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Separated at birth? Long-lost twins? Vague coincidence? It's all possible when actors look so alike they could be siblings.

Is that Zachary Quinto, the Chief Science Officer of "Star Trek Into Darkness," running from the horror of "Aftershock"? Ah, no, at second glance, that's actually Quinto's doppelganger, Eli Roth, the man who gave us "Cabin Fever" and shot Hitler full o' holes in "Inglourious Basterds."

Anyway, with "Aftershock" and the new "Trek" being released back-to-back, we figured this was the perfect time to match up our favorite Hollywood doubles as they compete for roles, attention and DNA. It's like looking into a mirror!

If you think your eyes are starting to play tricks on you, think of this like that Olsen Twins movie "It Takes Two," but without Steve Guttenberg.

Leighton Meester & Minka Kelly

Luscious "Gossip Girl" star Meester might be "Country Strong," but she more than met her match in Minka Kelly, who shone on "Friday Night Lights" as the lovely Lyla Garrity. The two of them actually got to face off, "Single White Female"-style, in 2011's horror thriller "The Roommate," when they entered freshman orientation together — but only one came out alive. Easy, ladies!

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Logan Marshall-Green & Tom Hardy

After the one-three punch of "Bronson," "Inception" and "Warrior," Tom Hardy was the hunk du jour in Hollywood, but now a nearly identical upstart is nipping at his heels. After treading the boards Off- (and occasionally Off-Off-) Broadway, relative newcomer (and NextFactor highlight) Logan Marshall-Green began wriggling his way to the big time last summer via Ridley Scott's "Prometheus." Of course, Hardy's Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises" could probably throat-punch an alien to death with his eyes closed.

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Carey Mulligan & Michelle Williams

It's all about the gorgeous swan-like necks. Carey and Michelle could not be more different as actors; the former has an old-school, boisterous lightness while the latter, in both real life and on film, is introspective, reserved, even ethereal. We almost did a double-take in 2011 when Mulligan was seen on screen with Williams' "Blue Valentine" sweetheart Ryan Gosling in "Drive."

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Javier Bardem & Jeffrey Dean Morgan

In their signature roles as Anton Chigurh in "No Country For Old Men" and The Comedian in "Watchmen," respectively, Bardem and Morgan pull off striking, bull-in-a-china-shop characters whose moral compasses have long since been flushed down the toilet. Oddly, strewn across their paths of destruction we find very real human fragments to latch onto ... and that's not on the page, it's in the performances. Still, we wouldn't want to run into either of these tough customers in a dark alley.

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Josh Duhamel & Timothy Olyphant

These doppelgangers have yet to cross paths on screen, but when they do, it's sure to be electric. Olyphant first captured our attention as the lead in HBO's foulmouthed fan-favorite "Deadwood," then graduated to playing men of dubious intent in flicks like "Live Free or Die Hard." Duhamel is more the average all-American Joe type, playing a soldier for the "Transformers" trilogy and romantic leads in fluff like "Safe Haven." Does the U.S. Marshal on "Justified" need a half-brother?

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Teresa Palmer & Kristen Stewart

Palmer has nearly nabbed roles in "Justice League," "Mad Max" and the "Spider-Man" movies, but this talented blonde will forever be in the shadow of her movie duplicate, Kristen Stewart. Despite different hair, they share a shocking resemblance. Palmer may be catching up to Stewart, though, as she recently starred as a human who swoons over a member of the undead (a zombie this time, in "Warm Bodies").

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Penélope Cruz & Paz Vega

When you first saw "Spanglish" (if you did at all), you might have been wondering how they decided to pair Penélope Cruz with Adam Sandler, of all people. Well, after careful examination of the credits, turns out it wasn't Cruz at all — *SHOCK* — but another gorgeous Spanish actress, Paz Vega. Only two years apart, these two need to get Pedro Almodóvar to write a movie where they're sisters, pronto. C'mon, Pedro, maybe sisters with a gay transvestite mother, hmm?

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Michael Cera & Jesse Eisenberg

When did nerds stop seeking revenge on their jock oppressors and start warring amongst each other? Okay, so technically these two haven't directly engaged in combat, verbal or Thunderdome-style ... but there are still many who believe that when it comes to Cera & Eisenberg, two men enter, one man leaves. Despite the current Jesse-positive climate thanks to that little "The Social Network" movie and the upcoming "Now You See Me," these are both super-young dudes with plenty of awkwardness left to give.

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Chris Hemsworth & Chris Pine

Playing father and son in 2009's "Star Trek" may have tipped these two Chrises off that they kinda sorta look alike. Hemsworth made his film debut playing James T. Kirk's ill-fated papa George for a scant few minutes, but it gave him the oomph he needed to impress the Marvel brass to pin him as The God of Freakin' Thunder, "Thor." Pine had to delicately dance around the iconic Shatner characterizations to make the Starship Enterprise his own, but he did, and has been unstoppable ever since.

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Zachary Quinto & Eli Roth

Pine's pointy-eared shipmate Spock was almost always a lock for Quinto, whom fans immediately pegged as a dead-on lookalike for Leonard Nimoy after he made his name on "Heroes." But Zachary also resembles our favorite bloodthirsty writer-director Eli Roth. When he's not hanging out in cabins or hostels, Roth occasionally moonlights on-screen for pals like Quentin Tarantino, for whom he relished machine-gunning Hitler in "Inglourious Basterds."

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Zooey Deschanel & Katy Perry

Now that Katy Perry is acting (she played super-hot Smurfette in "The Smurfs") and divorced from a famous husband, there may literally be nothing that separates her from her big-eyed mirror-image, Zooey Deschanel. Though Perry may be the bigger musical superstar for now, the swoon-worthy "New Girl" has been known to belt it out when she performs as one-half of She & Him, so watch out, Katy.

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Alan Cumming & Paul Reubens

And speaking of Smurfs, we finally found two fellas who have come to terms with their lookalike status by agreeing to be in the same movie. In "The Smurfs" Reubens played the gag-gifting Jokey Smurf, while Cumming portrayed the newest character, Gutsy Smurf. Although these were voice-only roles, it was only a matter of time before these two get together for realsies (like they did at the "Pee-Wee" premiere on Broadway). Maybe if the show reopens, Cumming could appear as the depressive younger brother, WeePee Herman, who cries a lot?

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Originally published February 2, 2011.

Focus Features

Changing appearances for the sake of entertainment is nothing new in Hollywood; it's all part of the gig. But when professional heartthrob Ryan Gosling tweaks his look, disgruntled fans are going to have something to say about it.

In "The Place Beyond the Pines," Gosling sports a bleach-blond 'do for his role as a motorcycle racer-turned-bank robber. As photos started surfacing during the film's production, people were wondering what the heck was going on with his hair. Serious drama.

But since Gosling isn't the first to drastically dye his hair for a film, we rounded up a few other male counterparts who didn't necessarily pull off going blond, to make him (and everyone else) feel a little better about it.

Javier Bardem, 'Skyfall'

MGM

Lucky for Bardem, the character of Raoul Silva in the 007 flick was just as eerie as his haircut and color. Some called it "deliciously wicked," while others compared him to characters like Stuart Smalley on SNL. The only real travesty about Bardem's golden locks in "Skyfall," though, was that he was snubbed from getting a golden trophy for his performance as one of the creepiest villains ever.
Better or Worse Blond: If we had to choose between his hair in this film or "No Country For Old Men," Silva wins by a skyfall … er, landslide.

Nicolas Cage, 'Drive Angry'

Dimension

In "Drive Angry," Cage escapes from Hell to vindicate his daughter's murder and find his kidnapped granddaughter. Maybe because he came from Hell, there was a need to make him look like it, too, because when Cage showed up to WonderCon back in 2010 with fried, shoulder-length blond hair, the masses were asking, "WTF?" Internet polls on his new look surfaced soon after, but the Washington Post nailed it when they suggested the "hair-do was no 'National Treasure.'"
Better or Worse Blond: Uh, worse.

Wesley Snipes, 'Demolition Man'

Warner Bros.

Wesley Snipes may have played the ultra-violent Simon Phoenix in "Demolition Man," but he gave some people a hearty laugh thanks to his unfortunate coiffe in the film. Named one of the "worst celebrity blond hair moments" ever, one critic couldn't get in enough ROTFLs when talking about Snipes' "Demolition" hair.
Better or Worse Blond: Oomph. Worse.

