Ramin Setoodeh

Anne Hathaway is generating Oscar buzz for her risky turn in "Love and Other Drugs." She plays Maggie, a 20-something with Parkinson's disease. But that's not what makes the role so flashy. It's the flashing.

The new "Harry Potter" movie starts with a close-up shot of the Minister of Magic, who barks: "These are dark times. There's no denying it." You're obviously supposed to notice the 2010 subtext, but it's hard to make that leap when the film itself looks like it was shot under a storm cloud.

Two decades ago, the only cultural icons with tattoos were rowdy and extreme: Dennis Rodman, Steven Tyler, Cher. Their inked-up arms conjured images of rebellious behavior, life on the road, Hells Angels. But today, even the most elaborate tattoos have gone mainstream.

Valerie Plame, the CIA operative whose identity was compromised by an internal leak in 2003, is the subject of an engrossing new drama, "Fair Game," which stars Naomi Watts as the fallen spy. Watts discusses the movie with NEWSWEEK.

The critically lauded feature is the most successful movie of the year, and the top-grossing cartoon of all time. Chances are very good that the Pixar hit will be nominated for a best-picture Academy Award. But could it win?

The secrets of Hollywood's goriest franchise, from making fake blood and creating convincing intestines for the big screen to what kind of deaths we can expect from the latest installment.

The stunt is called "The Propeller," and it's a high—and low—moment of Jackass 3D. A gang of male doofuses stand in a grassy field, as an airplane propeller revs up to full speed just a few feet away.

In the wake of a second break-in at Paris Hilton's home, a celebrity security expert weighs in on how celebs can stay safe.

Many of us keep track of what tops the box-office and iTunes charts, but can anybody even guess what's the most-viewed YouTube video of all time? No, it doesn't involve a baby or a kid doing something hilarious.

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most respected actors of his generation (he's 35), so why is he always so pissed off in the movies? It's not for lack of admiration.

In case you hadn't heard, the world is ending! This always happens during summer-movie season (e.g., "Armageddon," "Independence Day," etc.), but this summer, it's Hollywood itself that's facing the apocalypse.

Hollywood has always been green-friendly, but now it's one of the world's biggest recyclers. The latest example: The Karate Kid. (Wait—there's also The A-Team. Is it 1984 again?)

If you expect to have trouble letting go of your son when he heads off to college, perhaps there's solace in this: imagine how crummy his toys must feel. That's the premise behind 'Toy Story 3.'

On the nightly news (for the six people who still watch that), the Middle East is often a barren land of despair, where the women are cloaked in shawls and the men look armed and angry. More often than not, Hollywood reinforces that perception.

After Tuesday night's final face-off, the voting just seemed like a formality. All the judges piled praise after praise on Crystal Bowersox. But Lee DeWyze was destined to win.

In our culture of meanness, prickly Simon Cowell is a patron saint. As the 'American Idol' judge bids farewell, a look at his legacy.

When Sean Hayes, from Will & Grace, made his Broadway debut in Promises, Promises playing a heterosexual man, the New York Times theater review included these lines: "his emotions often seem pale to the point of colorlessness ...

This story was first posted on the Web on April 26, 2010. The reviews for the broadway revival of Promises, Promises were negative enough, even though most of the critics ignored the real problem—the big pink elephant in the room.

Hollywood is obsessed with sequels, and for once it delivers a great one.

On Tuesday, it had been 24 hours since the news leaked: Chely Wright is now the first openly gay performer in country music. "It's been an interesting day for me," said Wright, 39, as she was about to launch a press tour that included a stop on the Today show. "Wonderful, dynamic, emotional, and great."

As TV's most popular show seems poised to lose its crown to 'Dancing With the Stars,' we wonder how America will be different when 'American Idol' becomes a has-been.

She doesn't blog or tweet. In fact, she rarely talks. In a world where everyone wants to be a star, this may be the last great character actress.

Two stars, one first name. How Aniston and Lopez lost the fame game.

He might be bound to for now, but it's on the big screen where he truly makes our guts ache.

The postal service lost $3.8 billion last year, but at least it's still got one big booster: Hollywood. Most of us use Facebook, Twitter, cell phones, YouTube, and blogs to communicate, but the movies are still trafficking in old-fashioned, handwritten letters.

If you thought the 'Idol' judges were tough, just wait until you hear what our music braniacs have to say

Who cares what Simon, Randy, Kara, or Ellen think? We created our own panel, with four of the smartest judges we could find.

The new Robert Pattinson movie has an unexpected plot twist. Is it exploitative, or historically important?

This was supposed to be the year the Oscars dumbed themselves down, to appeal to the masses. There were 10 nominees for best picture, specifically so that crowd-pleasing films such as The Blind Side, Up, and District 9could make the cut.

How good are the Academy Awards at discovering new talent?