where You'll See Her: "Sparkle," costarring Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo and pop diva Whitney Houston, hits theaters on Aug. 10.

Amandla Stenberg

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Who She Is: Stenberg is a lucky girl indeed. The 13-year-old actress, who recently played a young Zoe Saldana in "Colombiana," landed the much-coveted role of Rue in "The Hunger Games." For those unfamiliar with the plot, Rue is the only fellow Hunger Games Tribute that Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) completely trusts. The two form a tight bond that should offer some of the best and most poignant scenes in the movie.
Where You'll See Her: On March 23, Stenberg will have her moment to shine as the lovely District 11 Tribute in "The Hunger Games." After that, the odds should be in her favor.

Film District

It's Academy Award Nominations Day, which means for every sure-thing nominee to applaud (go George Clooney!) or fan fave who squeaks in (woo hoo Melissa McCarthy!), there's a snub to bemoan (where's Albert Brooks?) or a huge surprise to marvel at (who's Demian Bichir?), and this year's list of Oscar hopefuls contains several shockers.

Before we start a month of predictions and odds-making, let's take a moment to point out the many ways the Academy missed the mark or pleasantly surprised us with their picks.

Paramount

Hugonian Domination

We hope Martin Scorsese thanks his wife this morning for demanding he make a movie their 12-year-old daughter could actually see. The Oscar winner's adaptation of a beloved children's book just scored an impressive 11 nominations in basically everything except the performance categories (most notable snubbing: Sir Ben Kingsley). Although it's highly the movie will sweep "Return of the King"-style, it's still a coup for the quintessential New Yorker's film to receive the most nominations of the year.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Nominated

After missing the deadline to be named in most of the critics' best-of-2011 lists and then being passed over for the Globes, it seemed Stephen Daldry's emotional adaptation would remain a tearjerker without any acclaim. But the Academy obviously responded to the 9/11 drama, particularly Max von Sydow's wordless performance; he's up for Best Supporting Actor. Even more surprising? The movie grabbed one of the coveted Best Picture spots.

Melissa McCarthy Better Pick Out Dress Again

Melissa McCarthy may not have nabbed a Golden Globes nomination for her hilariously scene-stealing performance in "Bridesmaids," but the Academy more than made up for the Hollywood Foreign Press' mistake. Not only is McCarthy scoring one for funny ladies everywhere, but she has proven pretending to poop is a fine art. She faces tough competition, but McCarthy is already a winner to us.

Albert Brooks Won't Need Driver

Despite receiving several accolades and award nominations for his surprisingly against-type role as a Los Angeles gangster in "Drive," Brooks was completely (and unforgivably) overlooked for the Academy Awards. We don't want to blame anyone, but it looks like Max von Sydow and/or Jonah Hill stole Brooks' place. And while we're complaining about Brook's lack of a nomination, it's a shame that Nicholas Winding Refn's beautifully acted critical darling isn't represented, save for a Best Sound Editing nod.

No Love for Genre Pics in Best Pic Category

Sony

Some movies just can't break out of their genres. Even with universally fabulous reviews, a ton of fans and stellar casts, movies like "Bridesmaids," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II" and "The Girl With the Drag Tattoo" were all frozen out of the Best Picture race. Is it because James Cameron didn't direct them? We'll never know, but we're still sad (especially about "Potter").

DiCaprio J.Snubbed

Leonardo DiCaprio is no stranger to the Academy Awards; he's been nominated three times, but this was not his year. The "J. Edgar" star's transformation into the legendary FBI head may have been a classic case of Clint Eastwood Oscar bait, but the Academy (for once) didn't bite. Sorry, Leo, but there's always 2013. If anything should earn you some Oscar gold, it's playing Jay Gatsby.