Bradley Cooper, 'Hit & Run'

Open Road

Obviously, Cooper's bleached dreadlocks in "Hit & Run" weren't taken into consideration when he was voted "Sexiest Man Alive." Playing a bank robber with terrible style (yellow-tinted sunglasses included), one has to wonder what's up with giving the bad guys a crappy blond look. Chalking it up to a casting choice by Dax Shepherd, one website said he had "a lot to answer for" after making Cooper so "unrecognizable."
Better or Worse Blond: Way, way worse.

Jared Leto, 'Fight Club'

Fox

Everything about "Fight Club" is so badass that even when Jared Leto appeared as Angel Face with his platinum hair and eyebrows, it wasn't as much of a shock as it was with those who've done it before him. While no one seemed to mind the change in hair or brow color — especially since he tends to be a chameleon on-screen and on-stage — it really didn't matter since his face was bashed in so hard during one fight scene that anything else was barely noticeable.
Better or Worse Blond: Factoring in the broken nose and non-existent eyebrows, worse.

Robert Downey Jr. & Jack Black, 'Tropic Thunder'

Paramount

Downey Jr. had a lot more going on in "Tropic Thunder" than just switching up his hair color. After starting off as a blond white guy, his character completely changed skin color in order to score the black male lead in a Vietnam War film. Debatable which way he looked better, but Downey Jr. may have been trumped by Jack Black's platinum spiked 'do. Maybe Black should've kept his hair blond long past the film's wrap, because his makeover had him being compared to the likes of David Beckham and Brad Pitt.
Better or Worse Blond: Downey — meh. Black — if it makes him look like Beckham or Pitt, then better.

Matt Damon, 'Invictus'

Warner Bros.

In "Invictus," Damon plays the captain of a South African Rugby team that he leads to victory. He bulked up and dyed his hair for the role, but apparently his hair wasn't up to par with what "Rugby Hair" should be, and there's even a site dedicated to just that. Questioning whether Damon perfected the right hair for the part, RugbyHair.com criticized him for not getting the "post match brushed-forward, tuft-on-top, blond hair with natural dark roots" look at all.
Better or Worse Blond: Worse, only because the experts over at Rugby Hair say he did it all wrong.

Peter Facinelli, 'Twilight'

Summit

If it's one thing that stood out from the pale skin and awkward eye color in the "Twilight" films, it was the shock of all that plus the color of Peter Facinelli's hair. During an interview, he admitted he'd never gone that blond for a role, saying, "When I was blond ... a lot of the guys wanted to kick my ass. You look like a pansy, and you could tell I was in the salon for six hours."
Better or Worse Blond: So much worse. Avoid the ass-kicking, Fac, and never do it again.

Kellan Lutz, 'Syrup'

CaughtOnSet.com

Long gone is the pale, dark vampire Emmett Cullen. For his upcoming role in "Syrup," a drama about a marketing grad who comes up with a million-dollar concept, Lutz switched gears and hit the other end of the color spectrum. Taking it to back in the day, he drew comparisons to Justin Timberlake's *NSync moments of frosty tipped curls, even getting called a "hot mess" after stepping out with a blond 'fro.
Better or Worse Blond: He looks good blond, but the curls have to go.

Guy Pearce, 'Memento'

Newmarket

It may seem unfair to focus on hair in "Memento" when there are so many brilliant other things about the Christopher Nolan thriller, but regardless of what Pearce looked like, the film was a success. 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes? Check. Oscar noms? Check. Guy Pearce giving an awesome performance, regardless of bad hair? Check.
Better or Worse Blond: Worse.

Tom Felton, 'Harry Potter'

Warner Bros.

It's almost hard to imagine what Tom Felton, aka Draco Malfoy, looks like outside of his glorious platinum evilness. Having played Potter's bully for close to ten years, Felton was pretty much locked to bleached blondness for a long, long time. He even said that he'd been dying his hair for so long, he "couldn't remember" its natural color. Consensus rules: one poll voted him 68 percent better as a blond.
Better or Worse Blond: We're used to it, and agree with the masses. Better.

Ryan Reynolds, 'Paper Man'

MPI Media Group

The other Canadian Ryan bleached his hair long before Gosling had to. Prior to his days as the Green Lantern, Reynolds played an imaginary superhero with an interesting getup in "Paper Man." And just like Gosling, he can also claim Emma Stone as a co-star ... she, too, had a role in the forgotten film. While no one knows what happened to "Paper Man" after it played the festival circuit, Slash Film seemed to find Reynolds "goofy," but "super-charming as the bleach-blond and spandex-clad superhero."
Better or Worse Blond: Worse.

Josh Hutcherson, 'The Hunger Games'

Lionsgate

Peeta's blondness wasn't going to change just because a dark-haired actor was cast in the book-to-movie role. So when Josh Hutcherson stepped out with his hair all light and whatnot, no one was quite sure how to feel about the fake-looking dye job. Acceptable or not, Hutcherson bleached it all over again for the next film in the "Hunger Games" series, "Catching Fire."
Better or Worse Blond: Call it a draw.

Chris Hemsworth, 'Thor'

Marvel Films

The Australian Hemsworth is already fair-haired, so there weren't many complaints about the long bleached locks he sported to play the Marvel Comics superhero. In fact, he — and many others — liked it enough that Hemsworth did it again for both "The Avengers" and the upcoming "Thor: The Dark World."
Better or Worse Blond: Hemsworth looks good regardless. Biased? Maybe.

Brad Pitt, 'Troy'

Warner Bros.

The real battle may be between the two blond muscle men of "Troy" and "Thor"; Pitt's Achilles could easily give the mighty Asgard warrior a run for his money. Even though he didn't stray too far from his usual golden-boy good looks, Pitt didn't win over everyone with his "Troy" makeover. In a Guardian poll, Pitt's bleached hair was considered less than godly and voted lowest on the list of his "Best Cuts."
Better or Worse Blond: Super spray tan + platinum hair = too much to handle. Worse.

The new trailer for Terrence Malick's latest impressionistic meditation on love, life and nature has just arrived courtesy of Apple Trailers, but you may want to take your Dramamine, because it has so many majestically swooping shots that you'll probably get motion sickness just watching it.

Are you ready to go "To the Wonder"?

Starring the hottest superstar in Hollywood right now, Ben Affleck, "To the Wonder" tells the story of a handsome Oscar winner (Affleck, who must have gazed upon his "Good Will Hunting" statue for inspiration) who falls for a foreign beauty (Olga Kurylenko) while in France. She then comes to America to be with him, which is great except for the part where he starts to get involved with an old flame again instead (Rachel McAdams). And there's also a priest (Javier Bardem) for some reason.

So what can you actually expect from "To the Wonder?" Well, based on Malick's last work, "Tree of Life," you can expect some of the most amazingly beautiful cinematography ever. You can also expect a story that may or may not make any sense or, in fact, even be a story; the cast actually worked without a script, with Malick piecing together a "story" in the editing room later.

That explains why performances by A-list actors like Jessica Chastain, Michael Sheen, Barry Pepper, Rachel Weisz and Amanda Peet were all cut from the film, apparently in favor of more stunning shots of France's iconic landmark Mont Saint-Michel. The trailer looks great. But is it a movie, or just the coolest interactive screensaver ever made?

Check it out and decide for yourself.

MGM

This week: Daniel Craig returns as 007 in arguably the best Bond film ever (or at least in decades), "Skyfall," co-starring Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw.

Also new this week is the coming-of-age drama "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" with Emma Watson, RZA trying to do Quentin Tarantino proud in "The Man with the Iron Fists" and the sexually frank drama "The Sessions" starring Helen Hunt.

'Skyfall'

MGM

Box Office: $303 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% Fresh
Storyline: Daniel Craig returns as James Bond in this 23rd installment of the longest-running film franchise in history. This time Bond's loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested when a mysterious man from her past, Silva (Javier Bardem), threatens to destroy her. With security compromised, M is forced to relocate MI6 as her position is challenged by the new chairman of the intelligence and security committee (Ralph Fiennes). M is left with only one ally she can trust, 007, and they follow a trail that reveals Silva's hidden motives as well as details about Bond's past.
Extras! The Blu-ray contains over a dozen featurettes about the Bond women, car, villains and more, plus commentary by director Sam Mendes and footage of the "Skyfall" premiere.
We Say: If there is one Bond to rule them all, one could argue that this highest-grossing installment that was nearly universally praised is it. Following the lackluster "Quantum of Solace," "Skyfall" dazzles with gorgeous cinematography, a popular theme song by Adele and a loaded story about M and the fate of MI6. We're also treated with field agent Eve (Naomie Harris) and a new Q (Ben Whishaw), plus Bardem's Silva, one of the creepiest, most memorable Bond villains ever. If this 007 adventure doesn't leave you shaken and stirred — and even a little moved at the end — then the Bond universe is not for you. This is top-shelf 007.

