Did you know Benedict Cumberbatch spent a year teaching English to Tibetan monks? That he sent himself on a secret mission to Morocco in order to prepare for his role in Tinker Tailor? That his air miles must be stacking up by now? Cheat Sheet! Sherlock Cheat Sheet! Is this pure indulgence? Yes. But he shouts a bit in War Horse, so that counts as relevance.

Everyone loves Stanley Tucci. You know him, he’s the little bald chap in The Devil Wears Prada. And the little bald chap in Julie & Julia. And the little bald chap in Burlesque. And the not-bald paedophile in The Lovely Bones. See? That’s how good an actor he is – sometimes he acts HAVING HAIR. He’s not actually gay, either. Feeling ignorant? Come inside…

For some reason, the marvellous Jason Lee is currently appearing in the inevitably-crap Alvin and the Chipmunks threequel. We’re not going to talk about that. In fact, in an attempt to actively avoid talking about it we’re going to talk about all the other super stuff he’s done – that way, if someone brings up Alvin and his hellish brood you can just go LA LA LA SKATEBOARDS!

All singing, all dancing, all ridiculously charming – Neil Patrick Harris is back on the big screen this week as… well… Neil Patrick Harris in A Very Harold And Kumar 3D Christmas. But what else is there to know about the quick-witted, eminently well dressed pseudo-womaniser? Did someone say PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY OF MAGICAL ART? That’s right.

Antonio Banderas is back on our screens in a big way this year, starring in a Pedro Almodóvar film for the first time in two decades and voicing his Shrek character Puss in Boots in a high-profile spin-off. But how much do you know about his winery? EXACTLY. Thank God for you we’ve just written a Cheat Sheet…

So Ken Russell has passed away peacefully in his sleep, aged 84. Everyone’s talking about it, but here you are desperately trying to think of a subtler way of saying “Who is the nine hells is Ken Russell?” Don’t worry, as always, we’ve got your back: here’s everything you wanted to know (and a few things you didn’t) about legendary film maverick Ken Russell.

STOP PRESS: Michelle Williams is fabulous in My Week with Marilyn. As she is is literally everything else she’s ever made, ever. By rights, you should know her blood type and preferred cut of underwear by now – and if you don’t, then why are you lingering here and not ploughing straight into this Cheat Sheet? Go! Go!

Hollywood’s busiest and worst actor is at it again, with two films out this week alone (he filmed them both at the weekend). But does the wreckage of a once great actor lurk somewhere within Cage’s permatanned skull, forever besieged with gruesome memories of Season of the Witch and National Treasure: Book of Secrets? You’ll have to read on to find out… [SPOILER: probably not]

Hot on the heels of the really rather good Coriolanus, Gerard Butler is once again disappointing his public with the startlingly dull Machine Gun Preacher. But is there really a talented actor behind the gun-toting beardy meathead? We think so, and if you gather round closer we’ll tell you why…

This Friday heralds the release of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s directorial debut, Jack Goes Boating. In honour of his achievements in the worlds of film and seeming like a nice man, we have decided to take a look back at his career. From bit parts to lead roles, Hoffman has always stood out as a dignified, intelligent actor. Plus, he was in Triple Bogey on a Par Five Hole, only our favourite movie of all time!