'Tree of Life' Has Enough Ardent Fans

Never underestimate how many Hollywood insiders adore Terrence Malick. The auteur's polarizing treatise on the meaning of life and family didn't score any Golden Globe nominations, but now it's competing in two major categories (Best Picture and Best Director), not just Cinematography as expected. And with its stars Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt nominated for other films, there will be plenty of 'Life' love on Oscars night.

Shailene Woodley Loses Inheritance

She had one of the biggest breakouts of 2011, but the young actress who went toe-to-toe with George Clooney will have to wait for an Academy Award nomination. Instead, the voters selected Jessica Chastain – ostensibly for "The Help," but probably for impressing audiences in "The Tree of Life" and "Take Shelter" as well last year.

Sony

Jonah Hill, Oscar Nominee

What a milestone year for Jonah Hill. Not only did he lose 40 pounds and join the elite list of men who can claim a Brad Pitt bromance, but he also received an Academy Award nomination for playing Pitt's geektastic sidekick in "Moneyball." And whether or not he goes home with Oscar gold (our money's on Christopher Plummer, who has yet to win), he's now got bragging rights over Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and the rest of his bros.

The Girl With the Oscar Nomination

Last year, Rooney Mara made waves for beating out scores of other Hollywood starlets to land the much-desired role of Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's Americanized take on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." This year, the 26-year-old actress proved she was the right woman for the job with an Academy Award nomination. We couldn't be more chuffed, because Mara killed as the badass private investigator, and we can't wait to see her play the mysteriously inked character again and again.

We Need to Talk About Tilda Swinton

Swinton's much lauded portrayal of maternal horror in the difficult-to-watch "We Need To Talk About Kevin" (even seasoned movie lovers like us found it cringe-inducing at times) must have been a little too hard for the Academy voters to screen, because Swinton was surprisingly left off the Best Actress list. We think Swinton's nomination went to Rooney Mara instead.

Hello Animated Features We've Never Heard Of

We're not sure what happened to "The Adventures of Tintin," but the nominations for Best Animated Feature included two films that have been completely off our radar: "A Cat in Paris" and "Chico & Rita." Both are foreign animated films ("Cat" is French, "Chico" Spanish), and now we'd love to figure out how to see them. True to its title, "Cat" follows a feline's adventures in Paris, while "Chico & Rita" is a love story about a pianist and a beautiful singer who meet in pre-Castro Havana.

Fassbender, Penis Joke Lovers Both Lose

Nothing would've made us happier than to see a repeat of George Clooney's Golden Globes speech, but alas, it's not meant to be at the Oscars. Maybe Academy voters are more conservative than their foreign press counterparts, because Michael Fassbender's brave and raw (read: full frontal) performance in "Shame" went unrewarded. Penis joke fans everywhere will have to hang their heads down low.

There Were Only Two Good Songs This Year?

Those of us hoping for round two of the Elton John vs. Madonna standoff will have to keep waiting. Neither the Material Girl's Golden Globe-winning "W.E." single, "Masterpiece," Sir Elton's "Gnomeo & Juliet" song, "Hello Hello," OR Mary J. Blige's "The Help" song, "The Living Proof," earned nominations. Don't get us wrong, we loved Bret McKenzie's philosophical "Muppets" anthem "Man or Muppet" and the catchy Brazilian tune "Real in Rio" from "Rio," but really, Academy – only two songs? Did someone lose the names of the other nominees?

Summit

Meet Demián Bichir

We don't want to brag or anything, but we've been fans of Demián since he played Mary Louise Parker's studly third husband, a Mexican politician and druglord, on "Weeds." In Chris Weitz' father-son drama "A Better Life," Bichir portrays a Mexican immigrant desperate to provide his teenage son with all the opportunities the U.S. has to offer. The powerful role earned Bichir career-making reviews, applauding his "quietly potent," "pitch-perfect" performance.

'Tintin' Makes No Motion

Despite its impressive pedigree, the motion-capture adaptation of the renowned European comic books didn't score any Oscar love. Even with two Academy Award-winning filmmakers at the helm, "Tintin" only earned one nomination: Best Score for John Williams (who unlike Spielberg, was also nominated for "War Horse").