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Summit

Box Office: $18 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% Fresh
Storyline: Author Stephen Chobsky adapted his book for the screen and directs this coming-of-age drama about a freshman loner, Charlie (Logan Lerman), who finds solace with two fellow outcasts: the school's gay class clown, Patrick (Ezra Miller), and his eccentric stepsister, Sam (Emma Watson). When the sad truth behind Charlie's loneliness is revealed, Sam makes sure he finds a safe haven on their "island of misfit toys."
Extras! Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain two audio tracks, deleted scenes, uncut dailies and a short promotional featurette titled "Best Summer Ever."
We Say: John Hughes movies like "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink" are over 20 years old now, so the time is right for a rebirth of the sincere, heartfelt coming-of-age drama instead of the cynical, trashy teen movies that we've gotten lately. Since Chobsky was in the unique position of having control of his story from printed page to screen, the writer-director brings these believable, richly drawn characters to life like no one else could have done.

'The Man with the Iron Fists'

Universal

Box Office: $16 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 50% Rotten
Storyline: Quentin Tarantino presents this action adventure inspired — like many of Tarantino's own films — by classic kung fu movies. When the Emperor's gold is hijacked, every martial arts warrior, assassin and hired gun in China fights to claim the fortune in this movie directed by and starring RZA as the titular character. Also appearing are Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, David Bautista, Jamie Chung, Cung Le and Bryon Mann.
Extras!: Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain deleted scenes, "On the Set with RZA" and a couple of two-minute behind-the-scenes promo pieces.
We Say: The unrated version has all the over-the-top kung fu violence and gore you would expect from a "Quentin Tarantino presents" title that is directed by a rapper. Unfortunately, RZA also provides the leaden narration throughout the movie that immediately takes you out of the period — as does the rap music, which RZA also helpfully provides. On a superficial level, RZA gets what made the Bride's battle with the Crazy 88s in the House of Blue Leaves in "Kill Bill" so memorable, but look beneath the surface of "The Man with the Iron Fists" and the characters are as questionable as the wire work on display.

'The Sessions'

Fox Searchlight

Box Office: $6 million
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Fresh
Storyline: John Hawkes stars as poet and journalist Mark O'Brien, a man who has been paralyzed and confined to an iron lung since childhood. Now 38, Mark decides to lose his virginity with the help of a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt) and the blessing of his priest (William H. Macy) in this drama directed by Ben Lewin.
Extras!: Both the DVD and Blu-ray contain "John Hawkes Becomes Mark O'Brien," "Helen Hunt as the Sex Surrogate," "The Women Who Loved Mark O'Brien," deleted scenes, "Writer/Director Ben Lewin Finds Inspiration" and "A Session with the Cast."
We Say: Most movies have such a juvenile, glamorized attitude towards sex, but this is not one of them. "The Sessions" approaches its difficult subject with refreshing honesty and should be applauded for its frankness and Hunt's fearless performance. That said, there are some things you simply can't unsee no matter how noble the intentions, so each viewer must decide if seeing Hunt continually disrobe and have sexual contact with a paralyzed character is a memory one wants to cherish forever.

Also New This Week:

"Silent Hill: Revelation"
"Bully"
"Smiley"
"The Thieves"
"Kill for Me"
"Dangerous Liaisons" (2012)
"Mimesis"

Redbud

Director Terrence Malick is known for tugging at heartstrings with his humanist cinematic prose, and it looks like he's put together some more that existential magic with his newest pic, "To the Wonder."

The first trailer for the film rings a familiar bell for those of us who watched his poetic "Tree of Life" last year. Only, rather than utilizing dinosaurs and the cosmos to illustrate the frailty of life, he's employed the use of vast open fields and a multitude of close-ups to intimate the theme of love and all its forms.

The story centers around Neil (Ben Affleck), a man who reconnects with a childhood friend named Jane (Rachel McAdams) after he and his wife Marina (Olga Kurylenko) suffer some marital woes on their visit to Oklahoma. Marina, meanwhile, gets friendly with a priest (Javier Bardem) who's beginning to doubt his own vows.

Lots of running, kissing, crying and farm animals accompany Bardem's voiceover speech which declares, "You shall love. Whether you like it or not. Emotions, they come and go like clouds. Love is not only a feeling. You shall love. To love is to run the risk of failure, the risk of betrayal, you fear your love has died. It is perhaps waiting to be transformed into something higher. Awaken the divine presence which sleeps in each man, each woman. Know eachother in that love it never changes."

"To the Wonder" debuted at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and will land in theaters on April 12, 2013. Better bring tissues.

And, since it's Thanksgiving and all, we feel it's high time we took a moment to give thanks for those things (and people!) that have made this year so epically special.

So, without further ado...

1. 'Magic Mike,' for bringing sexy back.

2. Ben Affleck, for growing up to be a damn fine director. Who'd a guessed it?

3. Robert Pattinson, for teaching us what it looks like to truly feel.

 

4. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, for being super-cute and super-cool at the same time.

5. Javier Bardem, for being one of the Best. Bond. Villains. Ever.

6. The riff-off! (From 'Pitch Perfect')

 

7. The Hulk, for smashing.

8. Stephen Chbosky, for adapting and directing his own book, and thus making a near-perfect film.

9. Bruce Willis, for always looking so darn confused.

 

10. Bill Murray, for his various offscreen cameos around the world.

11. 'Twilight,' for ending.

12. 'John Carter,' for being such a great punchline.

 

13. Ryan Gosling, for living.

Columbia

Technically speaking, Daniel Craig is the star of the newest James Bond installment, "Skyfall." You could make the argument that Javier Bardem, as the joyfully wicked villain,  deserves equal billing. But having seen the movie, it's clear that the real star of "Skyfall" is Javier Bardem's bleached blond hair.

Behold: So vanilla-colored. So unfashionably-styled. So makes us want to see Javier Bardem in a variety of other amazing hairstyles.

Like Justin Bieber's:

And Chloe Moretz's from "Kick-Ass":

Maybe the shower scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"?

And John Travolta's from "Hairspray":

And everyone looks great with Conan O'Brien's hair:

... and Aretha Franklin's hat:

But Javier's best look is always... Javier.

Getty Images / NextMovie

Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem. How to choose?

We here at NextMovie were scratching our heads on this one, so we figured we'd bring the conversation to you. Welcome to "Eff, Marry, Kill: 'Skyfall' Edition."

This game goes exactly how you think it does — we want you to determine which actor you'd like to spend the rest of your days with, whose days you'd like to end for good and which one you'd enjoy (or suffer through, as the case may be) spending one single night with.

Because such decisions are so difficult, we've asked a few of our buds to weigh in. Hit the poll below and hear thoughts from our experts underneath. And don't forget to give us your thoughts in the comments!

Breanne L. Heldman, Senior Editor, NextMovie

This is a little difficult for me, I must confess. The idea of getting it on with Voldemort kind of excites me, but, given the field here, I think I'm going to have kill Ralph Fiennes. Daniel Craig is really sexy, but who is he really? I think we're going to have just one evening together. I'm certain it'll be unforgettably magical. That means I'm marrying Javier Bardem. I'm looking forward to that. He may play some seriously creepy villains — "Skyfall" being no exception — but the man always looks like he smells so good. Plus, photos of him, Penelope Cruz and their baby always show them all looking so happy. I do, Javier. Yes, I do.

Amy Wilkinson, Editor, MTV's Hollywood Crush

MGM

To start, please let the record reflect my unbridled outrage over the snubbing of Ben Whishaw (otherwise known as gadget guru Q). Oh, what wedded bliss we'd share! What well-coiffed children we'd have! Sigh. Moving on… I have a hard time imagining any red-blooded woman assigning Daniel Craig to a role other than horizontal tango partner. Do you remember those blue booty shorts? Of course you do! I'd lie back and think of England with him any time. And though Javier Bardem is an equally gifted actor, he does nothing for my heart or my loins. Nothing. Sorry, Javier, it looks like I'm going to have to do away with you. Which leaves Ralph Fiennes as my default husband — something I could be okay with. I've only seen one of the "Harry Potter" films (I know! I know!), but that means he holds no villainous preoccupations in my mind. Also, one could do much worse than a proper English gentlemen who'll brew you unlimited pots of Earl Grey and always remember to TiVo "Downton Abbey."

Brooke Tarnoff, Senior Editor, NextMovie

Is it weird how easy I find this? First off, with no hesitation whatsoever, we’ll kill Ralph Fiennes. I’m sorry. I’m sure he’s the absolute nicest man. But he murdered Harry Potter’s mother – and Severus Snape, for God’s sake. I don’t really see a way past that.  Daniel Craig is a very attractive man, but frankly, he looks like the kind of guy who will tell me that yes, my ass does look big in these jeans.  The qualities that make a great Bond don’t make a great husband, unless you like fast cars and martinis more than you like a man who’ll help in the kitchen and take out the damn trash without being asked. But Javier Bardem and I have many years of happiness ahead of us. That smile! That accent! That willingness to take out the trash (I assume)!

Getty Images

After years of building her career on French television, Bérénice Marlohe has now hit international stardom with her role as the sultry Bond girl Séverine in "Skyfall."

The daughter of a French mother and Cambodian/Chinese father, her exotic look is tailor-made for the franchise that loves its women tall, dark and sexy. In the film she not only gets to share a steamy shower scene with Daniel Craig but also swap spit with Javier Bardem, who plays the film's villain.

Here we chat with the lovely Marlohe about the disadvantages of being a Bond girl and why Facebook stalking sometimes has its advantages.

Were you familiar with the Bond films before auditioning?
Yes. I feel I've been connected to the Bond universe for a long time. For me they are like cartoons in how powerful they are in terms of imagination and originality. I also felt a connection with the music, I respond a lot to music. A lot of people for many years would tell me, "Oh, you should be a Bond girl," so when I heard they were doing auditions for "Skyfall" I searched out for the contacts of the people involved in the casting. I managed to find Sam Mendes' agent on Facebook.

MGM

You Facebook-stalked Mendes' agent?
[Laughs] Yeah. I sent my reel everywhere and finally I got to meet the casting director and then I met Sam and then Daniel. So it was a long process and I felt that the long process I had in France of auditioning for roles for years really prepared me for this. So when Sam told me I was chosen, I was really peaceful. Like a feeling that everything was going the way they had to be. A big feeling of peace.

Do you have a favorite Bond girl?
One that I remember particularly is Famke Janssen in "GoldenEye" because she was very funny and had a great confidence and I loved that in an actor, to take risks and create something unconventional or funny. So she's the one I think of the most.

Also Check Out: Every Bond Girl Ever

How are the Bond films portrayed in France? Are they as big as here or England?
Yes. People really love it. You grew up on the Bond films because they were always on TV. I think the first one I saw was "A View to a Kill" with Christopher Walken and Grace Jones.

Did it take time to build chemistry with Daniel Craig?
I felt comfortable from the beginning. I had a lot of laughs with Daniel and Sam right away. It was amazing because you have to try to forget what the stakes are and just act when you're auditioning, and having a comfort with them really helped. I felt safe.

MGM

You have a playful yet powerful scene in the casino scene with Craig in the movie. Did you do a lot of variations of the scene?
We spent three days for that scene. But not only the moment when we're at the bar, but every shot for the sequence was different actually. It was great to play across a great actor like Daniel because it's full of surprises and you work moment to moment.

You also have a scene with Javier Bardem. Who's more down-to-earth off-screen, Bardem or Craig?
They were both like that. That is what I liked. I feel that talent comes with humility and it was just the case for both of them. They are very grounded and very funny. Of course, I had more scenes with Daniel so I got to know him better.

Has your life changed since becoming a Bond girl?
Of course. The main positive change for me is now I have an agent. [Laughs] After years and years. I have received very interesting scripts and this is a new thing for me. It's very exciting.

Also Check Out: Q&A With Naomie Harris

What's the negative change?
What's very strange is you realize how some people are very passionate with these characters and the films and to see that some people judge you right away before they have seen you perform. To state if you will be a good actor or not, it's immediate judgment and it's strange. This is what is disturbing for me.

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What will we see you in next?
I have two American independent movies coming up. The big fantasy I've had as an actor for a long time is to portray the characters that are usually portrayed by a male. So thanks to this movie I will have the opportunity to do that.

Mac or PC?
Mac.

Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?
None.

Beer or wine?
I don't drink a lot but maybe a little bit of wine with good cheese.

Rock or rap?
Both.

Crepes or French Fries?
Crepes!

MGM

It's been four long years since 007 did his thang in "Quantum of Solace," so, for the new film "Skyfall," James Bond is finally showing signs of physical fatigue. Only took him 23 movies!

This time Bond (Daniel Craig) has been knocked out of commission after sustaining an injury in the line of duty. Presumed dead, he's back in action after MI6 is attacked by a lethal former operative named Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). Famous characters such as Q and others we won't spoil for you make a welcome return in an installment that's already a global smash.

1. "That's my name, girl, word is bond."

2. In the extended cut of the film, James Bond goes back to the train tracks and finds his missing cuff link.

3. Dammit, Javier Bardem! Stop throwing trains at people!

4. Ooops! Naomie Harris is gonna have to call a Mulligan on that one.

Getty Images

UPDATE: It's back to the drawing board for Ron Howard and 'The Dark Tower" as Warner Bros. has officially passed on the proposed multi-tier project, according to Heat Vision.

The ultra-ambitious package, based on the series of western fantasy novels by Stephen King had Ron Howard attached to direct and Brian Grazer producing a script from Akiva Goldsman. It was to consist of three movies and two TV miniseries.

Universal turned down "The Dark Tower" last year and now Warner Bros. has followed suit - even with the extra added incentive of WB favorite Russell Crowe being mentioned for the lead role of Roland Deschain.

There is still hope that the "Tower" may rise, though, as Deadline reports that Media Rights Capital is now in serious talks to take on what WB turned down. Stay tuned, all ye low men in yellow coats ...

--------------------

Is Russell Crowe preparing to ascend the seemingly insurmountable Stephen King adaptation?

The multi-part film adaptation of King's "The Dark Tower" series is emerging from its own rubble as director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer are attempting to bring the project back to life ... and this time with their "A Beautiful Mind" star, according to Deadline.

"The Dark Tower" seemed all but demolished when Universal Pictures dropped out of financing the massive project that follows the epic adventures of Roland Deschain, the last living member of a knightly order of gunslingers — and humanity's last hope. King's sprawling sci-fi/ fantasy/ western tale spans over seven novels, with the mythology being further explored via several splinter chapters and characters appearing in other King novels and short stories.

Javier Bardem, who plays the villain in the upcoming 007 adventure, "Skyfall," was originally attached to play Deschain, but is no longer involved now that the project is being courted at Warner Bros. Akiva Goldsman will soon be delivering his new draft of the first installment, "The Gunslinger," and the studio will make the call on whether they're going to shell out the cash from there.

Crowe makes for a good ace card in this procedure. He's got a good track record with Howard and Grazer thanks to "A Beautiful Mind" and he's in good with WB due to his upcoming turn as Jor-El in Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel." Russell Crowe, Stephen King, a great story and a (hopefully) managable budget, not to mention a pitch that probably now goes something like, "It's kind of like 'Game of Thrones'"? How could Warner bros. say no?

Stay tuned as Ron Howard and company look to build "The Dark Tower" once again.

Originally published on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 at 10:11 p.m. ET.

Columbia Pictures

For centuries now, Chicken Little has been predicting the imminent collapse of the sky -- and this fall, that prediction finally comes true. But don't worry, because when "Skyfall" arrives in theaters this November, humanity is in safe hands thanks to the presence of 007 himself, James Bond.

Check out our ultimate guide to Everything We Know About "Skyfall" So Far. And get ready, because this is one story that may not have a fairy tale ending.

Release Date: Nov. 9

Star Power: Daniel Craig returns for his third go-around as Bond, James Bond. But Craig isn't the only big name in "Skyfall." Besides fellow 007 stalwart Judi Dench, the 23rd Bond film also features Lord Voldemort himself, Ralph Fiennes, as well as Javier Bardem. Looks like Craig could be in for a real battle this time, friend-o.

Next Factor: For many fans, a new Bond film means one thing: a new Bond girl. This time, that honor goes to French actress Bérénice Marlohe, whose profile stateside is about to get a major boost. Still, the real breakout star may just be British actor Ben Whishaw, who will be playing the new, younger Q, Bond's right-hand gadget man. Whishaw has been getting rave reviews for his acting chops since he broke into the business a decade ago, but this is his first big role, and we're expecting big things.

Behind the Camera: Bond films are usually more about who's in front of the camera than who's behind it, but "Skyfall" may be an exception thanks to the presence of Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. Mendes may be best known for films like "American Beauty" and Revolutionary Road," but he also shot the moody gangland action piece "Road to Perdition," which starred a then-unknown Daniel Craig as one of the bad guys. With Mendes in charge, you can expect "Skyfall" to be more than just stunts and plot twists.

Also Check Out: 50 Years of Bond Vehicles

Movie Math: "The Bourne Ultimatum" ÷ "Layer Cake" x "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" = "Skyfall"

Backstory:  After the worldwide box office success of Craig's first two outings as Bond in "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace," a third film in the 007 relaunch seemed like a no-brainer. But when MGM went bankrupt in late 2009, "Skyfall" was put on hold indefinitely, raising the dire prospect that Craig would have to be replaced when -- and if -- the movie was ever filmed. Luckily, after a year in limbo, MGM was able to work things out, putting "Skyfall" back on track. Even Blofeld never came so close to finally defeating MI6.

Columbia Pictures

In a Nutshell: Dame Judi Dench's M takes center stage in "Skyfall" when dark secrets from her past return to threaten MI6 and the whole of Western civilization. Bond has to decide where his true loyalties lie: with the company, or with his mentor? Rumor has it that this will be Dench's last appearance in the franchise, with Fiennes reportedly set to take over as the new M, so expect much of the focus to be on Bond's relationships with both.

The Buzz: Considering how popular the Craig version of Bond has been, you'd think buzz would be overwhelmingly positive for "Skyfall." But producers stepped in it earlier this year when it was revealed that, thanks to a new product placement deal with Heineken, 007 is going to be seen pounding back a brewski rather than sipping his usual martini, shaken not stirred. Still, it appears to be little more than a tempest in a mini-keg; by the time November rolls around, we expect even the most fanatical vodka supporters to be primed for some Bond action.

Why We're Psyched: What's not to love about Craig kicking butt, driving expensive cars and saving the world via watch lasers, parkour and well-timed romantic aggression? Sure, "Quantum of Solace" was a bit all over the map (literally as well as figuratively), but with Mendes on board we have no doubt that "Skyfall" is going to be top-notch as well as the perfect sendoff for Dench, who's the lone carryover from Pierce Brosnan's tenure as Bond. Sorry, Chicken Little, but you've got this one wrong: The sky is the limit for the 23rd Bond film.

'Skyfall' Photos

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You know who's awesome? James Bond. And do you know what's even more awesome? A visit to the set of his latest movie, "Skyfall."

Lucky for the gang at MTV, they got to do exactly that. And, of course, while they were there, they managed to chat with 007 himself, Daniel Craig, about the character's emotional journey (don't worry — it still involves some serious badassery) and relationships with the ladies. They also talked to the latest villain, Javier Bardem, and hot new Bond babe, Berenice Marlohe.

Like we said, lucky. You can check out all the videos at MTV.com, making you pretty darn lucky as well.

Getty Images

W Magazine Editor Lynn Hirschberg sat down with several of the big awards contenders this year and asked them a very straightforward question: "What movie made you cry?"

What she got was a lot of surprising answers, including from Mr. Cool, George Clooney, who cried at perennial tearjerkers "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Old Yeller." The latter is ironic since they also interviewed Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier from "The Artist" whose 2 weird spasms seemed to indicate he liked "Around the World in 80 Days."

Albert Brooks also chose a scene from "Wonderful Life," while Javier Bardem, who killed dozens of people with a cattle gun in "No Country For Old Men," balls his eyes out at "Bambi." He's not alone in Disney-induced sadness, as Colin Firth picked "Dumbo," Shailene Woodley "WALL-E," and Melissa McCarthy teared-up at "Up." James Franco is a sucker for "Steel Magnolias," and Natalie Portman sheds tears for Macaulay Culkin in "My Girl."

Perhaps the best response came from Uggie's "Artist" co-star, Jean Dujardin, who chose the 1969 Claude Lelouch romance "Un homme qui me plait," if only because he sounds so damn French talking about it.

"Da clothes-up honor med me cry because Jean-Paul Belmondo nevor comes," says Dujardin.

See them all at WMagazine.com.

View Gallery »

Hollywood relishes burying beautiful A-list stars underneath layers of latex sags and wrinkles, wispy wigs, milky contacts and age spots. Apparently nothing says "searing drama" like seeing your favorite actor or actress wither before your eyes.

We're not sure what saggy sights await us this season beyond Leonardo DiCaprio in "J. Edgar," but in honor of his Hoover jowls, we've created a gallery of Hot People Looking Old. Enjoy ... and maybe go buy some age-defying cream after viewing. You’ll feel better.

Getty Images

She's fought zombies in "28 Days Later" and pirates in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," but Naomie Harris' latest role pits her against her greatest opponent yet: seduction.

The 34-year-old actress has been cast as M's assistant, Moneypenny, the object of Bond's flirtatious advances,  in Sam Mendes' upcoming "Bond 23" (via IndieWire).

The iconic character, which has appeared in 20 previous Bond films and two TV specials, has been played in the past by actresses Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss, Samantha Bond, Barbara Bouchet, and Pamela Salem.

While Moneypenny has not appeared in "Casino Royale," or "Quantum of Solace,"  the two most recent Bond films starring Daniel Craig as 007, she won't be the only new addition to the cast; Ralph Fiennes has reportedly signed on as a "darkly complex" character, while Javier Bardem tackles the role of the film's villain.

While Moneypenny's role as a true "Bond Girl" has been debated due to the lack of a sexual relationship between her and Bond, perhaps Harris will turn the tides. And, regardless of how she plays the role, at the very least, we can expect a little more believability (and dignity) than our favorite Bond bombshell, nuclear physicist Dr. Christmas Jones (played by Denise Richards), who ruined Christmas for all of us when she came more than once that year.

"Bond 23" starts filming later this year and is scheduled for release on November 9th, 2012

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It seems that Javier Bardem is confirmed to be a Stephen King character... sort of.

Producer Brian Grazer told MTV News that the academy award-winning  actor is "psychologically" confirmed to play the role of Roland Deschain in the eagerly awaited "The Dark Tower" series.

"He really wants to do it," said Glazer. "We're absolutely rooting for him to do it."

Check out the MTV Movies blog for the full deets on Bardem's "Dark Tower" casting chances.

Getty Images

Oh Justin Bieber, how your flowing tresses have enraptured and mesmerized a generation. With every insouciant and casual flip of your hair, an angel gets his wings, a cripple miraculously walks and a million teenage girls update their Facebook profiles accordingly.

But sir, your plagiarism, previously undetected, ends here. Your wind-swept mane -- now inspiring awe at movie theaters in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" -- has been a cinematic style going on 50 years and we have the proof. Behold a chronological history of Bieber hair in the movies.

The Beatles - Every Beatles Movie (1960s)

They weren't the original teen idols, but the Liverpool quartet's haircuts had to have at least a little influence on Bieber. Once the singer realized the worldwide success the group had because of their hair -- and possibly their music -- his career path was a no-brainer.

Miramax

Robert Redford, 'All the President's Men' (1976)

Fine, we guess it's important to bring down a corrupt presidential administration and expose a serious political crime and cover-up to an entire country, but do you really think Bob Woodward (played here by Robert Redford) would've gotten a fraction of the press without that haircut? Brian Williams can learn something from this.

Everett Collection

Mark Hamill, 'Star Wars' Trilogy (1977-1983)

If JB ever considers doing a sci-fi after "Never Say Never," he would be advised to consult the below pic of the geek god Mark Hamill. Using his hair, known in the "Star Wars" trilogy as "The Force," Hamill defeats the Dark Side and, just as important, maintains his forehead-covering sweep for the inevitable Tatooine groupies he will encounter once home.

