It Boy: Cillian Murphy
After his breakthrough in last summer's sleeper smash 28 Days Later, the 28-year-old Scott has been working steady, but his most major role will be as the Scarecrow in next summer's Batman Begins. After that is Breakfast on Pluto in which Cillian (pronounced Kill-yin) will play a transvestite cabaret singer in the late 60's. He'll follow this showy role up with Red Light Runners, which features an all-star cast including Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel, Peter O'Toole and and Crispin Glover. Murphy was also featured in Girl With a Pearl Earring, Cold Moutain and Intermission.
It Girl: Emmy Rossum
At just 17, Rossum has been featured in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated Mystic River as Sean Penn's daughter and in this summer's blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow as Jake Gyllenhaal's crush. But up next is the biggie: the much sought after role of Christine in Joel Schumacher's The Phantom of the Opera. The role was one of the hottest in Hollywood, but with experience in the stage and opera, Rossum was the winner.
It Actor: Mark Ruffalo
Busy. Busy. Busy. The 36-year-old actor made his debut in 2000's acclaimed You Can Count on Me and has been working ever since. It seemed fame had eluded him for almost 3 years, but since he upstaged a nude Meg Ryan in In the Cut and then with this year's most acclaimed film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the Big hit 13 Going on 30, Ruffalo has officially made it. Roles in the late summer indie We Don't Live Here Anymore with Naomi Watts and Tom Cruise potential blockbuster Collateral will only add fuel to an already blazing fire. After that, Ruffalo joins Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner in a The Graduate spinoff.
It Actress: Kate Winslet
A critical darling since her debut in Peter Jackson's original great film Heavenly Creatures, mainstream success hit Winslet after she starred in the biggest movie of all time: a certain little movie about a ship. But instead of milking that and taking roles in generic romantic comedies, Winslet continued to work in small, offbeat and often period-set films. Three Oscar nominations, 2 husbands and 2 babies into her career, Winslet, 28, is about to embark on a plethora of possibly great projects for diverse directors like Woody Allen, John Turturro and Robert Altman. Now that the Nicole Kidmans and Renee Zellwegers of the times have Oscars, Winslet seems the highest priority on the list. It will only help that she earned the best notices of her career for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and her next role is a dying mom in the Johnny Depp drama Finding Neverland. In other words, a front row seat at the Kodak has already been reserved for next February.
It Scene-Stealer: Judy Greer
Just watch her bitchy alternative to the sweet Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30 and her deliriously hilarious turn on Arrested Development as the nutty secretary (try not to erupt in giggle fits when she yells out "MICHAEL BLUTH IS THREATENING ME!") and you'll know why this is an actress to watch. After roles in Jawbreaker, The Wedding Planner and Adaptation, the statuesque Greer, 29, will next be seen almost everywhere: M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, Wes Craven's Cursed and Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown. One thing is for sure: no matter who the movie is from or who she is with, all eyes will be on Judy.
It Brits: Romola Garai & James Purefoy
Want two more reasons to see Vanity Fair (after Reese and Mira, of course)?? Well, here you go. Garai brokeout in the period piece I Capture the Castle and was about the only memorable thing of this past February's Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Purefoy was previously seen in A Knight's Tale and Resident Evil. Their turns opposite Witherspoon, as bestfriend and hubbie, should make them It.
It Crossover: Gael Garcia Bernal
The poster child of Cannes (because the festival needed a break after three consecutive years of Nicole Kidman) will be seen in two controversial films this fall: Pedro Almodovar's Bad Education and the Che Guevera biopic The Motorcycle Diaries. Strong Oscar buzz surrounds both. The 26-year-old was previously seen in Y Tu Mama Tambien.
It Sweetheart: Rachel McAdams
Living up to the title The Hot Chick and more than enough proving she could be one of the Mean Girls, the lovely Canadian McAdams will next be seen in this summer's weepie The Notebook. After that, look for the 25-year-old as Luke Wilson's love interest in The Wedding Crashers. The actress was also just announced as a possible candidate for the role of Sue Storm in Fantastic Four.
It King: Clive Owen
Owen should finally enjoy becoming an action star when he steps into the role of the title character of King Arthur, co-starring last year's It Girl Keira Knightley (hey, that didn't hurt Johnny Depp.) Up next, a role opposite Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Natalie Portman in Mike Nichols' adaptation of the stage play Closer.
It Crush: Lindsay Lohan
With lauded turns in Freaky Friday and The Parent Trap, Lohan achieved A-List status with the box office smash Mean Girls, the wittiest teen movie since Clueless. Up next for the red-headed bombshell: a remake of The Love Bug and an untitled dark drama that will show off L.L.'s dramatic chops. But more importantly: turning 18. Mary Kate and Ashley who?
It Name: Dallas Roberts
Remember that name. Appearances on god knows which Law & Order led to Dallas earning a role as 1/3 the threesome madeup of Roberts, Colin Farrell and Robin Wright Penn in A Home at the End of the World, which is already earning rave reviews for the actors. Up next for Roberts (no relation!): a role in the Joaquin Phoenix/Reese Witherspoon/James Mangold Johnny Cash (did you follow that?) biopic Walk the Line.
It Replacement: Bryce Dallas Howard
So, you're M. Night Shyamalan or Lars Von Trier and your leading ladies (Kirsten Dunst and Nicole Kidman, respectively) have just decided they no longer want to participate in your film. What do you do? Well, you wouldn't think that "Call Ron Howard's daughter!" would be the first solution. But the NYU grad Bryce, 23, is just who the eccentric directors got for their films The Village and Manderlay (the follow-up to Dogville.) And you gotta wonder how good she is if she's going to replace talent like that.
It Child Actor: Freddie Highmore
Or perhaps It Johnny Depp Collaborater would also be suitable. Young Highmore stars as Kate Winslet's son in Finding Neverland, but next year will star as Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton's must anticipated reimagining of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Check him out this summer opposite Guy Pearce and some big kitties in Two Brothers.
It Baby: Apple Blythe Alison Martin
Genuine screen beauty, soothing vocals and a cool New York/UK sensibility??? The eighteen-or-so year wait should well be worth it.
IT For Your Emmy Consideration - Arrested Development
If this comedy series does not sweep the Emmy's this fall, there is no justice in TV world. Any TV show that combines incest jokes, low-carb fads, an adopted son named "Annyung," family problems, Iraqi real estate, Portia De Rossi, wacky guest stars and a business titled "Dip-A-Pet" is worth your time. Trust me.
IT TV Show - Desperate Housewives
Already being compared to American Beauty and Twin Peaks, this darkly funny drama must be damn good if ABC bumped its most acclaimed series (Alias) to 2005 to makeway for some serious bitchery. Starring Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Sheryl Lee.
IT Reruns - The X-Files
Check TNT, TBS and Sci-Fi. You know you love it. Though stay clear of those headache inducing government/conspiracy/ark-y episodes. Go straight to the monster stuff!
IT Summer Movie - Garden State
In a summer of hugely budgeted sequels and (so-far) big let downs, this much buzzed indie could be the sunshine you've been waiting for. Zach Braff of TV's Scrubs directs and stars, along with Natalie Portman and Peter Saarsgard.
IT Sequel - Before Sunset
Yes, you're dying to see Spider-Man 2 and The Bourne Supremacy. But give Richard Linklater's follow-up to his lovely Before Sunrise a chance this summer. Its like Lost In Translation. Only outside and with less quietness.
IT Scary Movie - The Woods
Agnes Bruckner, Patricia Clarkson, and Bruce Campbell co-star in Lucky McKee's Suspiria-esque chiller. After seeing McKee's May, I'm so there.
IT Fall Movie - The Aviator
What a cast! What a director! What an Oscar campaign!
IT 2005 Movie - Brokeback Mountain
Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger play gay cowboys (no word yet on whether they like pudding) in Ang Lee's drama set in the 60's. Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams and the wonderful Anna Faris co-star. The film has already been given the nickname "Bareback Mountain."
And that is IT!
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