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Alan Rickman
Most Valuable Player

WHY HIM As the icy, humorless magic instructor Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (opening July 11), Rickman may not be on screen long — but he owns every minute. He's magnificently intimidating, whether jousting with Daniel Radcliffe's Harry or turning a simple retort (''No idea'') into a mini-symphony of contempt. A stage veteran, Rickman can go from villainous (Die Hard) to heartbreaking (Truly Madly Deeply).

NEXT He's the lecherous Judge Turpin opposite Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd.