MICKEY ROURKE

By R. Kurt Osenlund, film critic and correspondent

On Thursday, Mickey Rourke was named an Oscar nominee for Best Actor. In one month, he'll probably be an Oscar winner. The gritty comeback kid and star of "The Wrestler" has had what can only be called the best year of his life. And he's ready to keep his streak of success going.

In 2009, Rourke will star in two new films - "Killshot" and "The Informers," both of which are featured below - and bring his tough-guy talents to both. In 2010, Rourke has four films being released, including an action flick with his pal and former "Get Carter" co-star/director, Sylvester Stallone.


Anyone who's seen "The Wrestler" knows that Rourke's performance is a huge achievement in dramatic power, bringing to life a character who's not very different from himself. It's been well documented lately that Rourke disappeared from the spotlight due to personal troubles and "banishment," as he says, from the world of actors of which he used to be a major part. It's to the benefit of all of us that he's been welcomed back.