1 In 2008's "The Wrestler," lead actor Mickey Rourke owned the film. In "The Fighter," supporting actor Christian Bale steals the movie with a knockout performance. Bale portrays an ex-fighter turned crackhead trainer to his younger boxing brother (Mark Wahlberg) in this real-life story. Accustomed to brooding roles, Bale is brilliantly in full bloom this time, whether he's combustible, contemplative or cracked out. The down-and-out character wins again.
2 Don't go to the Tony-winning "Billy Elliot: The Musical" at the Orpheum for the Elton John music (there's not one tune you'll be singing afterward) or the acting (no character keeps a consistent British accent). Go for the feel-good story -- a teen boy pursues his dreams against the wishes of his stern, single dad in a strike-torn British mining town -- and for the marvelous dancing by a cast of kids and the title character, portrayed by five boys, ages 13 to 15. www. hennepintheatretrust.org
3 The only thing bigger than Roots drummer ?uestlove's Afro is his talent. "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" has become more than just a forum for his remarkably versatile drumming, whether it's the mighty drive he showed while backing Bruce Springsteen on "Because the Night" or his delicate brushwork on a jazzy "Christmas Song." He also displays understated acting -- sharing his deep thoughts on the semi-regular segment "?uestions" -- and quick creativity on his weekly "Remix the Clips," when he spontaneously crafts a video based on a mash-up of news, commercials and YouTube clips. We heart ?uestlove.
4 The girl in "True Grit" may be the new kid on the block, but don't overlook another fresh face, Jennifer Lawrence. Her movie "Winter's Bone" (out on DVD) is set in the modern-day Ozarks -- not far from the frontier of "Grit," and no less dangerous, infested by mean-as-rattlesnakes meth-heads and their fierce and suspicious kin. Lawrence plays a high-schooler who's raising her little brother and sister while caring for her mentally ill mother. When their crank-cooking daddy goes missing, she must find him or they'll lose the family home. This Sundance-winning film is a nail-biter that depends entirely on our empathy for Lawrence's character, who's caring but tough, vulnerable yet indomitable. Let's hope Oscar voters take notice.
5 How's this for a hip-hop pedigree? Yelawolf is a multiracial Alabama country boy (half white/half Cherokee), whose tattooed torso makes him look like a long-lost member of Blink-182. But when he opens his mouth he fires off triple-time rhymes, pouring his grim tales of trailer-park meth battles over silky bass-crushing beats. Plus, he's hooked up with such gangsta rap luminaries as Raekwon, Bun B and Gucci Mane. All this made his "Trunk Muzik 0-60" one of the most exciting rap albums of 2010.