Everett Collection

William Zabka, 'The Karate Kid' (1984)

For a lengthy run in the 1980s, William Zabka was in one out of every three movies produced in Hollywood and amassed a diverse catalog of characters including "Dick at party," "Douche that harasses main character" and "Ass that always has to ruin it when everyone else is just trying to have fun."

Sony

Mary Stuart Masterson, 'Some Kind of Wonderful' (1987)

If JB was alive and post-pubescent in 1987, this is the character he would've dated. Hair? Check. Earring? Check. Drummer? Check. Mary Stuart Masterson is basically the female version of the singer minus, you know, the actual singing. And nothing says 1980s rocker like fingerless gloves with frills attached.

Everett Collection

Ashton Kutcher, 'The Butterfly Effect' (2004)

Proof that having the Bieber Cut alone does not guarantee success, Kutcher tried to go for the "Bieber Long" for his time-traveling thriller but ended up with a black mark on the résumé. A warning to JB: The hair can only go a certain length before diminishing returns kick in.

New Line

Zac Efron, Everything (2006-2010)

He's practically elderly from a teen girl crush standpoint, but the "High School Musical" star was rocking the Bieber when JB was busking for change in Canada. Then he got old and serious and people didn't care as much, but when these two meet at some random awards show, it has to be at least a little awkward, like running into the guy your girlfriend dated before you.

New Line

Javier Bardem, 'No Country For Old Men' (2007)

Yes, he got an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a murdering psychopath, but did you really take Bardem that seriously with that coif? Neither did we. This basically looks like a photoshopped version of a badass serial killer.

Miramax

Getty Images

It looks like Lord Voldemort could be bringing his badness to the next James Bond movie. Actor Ralph Fiennes is reportedly in talks to play a "darkly complex" character in director Sam Mendes's upcoming "Bond 23."

"It's the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature, and challenging," a film exec told Britain's Daily Mail, according to SlashFilm.

Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are already on board as Bond and M, respectively, and Javier Bardem has said he's seriously considering signing on as 007's nemesis. Now Mendes reportedly wants to shake — not stir — things up by adding Fiennes to the mix.

"The part is one of extreme complexity," said the exec, "and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on."

We don't know about you, but we need some kind of decoder to figure out what that means.

"Ralph's name," said the exec, "is top of our list."

Gotcha.

"Bond 23," for which the plot remains top secret, is set to explode onto the big screen in November 2012.

Getty Images

"What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss, Mr. Bond?"

Javier Bardem created one of the most compelling/oddly haircut villains in screen history when he teamed with those rascally Coen brothers for 2007's "No Country For Old Men." His Anton Chigurh was a relentless, coldly calculating human terminator with nary a streak of humanity, and, when you create such an indelible baddie, how do you top yourself?

As luck would have it, the Academy Award-winning actor and Penélope Cruz's baby daddy may get his chance as according to Deadline he's been offered a starring role in the newly resuscitated Bond #23, and we all know what "starring role" means… bad guy.

Of course, with a surprise Oscar nomination for his performance in "Biutiful" and an offer from Ron Howard to take up the mantle of gunslinger Roland Deschain in the mammoth adaptation of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, Bardem may decline the offer to join the pantheon of great Bond villains such as Dr. No, Goldfinger, and Wayne Newton.

The Spaniard also has a history of turning down high-profile roles, as he did with the lead in musical "Nine" and the heavy in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," so there's a chance he could wind up in neither Bond nor "Dark Tower." Stop being so picky, Javier! Is it too much to ask that you try to destroy the world so James Bond can stop you and sleep with a supermodel? Think of Daniel Craig's feelings for once!

With Craig returning and "American Beauty" director Sam Mendes in tow, the latest Bond escapade is almost set to go except for the little snag of who's going to distribute it. Currently MGM is fielding offers from Warners, Sony, Fox, and Paramount. We think one of these outfits should just pay through the nose and go for it because, after all, you only live twice.

Bond #23 is already slated to come out on Nov. 9, 2012.

Roadside Attraction

The Man in Black fled across the desert and... Javier Bardem followed?

Yes, the opening of Steven King's epic "Dark Tower" series is perhaps the author's most famous line ever, but according to Deadline, it may be about to get a major rewrite, as Javier Bardem is now the leading contender to play the Gunslinger in the new big budget adaptation from director Ron Howard and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman.

And yes, we wrote the exact same thing yesterday, only about Christian Bale. So what happened?

Well, as far as we can tell, what happened is simply the fact that Howard and producer Brian Glazer decided that Bardem was totally awesome, to the point where they have apparently officially offered him the role. And as excited as we were for Bale yesterday, it's hard to argue with Bardem's recent roll: just three short years after winning the Best Supporting Actor award for playing the enigmatic assassin Anton Chigurh in 'No Country for Old Men,' he's now up for a Best Actor award for the Spanish-language film 'Biutiful.'

Though there are already some internet trollers getting their troll on because of his accent, there's no doubt that Bardem has both the chops and -- as he proved with Chigurh -- the badass intensity needed to pull off the part of Roland Deschain, aka The Gunslinger, whose quest to find the mythical Dark Tower drives the series. It will be interesting, though, to see how Bardem's big screen presence translates to the small screen, as Deadline is reporting that as part of the deal, Bardem would also be appearing in a "Dark Tower" TV series slated to run between the first and second films in the planned theatrical trilogy.

So, there you have it: Javier Bardem is going to be Roland the Gunslinger. At least for today. But don't worry: if Hollywood insiders discover tomorrow that the role has actually been offered to Seann William Scott or something, we'll be right here to report that too.

Weinstein Co.

Every year, Oscar pundits go hog wild debating whether or not said performance in ______ film is award-worthy.

Some actors, like Tom Hanks or Daniel Day Lewis, are thoroughbreds at lapping up love from the Academy, while other times you get wild cards like Adrian Brody or Roberto Benigni seemingly gate-crashing the ceremony with their anonymity.

However, in some years there builds such a consensus about a particular actor that it seems inevitable they'll take the gold. According to awards tracking site Gold Derby, there is currently a 95% expert consensus that says Colin Firth will be delivering an eloquent acceptance speech for "The King's Speech," where he plays a stammering George VI.

While Firth winning may seem like a done-deal, we took a good look at this year's Best Actor Oscar race and came up with a whopping eight actors who may wind up giving Firth a strong run for his money.

James Franco, "127 Hours"

Fox Searchlight

PRO: Lost appendage sympathy.
PRO: On screen all by his little old self.
PRO: Has the seal of approval from the real Aron Ralston.
PRO: He was robbed an Oscar for his role in "East of Eden." Oh wait, that's James Dean.
CON: Arm seemingly sewed back on at General Hospital.
CON: His co-stars are a watch, a water bottle and a microwave burrito.
CON: Audiences mistake the title for a running time.

Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"

Paramount

PRO: It's all about the eyepatch.
PRO: John Wayne won for playing Rooster Cogburn, why not The Dude?
PRO: Coen Brothers. Western. Nuff said.
CON: After last year's "Crazy Heart," win, how many Oscars can a guy win playing southern drunks?
CON: The role's already been decorated with an Oscar.
CON: Cogburn keeps getting hit with "Tron" light discs from the next theater.

Ryan Gosling, "Blue Valentine"

THINKfilm

PRO: Gosling plays a mean ukulele.
PRO: Academy still owes him one for "Half Nelson!"
PRO: "The Notebook" should help with the lady voters.
PRO: It's high time a member of the Mickey Mouse Club won an Oscar.
CON: NC-17.
CON: Viewers get motion sickness from the movie's shaky-cam aesthetic.
CON: With Gosling and Michelle Williams in baggy clothes, Brooklyn setting and soundtrack by Grizzly Bear, this might be hipster overdose.

Robert Duvall, "Get Low"

Sony

PRO: Loves the smell of napalm in the morning.
PRO: There are roughly 6000 people in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and something like 5900 of them are over age 80. You figure it out.
PRO: Might put a horse's head in all the Academy voters' beds if they refuse.
CON: Playing a grizzled old man… how big of a stretch was this, exactly?
CON: Too old to hear his name called if he wins.

Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"

Sony

PRO: Most people now think he, not Mark Zuckerberg, invented Facebook.
PRO: Besides giving a killer performance, he can protect the Awards audience from zombies.
PRO: Could accept the Academy Award in bathrobe and flipflops.
CON: Most Academy voters aren't members of Facebook.
CON: Promised director David Fincher he would not talk about Fight Club.
CON: Might be mistaken for Michael Cera.

Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"

Focus Features

PRO: Already got one, plus he's married to Penélope Cruz… what does he give a s***?
PRO: Director Alejandro González Iñárritu has a knack for nabbing Oscar nods for his cast.
CON: The film looks really gloomy and grim… couldn't Bardem have played the lead in "Yogi Bear" instead?
CON: He's not rockin' a crazy hair-do like he did in "No Country for Old Men."
CON:  There's a sequel already in the planning stages called "Uguly."

Mark Wahlberg, "The Fighter"

Paramount

PRO: Playing real-life Cinderella story of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward. Oscar loves biopics.
PRO: Legit Boston accent.
PRO: Residual performance quality just from acting opposite Amy Adams.
PRO: Vibrations good like Sunkist, many wanna know who done this.
CON: Can't hear his performance over David O. Russell & Christian Bale's screaming.
CON: "Planet of the Apes."
CON: Say hi to your mother for me.

Leonardo DiCaprio, "Inception"

Warner Bros.

PRO: Voters may believe if they give him the Oscar, he'll explain the ending to them.
PRO: After all these years, Leo finally looks old enough not to get carded at a bar.
PRO: The guy's body of work, mixed with his lack of Oscar and the box office bucks this movie made, would make it wise not to count him out.
CON: Wait, did this movie make any sense?
CON: Seriously, was this movie a dream or not?

Fox Searchlight

When Oscar voters fill out their ballots early next year, will they be thinking about those stellar performances from waaaay back in spring and summer? Yeah, probably not.

They'll have who's hot right NOW on their minds –- and why should we be any different? This is the season for A-listers to do things: get serious and reach for that Oscar or entertain the masses with a nice big holiday hit. Or in the case of one star (we're looking at you, The Rock), finally return to the genre they belong.

Here's a look at nine eclectic performances -- from awards bait to breakout stars in blockbusters -- we're most excited for over the next two months.

9. Elle Fanning, 'Somewhere'

Focus

Release Date: Dec. 22

FTW: Dakota's 12-year-old sister stars as Cleo in Sofia Coppola's first project since "Marie Antoinette." The film tells the story of a hard-living actor (Stephen Dorff) who is forced to rethink his priorities after his 11-year-old daughter suddenly enters his life. Think "Game Plan," only classy.

Looks as though Elle, who has played Dakota's younger sibling twice, first in "I Am Sam" and then again in the miniseries "Taken," will finally get her chance to become more than just "Dakota’s little sister." We're excited to catch her in this before next summer’s "Super 8" makes her a household name.

8. Dwayne Johnson, 'Faster'

Release Date: Nov. 24

FTW: When Dwayne Johnson burst onto the screen in the opening of 2001's "The Mummy Returns," it seemed like we had a worthy successor to the aging icons of action movies' past. But then "The Game Plan" happened. And "Witch Mountain." And "Tooth Fairy."

It looks like there's still a chance that hardcore fans will once again enjoy the smell of what The Rock is cookin' when Johnson's ex-con avenges his brother's death in this Thanksgiving release. Early indications look like "Faster" will speed past "The Expendables" to become the rare testosterone-fueled ride with an emotional center.

7. Gwyneth Paltrow – 'Country Strong'

Sony

Release Date: Dec. 22

FTW: Although Paltrow earned herself fanboy cred as Pepper Potts in "Iron Man" and its sequel, she's been focusing more on her website and cookbook of late. As Kelly Canter, a fallen singer who's taken out of rehab by her husband in hopes of resurrecting her career, Paltrow returns to form, allowing her to once again show off the acting chops that won her an Oscar for "Shakespeare in Love."

Between Paltrow doing her own singing in the film and a heartfelt performance as a former star aiming to make a comeback (a la "Crazy Heart"), we're marking our calendars for this film's year-end release.

6. Javier Bardem, 'Biutiful'

Release Date: Dec. 29

FTW: The man who redefined killing is about to do the same for spirituality in "Babel" director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's tale of a father rushing to put his chaotic life in order before it's too late.

Bardem stars as Uxbal in a Spanish-language drama set in the back streets of Barcelona. From the looks of the trailer, the film offers up another heavy role for the "No Country for Old Men" Oscar winner, serving him up at his brooding, intense best in a role that balances spiritual and everyday life. Amen to that!

5. Christina Aguilera – 'Burlesque'

Weinstein Co.

Release Date: Nov. 24

FTW: Aguilera stars in her first feature as a small-town girl who ventures to L.A. and finds her place in a burlesque club run by a former dancer (Cher).

Either it's fabulous over-the-top excess or "Showgirls"-esque camp… Xtina fans and gay men across the world won't care. The film also has a small dose of fanboy credibility: it's directed by Steven Antin, whom every boy was jealous of when he played Troy Perkins, boyfriend of Keri Green, in "The Goonies" ("ANDY! You Goonie!!")

4. Colin Firth, 'The King’s Speech'

Release Date: Nov. 26

FTW: Firth stars in the story of King George VI of Britain, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist that helped him become worthy of it. Mrs. Tim Burton Helena Bonham Carter reunites with her "Sweeney Todd" co-star Timothy Spall and her "Harry Potter" co-star Michael Gambon as Queen Elizabeth to Firth's King.

The Ladies love Colin from "Pride and Prejudice" and "Bridget Jones’ Diary." Men enjoy Firth from "Apartment Zero" and kids like "Nanny McPhee" -- we love him for all of the above and this performance will be one to watch -- one that could even nab him an Academy Award.

3. Garrett Hedlund, 'TRON: Legacy'

Disney

Release Date: Dec. 17

FTW: "Tron: Legacy" may boast groundbreaking effects, state-of-the-art 3-D visuals and Jeff Bridges in not one but two roles, but we have our eyes on the character of 27-year-old Sam Flynn.

As the son of Encom video game pioneer Kevin Flynn, Garrett Hedlund's (who also appears in "Country Strong") performance could have gone the way of Hayden Christensen's Anakin. Instead, we get what appears to be an extremely layered performance of a boy reuniting with his long-lost father… and one that will likely be the core of the entire film.

2. Natalie Portman – 'Black Swan'

Release Date: Dec. 3

FTW: Natalie Portman takes the starring role in Darren Aronofsky's follow-up to "The Wrestler." Sure… we know what you're thinking: Lesbian scene with Mila Kunis. But there's much more to this unique vision of the dark side of ballet than that much-talked-about sequence.

"Black Swan" delves inside the world of professional ballet, following Portman's character as she struggles to the top and her fight against it consuming her mind. Yeah. We know. You're still thinking about that lesbian scene with Mila Kunis.

1. James Franco, '127 Hours'

Fox Searchlight

Release Date: Nov. 5

FTW: He went from respected actor… to a daytime soap opera… to making videos for Funny or Die. Now, the man who strutted his dramatic stuff in "Milk" is back in serious-actor-mode for his role as Aron Ralston in another time-based title from red-hot "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle.

Spidey's pal commands the screen as a mountain climber who becomes trapped while exploring the canyons of Utah all by his lonesome. Franco's tour de force is sure to give way to plenty of post-screening discussion that won't likely be over come Oscar time. Norman Osborn would be proud.

Apple Trailers

Hey guys. We know you're not all psyched about watching foreign movies, what with all those subtitles and stuff; if you wanted to read and look at pictures simultaneously you'd buy some comic books, right? But we hope you'll make an exception just this one time, because the new trailer for "Biutiful" is out at Apple and, well, it looks kind of... beautiful.

Although maybe that's not quite the right word for the latest film from "Babel" director Alejandro González Iñárritu; moving, grim, dark, soulful and melancholy all come to mind when watching this almost wordless montage of images and music. But there's no doubt that the movie has at least one beautiful thing in it: Javier Bardem.

And frankly, if you've got Bardem, just how much more do you need? After all, the dude already won one Academy Award for his turn in "No Country For Old Men," and now his role in "Biutiful" is generating so much buzz that a second nomination appears likely; his haggard, heartfelt performance earned him the Best Actor award when "Biutiful" debuted at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Add in producing credits from Spanish-language superstar artists Guillermo Del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón and it's no wonder that the movie has been submitted by Mexico as their entry for the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year. No, the only wonder is that anyone would risk missing a film like this just because of a few pesky subtitles.

