The Hot List, Part Two—Who Will Thrive in 2005?

Josh Eagle
Zach Reff

A (secular) new year means its time to be on the look out for new trends. Will reality TV still be huge? What movies will rock the box office? And most importantly, which Jewish celebs will we be talking about in '05? In that spirit, we offer Part Two of the JVibe Hot List.

To catch up on where we've been so far, check out part one HERE.

1 Maggie Gyllenhaal
The sassy and sultry older sis of Jake has been popping up in cool flick after cool flick for years now. Who could forget her haunting turn as the gloomy Elizabeth Darko opposite her bro in Donnie Darko? Or her top-notch performance as Lee Holloway in the ultradisturbing Secretary? Well, after taking much of '04 off, Maggie has several buzzworthy projects due out this year. Keep an eye out for her starring role as Emme in The Great New Wonderful, a flick that weaves together five darkly comic stories against the backdrop of an anxious and uncertain post-9-11 New York City. With Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano) and Will Arnett (Gob Bluth, from Arrested Development) dotting the cast, this one looks to be a winner.
2 Matisyahu
The Rebbe meets Reggae in the form of Matisyahu, a hot-and-comer in the music world. His debut, Shake off the dust and ARISE" is the debut from the 25-year-old Pennsylvania Chasid, and it features a truly authentic sound. He calls himself a combination of the sounds of Bob Marley and Shlomo Carlebach, and those who have seen him live say he is an unreal performer. My favorite track is "King without a Crown," a passionate tribute to G-d over a smooth dub track. Look for a full profile of the Orthodox skanker in the pages of JVibe the magazine in the months to come.
3 Jack Black
Jack Black thinks he is one of the most hilarious actors alive, and he may be right. His riotous performances are made all the more funny by a serious dedication to his craft and a dark streak that gives Black's characters more edge than other comic actors. In the past few years Black has appeared in numerous memorable roles including staring in School of Rock and as the stoner brother in Orange County. Black also makes up half of the musical duo Tenacious D, the self-proclaimed "best band in the world." This coming year Black looks to further cement his standing as the funniest man in Hollywood with roles in a remake of King Kong and in a movie about his band. Plus, you have to love a guy who's first name rhymes with his last.
4 Marc Ecko
A Jewish hip-hop fashion designer? Really? It's no joke. Founder and head designer of Ecko clothing, Marc Ecko has created a brand of clothing that captures the essence and the urban edge of hip-hop with a distinctly athletic vibe. Ecko Clothing was founded in 1993 and by 2002 the company was bringing in more than $300 million in revenue yearly. The style of Ecko has become nearly synonymous with hip-hop culture and the brand's influence is far-ranging in the world of both music and fashion. The brand has also teamed with 50 Cent's crew, G-Unit, to offer a line of clothing inspired by the group. In addition to designing clothing, Marc recently started Complex Magazine, a monthly buyer's guide for men (think Shop Etc. for a male crowd) that already has a circulation of over 300,000.
5 Zach Braff
Zach Braff had an amazing year in 2004 and it looks like he'll continue his winning streak well into the future. In the past year, Braff not only starred opposite Natalie Portman in the critically acclaimed film Garden State, which he wrote and directed, but he also continued in his breakout role as the goofy doctor JD on Scrubs. Braff is one of the most talked about young stars in Hollywood today and he seems well on the way to becoming the next John Cusack--a sweet and slightly silly guy who always gets the girl. Look for Braff in more movies soon, including as the voice of Chicken Little in an upcoming animated movie.
6 Carrie Brownstein
Singer/Songwriter and guitar player for the loud and energetic all girl punk band Sleater-Kinney, Brownstein and her band have cultivated a loyal following in the indie music scene. In 2001, Time magazine music critic Greil Marcus declared Sleater-Kinney the best rock band in America. The band has yet to break into the mainstream, but they are releasing an album this May which may finally get them the recognition they deserve. As the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have slowly faded into the background, Brownstein may well replace Karen O as the most sought-after girl in music. She has style, she can sing, and don't forget, she can rock.
7 Emmanuelle Chriqui
Don't be scared by her last name, its pronounced "Shreeky". Chriqui is a vibrant and beautiful Canadian actress who has appeared in many small roles in films like Detroit Rock City and Artificial Intelligence. This year she may get her big break as she is set to appear in at least three films including a starring role in a love story with mafia underpinnings called Dying for Dolly. With Chriqui's stunning looks and boundless talent it should only be a matter of time before she becomes Hollywood's new "it" girl.

Zach Reff and Josh Eagle are two hip Jews.