Spielberg Loses Directing 'War'

The Academy loves Steven Spielberg, but apparently he canceled himself out with his two December releases. While it's no surprise "Tintin" didn't generate any award buzz for the legendary filmmaker, it's surprising that his six-time-nominated drama "War Horse" failed to earn Spielberg his 7th Best Director nomination. Since he's the movie's producer, however, he still has a chance to take home a trophy.

Oldman Quietly Sneaks In

Like his tightlipped British intelligence officer George Smiley in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Oldman quietly landed in the Best Actor's race. Understated performances are usually overshadowed by larger-than-life roles, so it's a pleasant surprise that Oldman finally (finally!) earned his first Academy Award nomination. We had to double-check that to be sure, since it seems so incomprehensible, but Oldman has never been nominated before this year. It's about time.

'W.E.' Is Academy-Approved

Many found the pair of Globe Globe nominations (for Best Original Song and Best Original Score) and subsequent win (for the former) for the Madonna written-and-directed "W.E." to be the usual case of Hollywood Foreign Press celebrity brownnosing. But the widely panned film has also made the cut at the Oscars – and no, it's not in a musical category, but rather for Best Costume Design. Will Madge still show?

Do Not Beware the 'Ides of March'

Well, OK, George Clooney's political drama did garner a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, but otherwise it didn't make quite the Oscar splash "Good Night, and Good Luck" did six years ago. But Clooney should be celebrating even if "Ides of March" didn't land more nods. Not only is he up for screenwriting, he's the frontrunner to win Best Actor.

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Theron Won't Three-Peat

Charlize Theron did a terrific job playing a terribly unlikable protagonist in "Young Adult," but her Golden Globe-nominated performance didn't get a chance at a happy ending come Oscar night. In fact, the Diablo Cody-penned, Jason Reitman-directed comedy must have been too snarky for the Academy, which shut out the movie altogether. If she's anything like her character Mavis, Theron will drown her sorrows in a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and some fast food.

Trent Reznor Does Not Score

Thanks to John Williams' double nominations for "Tintin" and "War Horse," several equally as deserving composers didn't get a nod this year, including "Harry Potter" scorer Alexandre Desplat (who also composed "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"), Dario Marianelli for "Jane Eyre" and Trent Reznor for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." It must've been too much to expect Reznor, who won last year for "The Social Network," to repeat. Our response: a full-throated Karen O. yell of disapproval!

Ryan Gosling 0-for-3

Rarely does an actor generate so much buzz for three such different and fantastic roles in a single year. Despite his photo-shopped abs and Method acting skills, Gosling still couldn't woo the Academy into honoring him with a nomination (we hoped for "Drive"). We're not sure why the Oscars haven't fallen for Gosling like the rest of us (well, except for his 2006 performance in "Half Nelson"), but he wuz robbed!

Kristen Wiig Is Oscar-Nominated

Even though we're disappointed that "Bridesmaids" didn't end up on the Best Picture list, at least it got two high-profile, well-deserved nominations: one for Melissa McCarthy and one for Kristen Wiig and her writing partner Annie Mumolo (you know, the terrified flier sitting next to Wiig on the doomed flight to Las Vegas) for Best Original Screenplay. If she wins, Wiig should return to Manhattan and treat her "SNL" peeps to one amazing after-party.

Ugh, And for the Last Time… No Harry Potter

We've saved our biggest disappointment for last: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" didn't score a Best Picture nomination (it did, however, score three technical nods). It isn't just because we're unabashed fans of the series or because it's the epic saga's final installment. It's because the movie is genuinely one of 2011's best, or should we say, magical, films, and it deserved to be recognized. As Entertainment Weekly said of the series finale, "the thrilling conclusion to a phenomenal cinematic story 10 years in the telling, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2' is proof that authentic movie excitement is its own form of magic." Amen.