Yeah, we knew you'd come around. Because some film experiences are just too beautiful to miss.

Overture

When it comes to studying the history of bad hair in movies, you have to dismiss two chapters.

There's intentionally bad 'dos played for laughs ("Dumb and Dumber," "Kingpin," and really any other Farrelly Bros. comedy), and there's the dated looks of yonder years (one could write an entire screed against the asymmetrical, unnaturally dyed, and just plain ugly locks sported by the Brat Pack in the '80s).

That leaves 'dos like that of Edward Norton in the new dramatic thriller "Stone." Norton's cheesy style is just spit-take awful, so bad that it's both inspired and earned in a place in our cringe-worthy rundown of the worst cinematic hairstyles.

Tom Hanks in 'The Da Vinci Code' (2006)

Hanks really gives his all for a role, follicularly-speaking (see his wild-man beard in "Cast Away"). As Robert Langdon in "Code," Hanks runs wildly around Paris, trying to solve a murder that took place in the Louvre, and hints about a secret society of the ancient men who "created history." Apparently, Langdon was too busy saving humanity to ever wash or cut his hair. It sits atop his head like a sleeping cat -- with, natch, a little length in the back and winged out in the front -- affixed with some sort of super-strength styling balm. This 'do is the epitome of a failed "I'm in My Fifties, But I Am Still Cool" coif attempt.

Sony

Angelina Jolie in 'Life or Something Like It' (2002)

In this box-office bust, Jolie came scarily close to looking – gasp – unattractive. Director Stephen Herek and the makeup crew came up with an almost-unwatchable hairstyle for her news reporter Lanie Kerrigan – a short, over-processed mop. You can chart the arc of her character -- who is told she will die shortly by a homeless man (Tony Shalhoub) -- through her locks. Early on, Kerrigan's a go-go career gal who looks like she starts the day with hot rollers and loads of Aqua-Net. After Kerrigan starts contemplating her life after the run-in with homeless dude, she realizes that there is more to life than work. After this heavy revelation, Jolie literally lets her hair down. She wears her ice-blond locks lanky and straight, often topped by a trucker cap. How Ashton.

20th Century Fox

Taylor Lautner in 'Twilight' (2008)

We know how much the ladies love Jacob Black, but there's no denying the monstrosity that was the teen wolf's straight long coiffure in the first installment on this beloved series. It's a good thing you took the scissors to it: Jacob didn't stand a chance against Edward in the battle for Bella's love with that flowing flagrant foul. She wants a warrior who fight for her honor, not Anne Hathaway in "The Princess Diaries." It's a wonder he wasn't kicked out of the anti-vampire resistance for this offense.

Summit

Brad Pitt in 'Johnny Suede' (1992)

In this ahead-of-its-time fairy-tale-ish film noir from Tom DiCillo, Pitt is the eponymous wannabe retro-rocker with a sky-high pompadour and a passable style, but less-than-great luck with his career (and the ladies). That is, until he finds that life-changing pair of black suede shoes. After romantic drama leads to Catherine Keener, Johnny realizes what real happiness is, and that life doesn't revolve around cool shoes. Almost immediately, of course, his super-high hair deflates.

Everett Collection

Tina Turner in 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' (1985)

As Aunty Entity, "bad guy" to Mel Gibson's angry hero in the third "Mad Max" installment, Turner runs the post-apocalyptic village known as Bartertown, and more importantly, sports a truly evil weave. Her dry, long-haired blond wig waves in the desert heat cries out for a dose of Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom.

Everett Collection

Edward Norton in 'Stone' (2010)

In this cat-and-mouse thriller, Stone (Norton) is a shifty arsonist who uses his hot girlfriend (Milla Jovovich) to manipulate his parole officer (Robert De Niro) to gain freedom. But the true star of the movie is Norton's tight, white-dude cornrows. Norton is a helluva an actor, stoic and passionate at once, yet we're too distracted by his braids here to get a feel for his character. Now that we've broached the subject, can we please call a moratorium for white guys and cornrows?

Overture

Chris Tucker in 'The Fifth Element' (1997)

Wearing what can only be likened to a giant-sized loofah on his forehead like a horn, Tucker plays the evil DJ Ruby Rhod in "Fifth Element," the colorful sci-fi flick starring Bruce Willis…humanity's only hope. The movie was directed by auteur Luc Besson, which begs the question, who said the French have superior taste?

Everett Collection

Cameron Diaz in 'Being John Malkovich' (1999)

Think Cameron Diaz can't possibly look ugly? You must not have seen "Being John Malkovich," wherein her beauty is completely obliterated courtesy of her messy 'do. Sporting what could only be called an "I Don’t Give a F**k" 'do, Diaz co-starred with the almost equally badly groomed John Cusack, who plays a puppeteer who finds a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. As Lotte Schwartz, Diaz's locks scream mousy…she has a loose frizzy perm with bangs (ouch); girlfriend needs a hot-oil treatment, stat!

Everett Collection

John Travolta in 'Battlefield Earth' (2000)

Travolta's Terl -- leader of the Psyclos, who are killing off humans and stealing all of the planet's remaining resources -- has some of the nastiest stuff emanating out his scalp that we've ever witnessed. In what can only be called fake-rubber-snake-like dreads, Terl's hair and beard are the scariest thing about the movie, and that's saying a lot about this infamous turkey. Even more disturbing are the two mini dreadlocks hanging below Travolta's nose like giant, furry boogers.

Everett Collection

Javier Bardem in 'No Country for Old Men' (2007)

The Coen Brothers are famous for creating ugly beauty in their movies (just consider poor Frances McDormand's Marge in "Fargo"). In "No Country for Old Men," the Coens do what some might have thought impossible -- they made a haircut itself terrifying. As the uber-evil Anton Chigurh, Javier Bardem wears a Prince Valiant pageboy 'do that's incongruous enough to unsettle viewers. Yeah, the whole "murder by cattle gun" thing is pretty intimidating, but the hair's what really scared us.

Miramax

Dwayne Johnson in 'Be Cool' (2005)

As Elliot Wilhelm, a rhinestone-cowboy-meets-gangster, The Rock sports a short, meticulously sculpted 'fro and goatee that's just one of many, many things wrong with this critically reviled sequel to the beloved 1995 gangster comedy "Get Shorty." We'll just say that this look is most definitely not cool.

MGM

Natalie Portman in ' Star Wars' (1999-2005)

Portman's Padmé (wife of Anakin Skywalker, for all you non-geeks) is a true beauty, but she's too often made scary-looking by an overzealous hair-and-makeup department. Her hair has a number of bad, bad incarnations. One look involves long spiral dreadlocks, some spangled with beads, held back with a "futuristic" metallic headband. And harking back to Carrie Fisher's 'do in the original "Star Wars," Padmé  also wears her hair gathered into two donut-like side-buns. George Lucas, haven't you made women suffer enough?

Lucas Film

Johnny Depp in 'Cry-Baby' (1990)

Depp is Wade Walker, a 1950s-style "greaser" whose locks certainly live up to the slang. Director John Waters, who came of age in the post-WWII era, gave Depp an over-the-top "drape" 'do so insulting it made us break our rule that we'd resist "of the time" hairstyles for this list. Lacquered by at least an entire tube of Brylcreem, Cry-Baby's hair is combed within an inch of its life on the sides, pushed up into a lustrous tangle of hair that hangs down over his gorgeous face. How does he get the girl again?

Everett Collection

Halle Berry in the 'X-Men' Trilogy (2000-2006)

In all three "X-Men" movie, poor Berry (who plays Storm) is saddled with a trio of wholly unique, yet equally awful, hairdos. In "X-Men," there's what looks like a cheap, unruly stripper wig; long and white-blond with bangs. In "X-2," Berry sports a Gwen Stefani-hued longish shag that is way obviously a wig -- viewers can clearly see where the net foundation attaches to her forehead. Finally, in "X Men: The Last Stand," Berry's wig can only be described as what happens when a grey-haired suburban mom asks for a "kicky, choppy cut" and gets what she deserves.

20th Century Fox

Nicolas Cage in Anything

We love the guy, but the prematurely bald actor has had horrific hair in pretty much every movie he's made, from his breakout role in 1983's "Valley Girl" to this summer's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Go ahead, IMDB him, we'll wait.

Sony/Summit/Paramount/Disney